Before and During the Call, August 13
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." - Isaiah 65:24
Quick work this! The Lord hears us before we call and often answers us in the same speedy manner. Foreseeing our needs and our prayers, He so arranges providence that before the need actually arises He has supplied it, before the trial assails us He has armed us against it. This is the promptitude of omniscience, and we have often seen it exercised. Before we dreamed of the affliction which was coming, the strong consolation which was to sustain us under it had arrived. What a prayer-answering God we have!
The second clause suggests the telephone. Though God be in heaven and we upon earth, yet He makes our word, like His own word, to travel very swiftly, When we pray aright we speak into the ear of God. Our gracious Mediator presents our petitions at once, and the great Father hears them and smiles upon them. Grand praying this! Who would not be much in prayer when he knows that he has the ear of the King of kings? This day I will pray in faith, not only believing that I shall be heard, but that I am heard; not only that I shall be answered, but that I have the answer already. Holy Spirit, help me in this!
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How funny, I randomly had a song in my head with lyrics that go "He knows my name. He knows my every thought. He see's each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call." How funny that on the day that C.H. Spurgeon has this written, the same day I'm thinking about a song that fits so well. Its awesome, knowing that God hears us before we even speak and answers our prayers in the best ways before we're even done talking. Wow. God is Great! Grace&Peace.
13 August 2009
12 August 2009
Light in Darkness
Light in Darkness, August 12
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"For Thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness" - 2 Samuel 22:29
Am I in the light? Then Thou, O LORD, art my lamp. Take Thee away and my joy would be gone; but as long as Thou art with me, I can do without the torches of time and the candles of created comfort. What a light the presence of God casts on all things! We heard of a lighthouse which could be seen for twenty miles, but our Jehovah is not only a God at hand, but far off is He seen, even in the enemy's country. O LORD, I am as happy as an angel when Thy love fills my heart. Thou art all my desire. Am I in the dark? Then thou, O LORD, wilt lighten my darkness. Before long things will change. Affairs may grow more and more dreary and cloud may be piled upon cloud; but if it grow so dark that I cannot see my own hand, still I shall see the hand of the LORD. When I cannot find a light within me, or among my friends, or in the whole world, the LORD, who said, "Let there be light," and there was light, can say the same again. He will speak me into the sunshine yet. I shall not die but live. The day is already breaking. This sweet text shines like a morning star. I shall clap my hands for joy ere many hours are passed.
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All I can say is AMEN & Amen! This helps set my soul on fire! What an amazing passage of scripture and an amazing text from brother Spurgeon. So many people of the world are in the dark, they are walking a muck wondering what to do with their lives, but we as His children, as His bride have been given the light that will show us where we go. When all else fails around us, we have a hope and a light to look to! Amen and Amen! Agape.
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"For Thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness" - 2 Samuel 22:29
Am I in the light? Then Thou, O LORD, art my lamp. Take Thee away and my joy would be gone; but as long as Thou art with me, I can do without the torches of time and the candles of created comfort. What a light the presence of God casts on all things! We heard of a lighthouse which could be seen for twenty miles, but our Jehovah is not only a God at hand, but far off is He seen, even in the enemy's country. O LORD, I am as happy as an angel when Thy love fills my heart. Thou art all my desire. Am I in the dark? Then thou, O LORD, wilt lighten my darkness. Before long things will change. Affairs may grow more and more dreary and cloud may be piled upon cloud; but if it grow so dark that I cannot see my own hand, still I shall see the hand of the LORD. When I cannot find a light within me, or among my friends, or in the whole world, the LORD, who said, "Let there be light," and there was light, can say the same again. He will speak me into the sunshine yet. I shall not die but live. The day is already breaking. This sweet text shines like a morning star. I shall clap my hands for joy ere many hours are passed.
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All I can say is AMEN & Amen! This helps set my soul on fire! What an amazing passage of scripture and an amazing text from brother Spurgeon. So many people of the world are in the dark, they are walking a muck wondering what to do with their lives, but we as His children, as His bride have been given the light that will show us where we go. When all else fails around us, we have a hope and a light to look to! Amen and Amen! Agape.
