Daily Thoughts May 31, 2018

Psalm 25:4-5  Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Daily Thoughts May 30, 2018

Psalm 67 

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Daily Thoughts May 29, 2018

Psalm 66:19-20  But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Daily Thoughts May 28, 2018

Psalm 64:10  The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Daily Thoughts May 27, 2018

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church

"Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Six Years”

1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501

May 27, 2018          

 Newsletter Number 671

Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                   Brother James Thomas, Song Leader

Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                   Pastors Blog: sgmbcpastor.blogspot.com  

Churches Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com

“A Church Seeking To Please God In Prayer, Song, Preaching, And Worship.”

Please Join Us As We Pray For:

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 Adcock, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family, Lee & Mary Mollette, 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, Archie 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, Donna Jones, Gina, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, The Harris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Sister Ann McSwain, Elaine Sparks, James daughter’s mother-in-law, Danny Hammond, Jim and Linda Meier, Ronnie Elam, Bonnie From Ohio, Brother Dan Sullivan the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

From Our Pastor:

The Beautiful Grace Of God.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” 2 Peter 1:2 – 3

I am simply amazed every time I see Gods grace in my life. Paul said “But by the grace of God I am what I am” 1Cor. 15:10 if I am what God wants me to be then how can I ever complain? God has made me His child, I understand the trials of life, the persecutions of life, even the heart aches of life, but I am a child of the Living God, what else could I want. This is how I see it, even with all the sufferings of life, God chose for me to send His Beloved Son Jesus to this evil world and to suffer death on my part to give to me eternal life. Look at what God said through Peter, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man...For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:9 – 10 Now give this a little thought, Jesus who created all things, whom is the image of God, who is God, gave His life for me. He came to this world, lived here for about 33 years, and allowed His own creation to crucify Him, to give to me eternal life. God said through Peter that Jesus is “…the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Jesus is the Captain of our salvation because of His living and dying for our righteousness. By Captain it means He is also our leader in life, death, and resurrection. We as Christians ought to live our life for the Father, because Jesus did. We need to live in the steps of Jesus, even if life leads us through much tribulations and eventually to death. If God did it, then should we also do it. Listen to Jesus because as a Christian’s this should be our pattern in life, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30 Jesus came to this world to do the will of His Father, NOT TO DO HIS OWN WILL. Sometimes as Christians, we seek our own will over our Fathers will, this is a no, no. God saved us, Jesus died for us, therefore we belong to God, our personal will in life, our personal desires in life do not matter, only God’s will matter. Jesus was not selfish, He gave His life in a very horrible way because His Father sent Him here to die for our sins. We look at our life and we say that God has brought me to it, and My Father will make sure to walk me through it. God does not ever leave us, and we should never leave the Lord for personal reasons or any other reason. Even if it leads us through the fires of life, Jesus is our Captain, He leads the way, we just need to follow Him, even to death. God’s grace is powerful, and we need to lean on His grace in every trial, tribulation, sickness and even death. Grace, oh how wonderful is Gods grace to us. If it were not for God’s wonderful grace I would still be lost, and hell bound. If it were not for God’s grace I would be naked and without. God’s grace is everything to me, so if God leads me through the fire I will walk through it by His beautiful, marvelous grace. Folks never forget what God told us through Peter, “his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,”. What happens to me is happening because God brought it to me, He chose it for me, and I will suffer it for my Father. I pray that my Father will not ever allow me to put self’s will and desires before His will and desires for me, no matter what. Let us remember the words of John Newton “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me....I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see. T'was Grace that taught...my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved How precious did that Grace appear...the hour I first believed…” Jesus our Captain leads the way lets just follow the captain through life, even if it leads to death, and eventually will.           

Cain, Esau, Saul, Ahab, Judas

By: Curtis Pugh

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2 Cor. 7:10

These two kinds of repentance are to be carefully distinguished from each other; though they are often sadly confounded. Cain, Esau, Saul, Ahab, Judas, all repented. But their repentance was the remorse of natural conscience, not the godly sorrow of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. They trembled before God as an angry Judge, but were not melted into contrition before Him as a forgiving Father.

They neither hated their sins nor forsook them.

They neither loved holiness nor sought it.

Cain went out from the presence of the Lord.

Esau plotted Jacob's death.

Saul consulted the witch of Endor.

Ahab put honest Micaiah into prison.

Judas hanged himself.

