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Tag Archives: Bible Study
Oh, comforting truth!
April 14, 2020 
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Oh, comforting truth!
“TheΒ LORDΒ has heard my cry for mercy;Β theΒ LORDΒ accepts my prayer.”Β Psalm 6:9Β
“You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted” Psalm 10:17
“This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles” Psalm 34:6
“The righteous cry out, and theΒ LORDΒ hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles”Β Psalm 34:17Β
Β Β
“Evening, morning and noonΒ I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice”Β Psalm 55:17Β
“God has surely listenedΒ and heard my voice in prayer”Β Psalm 66:19Β
“I love theΒ LORD, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy”Β Psalm 116:1Β
“I call on theΒ LORDΒ in my distress,Β and He answers me”Β Psalm 120:1Β
“He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;Β He hears their cry and saves them.”Β Psalm 145:19Β
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,Β and His ears are attentive to their prayer”Β 1 Peter 3:12Β
Christian! God is near at hand whenever you approach Him in prayer.Β
Oh, comforting truth!Β You have a God at hand . . .
Β to listen to the softest breath of prayer,
Β to listen to every confession of sin,
Β to listen to every cry of need,
Β to listen to every utterance of sorrow,
Β to listen to every wail of woe,
Β to listen to every appeal for counsel, strength and support!
Arise, O my soul! and give yourself to prayer, for God is near at hand to hear and answer you!
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Oh, be ravished with this!
April 13, 2020 2 Comments
Oh, be ravished with this!
(Charles Spurgeon)
“That the world may know that You sent Me andΒ loved them even as You have loved Me!”Β John 17:23Β
Can you believe it . . .
Β thatΒ youΒ should be the object of God’s delight,
Β thatΒ youΒ should be the object of the Father’s love as truly as Christ is!Β
See the amazing sacrifice which the Father made in giving Jesus to us.Β
Think what it cost Him to tear His Well-Beloved from His bosom and send Him down below to be despised and rejected.Β
Think what it cost Him to nail Jesus up to yonder cross, and then forsake Him and hide His face from Him, because He had laid all our sins upon Him.Β
Oh, the love He must have had to us, thus to have made His best Beloved to become a curse for us, as it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree!”Β
I want you to get this truth right into your souls, dear friends.Β
Do not hold it as a dry doctrine, but let it penetrate your heart.Β
Oh, when the river ofΒ God’s great love to usΒ came rolling in like a mighty torrent, what a sea of love was there! Now we are borne onward forever by the mighty sweep of infinite love into an everlasting blessedness which tongues and lips can never fully set forth!Β
Oh, be ravished with this!Β Be in ecstasy at love so amazing, so divine! The Father lovesΒ youΒ even as He loves His Son! After the same manner and sort, He loves all His redeemed people.
Can you believe it!Β
Oh, if the love of Jesus once enters into a man’s soul . . .
Β Β it will forever transform him,
Β Β it will sway him with the noblest passions,
Β Β it will make him a zealot for Christ,
Β Β it will cast out his pride and selfishness,
Β Β it will change him into the image of Christ, and
Β Β fit him to dwell in Heaven where love is eternally perfected.
We were dead men rotting in a dunghill of sin!
April 12, 2020 0 Comments
We were dead men rotting in a dunghill of sin!
(Charles Spurgeon, “Treasury of David“)
“The Lord raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy from the dunghill!” Psalm 113:7Β
What a gracious stoop of love! He frequently lifts the lowest of mankind out of their poverty and degradation, and adopts them into His family.Β
His gracious Spirit is continually visiting the down-trodden, giving beauty for ashes to those who are cast down, and elevating the hearts of His mourners until they shout for joy.Β
These upliftings of grace are here ascribed directly to the divine hand, and truly those who have experienced them will not doubt the fact that it is the Lord alone who brings His people up from the dust of sorrow and death. When no hand but His can help, He interposes and the work is done.Β
“And lifts the needy from the dunghill”Β whereon they lay like worthless refuse, cast off and cast out–left as they thought, to rot into destruction, and to be everlastingly forgotten.Β
How great a stoop from the height of His throne, to a dunghill! How wonderful is that power which occupies itself in lifting up beggars, all befouled with the filthiness in which they lay! For He lifts them out of the dunghill, not disdaining to search them out from amidst the base things of the earth–that He may bring to nothing the great ones, and pour contempt upon all human glorying.Β
What a dunghill was that upon which we lay by nature!Β
What a mass of corruption is our original estate!
What a heap of loathsomeness we have accumulated by our sinful lives!
We could never have risen out of this corruption by our own efforts–we were dead men rotting in a dunghill of sin!Β
Almighty were the arms which lifted us, which are still lifting us, and will lift us into the perfection of Heaven itself!
He Has Risen β¨ Happy Easter! π
April 12, 2020 5 Comments
π¬ Quote 4 2day…Β
“You have saved our lives, we are eternally grateful!“
Looking at the world through the cross!
April 10, 2020 5 Comments
Looking at the world through the cross!
(Octavius Winslow)
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14Β
Jesus could accomplish man’s redemption in no other way than by crucifixion. He must die–and die the death of the cruel cross.Β
What light and glory beam aroundΒ the cross!
Of what prodigies of grace, is it the instrument,Β
of what glorious truths, is it the symbol,Β
of what mighty transforming power, is it the source!Β
Around the cross gathers all the light of the Old Testament economy:Β
Β it explains everyΒ symbol,Β
Β it substantiates everyΒ shadow,Β
Β it solves everyΒ mystery,Β
Β it fulfills everyΒ type,Β
Β it confirms everyΒ prophecy,Β
of that dispensation which had eternally remained unmeaning and inexplicable, but for the death of the Son of God upon the cross.Β
Not theΒ pastΒ only–but allΒ futureΒ splendor gathers around the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. It assures us of the ultimate reign of the Savior, and tells of the reward which shall spring from His sufferings. And while its one arm points to the divine counsels of eternity past–with the other it points to the future triumph and glory of Christ’s kingdom in the eternity to come! Such is the lowly yet sublime, the weak yet mighty instrument, by which the sinner is saved and God eternally glorified.Β
The cross of Christ is . . .
