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Are we Christians–or are we worldlings?

October 29, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Are we Christians–or are we worldlings?

(Horatius Bonar, “Self-Denial Christianity”)

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!” Amos 6:1

What do we say to . . .
  our self-indulgence,
  our spiritual sloth,
  our love of ease,
  our avoidance of hardship,
  our luxury,
  our pampering of the body,
  our costly feasts,
  our silken couches,
  our brilliant furniture,
  our gay attire,
  our expensive jewelry,
  our idle mirth,
  our voluptuous music,
  our jovial tables, loaded with every variety of rich viands?

Are we Christians–or are we worldlings?

Where is the self-denial of the New Testament days?

Where is the separation from a self-pleasing luxurious world? Where is the cross, the true badge of discipleship, to be seen–except in useless religious ornaments for the body, or worse than useless decorations for the sanctuary?

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!” Is not this the description of multitudes who name the name of Christ? They may not be “living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.” But even where these are absent, there is ‘high living’–luxury of the table or the wardrobe–in conformity to this present evil world.

“At ease in Zion!” Yes! there is the shrinking . . .
  from hard service;
  from spending and being spent;
  from toil and burden-bearing and conflict;
  from self-sacrifice and noble service;
for the Master’s sake.

There is conformity to the world, instead of conformity to Christ!
There is a laying down of the cross, instead of a taking up of the cross. 
Or there is a lining of the cross with velvet, lest it should gall our shoulders as we carry it! 
Or there is an adorning of the cross, that it may suite the taste and the manners of our refined and intellectual age.

Anything but the bare, rugged and simple cross!

We think that we can make the strait gate wider, and the narrow way broader–so as to be able to walk more comfortably to the heavenly kingdom. We try to prove that modern enlightenment has so refined ‘the world and its pleasures’, that we may safely drink the poisoned cup, and give ourselves up to the inebriation of the siren song.

“At ease in Zion!” Even when the walls of our city are besieged, and the citadel is being stormed!

Instead of grasping our weapons, we lie down upon our couches!

Instead of the armor, we put on the silken robe!

We are cowards, when we should be brave!

We are faint-hearted, when we should be bold!

We are lukewarm, when we should be fervent!

We are cold, when we should be full of zeal!

We compromise and shuffle and make excuses–when we should lift up our voice like a trumpet! We pare down truth, or palliate error, or extenuate sin–in order to placate the world, or suit the spirit of the age, or ‘unify’ the Church.

Learn self-denying Christianity. Not the form or name, but the living thing. 

Let us renounce the lazy, luxurious, self-pleasing, fashionable religion of the present day!

A self-indulgent religion has nothing in common with the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ; or with that cross of ours which He has commanded us to take up and carry after Him–renouncing ease and denying self.

Our time,
our abilities,
our money,
our strength–
are all to be laid upon the altar.

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!” Amos 6:1

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See the hand of God in all the barbarisms and incivilities of men!

October 28, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

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See the hand of God in all the barbarisms and incivilities of men!

(Thomas Watson)

“The Almighty has afflicted me!” Ruth 1:21

“The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” John 18:11

All the injuries and unkind treatments we meet with from others, do not come to us by chance, but are ordained by the all-wise God for our good. 

Many are like the foolish cur that snarls at the stick, never looking to the hand that swung it. If we looked higher than instruments, our hearts would grow meek and calm. Instruments can no more stir until God gives them a commission–than the ax can cut by itself without a hand. David looked beyond Shimei’s rage: “Let him curse, for the Lord has bidden him!” 2 Samuel 16:11 

What wisdom for Christians–to see the hand of God in all the barbarisms and incivilities of men! Job eyed God in his affliction, and that meekened his spirit: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised!” Job 1:21. He does not say, The Chaldeans have taken away–but “The Lord has taken away.”

Whoever brings an affliction, it is God who sends it.

“God has sovereign right to dispose of us as He pleases. We ought to acquiesce in all that God does with us and to us.” William Carey

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other!” Ecclesiastes 7:14 

“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

“What? Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad?” Job 2:10 

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Christian joy!

October 27, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

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Christian joy!

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!

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The root upon which our blessings grow

October 26, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The root upon which our blessings grow

(Charles Naylor)
  
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried” 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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The difference between the godly and the ungodly

October 25, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The difference between the godly and the ungodly

(James Meikle, “The Traveler” June 14, 1758)

There is a wide difference in both principle and practice, between the the godly and the ungodly. 

The affections of the godly are spiritually refined–and their desires are exalted. 
The inclinations of the ungodly are corrupt–and their desires are groveling. 

Sin has but a tottering standing, and a momentary abode–in the godly. 
But sin has fixed its throne, and taken up its eternal residence–in the ungodly. 

In the godly, grace and sin struggle for sovereignty. 
In the ungodly, sin domineers and there is no struggle. 

The godly is deeply concerned about world to come. 
The ungodly has no concern about eternal realities. 

The speech of the godly is seasoned with grace. 
The discourse of the ungodly is insipid and vain. 

The godly has his hope fixed on God. 
The ungodly has no fear of God before his eyes. 

The godly use the world without abusing it. 
The ungodly, in using the world, abuse both themselves and it. 

The godly sees God in his daily life, and rejoices in Him with his whole heart. 
The ungodly says in his practice: “There is no God!” and wishes in his heart that there were no God. 

The godly adores the Creator above all else. 
The ungodly worships the ‘creature’ more than the Creator.

The godly uses God’s name with profoundest reverence, and departs from iniquity. 
The ungodly profanes God’s name with impudence, and adds iniquity to sin. 

The godly redeems his time. 
The ungodly trifles away his time. 

The godly studies his duty in obedience to all God’s precepts. 
The ungodly shakes himself loose from every command of God. 

The godly forgives his foes. 
The ungodly lays a snare for his foes. 

The godly commits it to God to avenge wrongs done to him. 
The ungodly, fiery and tumultuous–seeks revenge. 

The godly loves purity in all things. 
The ungodly wallows in impurity. 

The godly is content with his condition. 
The ungodly covets all the day long. 

The godly is pure in heart. 
The heart of the ungodly is like a cage full of unclean birds. 

The godly walks at liberty in the ways of God. 
The ungodly is the servant and slave of sin. 

The Holy Spirit rules in the heart of the godly. 
Satan rules in the heart of the ungodly. 

The godly has his citizenship in Heaven. 
The ungodly has his citizenship in Hell. 

As there is such a wide difference in their principles and practices–so also, in their eternal destinies. 
God is faithful–He has promised felicity to the pious, and threatened vengeance to the wicked. 
“The wicked is thrust out in his wickedness; but the righteous has hope in his death.” Proverbs 14:32

The godly are under the blessing of God’s love. 
The ungodly are under the curse of God’s justice. 

The godly with joy, draw water out of the wells of salvation. 
The ungodly shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 

To the godly, pertain all the exceeding great and precious promises. 
To the ungodly, pertain all the threatenings of God. 

Heaven shall be the palace of the godly! 
Hell shall be the prison of the ungodly! 

While the godly shall dwell through eternity with God, 
the ungodly shall be driven away into everlasting darkness! 

Thus, the righteous and wicked are separated in their life, and divided in their death. They are divided . . .
  in their principles,
  in their practices, 
  in their choices,
  in their joys, 
  in their thoughts, 
  in their company,
  in their speech,
  in their fears,
  in their expectations, 
  in their death, and
  through eternity itself!

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The awesome, holy, glorious beauty of Christ!

October 24, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The awesome, holy, glorious beauty of Christ!

(Charles Spurgeon)

Come here gracious souls, and behold the Man in the garden of Gethsemane. 

Behold His heart so brimming with love that He cannot hold it in–so full of sorrow that it must find a vent. 

Behold the Man as they drive the nails into His hands and feet. 

Look up and see the sorrowful ravishing image of your suffering Lord. 

If we would live right, it must be by the contemplation of His death. 

If we would rise to dignity, it must be by considering His humiliation and His sorrow.

The sight of Christ’s loveliness, and that alone–shows the soul its own ugliness.

The sense of the awesome, holy, glorious beauty of Christ kills pride and humbles the soul.

“Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!” Song of Solomon 5:16

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Blindman Tough Mudder 5K – The Big Day!

October 23, 2018 by Steve 2 Comments

Yay…..We did it! 

With more than a week past….My knees are still scabbed and bruised…..But i’d like to give an Elephantine amount of thanks for everyone involved! 💪🏼 

A photo of the hard as nails team with our headbands on and our arms around each other

⇧From left: Adie, Vini, Me, Josie & Ashley ⇧ 

First, I’d like to give a stupendous amount of thanks to my lovely Wife Sarah….The amount of love and encouragement was/is mind-blowing!  And the “Hard As Nails” team…..”“my muscles were fading but the sense of team work was overwhelming and no matter what…..We were getting over those obstacles”.💪🏼 

Second, i’d like to give a monumental amount of thanks to the “Crazy Clappers” team. “When i’d finished an obstacle and was about to collapse……I’d hear the Cheering Team and you’d put a big grin on my face to remind me it was alright and to keep going! 😎 

Third, i’d like to give a gargantuan amount of thanks to all of you guys for your donations to “World Cancer Research Fund” and encouraging   me(& the team) every step of the way! “Intention isn’t Prevention……And you all have helped me spread the good  news with everyone so we can all be aware and empowered to start fighting the cancers we can prevent.” 