How different from this forced and false repentance of a reprobate, is the repentance of a child of God; that true repentance for sin, that godly sorrow, that

holy mourning which flows from the Spirit's gracious operations! ?

Godly sorrow does not spring from a sense of the wrath of God in a broken law, but from His mercy in a blessed gospel; from a view by faith of the sufferings of Christ in the garden and on the cross; from a manifestation of pardoning love; and is always, attended with self-loathing and self-abhorrence; with deep and unreserved confession of sin and forsaking it; with most hearty, sincere and earnest petitions to be kept from all evil; and a holy longing to live to the praise and glory of God.

The world's trinity?

By Thomas Reade

Everything to which we give the heart, becomes our idol.

Pleasure, wealth, and power, form the world's trinity! Before these idols they bow down in adoration.

All their thoughts, time, and talents are employed in their service. No sacrifice is deemed too great to obtain possession of these vanities.

Alas! thousands, who call themselves Christians, who have been baptized in the name of Christ, and who make a nominal profession of Christianity, worship these idols which Satan has set up.

Daily Thoughts May 25, 2018

Psalm 63  A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Daily Thoughts May 24, 2018

Psalm 62  Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

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.

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

Daily Thoughts May 23, 2018

I John 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

I cannot think little of sin, when . . .

   ~  ~  ~  ~

(J.C. Ryle)

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46

Would I know how exceedingly sinful and abominable sin is in the sight of God? Where shall I see sin most fully brought out?

Shall I turn to the history of the flood, and read how sin drowned the world?

Shall I go to the shore of the Dead Sea, and mark what sin brought on Sodom and Gomorrah?

No! I can find a clearer proof still! I look at the cross of Christ!

There I see that sin is so filthy and damnable, that nothing but the blood of God's own Son can wash it away!

There I see that sin has so separated me from my holy Maker, that all the angels in Heaven could never have made peace between us. Nothing could reconcile us, short of the death of Christ.

If I listened to the wretched talk of proud people, I might sometimes imagine that sin was not so very sinful! But I cannot think little of sin, when I look at the cross of Christ!

"A bleeding Savior I have viewed--and now I hate my sin!" John Newton

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 23, 2018

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:13)

When the circumstances of life loom fierce and threaten to beat us down—when the seeming futility of our earthly endeavours brings sorrow oppressive, our God will be a comfort to us. He promises consolation. He promises to heal our hearts. He promises us strength in faith. He is our God and He is good!

Daily Thoughts May 22, 2018

Psalm 22:28  For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

This alone is the vexed soul's refuge!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

(Horatius Bonar, 1808-1889)

"In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!" Colossians 2:3

The one true resting-place where doubt and weariness, the stings of a pricking conscience, and the longings of an unsatisfied soul would all be quieted--is Christ Himself!

Not the church, but Christ.

Not doctrine, but Christ.

Not religious forms and ceremonies, but Christ.

Christ the God-man . . .

  giving His life for ours,

  sealing the everlasting covenant, and

  making peace for us through the blood of His cross!

Christ the divine storehouse of all light and truth, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!

Christ the infinite vessel--the enlightener, the teacher, the quickener, the comforter--so that out of His fullness we may receive grace upon grace.

This, this alone is the vexed soul's refuge, its rock to build on, its home to abide in--until the great tempter is bound and every conflict ended in victory.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 22, 2018

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:8-9)

If we sow the things of the flesh (that is, the things of sin), then we will reap eternal punishment; but if we sow the things of the Spirit (that is, the things of God), then we will reap eternal happiness and joy! As we sow the things of God and cultivate them we must keep pressing on. It may seem that our work is worthless, but in the end, we will reap eternal life with God. For what better harvest could we hope?

Daily Thoughts May 21, 2018

Psalm 22:30-31  A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 21, 2018

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)

Judgment, swift and final, is promised in the last day. Take heart, O believer, that your life is bound up with that of Christ Jesus. His life is your life. His obedience is your obedience. His resurrection is your resurrection. And when He stands to the fore in judgment, rejoice! For you will not stand before Him but alongside Him: holy, righteous, good, and acceptable!

Daily Thoughts May 20, 2018

Psalm 21:13  Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.

The best sermon!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

(Charles Naylor)

" He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." 1 John 2:6

We must pattern our lives after our Lord, and follow in the way which He trod.

God's will for His people, is that they set before the world a worthy example of Christian character.

A blameless character is the best sermon!

