Archive | June, 2019

Pride cannot live beneath the cross!

June 27, 2019 by Steve 0 Comments

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Pride cannot live beneath the cross!

(Charles Spurgeon)Ā 

“He humbled Himself.” Philippians 2:8Ā 

Jesus is the great teacher ofĀ lowliness of heart. We need daily to learn of Him.Ā 

See the Master taking a basin and towel to wash His disciples feet!Ā 
Follower of Christ, will you not humble yourself?
See Him asĀ the Servant of servants–and surely you cannot be proud!Ā 

Surely this sentence is theĀ compendium of His biography: “He humbled Himself!”Ā 

While on earth, He was always stripping off first one robe of honor and then another–until He was fastened to the bloody tree. And there He emptied out His inmost self, pouring out His life-blood, giving upĀ His allĀ for us–until they laid Him penniless in a borrowed grave!

How low was our dear Redeemer brought!Ā How then can we be proud?Ā 

Stand at the foot of the cruel cross, and count theĀ purple dropsĀ by which you have been cleansed of your infinite sins! See the thorn-crown; mark His scourged shoulders, still gushing with encrimsoned rills. See His hands and feet given up to the rough iron, and His whole self to mockery and scorn. See the bitterness, and the pangs, and the throes of inward grief, showing themselves in His outward frame. Hear the horrid shriek:Ā “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me!”Ā 

If you do not lie prostrate on the ground before that cross–you have never seen it!Ā 
If you are not humbled in the presence of the dying Jesus–you do not know Him.Ā 

You wereĀ so lostĀ that nothing could save you–but the sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son.Ā 
Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you–bow yourself in lowliness at His feet.Ā 

A senseĀ of Christ’s amazing love to us–has a greater tendency to humble us than even a consciousness of our own guilt!Ā 

May the Lord bring us in contemplation, to Calvary–and then we will no longer think of ourselves with pompous pride. We shall then take the humble place of one who loves much, because much has been forgiven.Ā Pride cannot live beneath the cross!Ā Let us sit there and learn our lesson–and then rise and carry it into practice.

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Some annoying interruption!

June 22, 2019 by Steve 0 Comments

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Some annoying interruption!Ā 

(Hannah More, “Practical Piety”)Ā 

We must trace the hand of our Heavenly Father in thoseĀ daily little disappointmentsĀ and theĀ hourly vexationsĀ which occur even in the most prosperous circumstances, and which are inseparable from the condition of fallen humanity.Ā 

We must trace that same beneficent hand, secretly at work for our purification and our correction in the imperfections and unpleasantness of those around us, and in thoseĀ interruptionsĀ which break in upon our favorite engagements.Ā 

We are perhaps too much addicted to our innocent delights, or we are too fond of our leisure. A check then becomes necessary, but it is given in a most imperceptible way. The hand that gives it is unseen and unsuspected–yetĀ it is the same gracious hand which directs the more important events of life!Ā 

Some annoying interruptionĀ breaks in on our projected privacy, and calls us to a sacrifice of our inclination and to a renunciation of our own will.Ā 

Let us cheerfully bear and diligently receive theseĀ smaller trialsĀ which God prepares for us. Submission . . .Ā 
Ā  toĀ a cross which He inflicts,
Ā  to a disappointment which He sends,
Ā  to a contradiction of our self love which He appoints,Ā 
is a far better exercise than great penances of our own choosing.Ā 

Perpetual conquests overĀ impatience, ill temperĀ andĀ self will, indicate a better spirit than any self imposed mortifications.Ā 

By these incessant tests of our temper, God cultivates the more difficult virtues of . . .Ā 
Ā  humility,Ā 
Ā  submission,
Ā  and patience.Ā 

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Far from a world of grief and sin–with God eternally shut in!

June 18, 2019 by Steve 1 Comment

Grace logoFar from a world of grief and sin–with God eternally shut in!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Those HeĀ predestined, He also called;
Ā and those HeĀ called, He also justified;
Ā and those HeĀ justified, He alsoĀ glorified!” Romans 8:30Ā 

Here is a precious truth for you, believer. You may be poor, or in suffering, or unknown–but for your encouragement take a review of your “calling” and the consequences that flow from it, and especially that blessed result here spoken of.Ā 

As surely as you are God’s child today–so surely shall all your trials soon be at an end, and you shall be rich to all intents of bliss! Wait awhile, and your weary head shall wear the crown of glory, and your work-worn hands shall grasp the palm-branch of victory.Ā 

Do not lament your troubles–but rather rejoice that before long you will be where “there shall be neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” The chariots of fire are at your door, and a moment will suffice to bear you to the glorified. The everlasting song is almost on your lips. The portals of Heaven stand open for you.Ā 

Do not think that you can fail of entering into eternal rest.Ā 
If He has effectually called you–then nothing can divide you from His love.Ā 
Trials and troubles cannot sever the bond;
the fire of persecution cannot burn the link;Ā 
the hammer of Hell cannot break the chain.Ā 
You are eternally secure!Ā 

That voice which effectually called you to Jesus at first–shall call you yet again from earth to Heaven, from death’s dark gloom toimmortality’s unuttered splendors!Ā Rest assured, the heart of Him who has predestined, called and justified you–beats with infinite love towards you! You shall soon be with the glorified, where your everlasting portion is. You are only waiting here to be made fit for your Celestial inheritance, and that done, the wings of angels shall waft you far away to the mount of peace, and joy, and blessedness, where, “Far from a world of grief and sin–with God eternally shut in,” you shall rest forever and ever!