Fourth, A colossal amount of thanks to John & Sarah Atherton(from the Epsom Camera Club) for giving up your Saturday and taking the amazing photos of us all….We’ve got fantastic memories of the day!

Finally, I’ve already passed the whopping £1,000! The fundraising page is open for another 3 months…..So if you haven’t donated yet or you’d like to donate again(now you know i’ve managed it) it would be amazing to smash more obstacles and raise as much as i can! 😎 💪🏼

Tough Mudder 5K – Saturday 13th October…….Here Goes!

Adie, Me & Josie at the start with smoke covering the landscape

⇧ From left: Adie, Me & Josie ⇧  

Adie on my back as i carry him on the hero carry

 ⇧ Me carrying Adie on the “Hero Carry” ⇧ 

It was amazing to have my friend of nearly 30 years Adie Monk join our “Hard As Nails” team. I thought we’d sit and catch up over a coffee….I didn’t have this in mind, lol!

Thanks John Atherton for taking another great photo. I can’t thank you and Sarah Atherton enough for giving us all these memories to cherish! 😎  

After jogging a little, we came to this…….

“At over 2 stories high, this is one of the most impressive obstacles in the UK. It is a giant A-shaped cargo net that you and your team will have to scramble up and over it. Working together will be the only way to overcome”.

Adie, me & Vini on the scramble net 

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This is where my new trainers just hooked perfectly around the rope and it felt completely solid. Also my blindness helped me out for once as i couldn’t see how high i was, and didn’t freeze like a couple of people i heard up there!

 Then….When getting to the bottom i hear “Yay, Whoop Whoop, Steve, Steve, Steve” and the sound of the plastic clapper hands were going crazy! What a feeling to know my lovely Wife Sarah and the Crazy Clappers team were cheering me all of the way, a great feeling! 😎  

Me, Vini & Ashley cheering

 ⇧ Me, Vini & Ashley biggin’ up the cheering team ⇧ 

More jogging….Adie and the team were excellent at guiding me when jogging. Moving low hanging branches, telling me of tree roots and pulling me in the right direction. Adie said “I tried running with my eyes closed for a few steps…And there is no way i’d try any of this if i couldn’t see”.

Then…..

“We’ve taken the 10′ Hero Walls and tilted them right at you. By removing the ability for you to climb up and over this wall, you will have to form a strategy with your team, work together and boost each other to the other side”.

Vini on top of the wall and me trying get my leg up to get grip for my pull up!

 ⇧ Ouch, my leg hasn’t bent that far in about 20 years, lol! ⇧ 

More Jogging…..

“This obstacle will have you crawling on the ground, pinned down by a giant cargo net. Working your way through this one will require lots of communication, teamwork and a strong will”. 

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You’ve guessed it…..More jogging and then….

“The aim of the game is to get your team up and over this stack of super-sized hay bales. There is no right or wrong way so boost, shove or yank every last team member over the other side”. 

Ashley helping Josie

⇧ Ashley helping Josie in a display of team work ⇧  

 Next…….

“Can’t go through it, can’t go round it, you’ll have to go over it. Work together to boost and shimmy your teammates up and over this 10′ Tough Mudder staple”.

Ashley at the top of the wall

Josie on the top of the wall with all of us cheering at the bottom

Vini helping Josie at the top of the wall

 Yep, more jogging…..

“Time to get swinging. Grab on, hold tight, feel the momentum and swing yourself from ring to ring like a regular Tarzan. This obstacle will test your strength, coordination and flow. Hang in there, you got this”.

Really didn’t do well on this one…And i can’t really blame my sight for lack of strength, lol!

Me on the rings

 After a little more jogging……

“One of the most teamwork-inducing obstacles in the Tough Mudder portfolio, this obstacle is difficult to complete alone. You’re going to have to work together to form a human pyramid and, like its namesake, climb up and over your fellow Mudders on the way to the top”.

As Vini was making everything look so easy…..It was great to look at the photos afterwards and see it wasn’t all too easy!! 💪🏼  

Vini & Ashley pulling Josie up the pyramid scheme

Vini, Ashley & me pulling Josie up the pyramid scheme

Pyramid scheme 1

Pyramid scheme 2

Pyramid scheme 3

 AND NOW……MY NEMESIS!!!!

“A true Tough Mudder legend. Everest will challenge participants to run up a quarter pipe to reach the summit. Can’t do it alone? Not to worry – teammates are encouraged to hang over the top to pull their new friends up and over”.

 I knew this was going to be more difficult for me as i needed to try it and get hands on before i could calculate what exactly i needed to do. Adie & Ashley explained the process….But i knew i just had to do it before i would really know….As running at a half pipe wall thingy when blind is going to be interesting!

Here Goes Nothing…..

Me running at Everest

Me and Everest

I took 1 step too many….and before i knew it the wall was in my face! Ooooo i was so close to reaching the ledge.  

Me crashing into Everest

After hitting the wall i dropped down on both knees, and as the obstacle was made of hardish tyre rubber, it simply burned and ripped the skin off both knees….Wow that stings, lol. Time to regroup and recalculate! 

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“Ok Steve, just do the same but with 1 step less”. Here i go again!

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Yay….That’s better…..And once i had my talon trainers gripped to the ledge, i could just heave myself up. Wow i made it! 💪🏼 

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18JA3400⇧ Ashley showing how it should be done! ⇧😎  

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 The team were fantastic and we all made it up. No-one was being left behind and you could just feel the team growing closer with each obstacle, it was amazing. 

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 Now the final obstacle was overcome, it was time for a short jog to the finish line,Yay! 

The Finish Line & The Headbands…… 

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 WE DID IT…… 

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⇧ When words fail to say how thankful you are!!! ⇧ 

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⇧ Me, Adie & the headbands ⇧ 

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⇧ Adie, Vini & Me for a final photo ⇧ 

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WOW WHAT A JOURNEY……

I hope after getting this far…..You’ve enjoyed this journey with me and the team too? They are already talking about doing a longer and more muddier one with more obstacles for next year. What do you think? Should i go for it? Would you like to see the Blindman take on a greater challenge? Let me know in the comments section what you think!

I can’t thank everyone enough….

Inspired, Love, Muscle Of Faith, My Thoughts, Photos, Tough Mudder Training, WCRF
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I have just been informed of the loss of your dear wife

October 23, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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I have just been informed of the loss of your dear wife

(Letters of John Berridge)

Dear friend,
I have just been informed of the loss of your dear wife. She was mortal–but she has now become immortal! Should this cause you to grieve immoderately? O that I was where she is now!

“Safe landed on that peaceful shore, 
 Where pilgrims meet to part no more.” 

She was once a mourning sinner in the wilderness–but is now a glorified saint in Zion! The Lord has become her “everlasting light, and the days of her mourning are ended!” She was once afflicted with bodily pains and weakness, encompassed with family cares, and harassed with a crowd of anxious, needless fears. She is now arrived at her Father’s house! Jesus has wiped away all tears from her eyes, and freed her in a moment from pain, and care, and fear, and want! Shall this make you sorrow, as those who have no hope?

You have not left your wife–she has only left you for a little moment. She has left her husband on earth–to dwell with her glorious Father in Heaven. She expects your arrival there soon, to join her Hallelujahs for redeeming love.

And are you still weeping? Weeping because your wife can weep no more; weeping because she is happy–eternally, gloriously happy? Are you weeping because she is joined to the blessed assembly where all are kings and priests–weeping, because she is where you would be, and long to be eternally? 

The Lord Jesus has called her home to His kingdom, to draw your soul more ardently thither! He has broken up a cistern–to bring you nearer, and keep you closer to the overflowing fountain of all felicity!

“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.
 The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd;
 He will lead them to springs of living water.
 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!” Revelation 7:16-17 

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Pilfering of another’s time

October 22, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Pilfering of another’s time

(Hannah More)

“Redeeming the time.” Ephesians 5:16

Christians should especially be on their guard against a spirit of idleness, and a slovenly habitual wasting of time. We must guard against a habitual frivolousness at home; and an abundance of unprofitable small-talk, idle reading, inane drowsiness, and a dull frittering away of time.

We must seriously consider: what a large portion of life we have unwisely squandered; what days and nights we have wasted, if not sinfully–yet selfishly; if not loaded with evil–yet destitute of good. In the day of judgment, the thin disguise which our treacherous heart now casts over indolence and sloth, will then be torn off.

We are guilty of the strange inconsistency of being most wasteful of what we best love–and of throwing away what we most fear to lose–that TIME of which life is made up. It is not so much a lack of time–as a wasting of our time–which prevents life from answering all the ends for which God has given it to us. Few things make us so useful in the world, as the prudent use of our precious time. 

We should not only be careful not to waste our own time–but that others do not rob us of it! The “stealing of our purse” is a serious wrong to us. But the “stealing of our time” should grieve us even more! Pilfering of another’s time is a felony for which no restitution can be made–for time is not only invaluable, but irrecoverable!