Waiting, Not Running
Waiting, Not Running, August 11
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation" - Psalm 62:1
Blessed posture! Waiting truly and only upon the LORD. Be this our condition all this day and every day. Waiting His leisure, waiting in His service, waiting in joyful expectation, waiting in prayer, and content. When the very soul thus waits, it is in the best and truest condition of a creature before his Creator, a servant before his Master, a child before his Father. We allow no dictation to God, nor complaining of Him; we will permit no petulance and no distrust. At the same time, we practice no running before the cloud and no seeking to others for aid: neither of these would be waiting upon God. God, and God alone, is the expectation of our hearts. Blessed assurance! From Him salvation is coming; it is on the road. It will come from Him and from no one else. He shall have all the glory of it, for He alone can and will perform it. And He will perform it most surely in His own time and manner. He will save from doubt, and suffering, and slander, and distress. Though we see no sign of it as yet, we are satisfied to bide the LORD's will, for we have no suspicion of His love and faithfulness. He will make sure work of it before long, and we will praise Him at once for the coming mercy.
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How hard is it to wait? I know right now, my husband and I are waiting on the Lord to show us when we are going to move back to Hong Kong. I know we see His guidance and He is faithfully showing us things for our future, but its hard to want something so bad and have to wait. But the scripture above gives me some perspective, the Lord gives and takes away and when He gives, its always at the perfect time. I need to wait on the Lord and be content. When we're running, we're not focusing and putting our attention fully on Christ, but on circumstances around us. Truly seeking His will and waiting on Him is a sign that we are not in want of anything else except for His glory to reign and to see His plans fulfilled throughout our lives! Grace&Peace.
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation" - Psalm 62:1
Blessed posture! Waiting truly and only upon the LORD. Be this our condition all this day and every day. Waiting His leisure, waiting in His service, waiting in joyful expectation, waiting in prayer, and content. When the very soul thus waits, it is in the best and truest condition of a creature before his Creator, a servant before his Master, a child before his Father. We allow no dictation to God, nor complaining of Him; we will permit no petulance and no distrust. At the same time, we practice no running before the cloud and no seeking to others for aid: neither of these would be waiting upon God. God, and God alone, is the expectation of our hearts. Blessed assurance! From Him salvation is coming; it is on the road. It will come from Him and from no one else. He shall have all the glory of it, for He alone can and will perform it. And He will perform it most surely in His own time and manner. He will save from doubt, and suffering, and slander, and distress. Though we see no sign of it as yet, we are satisfied to bide the LORD's will, for we have no suspicion of His love and faithfulness. He will make sure work of it before long, and we will praise Him at once for the coming mercy.
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How hard is it to wait? I know right now, my husband and I are waiting on the Lord to show us when we are going to move back to Hong Kong. I know we see His guidance and He is faithfully showing us things for our future, but its hard to want something so bad and have to wait. But the scripture above gives me some perspective, the Lord gives and takes away and when He gives, its always at the perfect time. I need to wait on the Lord and be content. When we're running, we're not focusing and putting our attention fully on Christ, but on circumstances around us. Truly seeking His will and waiting on Him is a sign that we are not in want of anything else except for His glory to reign and to see His plans fulfilled throughout our lives! Grace&Peace.
10 August 2009
He Lowers to Raise
He Lowers to Raise, August 10
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"Thy Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up." - 1 Samuel 2:7
All my changes come from Him who never changes. If I had grown rich, I should have seen His hand in it, and I should have praised Him; let me equally see His hand if I am made poor, and let me as heartily praise Him. When we go down in the world, it is of the Lord, and so we may take it patiently: when we rise in the world, it is of the Lord, and we may accept it thankfully. In any case, the Lord hath done it, and it is well.
It seems that Jehovah's way is to lower those whom He means to raise and to strip those whom He intends to clothe. If it is His way, it is the wisest and best way. If I am now enduring the bringing low, I may well rejoice, because I see in it the preface to the lifting up. The more we are humbled by grace, the more we shall be exalted in glory. That impoverishment which will be overruled for our enrichment is to be welcomed.
O Lord, Thou has taken me down of late and made me feel my insignificance and sin. It is not a pleasant experience, but I pray Thee make it a profitable one to me. Oh, that Thou wouldst thus fit me to bear a greater weight of delight and of usefulness; and when I am ready for it, then grant it to me, for Christ's sake! Amen.
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Lets dwell on these thoughts. Oh Lord, help me see my insignificance and sin, help me to understand it and see it as your pruning and refining fire in my life. Agape.
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"Thy Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up." - 1 Samuel 2:7
All my changes come from Him who never changes. If I had grown rich, I should have seen His hand in it, and I should have praised Him; let me equally see His hand if I am made poor, and let me as heartily praise Him. When we go down in the world, it is of the Lord, and so we may take it patiently: when we rise in the world, it is of the Lord, and we may accept it thankfully. In any case, the Lord hath done it, and it is well.