In all our relations with others, we should manifest a sweet temper, kindness, meekness, gentleness, forbearance, patience, reasonableness, cheerfulness, magnanimity and all the other things that go to make up Christian character.

In our lives we should be examples of holiness, consistency and moderation. We should be free from worldliness, ostentation, and the vanities that are ruining the world. We should not be not of the world . . .

  in the tenor of our lives,

  in the motives that move us,

  in the purposes that actuate us.

God's will for His people regarding . . .

  the vanities of this world,

  the desires that have their root in worldliness,

  and the sinful customs of the world,

is that we do not imbibe them.

Jesus said of His own, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." He has chosen us out of the world. Un-worldliness is a characteristic of true Christianity, and is found in all genuine believers.

The multitude of worldly professors who call themselves by Christ's name, but who, in their lives, and in the worldliness of their hearts, deny Him--are not Christians at all. They are Christians in name only. Their religion is only a veneer that covers a heart of sin. They are actuated by the spirit of the world, and they love the things of the world.

To be a true Christian, means to be severed in spirit . . .

 from the vanities of the world,

 from the pride, fashion, display and pretense of the world,

 from the world's love of pomp and power, and its hypocritical pretensions.

We must strive to be separated from the spirit, desires, aspirations, and hopes of this world--as really and as truly as Jesus was.

We must desire to live out in the life, those things that definitely mark one as having his hopes set on something higher, his aspirations set on something nobler, and his interests aimed at something greater and more lasting than . . .

  the perishable things of the world,

  the popular opinions of the world,

  the sinful customs of the world,

  the fashions and frivolities of the world, and

  the pleasures and amusements of the world.

" But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

  ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 20, 2018

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:2-4)

From the foundation of the world, God foreknew His children and began to sanctify them through the precious blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. By the stripes of our Lord, we are given the gift of eternal life with all the joy and peace it could possibly present. By His infinite love and mercy, we are promised an inheritance that will never be lost or destroyed. For those who believe, we have been set apart by this remarkable hope of everlasting life with Christ.

Daily Thoughts May 19, 2018

I Timothy 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

The greatest sinner that you know!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

(William Law, "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life")

" This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." 1 Timothy 1:15

You may truly look upon yourself to be the greatest sinner that you know in the world. For though you may know many people to be guilty of some gross sins with which you cannot charge yourself--yet you may justly condemn yourself as the greatest sinner that you know, because you know more of the folly of your own heart, than you do of other people's hearts. You can charge yourself with various sins, that only you know of yourself, and cannot be sure that others are guilty of them.

So that as you know more of the folly, the degradation, the pride, the deceitfulness and vileness of your own heart, than you do of any one's else--so you have just reason to consider yourself as the greatest sinner that you know; because you know more of the greatness of your own sins, than you do of other people's sins.

God Almighty knows greater sinners than you are; because He sees and knows the circumstances of all men's sins. But your own heart, if it is faithful to you, can discover no guilt so great as your own.

Perhaps that person who appears so odious in your eyes, would have been much better than you are--had he been altogether in your circumstances, and received all the same favors and graces from God that you have. And therefore the greatest sinner that you know, must be yourself.

This is a very humbling thought.

A serious and frequent reflection upon this will mightily tend to . . .

  humble us in our own eyes,

  make us very sensible of the greatness of our own guilt,

  and very tender in censuring and condemning other people.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 19, 2018

For this God [is] our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death. (Psalm 48:14)

When the storms of life assail us and we feel as though lost at sea, take heart, O Christian, take heart! Our Lord will never fail to lead us in the paths of righteousness, conforming us daily to the pure, holy, and loving image of His very Son, Christ our saviour!

Daily Thoughts May 18, 2018

Psalm 21:13  Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.

Christian joy!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4

Just so, "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing," says Paul, speaking of his own experience.

The believer's joy does not exclude sorrow, but . . .

  attends it,

  sustains under it,

  and raises above it.

Joy in the Lord should be constant--for He is the same.

There is as much ground for joy in Him in the winter of adversity--as in the summer of prosperity.

He is as good when he chides us--as when He comforts us.

He is as gracious when He lays us low--as when He raises us up.

He is as kind when He takes away--as when He gives.

If our joy springs chiefly from creature good and agreeable circumstances--then it must be fluctuating at the best, and at times it will entirely dry up. But if our chief joy is in God, then the spring of it never fails!

"When all created streams are dried,

 His fullness is the same!"

Observe, my soul, that joy in the Lord is not only encouraged--but commanded.