Every particle of time is valuable. No day can be insignificant–when every day is to be accounted for. Each one possesses weight and importance. What a scene will open upon us, when, from our eternal state–we shall look back on the use we have made of time–when we shall take a clear retrospect of all we have done, and all we ought to have done!

“Almighty God, I adore Your infinite patience, which has not cut me off in the midst of my follies. Let me no longer abuse that precious treasure, time. Let me bid adieu to all those vain amusements, those trifling entertainments and sinful diversions–which have robbed me of many valuable hours. Let me no longer waste my time in ease and pleasure, in unprofitable studies and conversation; but grant, that by moderation and temperance in my enjoyments, I may be able to give a good account of it in the day of judgment, and be accepted in and through the merits of Jesus Christ, my only mediator and advocate. Amen.”

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 

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Upon that short time, eternity depends!

October 21, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Upon that short time, eternity depends!

(Jeremy Taylor)

“You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning–though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.” Psalm 90:5-6 

“The length of our days is seventy years–or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10 

God has given to man a short time here on earth–and yet upon that short time, eternity depends!

“So teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 

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Our true, abiding home!

October 20, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Our true, abiding home!

(David Harsha, “The Savior’s Ascension”) 

Heaven is now our true, abiding home. 

While on earth we are strangers and pilgrims, far from our final rest. And while such is our condition here, should we not often think of our heavenly home? Should not Heaven attract us more and more as we journey through life? 

Shall we still cleave to earth, since Christ has obtained eternal salvation for us, and passed into the heavens to prepare a way for our entrance into those unending joys in the presence of God? 

Oh, let our best affections be placed on those spiritual and divine things above. 

Let the noblest aspirations of our minds be after a more intimate knowledge of Jesus. 

Let us look beyond this valley of tears and keep our eyes fixed on that better country . . .
  where the Savior ever reigns in glorious majesty;
  where the fountains of bliss ever flow;
  where the tree of life ever spreads its delightful shade, and yields its immortal fruits; 
  where all is unending joy, and love, and peace and felicity! 

Let our hearts be more and more disentangled from the cares and temptations of the present life.
Let us live in the world as those who are not of it; as those whose treasure is in Heaven, and whose hearts are there also. 

The nearer a Christian comes to Heaven, the less he loves or esteems this present world. 

May our affections rise heavenward, endeavoring to bring the realities of future, eternal things more vividly before our minds, and to realize our interest in them. 

O my soul, rise above these earthly scenes; and, on the wings of faith, soar to the realms of the blessed, where Jesus is enthroned in unspeakable glory–reigning as my life, my hope, and my treasure! 

“Blessed Jesus, we beseech You to show us Your glory, and to raise our hearts, our hopes, and our desires, to that blessed world to which You have ascended. O may our souls be daily rising, in holy thought, towards our home where the ransomed of the Lord shall forever obtain joy and gladness. May our thoughts become heavenly, and our hearts be attuned to those songs with which the arches of Heaven shall resound to all eternity! O my Savior, wean my heart from earth, and enable me to place my affection on things above!”

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Idiots catching flies!

October 19, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Idiots catching flies!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” Ecclesiastes 1:2 

Most people are not seeking to escape from the wrath to come–they are busy in worldly things while Hell is near them. They are like idiots catching flies on board a ship which is in the very act of sinking! We see them busy adorning their bodies, when their soul is in ruin. They are like a man painting the front door, when the house is in flames! 

Men are in a restless pursuit after satisfaction in earthly things. 
They will hunt the phantom of wealth, 
they will travel the pathways of fame, 
they will dig into the mines of knowledge, 
they will exhaust themselves in the deceitful delights of sin.
Finding them all to be vanity and emptiness, they will become very perplexed and disappointed. But they still continue their fruitless search. Though wearied, they still stagger forward under the influence of spiritual madness, and though there is no result to be reached except that of everlasting disappointment–yet they press forward with much ardor. 

Living for today is enough for them–that they are still alive, that they possess present comforts and present enjoyments–this contents the many. 

As for the future, they say, “Let it take care of itself.” 

As for eternity, they leave others to care for its realities; the present life is enough for them. 

Their motto is, “Let us feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

They have no forethought for their eternal state–the present hour absorbs them. 

Carnal minds pursue earth’s vanities with all their might; and when they are wearied in their pursuit they but change their direction, and continue the idle chase. They turn to another and another of earth’s broken cisterns, hoping to find water where not a drop was ever discovered yet! 

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

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It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

October 18, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

(Matthew Mead, “Falling into the Hands of the Living God!” 1629-1699)

“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” Hebrews 10:31 

It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God, because, as He is the all-knowing and Almighty God–so He is the just and righteous God; and will be so forever, for He is the living God. His righteousness and justice are everlasting–and this makes Hell so dreadful.

As it is the great comfort of believers to have such a Mediator and Surety, such a high priest to live forever to make intercession for them–so this is the great misery of lost sinners: to fall into the hands of that God, who ever lives to avenge Himself on their unbelief and rebellion. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God . . .
  who knows all their sins, 
  who is so holy–that He must punish them, 
  who is so powerful–that He can punish them, 
  who is so just–that He does punish all impenitent sinners forever!

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Christ takes the garbage!

October 17, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

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Christ takes the garbage!

(Charles Spurgeon, “The Meek and Lowly One”)

Jewelers can only prepare and polish the choicest diamonds. 
But Jesus Christ polishes a common pebble, and makes a jewel of it!

Jewelers make their precious treasures, out of precious materials.
Christ makes His precious things, out of dross!

He always begins with bad material. Christ takes . . .
  the despicable,
  the vilest,
  the scum,
  the off-scouring,
  the filth,
  the garbage of the world,
and out of such stuff and matter as that, He builds up a holy temple, and gathers to Himself trophies for His honor and praise!

“Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
And that is what some of you were! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

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The way to escape from the power of sin!

October 16, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The way to escape from the power of sin!

(Charles Spurgeon, “The Way” #942) 

The great object of a penitent soul is to get away from the tyranny and slavery of evil habits and of corrupt desires. 

The saints in glory overcame through the blood of the Lamb–and there is no other way of overcoming. The precious blood of atonement wherever sprinkled, kills sin; and he who lives in the full belief of it will be purified from sinful habits. 

It is living under a sense of divine love as manifest in Christ; it is living with the full conviction of pardon through the blood, which brings to us freedom from the reigning power of sin. 

There is no way to get the likeness of Christ, except by learning of His love. You imitate Christ, and so become like Him. You commune with Christ–and as you talk with Him, His character sacredly operates upon yourself, and you are changed from glory to glory, as by the image of the Lord. 

Christ is the way to escape from the power of sin! The moment we forget Christ, and then seek after personal sanctification–we are trying to get to our journey’s end by declining to tread the road to it. 

It is impossible to grow in grace, except by abiding evermore at the foot of the cross.

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In a few years

October 15, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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In a few years

(Thomas Chalmers, 1780-1847)

“For we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow.” Job 8:9 

“He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.” Job 14:2 

“Only a few years will pass before I go on the journey of no return!” Job 16:22 

“My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.” Psalm 102:11 

“Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” Psalm 144:4 

How transient is human life–yet no one lays it to heart. With the magnificence of eternity before us–let fleeting time, with all its fluctuations, dwindle into its own littleness.

In a few years our heads will be laid in the cold grave, and the green turf will cover us. The children who come after us will tread upon our graves.

They will weep for us a few days.

They will talk of us a few months.

They will remember us a few years.

Then our memory shall disappear from the face of the earth, and not a tongue shall be found to recall it!

The character with which we sink into the grave at death–is the very character with which we shall reappear at the final judgment!

“O God, impress upon me the value of time–and give regulation to all my thoughts and to all my actions. O God, help me to live for Your glory. As the years roll over me, may I withdraw my affections from time, and feel that in moving through the world, I am moving toward eternity!”

“So teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

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The principle of iniquity is embedded in the human race

October 14, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The principle of iniquity is embedded in the human race

(John MacArthur)

The Bible is absolutely crystal clear that all children are sinners from conception…all children. The principle of iniquity is embedded in the human race. Children are born morally corrupt. They are born with an irresistible bent toward evil. And any notion that children are born morally neutral and free from a predisposition to sin is absolutely contrary to Scripture.

All humans are born in sin. If infants were not sinful, if they were not morally corrupt, then they wouldn’t die. If they were born innocent or pure or morally neutral there would be no basis for their death. The very fact that they die indicates that the disease of sin is there in them because sin is the killer. It is in their inherited sin nature that the seeds of death are planted.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

“The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” Genesis 6:5 

” . . . every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.” Genesis 8:21 

“The LORD looks down from Heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one!” Psalm 14:2-3

“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me!” Psalm 51:5 

“Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.” Psalm 58:3 

“There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked!” Jeremiah 17:9 

“All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one!” Romans 3:12

“Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” Ephesians 2:3 

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We see hands and feet and side, all pouring forth crimson streams of precious blood!

October 13, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

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We see hands and feet and side, all pouring forth crimson streams of precious blood!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“The precious blood of Christ!” 1 Peter 1:19

Standing at the foot of the cross, we see hands and feet and side, all pouring forth crimson streams of precious blood! 

Christ’s blood is precious because of its redeeming and atoning efficacy. By it, all the sins of all Christ’s people are atoned for!