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Afterwards!

June 5, 2019 by Steve 0 Comments

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Afterwards!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless,Ā afterwardsĀ it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”Ā Hebrews 12:11Ā 

How happy are tried Christians,Ā afterwards. There is no calm more deep than that whichĀ followsĀ a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shiningsĀ afterĀ rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers.Ā 

After killing the lion–we eat the honey;Ā 
after climbing the Hill Difficulty–we sit down in the arbor to rest;
after traversing the Valley of Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears, with the healing branch from the tree of life.Ā 

Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them “afterwards.” It is peace, sweet, deep peace–which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls.

See, then, the happy estate of a Christian! He has hisĀ best things last, and he therefore in this world receives hisĀ worst things first. But even his worst things are “afterwards” good things–harsh ploughings–yielding joyful harvests. Even now . . .Ā 
Ā  he grows rich by his losses,
Ā  he rises by his falls,
Ā  he lives by dying, and
Ā  he becomes full by being emptied.Ā 

If, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life–what shall be the full vintage of joy “afterwards” in Heaven? If his darkĀ nightsĀ are as bright as the world’s days–what shall hisĀ daysĀ be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun–what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a dungeon–how sweetly will he sing in Heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the fires–how will he extol Him before the eternal throne! If evil is good to him now–what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then?Ā 

Oh, blessed “afterwards!” Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the presentĀ cross–for theĀ crownĀ which comes afterwards?Ā 

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One blessing after another!

June 4, 2019 by Steve 0 Comments

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One blessing after another!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“From the fullness of His grace we have all receivedĀ one blessing after another!“Ā John 1:16Ā 

Our Lord Jesus is ever giving–and does not for a solitary instant withdraw His hand.Ā 
As long as there is a vessel of grace not yet full to the brim–the oil shall not be stopped.Ā 

He is a sun ever-shining.Ā 
He is manna always falling round the camp.Ā 
He is a rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life from His smitten side.Ā 
The rain of His grace is always dropping.Ā 
The river of His bounty is ever-flowing.Ā 
The well-spring of His love is constantly overflowing.Ā 

As our King can never die–so His grace can never fail.Ā 

Daily we pluck His fruit, and daily His branches bend down to our hand with aĀ fresh store of mercy.Ā 

Who has ever returned from His door, unblessed?
Who has ever risen from His table, unsatisfied?Ā 
Who has ever come from His bosom, un-imparadised?Ā 
His mercies are new every morning–and fresh every evening.Ā 

Who can know the number of His benefits, or recount His infinite bounties?Ā 

Every sand which drops from the glass of time–is but the tardy follower of a myriad of mercies. The wings of our hours are covered with the silver of His kindness, and with the yellow gold of His affection. TheĀ river of timeĀ bears from theĀ mountains of eternity–theĀ golden sands of His favor.Ā 

Who can count theĀ dust of the benefitsĀ which He bestows on His redeemed people, or number of His mercies towards us? How shall my soul extol Him–who daily loads us with benefits, and who crowns us with loving-kindness?Ā 

O that myĀ praiseĀ could be as ceaseless as HisĀ bounty!Ā O miserable tongue, how can you be silent?Ā 

“Praise the Lord, O my soul!Ā Do not forget all ofĀ HisĀ benefits!”Ā Psalm 103:2Ā 

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With God for your portion!

June 2, 2019 by Steve 0 Comments

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With God for your portion!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“You are my portion, O Lord.” Psalm 119:57Ā 

Look at your possessions, O believer–and compare your portion with the lot of your fellow men.Ā 

Some of them have their portion in the field; they are rich, and theirĀ harvestsĀ yield them a golden increase. But what are harvests compared with your God, who is the God of harvests? What are bursting granaries compared with Him, who is the heavenly Gardener, and feeds you with the bread of heaven?Ā 

Some have their portion in the city; theirĀ wealthĀ is abundant, and flows to them in constant streams, until they become a very reservoir of gold. But what isĀ goldĀ compared with yourĀ God?Ā You could not live on it; your spiritual life could not be sustained by it. Put gold on a troubled conscience–and could it allay its pangs? Apply it to a desponding heart–and see if it could relieve a solitary groan, or give one grief the less? But you have God, and in Him you have more than gold or riches ever could buy!Ā 

Some have their portion in that which most men love–applause andĀ fame. But ask yourself: Is not your God more to you than that? What if a myriad trumpets should be loud in your applause–would this prepare you to pass the Jordan of death, or cheer you in prospect of the final judgment? No! there are griefs in life which fame and wealth cannot alleviate; and there is the deep need of a dying hour, for which no riches can provide.Ā 

But when you have God for your portion, you have more than all else put together.Ā 
In Him every need is met, whether in life or in death.Ā 
With God for your portionĀ you are rich indeed, for He will . . .
Ā  supply your real needs,
Ā  comfort your desponding heart,
Ā  assuage your deepest grief,
Ā  guide your steps wisely,Ā 
Ā  be with you in the dark valley of death,
and then take you home to Heaven, to enjoy Him as your portion forever!Ā 

“My flesh and my heart may fail,Ā but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!”Ā Psalm 73:26Ā 

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