After once giving the admonition, the apostle says, "Again I say, Rejoice."

The Lord would have His children . . .

  happy in His love,

  restful under the shelter of His wings,

  and peaceful in the midst of storms.

Seek then to know more of Him, live upon His fullness, dwell on His unchanging grace--and so will you be joyful in Him even in the midst of tribulation!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 18, 2018

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Well before the blood shed by His Son, God knew His children and their ways. By the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His children were recreated and renewed in the promises of the Father. As new creations, we are commanded to live in such a way as to bring glory and honour to the Almighty God. May we live in such a way that is worthy of the tremendous sacrifice of Christ as the power of God works through us.

Daily Thoughts May 17, 2018

Psalm 20:7  Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Quote

"Shall we poor worms give laws to our supreme Lord and Governor, and oblige Him always to bless and favor us, and never to afflict us?" 

Matthew Poole

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 17, 2018

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

Life and life eternal! That is the promise of God to all His people. The redeemed will conquer and their reward is to eat of the tree of life forever! Their heavenly rest is won, enjoyed, and assured. No more fear. No more anxiety. No more suffering. They eat of the fruit of God and are comforted!

Daily Thoughts May 16, 2018

Psalm 19:10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

These religious toys which we have whittled out for ourselves!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

(Charles Naylor)

Satan always works to make us think that humanly devised religious forms or customs are things of vital importance. In fact, some of these are much harder to break away from than we suppose them to be. They take a deeper hold upon us many times, than divine truth. People feel as though they would be giving up their religion, if they would surrender these forms. A particular mode of dress becomes sacred; or a particular form of worship or service becomes exalted above all other forms. We must recognize these things as being merely human devices, and as having no vital connection with Biblical truth.

We should never become wedded to our religious forms and customs. Let us look away from these religious toys which we have whittled out for ourselves, and back to the fundamentals of Christian doctrine and life. If we have labeled our religious customs as 'Christianity'--then let us tear off these labels, and see that henceforth we call nothing Christian but that which is clearly taught in Scripture itself.

" The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. " Psalm 19:7-10

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 16, 2018

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:3)

Everlasting is the covenant between God and His people. Evermore shall Christ rule upon the throne of David. His victory is won. His race is finished. Nevermore shall God's people look at the doom of history wondering, "Where is this looked-for salvation?" He has come! He has won! And we, His people, have seen Him!

Daily Thoughts May 15, 2018

Psalm 19:14  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

The root upon which our blessings grow

   ~  ~  ~  ~

(Charles Naylor)

 

" Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Daniel 12:10

All Christians desire to be purified and made white--but when it comes to being tried, that is a very different thing. They shrink from the very word. Their trials are to them as a nightmare from which they would gladly escape. But trials are a necessary part of God's process of preparing us for Heaven.

The storms and obstacles in our lives, all work out for out good if we meet them as we should. Through them, our lives are enriched and ennobled and developed. They are blessings to us, though they may seem to be blessings very much disguised.

Life has both its bitter and its sweet. We should not always expect to have the sweet alone. Sometimes circumstances are in our favor, and work for our happiness, peace and contentment. Sometimes we have smooth sailing, and everything goes pleasantly. We are courageous and confident and rejoicing. The sun shines brightly out of a cloudless sky, and every prospect seems fair.

But this smooth sailing does not last forever. Sooner or later, the clouds must come and the storm-winds beat upon us. We must have the rough weather--as well as the pleasant weather; the storm--as well as the calm.

The sunshine and the calm are very needful in life--and they work out a definite purpose.

But the storms and the rain and the wind are likewise needed--and they also fulfill their purpose.

Trials will come--we cannot evade them. We may plan and build up hopes--only to have our air-castles come crashing down around our heads! If we have set our hearts upon these things, we are likely to be very disappointed upon their wreck, and to feel very gloomy over the result.

How greatly we are affected by our trials, depends on whether or not we sweetly submit to them. We should never fret on account of disappointments. If we do, they will only grow more rapidly, both in size and in intensity.

Losses may come to us--our property may be swept away or burned up. If we have our hearts set upon our possessions--then this may touch a tender spot, and it will darken our lives and make us morose and dissatisfied.

Poverty may come and the many difficulties incident thereto.

Sickness may lay its heavy hand upon us or our loved ones, and try every fiber of our being. Sickness may play upon the chords of pain, a lamentation that incites with exquisite torture! Or it may fire our blood with fever until the sparkle has gone from the eye and the glow of health from the cheek. Or it may bind us helplessly captive in chains.