Christ’s blood is also precious in its cleansing power. “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!” “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

Through Jesus’ blood, there is not a spot left upon any believer–no wrinkle nor any such thing remains. Oh, precious cleansing blood–which removes the stains of abundant iniquity, and allows us to stand accepted in the Beloved, notwithstanding the many ways in which we have rebelled against our God.

The blood of Christ is likewise precious in its preserving power. Under the sprinkled blood, we are safe from the destroying angel. Remember that it is God’s seeing the blood, which is the true reason for our being spared. Here is comfort for us when the eye of faith is dim, for God’s eye is still the same.

The blood of Christ is precious also in its sanctifying influence. The same blood that justifies by taking away sin–quickens the new nature and leads it onward to subdue sin and to follow out the commands of God. 

There is no motive for holiness so great, as that which streams from the veins of Jesus!

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A flower that will adorn any garden!

October 12, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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A flower that will adorn any garden!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 

Humiliation of soul always brings a positive blessing with it. 
If we empty our hearts of self–then God will fill them with His love. 

Stoop, if you would climb to Heaven. You must grow downward, that you may grow upward. The sweetest fellowship with Heaven is to be had by humble souls, and by them alone. God will deny no blessing to a thoroughly humbled spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven”–along with all its riches and treasures!

God blesses us all up to the full measure of what it is safe for Him to do. If you do not get a particular blessing–it is because it is not safe for you to have it! If our heavenly Father were to let your unhumbled spirit win a victory in His holy war–you would pilfer the crown for yourself! And meeting with a fresh enemy, you would fall a victim. He keeps you low for your own safety.

When a man is sincerely humble and never ventures to touch so much as a grain of the praise–there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace, and fits us to deal efficiently with our fellow men. 

True humility is a flower that will adorn any garden! Whether it is prayer or praise, whether it is work or suffering–the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess.

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another–because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time!” 1 Peter 5:5-6 

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I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God!

October 11, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God!” Psalm 90:1-2 

The Christian knows no change with regard to God. 

He himself may be rich today–and poor tomorrow, 
he may be sickly today–and well tomorrow, 
he may be in happiness today–tomorrow he may be distressed;
but there is never any change with regard to his relationship to God.

If He loved me yesterday–then He loves me today. My unmoving mansion of rest, is my blessed Lord.

Let prospects be ruined,
let hopes be blasted,
let joy be withered,
let mildews destroy everything–
I have lost nothing of what I have in God. He is “my strong habitation where unto I can continually resort.” I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God. In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet habitation.

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength!” Habakkuk 3:17-19

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The Holy Spirit

October 10, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The Holy Spirit

(James Smith, “The Way of Salvation Set Forth”)

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6 

The Holy Spirit is the author of the great work of regeneration. He takes up His abode in the renewed heart, as His temple. He dwells in us, and shall be with us. Jesus does all for us, in our justification; and the Holy Spirit does all in us, for our sanctification. 

The Holy Spirit is the source of all holy desires, consistent purposes and good works. There is no good thing in us, but what He produces. He dwells within us as the Teacher, the Comforter and the Advocate of the soul. He leads us . . .
  into truth,
  against Satan,
  and to labor for God. 

He . . .
warns us of evil,
directs us to Jesus, and
applies the blessings of salvation to our souls. 
He is in us as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 

Without the Holy Spirit there is not, there cannot be, genuine religion; for He is its author, guardian, and guide.

To Him we are indebted . . .
  for every good desire,
  for every holy thought,
  for every good word, and
  for every fruitful work.
He works in us to will and to do of His own good pleasure. 

Every tear of penitence, 
every contrite sigh, 
every fervent prayer, 
every ray of spiritual light, 
every holy emotion toward God
–is from the Holy Spirit. 

If He left us–our graces would soon wither, fade and die. 

When we grieve Him . . .
  our comforts decline, 
  our evidences are beclouded, 
  and our hands wax feeble. 
But . . .
if we sow to the Spirit,
if we walk in the Spirit,
if we aim in all things to please Him–then . . .
  our souls are vigorous,
  our graces are lively, and 
  we are enabled to find our joy in God. 


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These rare pictures!

October 9, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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These rare pictures!

(J.R. Miller)

“Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things!” Isaiah 40:26 

They miss many a tender joy–who do not have a heart in sympathy with nature. 

They lose many a whisper of love which drops from God’s lips–who do not have ears open to hear the voices of nature. 

They fail to see many lovely visions of beauty–who have not learned to use their eyes in admiring the exquisite things that God has scattered everywhere in such glorious variety. 

Yet most of us walk amid these inspirations, these rare pictures, these sweet voices–and neither feel nor see nor hear them! God meant us to get comfort and joy from the lovely things with which He has filled our earth.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 
 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world!” Psalm 19:1-4 

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Blindman Tough Mudder Update – 5 Days To Go!

October 8, 2018 by Steve 3 Comments

Oh no……With only 5 days left until “Tough Mudder”, Sarah and i went into the woods to try out my new trail shoes and also try and get some photos of me jogging/training for World Cancer Research Fund as they want some promotional shots.

Sarah did an amazing job getting me to run in a straight line…..She had to walk with me to get into position….Then walk away until she was in position. Then after Sarah shouts “GO!” I hopefully run in a straight line towards her(not through her) and she can get some shots.

I’m not sure how she did it…..But it looks like i’m jogging on my own and also looks like i’e been jogging for miles, lol…..Not just 50 feet at a time! 😎 💪🏼 

Me running through the woods 

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The aged believer’s cordial

October 8, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The aged believer’s cordial

(James Smith)

“Hearken unto Me! I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime–until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you!” Isaiah 46:3-4 

This passage of Scripture is the aged believer’s cordial. Let us look at the beautiful images employed.

God is our parent–a kind and tender-hearted parent. He is peculiarly attached to His people–they are dear to Him, and precious in His sight. They are His portion. He prizes them above all creation. He is strong to sustain, to defend and support them. His strong arm, tender heart, and watchful eye–are all employed for them–and especially so in old age.

The aged believer is as a child. He is weak. He feels exposed and defenseless. He is timid and fearful. But the Lord, as a tender parent, engages to take him up in the arms of His power–and carry him in the bosom of His love! Like a tender lamb in the shepherd’s bosom on a cold and frosty night, borne across a bleak and snow-covered wasteland–so the believer, in the winter of old age, shall be carried in the bosom of his God, across the bleak and cheerless desert of time. 

God will carry him tenderly–hushing the weak one’s fears. 
He will bear him carefully–so that nothing shall harm or hurt him. 
He will soothe him with gentle words, and encourage him with kind acts–until He safely brings him Home!

Dear aged Christian, you have nothing to fear! Your God says, “I will be your God throughout your lifetime–until your hair is white with age! I am your Father–your Friend–your solace–and your confidence! Look unto Me, even to old age–I will carry you. I will bear you up under all that you feel and fear. I will carry you through all that discourages or distresses you. I will deliver you from foes, fears, dangers and death itself! Nothing shall by any means hurt you! My arm is strong enough–trust in it. My bosom is your resting-place–lean on it, lean hard! Do not be afraid . . . 
  love dwells there, 
  pity rules there, 
  your name is engraved there! 
Trust me, I will never leave you nor forsake you!

“Hearken!” Believer, your God bids you to “hearken.” His words are true and faithful. 
He speaks to banish your fears. 
He speaks to strengthen your faith. 
He speaks to comfort your poor drooping heart. 
He speaks to clothe your care-worn brow, with the light of hope, with the cheerfulness which confidence imparts. 

Hearken to Him–not to unbelief or carnal reason. 
It is the Guide of your youth who addresses you. 
It is your tender Parent who seeks to cheer your heart. 
Hearken, it is your Savior who speaks! 

“As one whom his mother comforts”–so does your God comfort you. 
He is near you–near you every moment; 
He will carry you–carry you every step; 
He will deliver you–deliver you from every danger, trouble and foe!

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The Christian’s compass and chart, by which he is steered safely over the tempestuous ocean of life!

October 7, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

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The Christian’s compass and chart, by which he is steered safely over the tempestuous ocean of life!

(William Nicholson, “God’s Word, a Preservative Prom Sin” 1862)

“Your Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11

The Psalmist deposited the precepts and promises of God in his heart, and proved their value and efficiency . . .
  to preserve him from sin, 
  to comfort him in trouble, and 
  to cheer him in a dying hour. 

Just so, Christians must “let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, in all wisdom”–which will preserve them from sin, and make them wise unto salvation.

The Word must be deposited in our hearts, woven into our natures–by carefully reading and meditating upon it. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” Joshua 1:8

The Word is the perpetual standard of all moral excellence. All its precepts tend to purity.

Its doctrines present the most powerful motives against sin. 

When the Christian looks at the sufferings and death of the Redeemer . . . 
  in His intense agony, 
  in His bloody sweat,
  in His transfixing on the cross,
  in the desertion of His Father, 
  in the endurance of the penalty of sin–
he sees in all these complicated and unparalleled sorrows, “the exceeding sinfulness of sin!”

Why is he redeemed? “Christ gave Himself for us–to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good!” Titus 2:14

Why is he regenerated? “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Why is he adopted into God’s family? But to bear the image of Him who adopts. 