It seems that Jehovah's way is to lower those whom He means to raise and to strip those whom He intends to clothe. If it is His way, it is the wisest and best way. If I am now enduring the bringing low, I may well rejoice, because I see in it the preface to the lifting up. The more we are humbled by grace, the more we shall be exalted in glory. That impoverishment which will be overruled for our enrichment is to be welcomed.
O Lord, Thou has taken me down of late and made me feel my insignificance and sin. It is not a pleasant experience, but I pray Thee make it a profitable one to me. Oh, that Thou wouldst thus fit me to bear a greater weight of delight and of usefulness; and when I am ready for it, then grant it to me, for Christ's sake! Amen.
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Lets dwell on these thoughts. Oh Lord, help me see my insignificance and sin, help me to understand it and see it as your pruning and refining fire in my life. Agape.
09 August 2009
Pruning for Fruit-Bearing
Pruning for Fruit-Bearing, August 9
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." - John 15:2
This is a precious promise to one who lives for fruitfulness. At first it seems to wear a sharp aspect. Must the fruitful bough be pruned? Must the knife cut even the best and most useful? No doubt it is so, for very much of our Lord's purging work is done by means of afflictions of one kind or another. It is not the evil but the good who have the promise of tribulation in this life. But, then, the end makes more than full amends for the painful nature of the means. If we may bring forth more fruit for our Lord, we will not mind the pruning and the loss of leafage.
Still, purging is sometimes wrought by the Word apart from trial, and this takes away whatever appeared rough in the flavor of the promise. We shall by the Word be made more gracious and more useful. The Lord who has made us, in a measure, fruit-bearing, will operate upon us till we reach a far higher degree of fertility. Is not this a great joy? Truly there is more comfort in a promise of fruitfulness than if we had been warranted riches, or health, or honor.
Lord Jesus, speedily fulfill Thy gracious word to me and cause me to abound in fruit to Thy praise!
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Pruning may not be very comfortable but it is essential for our walk with the Lord. He cuts away whatevers in our life that is not bearing fruit and He prunes and purges what is to allow room for more growth. Its just like taking care of a garden. Its intricate and delicate but the Lord makes sure to do what is best for us and we need to trust Him. As hard as it can be sometimes. Trust in Him and know that He is doing what is best for you, so that you may bear much fruit to glorify His name! Grace&Peace.
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." - John 15:2
This is a precious promise to one who lives for fruitfulness. At first it seems to wear a sharp aspect. Must the fruitful bough be pruned? Must the knife cut even the best and most useful? No doubt it is so, for very much of our Lord's purging work is done by means of afflictions of one kind or another. It is not the evil but the good who have the promise of tribulation in this life. But, then, the end makes more than full amends for the painful nature of the means. If we may bring forth more fruit for our Lord, we will not mind the pruning and the loss of leafage.
Still, purging is sometimes wrought by the Word apart from trial, and this takes away whatever appeared rough in the flavor of the promise. We shall by the Word be made more gracious and more useful. The Lord who has made us, in a measure, fruit-bearing, will operate upon us till we reach a far higher degree of fertility. Is not this a great joy? Truly there is more comfort in a promise of fruitfulness than if we had been warranted riches, or health, or honor.
Lord Jesus, speedily fulfill Thy gracious word to me and cause me to abound in fruit to Thy praise!
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Pruning may not be very comfortable but it is essential for our walk with the Lord. He cuts away whatevers in our life that is not bearing fruit and He prunes and purges what is to allow room for more growth. Its just like taking care of a garden. Its intricate and delicate but the Lord makes sure to do what is best for us and we need to trust Him. As hard as it can be sometimes. Trust in Him and know that He is doing what is best for you, so that you may bear much fruit to glorify His name! Grace&Peace.
08 August 2009
Confidence Not Misplaced
Confidence Not Misplaced, August 8
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"The Lord God will help me." - Isaiah 50:7
These are in prophecy the words of Messiah in the day of His obedience unto death, when He gave His back to the smiters and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. He was confident in divine support and trusted in Jehovah.
O my soul, thy sorrows are as the small dust of the balance compared with thy Lord's! Canst thou not believe that the Lord God will help thee? Thy Lord was in a peculiar position; for as the representative of sinful men—their substitute and sacrifice—it was needful that the Father should leave Him and cause Him to come under desertion of soul. No such necessity is laid upon thee: thou art not bound to cry, "Why hast thou forsaken me?" Did thy Savior even in such a case still rely upon God, and canst not thou? He died for thee and thus made it impossible that thou shouldst be left alone; wherefore, be of good cheer.