Death may come and take those dear by the ties of nature or friendship--and leave sorrow and grief to be our companions.

These things try the soul, but they must be borne. We cannot escape such things, for they are the common heritage of those who dwell in tabernacles of clay. They belong to mortality and to the mutable things of time. How greatly such things may affect us, will depend upon how much we rebel against the circumstances--or how easily we submit to and adapt ourselves to God's will. God may chasten you sorely, but He will do it for your profit, not for your destruction.

Our trials are the root upon which our blessings grow. These roots may be bitter--but the fruit is sure to be sweet, if we patiently wait for its maturing. Many choice fruits grow on thorny trees, and he who will gather the fruit, may expect to be pricked now and then by the thorns.

We cannot escape trials. The only thing some Christians do by rebelling, is to increase their suffering in the trials and prevent themselves from getting the blessedness out of them.

We ought to be willing to suffer when it is God's will for us to suffer, and when He sees it is necessary for us to suffer. Our Master drank the cup of suffering, even though it was bitter. Are we better than He? Shall we refuse to go by the path which led Him to glory?

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 15, 2018

Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom [is] a right sceptre. (Psalm 45:6)

The Lord is righteous and just; His kingdom will never end!

My Prayer: O Lord, I praise You! Thank you for being faithful even when I am faithless! Thank you for allowing me into Your everlasting kingdom. Keep my wandering heart close to You.

Daily Thoughts May 14, 2018

Psalm 18:16  He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

As long as preachers allow their sermons to be dictated by public sentiment or the worldly desires of their hearers!

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(Charles Naylor)

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." John 17:16

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." 1 John 4:17

A Christian is one who is Christlike in character, in desire, and in deportment. No other has any right to bear Christ's name. Yet there are a multitude of people who call themselves Christians, who bear no resemblance to Christ in their lives.

One of the most pitiable things that we can behold, is one who professes to be a citizen of the kingdom of God--and yet lives like a citizen of the kingdom of Satan. The worldly professor fills his days with folly--but his cup of joy is always bitter at the last. He gathers up the "fool's gold" that glitters in earthly things. He lives after the flesh and after the world. He goes with the crowd. He misses all the blessedness of righteousness, and, worst of all, he misses Heaven at the last. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." James 4:4

Those who still love the pride and vanity of the world, those who are absorbed in its frivolities, those who covet its gold and its honors, those who love its applause--these are those who are of the world.

Those hypocritical professors who bear Christ's name, but will not obey Him--dishonor Him, and by their example influence others to do the same, how shall they escape the damnation of Hell? If there is one thing that God hates above all else, it is a proud and worldly heart! Such a heart can never be a reverential heart. Its religion is but hypocrisy. It is only a sham. It has no reality. It is only a cloak of respectability, while the heart is full of corruption.

The Christian life is, and ever will be, a life of separation from sin and pride and worldliness. If you are not willing to be thus separated, then you should have common honesty enough not to profess to be what you very well know that you are not. If you are going to be a Christian in name, then be one in reality.

Your character, not your profession, will be what will matter in the final judgment. "Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath," Romans 2:6-8

If all preachers had honesty enough and courage enough to preach the truth--then the tide of worldliness that is overwhelming such a multitude of souls and sweeping them into perdition, would be somewhat stayed. As long as preachers allow their sermons to be dictated by public sentiment or the worldly desires of their hearers--they will cater to fashions, and souls by the million will drift on into Hell. Oh, what a reaping such preachers will have at the judgment! The full measure of God's wrath will fall on those preachers who fail to be true to souls and to God, in preaching those truths the Bible clearly teaches against sin and worldliness.

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 13, 2018

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

We thank You, our God, that You have been pleased to divinely reveal to us the great truths of the gospel!

"These are such as eye hath not seen nor ear heard. Observe, the great truths of the gospel are things lying out of the sphere of human discovery: But, lying out of the sphere of nature, we cannot discover them but by the light of revelation. And therefore we must take them as they lie in the scriptures."

-Matthew Henry

Daily Thoughts May 12, 2018

Luke 1:37  For with God nothing shall be impossible.