What is the tendency of all the doctrines of grace which he has received? “For the grace of God . . . teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age!” Titus 2:11-12 

Why is he preserved? “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!” 1 Thessalonians 5:23. “But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation!” Colossians 1:22 

Above all, when he contemplates the character of his Savior . . .
  His ardent love, 
  His ineffable meekness, 
  His profound humility, and 
  His unexampled obedience–
he perceives such a bright constellation of virtues, that he is dazzled by their splendor, and longs and prays to be impressed with His image and likeness.

Thus the Word of God is hidden in his heart . . .
  as his counselor, 
  as his guide, 
  as his pattern!

The Word of God is the Christian’s compass and chart, by which he is steered safely over the tempestuous ocean of life!

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Brethren, is not this the very cream of Heaven!

October 6, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Brethren, is not this the very cream of Heaven!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!” 1 John 3:2 

Here we have seen Jesus by faith in such a way that we have beheld our burdens laid on Him, and our iniquities carried by Him into the wilderness–where, if they are sought for, they shall not be found. We have seen enough of Jesus to know that “He is altogether lovely.” We can say of Him, that He “is all my salvation, and all my desire.” Sometimes, when He opens the lattice, and shows Himself through those windows of agate, at the Lord’s Supper–the King’s beauty has entranced us even to our heart’s ravishment. Yet all that we have ever seen of Him, is somewhat like the report which the Queen of Sheba had of Solomon’s wisdom. When we once get to the court of the Great King, we shall declare that the half has not been told to us! “I myself will see Him with my own eyes–I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:27 

Brethren, is not this the very cream of Heaven! 

There have been many suggestions of what we shall do in Heaven, and what we shall enjoy, but they all seem to me to be wide of the mark compared with this one–that we shall be with Jesus, be like Him, and shall behold His glory!

Oh, to see the feet that were nailed, and to touch the hands that were pierced, and to look upon the head that wore the thorns–and to bow before Him who is ineffable love, unspeakable condescension, infinite tenderness! Oh, to bow before Him, and to kiss that blessed face! Jesus, what better do we want than to see You, and be with You forever! 

The streets of gold will have small attraction to us, and the harps of angels will but slightly enchant us–compared with the King in the midst of the throne! He it is who shall . . .
  rivet our gaze,
  absorb our thoughts,
  enchain our affections, and
  move all our sacred passions to their highest pitch of celestial ardor. 

We shall see Jesus!

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Why the Cross?

October 5, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Why the Cross? 

(Octavius Winslow)

True sanctification is a daily mortification of the root of sin in the heart–the continual destruction of the principle. 
What is your predominant sin? Lay the axe at its root! 
Seek its death and destruction–or it will be death and destruction to you, as long as it prevails.

One sight of a crucified Savior imparted by the Holy Spirit, will effectually weaken the power of indwelling sin–more than all other means combined. 

O the might of the Cross! 
O the virtue of the blood! 
O the power of the grace of Jesus–to crucify, cleanse, and subdue our iniquities!

While the Cross is a comforting truth–it is also a sanctifying truth. 

Why the Cross? 

To evince the exceeding hatefulness of sin, and to show that nothing short of such a stupendous sacrifice could remove sin consistently with the glory of the Divine nature, and the honor of the Divine government. 

When the mind is diverted from the Cross–sin appears to be a trifle. It can be . . .
  looked at without indignation,
  tampered with without fear,
  committed without hesitation,
  persisted in without remorse, 
  gloried in without shame,
  confessed without sorrow.

But when Divine justice is seen drinking the very heart’s blood of God’s only Son, in order to quench its infinite thirst for satisfaction; when Jesus is seen in His humiliation, suffering, and death–all with the design of pardoning iniquity, transgression, and sin–then how fearful a thing does it seem to sin against this holy Lord God! How base, how ungrateful, does our sin appear–in view of love so amazing, of grace so rich, and of glory so great! 

Cultivate a constant, an ardent thirst for holiness. Do not be discouraged if the more intensely the desire for sanctification rises–the deeper and darker is the revelation of the heart’s hidden evil. The one is often a consequence of the other. The struggle may be painful, the battle may be strong–but the result is certain, and will be a glorious victory–victory through the blood of the Lamb!

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The Lord is my Shepherd–I shall not want!

October 4, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The Lord is my Shepherd–I shall not want!

(“Every Day!” 1872)

“The Lord is my Shepherd–I shall not want!” Psalm 23:1

“I shall not want!” Surely not! He is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep; and if He has loved me, and given Himself for me–then what will He withhold? 

Oh that I knew Him better, and trusted Him as He deserves! Then I would be kept quiet from fear of evil, and be ever assured that He will supply all my needs, according to His riches in glory. 

Do I need guidance? The Good Shepherd goes before His sheep–He instructs and teaches us in the way we should go. 

Do I wander–and need to be reclaimed? He seeks and finds His straying ones, “He restores my soul, and leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Am I wounded? He binds up my wounds, and heals me. 

Do I need rest and refreshment? “He makes me to lie down in green pastures, and leads me beside the still waters.” 

Do I need encouragement? “His rod and His staff, they comfort me.” 

Do I need provision? “He spreads a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” 

My Shepherd is infinitely wise and kind and gracious. Surely then, “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”

“The Lord my Shepherd is,
 I shall be well supplied;
 Since He is mine, and I am His,
 What can I want beside?”

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The Bibles of worldlings!

October 3, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The Bibles of worldlings!

(Charles Spurgeon, 1889)

Newspapers are the Bibles of worldlings!
How diligently they read them!

Here they find . . .
  their law and profits,
  their judges and chronicles,
  their epistles and revelations!

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The error of textualism

October 2, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The error of textualism

(A.W. Tozer)

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 

“But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name–He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26

“When He, the Spirit of truth comes–He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13 

The doctrine of the inability of the human mind to understand divine teaching and the need for divine illumination, is so fully developed in the New Testament, that it is nothing short of astonishing that we should have gone so far astray concerning the whole issue. 

Evangelicalism has stood aloof from Liberalism in self-conscious superiority, and has on its own part fallen into the error of textualism–which is simply orthodoxy without the Holy Spirit. 

Everywhere among Conservatives we find people who are Bible-taught, but not Spirit-taught. They conceive truth to be something which they can grasp with the mind. If a man holds to the fundamentals of the Christian faith–then he is thought to possess divine truth.

But that is an incorrect assumption. The Bible is a supernatural book–and can be understood only by supernatural aid!

Conservative Christians in this day are stumbling over this truth. We need to re-examine the whole thing. We need to learn that truth consists not in correct doctrine–but in correct doctrine plus the inward enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. A re-preachment of this vital truth could result in a fresh breath from God upon a stale and suffocating orthodoxy.

Most Christians see Bible knowledge as something to be stored away in the mind, along with an inert mass of other facts.

The modern scientist has lost God, amid the wonders of His world.
And we Christians are in real danger of losing God, amid the wonders of His Word!

Scripture truths must be experienced–before we can really know them. 

“Lord, I do believe in the authority of the Scriptures, and thank You for that foundation of truth. But I need to remember that even the inspired text is not alive–until the Holy Spirit takes it and enlightens the recipients. May the Spirit indeed take what I teach and embed it in the hearts and minds of my hearers. Amen.”

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My coward heart!

October 1, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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My coward heart!

(A.W. Tozer)

Father, I want to know You–but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from You the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my self–so that You may reign there without a rival. Deliver me from the tyranny of things–and from the idols of my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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He answers these many fears with a single golden sentence!

September 30, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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He answers these many fears with a single golden sentence!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Luke” 1858)

“Fear not, little flock–it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!” Luke 12:32

Let us mark what a gracious word of consolation this passage contains for all true believers. The Lord Jesus well knew the hearts of His disciples. He knew how ready they were to be filled with fears of every description:
  fears because of the fewness of their number,
  fears because of the multitude of their enemies, 
  fears because of the many difficulties in their way,
  fears because of their sense of weakness and unworthiness. 
He answers these many fears with a single golden sentence, “Fear not, little flock–it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!” 

Believers are a “little flock.” They always have been, ever since the world began. 
Professing Christians, have sometimes been very many. 
Baptized people at the present day, are a great company. 
But true Christians, have always been very few. 

It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is vain to expect that it will be otherwise. Our Lord has plainly told us, “But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life–and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:14 

All true believers have a glorious “kingdom” awaiting them! Here upon earth–they are often mocked, and ridiculed, and persecuted–and, like their Master, despised and rejected by men. But “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us!” “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear–then shall you also appear with Him in glory!” 

Believers are tenderly loved by God the Father. It is His good pleasure to give them the kingdom. He does not receive them grudgingly, unwillingly or coldly. He rejoices over them, as members of His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. He regards them as His dear children in Christ. He sees no spot in them. Even now, when He looks down on them from Heaven, in the midst of their infirmities–He is well pleased. And hereafter, when presented before His glory–He will welcome them with exceeding joy! Jude 24

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Let this little sentence be continually before the eyes of our minds!

September 29, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Let this little sentence be continually before the eyes of our minds! 