In this day's labors or trials say, "The Lord God will help me." Go forth boldly. Set your face like a flint and resolve that no faintness or shamefacedness shall come near you. If God helps, who can hinder? If you are sure of omnipotent aid, what can be too heavy for you? Begin the day joyously, and let no shade of doubt come between thee and the eternal sunshine.
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Lets dwell on these thoughts. Agape.
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"The Lord God will help me." - Isaiah 50:7
These are in prophecy the words of Messiah in the day of His obedience unto death, when He gave His back to the smiters and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. He was confident in divine support and trusted in Jehovah.
O my soul, thy sorrows are as the small dust of the balance compared with thy Lord's! Canst thou not believe that the Lord God will help thee? Thy Lord was in a peculiar position; for as the representative of sinful men—their substitute and sacrifice—it was needful that the Father should leave Him and cause Him to come under desertion of soul. No such necessity is laid upon thee: thou art not bound to cry, "Why hast thou forsaken me?" Did thy Savior even in such a case still rely upon God, and canst not thou? He died for thee and thus made it impossible that thou shouldst be left alone; wherefore, be of good cheer.
In this day's labors or trials say, "The Lord God will help me." Go forth boldly. Set your face like a flint and resolve that no faintness or shamefacedness shall come near you. If God helps, who can hinder? If you are sure of omnipotent aid, what can be too heavy for you? Begin the day joyously, and let no shade of doubt come between thee and the eternal sunshine.
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Lets dwell on these thoughts. Agape.
Rules for Prosperity
Rules for Prosperity, August 7
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from It to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest" - Joshua 1:7
Yes, the LORD will be with us in our holy war, but He demands of us that we strictly follow His rules. Our victories will very much depend upon our obeying Him with all our heart, throwing strength and courage into the actions of our faith. If we are halfhearted we cannot expect more than half a blessing.
We must obey the LORD with care and thoughtfulness. "Observe to do" is the phrase used, and it is full of meaning. This is referred to every part of the divine will; we must obey with universal readiness. Our rule of conduct is "according to all the law." We may not pick and choose, but we must take the LORD's commands as they come, one and all. In all this we must go on with exactness and constancy. Ours is to be a straightforward course which bends neither to the right nor to the left. We are not to err by being more rigid than the law, nor turn out of levity to a more free and easy way. With such obedience there will come spiritual prosperity. O LORD, help us to see if it be not even so! We shall not test Thy promise in vain.
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This may seem like C.H. Spurgeon is demanding perfection but what I think he's really doing is reminding us that the Lords road is straight and narrow. We cannot take what God says and put our own spin on it, we can't make it say more than what God initially meant for it and we can't make it less than what God meant for it. When I say that we can't make it say more, I mean we can't put a meaning into it that God did not intend to be there, not that we won't get more and more out of something written by the hand of God, each time we read it. God's word, His commands are perfect and we are to follow them perfectly, which goes back to watching the Lord continually sanctify you and chasing after righteousness. You may not be perfect and you may not do all things perfectly but that should be our aim. Grace&Peace.
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook
"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from It to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest" - Joshua 1:7
Yes, the LORD will be with us in our holy war, but He demands of us that we strictly follow His rules. Our victories will very much depend upon our obeying Him with all our heart, throwing strength and courage into the actions of our faith. If we are halfhearted we cannot expect more than half a blessing.
We must obey the LORD with care and thoughtfulness. "Observe to do" is the phrase used, and it is full of meaning. This is referred to every part of the divine will; we must obey with universal readiness. Our rule of conduct is "according to all the law." We may not pick and choose, but we must take the LORD's commands as they come, one and all. In all this we must go on with exactness and constancy. Ours is to be a straightforward course which bends neither to the right nor to the left. We are not to err by being more rigid than the law, nor turn out of levity to a more free and easy way. With such obedience there will come spiritual prosperity. O LORD, help us to see if it be not even so! We shall not test Thy promise in vain.
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This may seem like C.H. Spurgeon is demanding perfection but what I think he's really doing is reminding us that the Lords road is straight and narrow. We cannot take what God says and put our own spin on it, we can't make it say more than what God initially meant for it and we can't make it less than what God meant for it. When I say that we can't make it say more, I mean we can't put a meaning into it that God did not intend to be there, not that we won't get more and more out of something written by the hand of God, each time we read it. God's word, His commands are perfect and we are to follow them perfectly, which goes back to watching the Lord continually sanctify you and chasing after righteousness. You may not be perfect and you may not do all things perfectly but that should be our aim. Grace&Peace.
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