God is not a joker card we can pull out and play whenever things don’t go our way and be assured we will get our way and desires. For God’s true children, life will be filled with many trials and hard times. In fact, we are promised persecutions when we truly follow the Lord. The disciples are not above the Master. My experience has been that the closer I am to the Lord, the harder the trials are. We do get times of great blessings too. And in hard times, we can rest assured that we will be rewarded in heaven. During trials, we also enjoy sweet fellowship with the Lord here and we know that the Lord will work it for our good no matter what the results are (Romans 8:28), but only if we are a true child of God. I know the Lord saved me and loves me and despite the impossibilities I face, nothing is impossible with God. What about you ? Can you rest assured that if you were to die today, you would be enjoying sweet fellowship with Jesus eternally ?

Convicted and condemned, with the rope around his neck!

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(Charles Spurgeon)

" Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. " Romans 4:7-8

Too many think lightly of sin--and therefore think lightly of the Savior.

He who has stood before his God, convicted and condemned, with the rope around his neck--is the man . . .

  to weep for joy when he is pardoned,

  to hate the evil which has been forgiven him, and

  to live to the honor of the Redeemer by whose blood he has been cleansed.

If Christ has died for me--then I cannot trifle with the sin which killed my best Friend!

Look to the cross, and hate your sin--for sin nailed your Well-Beloved to the tree!

"A bleeding Savior I have viewed--and now I hate my sin!"

I feel that, if I could live a thousand lives, I would like to live them all for Christ; and I would even then feel that they were all too little a return for His great love to me!

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 12, 2018

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (Proverbs 8:17)

Take heart, O blessed body of Christ! The Lord your God has rewarded your diligent search. He has shown Himself to you. You are granted sight of things unseen-you are granted sight of Christ Himself! Christ, the son of the morning! (Rev 22:16) Christ, the eschatological Lamb! Christ, the fulfilment of all the history redemptive! Glory in Him, O congregation of all believers! For in Him consists your new life, your righteous standing, your power to sanctification, and your promise to heavenly rest! In Him consists all things (Colossians 1:17) and it is to Him that you ought be conformed! So give glory evermore: holy, holy, and surely, holy!

It is a large family!

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(Letters of John Newton)

" This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,...." 2 Timothy 3:1-2

Take care of SELF--this is the worst enemy we have to deal with:

  self-will,

  self-wisdom,

  self-righteousness,

  self-seeking,

  self-dependence,

  self-boasting!

It is a large family! I cannot reckon up all the branches, but they are all closely related to Satan--they are all sworn enemies to our peace.

If we lie low, then the Lord will raise us up. But if we will be something, then His arm will surely pull us down.

" That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" Ephesians 4:22

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Daily Thoughts May 11, 2018

II Peter 1:3-4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Daily Thoughts May 10, 2018

Psalm 18:3  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Short pithy gems from John Newton!

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May we sit at the foot of the cross--and there learn . . .

  what sin has done,

  what justice has done,

  and what love has done.

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 10, 2018

[Thou], which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. (Psalm 71:20)

Though we are faint with the troubles of this present age. Though we are as dead men by the futility of our works. Though we are perishing by the minute-captive to the ravishing effects of Adam's guilt. Though we deserve it not, still does the Lord stand ever by His people, faithful to revive their souls! Faithful to bring His dying to new life everlasting! Faithful to cleanse His downtrodden children, clothing them in the white robes of righteousness and crowning them in glory! Praise the Lord all you His people! He is the maker of new life, the crafter of all redemptive history! And yes, dear believer, He is ever worthy of your endless adoration!

Daily Thoughts May 9, 2018

Psalm 139:23-24  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

He must take away our toys!

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(Charles Naylor, "Providences and Circumstances")

Life is often an enigma. It brings to us many things that we cannot understand. How blessed it is at such times, to realize that there is One wiser than we, who has our lives in His care and who sees all and understands all! God is our Father, and we are the children of His love. He has our welfare at heart. He is interested in all that concerns us. He watches over all our lives, and nothing that comes to us can come without His wise appointment. Whatever comes, He knows full well its effect upon us, and His loving hand is ever ready to protect and help His children.

He could, if He chose, lead us in a pleasant and easy path through life--but He knows that a pleasant and easy path would not develop that strong and hardy Christian character which is so essential for us. Neither would it give Him an opportunity to reveal the riches of His grace, or His tender care.

He sometimes places a mountain of difficulty before us, that we may climb to higher altitudes--and that in the climbing, we may develop spiritual strength. Every difficulty that we conquer by God's grace, raises us higher in the Christian life. This is the purpose of these difficulties.