(J.C. Ryle)

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things–but only one thing is needed!” Luke 10:41-42

Let us observe what a solemn rebuke our Lord Jesus Christ gave to His servant Martha. Like a wise physician–He saw the disease which was preying upon her, and at once applied the remedy. Like a tender parent–He exposed the fault into which His erring child had fallen, and did not spare the chastening which was required. 

“Martha, Martha,” He said, “you are worried and upset about many things–but only one thing is needed!” Faithful are the wounds of a friend! That little sentence was a precious balm indeed! It contained a volume of practical divinity in a few words!

“Only one thing is needed!” How true that saying! The longer we live in the world, the more true it will appear. The nearer we come to the grave, the more thoroughly we shall assent to it. Health, and money, and lands, and rank, and honors, and prosperity, are all well in their way. But they cannot be called needful. Without them thousands are happy in this world, and reach glory in the world to come. The “many things” which men and women are continually struggling for, are not really necessities. The grace of God which brings salvation, is the one thing needful.

Let this little sentence be continually before the eyes of our minds! 
Let it check us when we are ready to murmur at earthly trials. 
Let it strengthen us when we are tempted to deny our Master on account of persecution. 
Let it caution us when we begin to think too much of the things of this world. 
Let it quicken us when we are disposed to look back, like Lot’s wife. 
In all such seasons, let the words of our Lord ring in our ears like a trumpet, and bring us to a right mind! “Only one thing is needed!” 

If Christ is ours–then we have all and abound!

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Poison!

September 28, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Poison!

(J.C. Ryle)

“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked: Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Luke 10:40 

Let us observe what a snare to our souls the cares of this world may be–if allowed to take up too much attention. It is plain from the tone of the passage before us, that Martha allowed her anxiety to provide a suitable entertainment for the Lord, to carry her away. Her excessive zeal for temporal provisions–made her forget, for a time, the things of her soul. 

She brought down on herself a solemn rebuke, and had to learn a lesson which probably made a lasting impression. Alas! how great a matter is kindled by a little fire! The beginning of all this, was a little over-anxiety about the innocent household affairs of this world!

The fault of Martha should be a perpetual warning to all Christians. If we desire to grow in grace, and to enjoy soul-prosperity–then we must beware of the cares of this world. Unless we watch and pray, they will insensibly eat up our spirituality, and bring leanness on our souls. 

It is not open sin, or flagrant breaches of God’s commandments alone, which lead men to eternal ruin. It is far more frequently an excessive attention to things which are in themselves lawful. It seems so right to provide for our own! It seems so proper to attend to the duties of our station! It is just here that our danger lies! Our families, our business, our daily callings, our household affairs, our interaction with society–all, all may become snares to our hearts, and may draw us away from God. We may go down to the pit of Hell from the very midst of lawful things!

Let us take heed to ourselves in this matter. Let us watch our habits of mind jealously, lest we fall into sin unawares. If we love life–then we must hold the things of this world with a very loose hand, and beware of allowing anything to have the first place in our hearts, excepting God. Let us mentally write “Poison!” on all temporal good things. Used in moderation they are blessings, for which we ought to be thankful. But permitted to fill our minds, and trample upon holy things–they become an inevitable curse. Profits and pleasures are dearly purchased–if in order to obtain them we thrust aside eternity from our thoughts, abridge our Bible-reading, become careless hearers of the Gospel, and shorten our prayers. 

A little earth upon the fire within us–will soon make that fire burn low.

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That time has arrived!

September 27, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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That time has arrived! 

(Arthur Pink)

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth, and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4

That time has arrived! Church-goers today will not endure “sound doctrine.” Those . . .
   who preach the total depravity of man, 
   who insist upon the imperative necessity of the new birth, 
   who set forth the inflexible righteousness and holiness of God, and 
   who warn against the eternal and conscious torment awaiting every rejecter of Christ,
find it almost impossible to obtain a hearing! Such preachers are regarded as puritanic pessimists, and are not wanted. 

In these degenerate times, the masses demand that which will soothe them in their sins–and amuse them while they journey down the Broad Road which leads to eternal destruction! The multitude is affected with “itching ears” which crave novelty and that which will amuse them.

Not only are many of our Seminaries cesspools of spiritual corruption, 
not only are hundreds of our pulpits now filled by traitors to the cause they profess to champion, 
not only is every cardinal doctrine of the faith attacked and denied by the very ones paid to defend them–
but the evil effects of such teaching from our religious leaders have influenced multitudes of souls committed to their care. 

The man in the pew, following the lead of his teachers, has lost faith in the Bible as a Divine revelation, and in consequence, no longer submits to its authority. 

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Reader! have you enjoyed the presence of Jesus today?

September 26, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Reader! have you enjoyed the presence of Jesus today? 

(James Smith, “A Help to Devotion” 1859)

“Abide with us–for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” Luke 24:29

The presence of Jesus, is the life and the joy of the saints. When we enjoy it–we dread the thought of losing it; and when we have lost it–we cannot rest until we have regained it. That is a gloomy day–in which the presence of Jesus is not enjoyed; and that is a dreary night–when Jesus is absent from us. 

Reader! have you enjoyed the presence of Jesus today? Has He communed with your spirit, thereby . . .
  strengthening your faith,
  exciting your hope, and
  deepening your comfort? 

If so, I know that your prayer tonight will be, “Abide with me! Yes, precious Lord Jesus, we do beseech You to visit us, converse with us, open up the Scriptures to us, and abide with us. Let us feast our eyes on Your glory–and our hearts on Your grace. With You, we can feel at home–we can be happy anywhere. Without You, we cannot rest, we cannot feel satisfied, we cannot enjoy repose–let us have whatever we may. You have won our heart’s love–You have made yourself the center and source of our comfort. Come, then, and abide with us this evening–and then a blessed evening it will be. Your presence will free us from all our cares, and raise us above all our troubles. Your presence will feast us, refresh us, and make us satisfied with our lot, be it what it may!”

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I am the Devil–I am a deceiver! I will lead you into Hell!

September 25, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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I am the Devil–I am a deceiver! I will lead you into Hell!

(Ralph Venning, “The Plague of Plagues!” 1669)

“No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light!” 2 Corinthians 11:14 

The Devil disguises himself as an angel of light–that he may more effectually lead us into darkness. If he were to come like a devil, like an enemy–then everyone would run from him. But he comes masked and puts on the face of a friend–and so he tricks and cheats us. Indeed, he prevails more by his wily subtleties–than by his power. 

If the Devil had come to Eve and spoken to her as follows: ‘I was once a glorious angel and lived above in the Court of Heaven–but I have sinned and am now cast down to Hell. Eat the forbidden fruit–and you will be like me!’ Would this have succeeded? Surely not!

Thus if he came and tempted men to sin, by telling them that sin is the sure way to Hell–would this prevail with them to sin? No! The Devil is a subtle old serpent–he cloaks and paints sin. He covers his hook with a bait–and draws men in before they are aware of it. He is a deceiver–and lest he should be known, he puts on a false garb and disguises himself as an angel of light.

He dare not say, “I am the Devil–I am a deceiver! I will lead you into Hell!“–for that would spoil his wily schemes.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” Matthew 7:15 


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Blindman Tough Mudder Challenge Update!

September 24, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

INOV 8 Trainers

With only 19 days to go until “Tough Mudder”, Sarah & i travelled to Fitstuff in Guildford to buy some new trainers that will act as my new eyes as i feel my way around the course. The lady in the shop was amazingly helpful and these ones fit better than anything i’ve ever tried in my whole life! She even gave me 10% off after we talked about World Cancer Research Fund UK and how prevention is better than cure…..Together we have the power to prevent Cancer for future generations! 💪🏼 😎

I’d really appreciate any support you can give, thanks.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steve-rebus

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Especially beware of light reading!

September 24, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Especially beware of light reading!

(Horatius Bonar, “Follow the Lamb” 1861)

“They are more desirable than gold–yes, than much fine gold! Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.Moreover, by them Your servant is warned. In keeping them there is great reward!” Psalm 19:10-11 

The Christian has discovered one book truer and more precious than all the rest together. Let the Bible be to us the book of books–the one book in all the world whose every verse is wisdom. In studying it, be sure to take it for what it really is–the revelation of the thoughts of God, given us in the words of God. Knowing that we have divine thoughts embodied in divine words–we sit down to the study of the heavenly volume, assured that we shall find the perfection of wisdom in all of its teachings. 

Let us read and re-read the Scriptures–meditating on them day and night. 
They never grow old, they never lose their sap, they never run dry. 

Though it is right and profitable to read other books, if they are true and good–yet beware of reading too many. Do not let man’s book thrust God’s book into a corner! Do not let commentaries smother the text–nor let the good, shut out the best. 
 
Especially beware of light reading! Shun novels–they are the literary curse of the age! If you are a parent–keep novels out of the way of your children. Neither read them yourself, nor set an example of novel-reading to others. Do not let novels lie on your table, or be seen in your hand. The reading of the light novels of the day, has done deep injury to many:
  vitiating their taste,
  enervating their minds,
  unfitting them for life’s plain work,
  eating out their love for the Bible,
  teaching them a false morality, and  
  creating in the soul an unreal standard of truth, and beauty, and love. 

Do not be too fond of the newspaper. Extract matter for thought and prayer out of all that you read. 

Let your reading be always select–and whatever you read, begin with seeking God’s blessing on it. 

But see that your relish for the Bible is above every other enjoyment. The moment you begin to feel greater relish for any other book–lay it down until you have sought deliverance from such a snare, and obtained from the Holy Spirit a more intense relish, and a keener appetite for the Word of God!

“Your words were found, and I ate them. And Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart!” Jeremiah 15:16

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The hell of Hell!

September 23, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The hell of Hell!

(Thomas Brooks, “The Golden Key to Open Hidden Treasures“)

And as there are a diversity of torments in Hell–so the torments of Hell are everlasting. 

“Depart from Me, you who are cursed–into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!” Matthew 25:41

The sentence which shall be passed upon them–is eternal.

God Himself, who damns them–is eternal. 

The prison and chains which hold them–are eternal. 

The worm which gnaws them–is eternal. 

The fire which torments them–is eternal. 

Grievous is the torment of the damned–for the bitterness of the punishments. 
It is more grievous–for the diversity of the punishments. 
But it is most grievous–for the eternity of the punishments! 

If, after so many millions of years as there are drops in the ocean, there might be a deliverance out of Hell–this would yield a little ease, a little comfort to the damned. But oh, but this word, ‘Eternity! Eternity! Eternity!’–this word, ‘Everlasting! Everlasting! Everlasting!’–this word, ‘Forever! Forever! Forever!’–will break the hearts of the damned into ten thousand pieces! 

Suppose that the whole world were turned into a mountain of sand, and that a little bird would come once every thousand years and carry away one grain of sand from that heap. What an infinite number of years would be spent before this great mountain of sand would be fetched away! Just so–if a man should lie in everlasting burnings so long a time as this, and then have an end of his woe–it would give him some ease, some hope, and some comfort. 

But when that immortal bird shall have carried away this great mountain of sand–a thousand times over and over–alas, alas, sinful man shall be as far from the end of his anguish and torment as ever he was! He shall be no nearer coming out of Hell–than he was the very first moment that he entered into Hell! 

Suppose, say others, that a man were to endure the torments of Hell for as many years as there are . . .
  sands on the sea-shore,
  drops of water in the sea,
  stars in the heavens, 
  leaves on the trees,
  blades of grass on the ground
–then he would comfort himself with this poor thought, “Well, there will come a day when my misery and torment shall have an end.” 

But woe and alas! this word, “Forever! Forever! Forever!” will fill the hearts of the damned with the greatest . . .
  horror and terror,
  anger and rage,
  bewilderment and astonishment!

If the fire of Hell were terminable–then it might be tolerable. 
But being endless–it must needs be easeless, and remediless. 

The eternity of Hell–is the hell of Hell. 

The damned shall live as long in Hell–as long as God Himself shall live in Heaven!

“The reprobate shall have . . .
  punishment–without pity,
  misery–without mercy,
  sorrow–without support,
  crying–without compassion,
  mischief–without measure,
  and torment–without end!” 

“And they will go away into eternal punishment–but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46 

All the pains, torments, curse, and wrath which were due to the elect–fell on Christ, until divine justice was fully satisfied! “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath–but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9 

Oh, exalt that Christ! Oh, extol that Savior–who has saved you from that eternal wrath!

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Nothing less than a LIVING Christ will do for us!

September 22, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Nothing less than a LIVING Christ will do for us!

(J.R. Miller, “Miller’s Year Book–a Year’s Daily Readings”)

“He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:4 

If your faith stops at the cross–it misses the blessing of the fullest revealing of Christ! 

You need a Savior who not merely two thousand years ago went to death to redeem you–but one who also is alive to walk by your side in loving companionship! 

You need a Savior . . .
  who can hear your prayers,
  to whose feet you can creep in penitence when you have sinned,
  to whom you can call for help when the battle is going against you.

You need a Savior who is interested in all the affairs of your common life, and who can assist you in every time of need.

You need a Christ who can be a real friend–loving you, keeping close beside you, able to sympathize with your weaknesses.

You need a Savior who will come into your life, and will save you, not by one great act of centuries past–but by a life warm and throbbing with love today, and living again in you.

A DYING Christ alone, will not satisfy our heart. We must have the living One for our friend! Nothing less than a LIVING Christ will do for us! And that is the Christ the gospel brings to us: one who was dead–and is now alive for ever and ever!

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God!” cried the psalmist, and cries every redeemed soul. It is only as we realize the truth of a living Christ–that our hearts are satisfied. We crave love . . .
  a bosom to lean upon,
  a hand to touch ours,
  a heart whose beatings we can feel,
  a personal friendship that will come into our life with . . . 
    its sympathy,
    its inspiration, 
    its companionship, 
    its shelter, 
    its life, and
    its comfort. 

All this, the living Christ is to us!

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!” Revelation 1:18

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With lowly reverence at the foot of the Cross

September 21, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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With lowly reverence at the foot of the Cross

(Charles Spurgeon)

With lowly reverence at the foot of the Cross, bow down your soul and say, “My Lord, there is no difference between me and the greatest reprobate–but what Your grace has made! There is no difference between me and lost souls in Hell–except what Your infinite compassion has been pleased to make!” 

“By the grace of God I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:10

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Oh, what a glorious truth is this!

September 20, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Oh, what a glorious truth is this!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“You are altogether beautiful, my love–there is no flaw in you!” Song of Songs 4:7

Although a poor tried child of God may feel the force of his inbred sin and have to continually struggle with it–and though he may, from day to day, be conscious of his many imperfections–yet before those eyes which see everything, there is no flaw to be seen upon the believer in Christ. I mean no flaw in this respect–that he can never be condemned or punished for his sin. His sin is finally and fully and forever pardoned!

Oh, what a glorious truth is this!

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The malady–the misery–the shame of our whole race!

September 19, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The malady–the misery–the shame of our whole race! 

(Henry Law, “The Sin Offering“)

“He must bring to the Lord a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.” Leviticus 4:3

SIN! 

The sound is brief–but it presents a dark abyss of thought. 
No mind can trace its birth–no eye can see its death. 
Before the worlds it scaled the heavens, and dragged angels down. 
In life’s first dawn it entered Eden and slew innocence. 
It ends not with the end of time. 
It ever rolls on in its ever-deepening course.

Reader, think much of sin!

It is earth’s death-blow. 
It marred the beauty of a beauteous world, and stripped it of its lovely robe. 
It caused the soil to harden, and the leaves to wither and decay. 
It turned fertility into weeds, and armed the brier with its bristling thorns. 
It made the clouds to blacken, and the storm to rage. 
It raised the tempest’s roar, and plumed the lightning with its forked wings. 
It placed its foot upon a perfect workmanship, and left it a disordered wreck!

Reader, think much of sin!

It is man’s ruin. 
Its most tremendous blight fell on our inner life. 
It drove the soul from peaceful fellowship with God. 
It changed the loving child into a hardened rebel. 
It robbed the mind of light. 
It rendered reason a bewildered maze. 
It made the heart . . .
  a nest of unclean birds; 
  a spring of impure streams; 
  a whirlpool of tumultuous passions; 
  a hot-bed of ungodly lusts; 
  a den of God-defying schemes! 

It is the malady–the misery–the shame of our whole race! 
It is the spring of every tear! 
Each sigh which rends the bosom;
each frown which ploughs the brow;
each pain which racks the limbs–are cradled in its arms. 

It is the mother of that mighty monster–death!
It digs each grave in every grave-yard. 
Each widow and each orphan tastes its gall. 
It fills each hospital with the sick. 
It strews the battlefield with the slain. 
It is the core in every grief.
It is the worm which gnaws the root of peace.

Reader, think much of sin!

Its terrible destructions do not die in the grave. 
There is a region where its full-blown torments reign. 
It built the prison-house of Hell. 
It kindled quenchless flames.
It forged the chains which bind lost sinners to their burning beds. 
It sharpened the undying sting of an upbraiding conscience. 
It arms the jailer–Satan, with his scourge. 
It bars the hopeless in that outer darkness, where . . .
  weeping ever weeps,
  and wailing ever wails,
  and teeth forever gnash,
  and all is woe, which knows neither respite nor end.

Reader, think much of sin!

It works this bitter and eternal anguish, because God’s curse attends it. 
It raised a rebel-hand against His will. 
It dared to violate His holy law. 
It strove to lay His honor in the dust.
It trampled on the statute-book of heaven. 
Therefore God’s anger fiercely burns against it. 
Hence every misery follows in its succession. 
He must be wretched, who has God against him!

Reader, here is a picture in which all horrors meet! 
Regard it with an earnest eye. 
No fiction colors it. 
No power can over-paint the terrible reality.
No artist’s skill can represent a flame. 
The dreadful truth exceeds description. 
The lost writhe out eternity in fully learning the deserts of sin!

Reader, receive the soul-reviving voice: Though sin is death, the sinner need not die. 
There is a fortress of escape. 
There is a remedy to heal these wounds. 
What though your sins are as countless as the sands? They all may disappear. 
What though the dye of each sin is double crimson? Each may be washed away. 
The filth may all be cleansed. 
The debts may be wiped out. 
The soul may meet Jehovah’s eye without one stain. 
There is a way, by which the vilest may stand pure.
God’s love decreed a plan. 
He willed a ransom, and His Son achieved it. 