He sometimes sends sorrow to soften us and make us hungry for His comfort. We may become too satisfied with earthly things. We may draw too much of our joy from them. He delights to have us draw our joy and our comfort from Him; therefore He must take away our toys which have been occupying our time--that our souls may yearn for the comfort and blessedness which only He can give. He knows that nothing softens us like sorrow. So He gives us a cup of sorrow to drink to the dregs--and oh, what tenderness and blessedness come into our lives when we submissively drink of that cup, no matter how bitter it may be to our taste!

All these happenings may seem dark and mysterious to us; they may seem to be the very things that are the worst for us--but they are not. They are but the manifestations of His kindly wisdom and His fatherly tenderness. Sometimes behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. We often see only the frown of the providence, and that frown looks very threatening; but if we will look away from that frowning providence to the smiling face of God, we shall see that which will uplift us and strengthen us and enable us to bear whatever stroke of providence may come.

He knows that we must taste the bitter, before we can appreciate the sweet.

He knows that we must feel life's sorrows, before we can value its joys.

Suffering more than anything else, develops us in the Christian graces. It is for this purpose that He sometimes leads us along difficult paths. Though His providences are often dark and mysterious--His love will never fail us.

But throughout our lives, if we are His, then we know that "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. When difficulties arise through which we can see no way, and He makes a way of which we had never thought--it is then that our hearts are made to wonder at His wisdom and are melted with gratitude.

His ways are not our ways. They are higher and better than our ways. If we were wise enough, we would always choose for ourselves, that which He chooses for us. But alas! How often when we choose for ourselves, we choose that which is least wise and most hurtful!

O soul, trust Him. He knows the way that you take. He knows just what is needful for you. So bear with patience, and endure with meekness, and do not question His wisdom or love. This will make the hard places easier, and the tiresome places less tiresome.

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Daily Thoughts May 8, 2018

II Corinthians 6:1  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 8, 2018

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing]. (Psalm 34:10)

They whose power lies in the strength of their limbs shall ever be dismayed. They whose trust lies in the might of their youth will always hunger for greater. Yet the satisfaction the godly is met now and forever. Bask in His goodness, O believer! Return time and again to the bounty of His lovingkindness!

Daily Thoughts May 7, 2018

II Corinthians 6:4-10  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Make-believe religion!

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(Charles Naylor)

"Having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:5

We read in Scripture of the form and the power of godliness. When we look around us in the church, we see more of the form than we do of the power. There seems to be so many people who are merely playing religion. They attend services and go through the form of worship. They are sometimes very strongly devoted to their creed and greatly attached to the church of which they are members; but when you look for the power of godliness in their lives--you do not find it. This make-believe religion may ease the conscience for a time. People may manage to get along with such a religion in this world, but it will not stand the test of eternity.

Nor will not stand the real test for this life. The soul which has the form without the power of religion, can never have that satisfaction and peace which true religion gives.

Religion that can be put on with the Sunday clothes and taken off as easily, never goes very deep into the heart or life. While they profess to worship God, their hearts are far from Him. The service of such people is always weak, because there is no heart in it. Yet such people are not usually weak, when it comes to serving self and the world.

God hates the mere form of religion. It is an insult to him. He knows whether we are sincere or not--whether our service is just form or not. Modern ritualism is a curse to the church.

Ezekiel speaks of this class of people and says of them, "My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain!" Ezekiel 33:31

Isaiah, as quoted by Jesus, says of the same class, "This people honors Me with their lips--but their heart is far from Me!" Of what religion they have, Jesus says, "In vain do they worship Me!" Matthew 15:8,9

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 7, 2018

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. (Isaiah 49:10)

God's people have been restored to resurrection life! No longer do we hunger or thirst for we feast upon the bread of life and drink freely of the river of life! No longer do we wander afflicted in desolate wilderness for we have entered in to edenic and heavenly rest! Ever will the Lord lead us into righteousness for He has granted us the promise of His Spirit who will guide us into every good work! Praise the Lord for His restoration! Praise the Lord for His gift of new life!