Let us draw nearer to the amazing sight!

Each sin must bear its merited load of woe. 
Each curse must be endured. 
Each violation of the holy law must drink the dregs of condemnation. 

Jesus comes forth to help! 
The guiltless One takes the guilty place. 
The God-man represents His chosen flock. 
He stands as their complete sin-offering. 
He pays in anguish and in blood, their every due. 
Their wrath is endured. 
Their penalties are paid. 
Their sufferings are suffered. 
Their agonies are agonized. 
The saving work requires infinity of woe. Infinity of woe is borne by Him. 
His Deity enables–His manhood qualifies. 
Thus their sin is fully punished–thus the redeemed are fully saved!

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Do we have any evidence that we really intend to go there?

September 18, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Do we have any evidence that we really intend to go there?

(John Owen)

We all profess that we are bound for Heaven, immortality and glory. But do we have any evidence that we really intend to go there–if all our thoughts are consumed about the trifles of this world, which we must leave behind us–and have only occasional thoughts of things above?

“If then you were raised with Christ–seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above–not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears–then you also will appear with Him in glory!” Colossians 3:1-4

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Imitate the pearl oyster!

September 17, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Imitate the pearl oyster!

(Charles Spurgeon, “Love’s Labors”)

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

I wish, brothers and sisters, that we could all imitate the pearl oyster. A hurtful particle intrudes itself into its shell, and this vexes and grieves it. The oyster cannot reject the evil–but it ‘covers’ it with a precious substance extracted out of its own life, by which it turns the intruder into a pearl!

Oh, that we could do so with the provocations we receive from our fellow Christians–so that pearls of patience, gentleness, and forgiveness might be bred within us, by that which otherwise would have harmed us!

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 

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Bananaman Is Back!! 🍌

September 16, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

Wow….Bananaman is back….I really enjoyed wearing the superhero suit and cheering on the excellent runners at the Richmond Half Marathon for World Cancer Research Fund UK! It was a fantastic day out with the team showing our appreciation for all of the wonderful fundraisers!

With only 27 days to go until my Tough Mudder and needing all of the cheering i can get…..I’ll see if i’m still laughing, lol. 😎 

Me wearing the bright yellow banana suit and cheering on the runners

one of the runners giving me a thumbs up as i cheer him on in the background

Richmond Half 3

See also:

Blindman Tough Mudder Challenge

Bananaman, Inspired, Muscle Of Faith, My Thoughts, Photos, Tough Mudder Training, WCRF
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The choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian!

September 16, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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The choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian!

Thomas Manton: “What is the reason that there is so much preaching, and so little practice? For lack of meditation. The end of study is information–and the end of meditation is practice, or kindling of the affections. The end of study is to hoard up truth. The end of meditation to lay it forth in holy conduct. To hear sermons and not to meditate upon them, is unfruitful. We may hear and hear, but it is like putting a thing into a bag with holes!”

Thomas Brooks: “It is not the bee’s touching of the flower which gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon the flower which draws out the sweet. Just so, it is not he who reads most, but he who meditates most–who will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian!” 

William Bridge: “Meditation will keep your hearts and souls from sinful thoughts. When the vessel is full, you can put in no more. If the heart is full of sinful thoughts–then there is no room for holy and heavenly thoughts. If the heart is full of holy and heavenly thoughts by meditation–then there is no room for evil and sinful thoughts.” 

William Plumer: “Without meditation grace never thrives, prayer is languid, praise is dull, and religious duties are unprofitable. It is easier to hear a year of sermons–than to spend an hour in close, devout, profitable thoughts on divine things.”

George Muller: “It often astonishes me that I did not see the importance of meditation upon Scripture earlier in my Christian life. We must consider what we read, ponder over it, and apply it to our hearts. The most important thing I do, is to read the Word of God and to meditate on it. Thus my heart might is comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved and instructed.”

Thomas Watson: “The reason we come away so cold from reading the Word, is because we do not warm ourselves at the fire of meditation. Without meditation, the truths which we know will never affect our hearts. As a hammer drives a nail to the head, so mediation drives a truth to the heart. Read before you meditate. Reading furnishes with matter–it is the oil which feeds the lamp of meditation. Be sure your mediations are founded upon Scripture. Reading without meditation is barren and unfruitful; meditation without reading is dangerous.”

Charles Spurgeon: “Some people like to read so many chapters every day. I would not dissuade them from the practice, but I would rather let my soul soak in half a dozen verses all day, than rinse my hand in several chapters. Oh, to be bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let it be sucked up into your very soul, till it saturates your heart! Set your heart upon God’s Word! Let your whole nature be plunged into it as a cloth into a dye!”

William Bridge: 
“By meditation, your knowledge is raised. 
By meditation, your memory is strengthened. 
By meditation, your hearts are warmed. 
By meditation, you will be freed from sinful thoughts. 
By meditation, your hearts will be tuned to every duty. 
By meditation, you will grow in grace. 
By meditation, you will fill up all the chinks and crevices of your lives, and know how to spend your spare time profitably. 
By meditation, you will draw good out of evil. 
By meditation, you will converse with God, and enjoy God.”

Philip Henry: “It is easier to walk six miles to hear a sermon, than to spend one quarter of an hour in meditating upon it when I come home.”

Arthur Pink: “Meditation upon the Word of God is one of the most important of all the means of grace and growth in spirituality, yes there can be no true progress in vital and practical godliness without it. Meditation on Divine things is not optional but obligatory, for it is something which God has commanded us to attend unto.”

   “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 

   “But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His Law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:2 

   “I meditate on Your precepts, and consider Your ways.” Psalm 119:15 

   “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” Psalm 119:97 

   “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promises.” Psalm 119:148

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Would any do this but a madman?

September 15, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Would any do this but a madman?

(David Clarkson, “Hypocritical Religion” 1622-1686)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” Matthew 7:21-23

Many professors cannot judge of the face of their soul–whether the features of Heaven or Hell are on it. They dislike looking in the mirror of the Word–lest the visage of their soul, truly represented, should trouble them. 

Satan blinds one eye, self-love closes the other, and the deceitfulness of sin seals both! It is no wonder that they imagine themselves on the way to Heaven, when they are on the high road to Hell. 

When the blind leads the blind, you know what the outcome will be! It is no wonder that they think they shall be safe ashore in Heaven and their feet near the very banks of happiness–at that very moment they are falling into the bottomless pit!

Most professors simply assume that they shall go to Heaven–when, alas, they have no ground for such an assumption, but what Satan suggests, or their own deceitful hearts prompt them. And thus they hang the whole weight of eternity upon a cobweb! Thus, they pin the everlasting concerns of their souls upon a shadow, as though it would hang there safe enough, where it can have no hold at all. 

Would any do this but a madman? What! Trust without verifying, in a matter of eternal consequence to body and soul?

Many promise themselves Heaven–when nothing but Hell is reserved for them!

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Faithfulness in littles

September 14, 2018 by Steve 0 Comments

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Faithfulness in littles

(John Colwell, “Little Foxes; The Little Sins That Mar the Christian Character” 1882)

“Catch the foxes–the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes!” Song of Songs 2:15 

The little things of life are most important. Those who affect to despise the importance of little things, are in danger of becoming little people. Certainly no great man will ever do so. He will the rather prove his greatness by a hearty recognition of the truth of the wise saying, “He who despises little things, shall fall little by little.”

The Great Teacher drew some of His most beautiful and important lessons from little things–such as little flowers, little birds, little dew-drops, little children. He insisted on faithfulness in littles.

My friend, life is great because it is the aggregation of littles.

As the coral reefs which rear themselves high above the crawling sea beneath, are all made up of minute skeletons of microscopic animalcules; so life, mighty and solemn as having eternal consequences; life that hangs over the sea of eternity–is made up of these minute incidents, of these trifling duties, of these small tasks. Only those who are faithful in the least are, or can be, faithful in the whole.

Little things make either . . .
  the joy–or the sorrow, 
  the success–or the ruin, 
  the safety–or the danger, 
  the grandeur–or the smallness
–of human life. 

Illustrations of this principle abound:

     Little neglects lead to great ruin. 

     Little precautions lead to great safety. 

     Little wastings make great losses. 

     Little savings make great gains. 

     Little troubles make us miserable. 

     Little virtues make us godly. 

     Little vices make us wicked.

Therefore, says inspired Wisdom, “Catch the foxes–the little foxes that spoil the vines,” which is equivalent to saying, “I know you will keep out the more hateful and destructive full-grown foxes, by stopping up all the large holes in the vineyard fence. Your danger lies in overlooking the smaller gaps by which the little foxes may enter, and thus spoil your vines by robbing them of the tender grapes.” 

How forcibly may this advice be urged upon Christian people! They will be almost certain to secure their character against the intrusion of shameful vices, destructive sins, and great scandals. But are they always so careful to stop the smaller breaches in the fence of their Christian character against the little foxes, lesser sins, smaller vices, and trifling moral blemishes which, nevertheless, spoil the loveliness and nobility of their lives? Judging from observation and experience, I fear not.

In this book, we will point out some “little foxes” that do much damage in the Christian vineyard, and invite our readers to hunt them down!

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