Daily Thoughts May 6, 2018

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

CONTENTMENT

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(John Mason's Spiritual Sayings)

**The deeper your self-abhorrence--the easier is self-resignation.

**Those who know they deserve nothing, will be content with anything.

**We must commit our souls to God's keeping, and submit ourselves to God's disposing.

**We should obey His revealed will, and then be resigned to His providential will.

**Neither contentment nor discontentment arises from the outward condition, but from the inward disposition.

**If a man is not content in the state he is in--then he will not be content in any state he would be in.

 

" Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:11-13

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Daily Thoughts May 5, 2018

Colossians 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

AFFLICTIONS

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(John Mason's Spiritual Sayings)

**Two things should comfort suffering Christians, namely:

  all that they presently suffer is not Hell;

  their present suffering is all the Hell that they shall suffer.

**Afflictions are not so much threatened as promised, to the children of God.

**By affliction God separates the sin which He hates, from the soul which He loves.

**Sin is the poison--and affliction is the medicine.

**If the servants of Christ are ever so afflicted, yet

  His heart is with them, and His eye is upon them.

 

**Though the hand of God may be against you;

  yet the heart of God may be towards you.

**What is bearing a temporal cross, compared to the wearing an eternal crown?

**Our enjoyments are greater than our afflictions,

  and our afflictions less than our sins.

**Our sufferings should stir up our graces, as well as our griefs.

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Daily Thoughts May 4, 2018

Colossians 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Daily Thoughts May 3, 2018

Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

We might as well preach to stone walls!

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(Charles Spurgeon)

" Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

The gospel is preached in the ears of all men--but it only comes with power to some.

The power which is in the gospel, does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher--otherwise men would be converters of souls.

Nor does it lie in the preacher's learning--otherwise it could consists of the wisdom of men.

We might preach until our tongues rotted, until we should exhaust our lungs and die--but never a soul would be converted, unless there were mysterious power going with it--the Holy Spirit changing the will and heart of man.

O Sirs! We might as well preach to stone walls, as preach to men--unless the Holy Spirit is with the Word, to give it power to convert the soul.

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 3, 2018

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8)

God promises to instruct His children into every righteous path. He sent us His very Spirit to guide us in His ways. God cares for us beyond measure imaginable and His Spirit will be faithful to illuminate the glorious treasures of His truth. Ask God to teach you. Ask God to make you teachable. He shall faithfully do both! And by your growth God will use you to edify others in the body of Christ!

Daily Thoughts May 2, 2018

Psalm 17:5  Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 2, 2018

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (Deuteronomy 7:9)

What a tremendous God we serve! This fitting description tells of our faithful and loving God who is Lord over all the earth and heaven. The Creator of all things could never love us more or less, for He is acquainted with all our ways. His grace does not extend to the Israelites alone, but to all who believe in every generation (cf. Gal 3:6-29). This is the God we serve! This is the God we worship!

Daily Thoughts May 1st, 2018

Philippians 3:13-15  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

God's chisel!

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(Charles Naylor)

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." John 16:33

"Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward." Job 5:7

Suffering is the common lot of all mankind, and of the animal creation. People who do not have much else from which to suffer--suffer from trifles or from imaginary ills--but all suffer. Sinners and saints alike, know the rankling of the sharp arrows of pain. Even those whose lives seem most prosperous and sheltered, cannot fully escape.

Suffering has a useful place in the economy of God. It is a severe schoolmaster, but a good one, whose lessons may be costly. But if they are properly learned, they become golden treasures that enrich life.

Suffering is God's chisel with which He carves His image in the heart!

Suffering gives understanding--it illuminates life's dark places and solves riddles.

Suffering develops patience and endurance, and strengthens the fibers of the soul.

Suffering develops discipline and gives self-control. It reveals and develops latent virtues. It ripens and enriches the character.

To be sure, such results follow only when we meet our sufferings in the right way. If resist suffering and become resentful and pity ourselves or murmur against God--the fruits will be bitter indeed!

Since we choose the attitude we hold toward our sufferings--we determine whether they shall . . .

  make us, or mar us;

  bring joy, or sorrow;

  bring the sweetness of Christ's fellowship and comfort, or the darkness of despair.

What God does with our adversities and our sufferings, is to transmute them into the gold of godly character. They prove to be blessings in disguise--but blessings nevertheless. Again and again in the Scriptures, we are told of the blessings that come through suffering and pain, disappointments and testings. Yes, sufferings, losses, adversities--all these things we so desire to shun--work "for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory"--if we patiently endure them and submit to God's sovereign and loving will.

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

May 1, 2018

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)

My prayer: Lord teach me to trust in you in my times of happiness and sorrow, in my struggles and triumphs. Lord, help me to have faith so I can walk on water and move mountains. I thank You for your faithfulness to those who seek You.