Β the grand consummation of all preceding dispensations of God to men;
Β the meritorious procuring cause of all spiritual blessings to our fallen race;
Β the scene of Christ’s splendid victories over all His enemies and ours;
Β the most powerful incentive to all evangelical holiness;
Β the instrument which is to subjugate the world to the supremacy of Jesus;
Β the source of all true peace, joy and hope;
Β the tree beneath whose shadow all sin expires, all grace lives.Β
The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!Β
What a holy thrill these words produce in the heart of those who love the Savior!Β
How significant is their meaning, how precious is their influence!Β
Marvelous and irresistible, is the power of the cross! The cross of Christ has . . .
Β subdued many a rebellious will;Β
Β broken many a marble heart;Β
Β laid low many a vaunting foe;Β
Β overcome and triumphed, when all other instruments have failed;Β
Β transformed the lion like heart of man, into the lamb like heart of Christ!Β
When lifted up in its own bare simplicity and inimitable grandeur–the cross of Christ has won and attracted millions to its faith, admiration, and love!Β
What a marvelous power does this cross of Jesus possess! It changes the Christian’s entire judgment of the world.Β Looking at the world through the cross–his opinion is totally revolutionized.Β
He sees the world as it really is–a sinful, empty, vain thing.Β
He learns its iniquity, in that it crucified the Lord of life and glory.Β
His expectations from the world, and his love to the world, are transformed.Β
He has found another object of love–the Savior whom the world cast out and slew.Β
His love to the world is destroyed by that power which alone could destroy it–the crucifying power of the cross.Β
It is the cross which eclipses, in the view of the true believer, the glory and attraction of every other object.Β
What is the weapon by which faith combats with, and overcomes the world? What but the cross of Jesus!Β
Just as the natural eye, gazing for a while upon the sun, is blinded for the moment to all other objects by its overpowering effulgence; so to the believer, concentrating his mind upon the glory of the crucified Savior, studying closely the wonders ofΒ graceandΒ loveΒ andΒ truthΒ meeting in the cross–the world with all its attraction fades into the full darkness of an eclipse.Β
Christ and His cross infinitely better than the world and its trinkets!Β
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14Β
The delight which God has in His redeemed people!
April 9, 2020 5 Comments
The delight which God has in His redeemed people!Β
“I willΒ rejoiceΒ over them to do them good.” Jeremiah 32:41Β
“AsΒ a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,Β so your God willΒ rejoiceΒ over you!”Β Isaiah 62:5Β
The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take greatΒ delightΒ in you . . . He willΒ rejoiceΒ over you with singing!” Zephaniah 3:17Β
How heart-cheering to the believer, isΒ theΒ delightΒ which God has in His redeemed people!
We cannot see any reason inΒ ourselvesΒ why the Lord should take pleasure in us. We cannot take delight in ourselves, for we often have to groan, being burdened; conscious of our sinfulness, and deploring our unfaithfulness.Β
And we fear thatΒ God’s peopleΒ cannot take much delight in us, for they must perceive so much of our imperfections and our follies, that they may rather lament our infirmities, than admire our graces.Β
But we love to dwell upon this transcendent truth, this glorious mystery–that as the bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so does the Lord rejoice over us!Β
We do not read anywhere that God delights in the cloud-capped mountains, or the sparkling stars–but we do read that His delights are with the sons of men.Β
We do not find it written that evenΒ angelsΒ give His soul delight; nor does He say, concerning cherubim and seraphim, “You shall be calledΒ Hephzibah, for the LordΒ delightsΒ in you”; but He does say all that to poor fallen creatures like ourselves, debased and depraved by sin–but redeemed and saved by His grace.Β
In what strong language He expresses His delight in His people! Who could have conceived of the eternal One as bursting forth into a song? Yet it is written, “He will take greatΒ delightΒ in you . . . He will rejoice over you withΒ singing!”Β
As He looked upon the world He had made, He said, “It is very good”. But when He beheld those who are the purchase of Jesus’ blood, His own chosen ones, it seemed as if the great heart of the Infinite could restrain itself no longer–but overflowed in divine exclamations of joy.Β
Should not we utter ourΒ grateful responseΒ to such a marvelous declaration of His love, and sing, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!”Β
May we see our sins
April 8, 2020 2 Comments
May we see our sins
(Henry Law, “Family Prayers”)
O God the Holy Spirit, have mercy upon us miserable sinners. Move, we beseech You, in our disordered hearts. Remove the deformities of unruly desires and hateful lusts. Chase away the mists and darkness of unbelief. Brighten our inner man with the pure light of truth. Sow abundantly the seeds of righteousness. Make our souls fragrant as the garden of the Lord. Enrich them with every godly fruit. Beautify them with heavenly grace. Be our comforter, our guide, our light, our sanctification.Β
Especially take of the things of Christ, and show them with enlarged power to our longing souls. May we daily learn more of His love, His grace, His tender compassion, His faithfulness, and His beauty. May we delight ourselves in Him with increased delight.Β Lead us to the cross, and show us in His wounds–the hateful character of sin.Β May we see our sins, as . . .Β
Β theΒ nailsΒ which transfixed Him,
Β theΒ cordsΒ which bound Him,
Β theΒ swordΒ which pierced Him,
Β theΒ thornsΒ which tore Him,
Β theΒ tauntsΒ which stung Him.Β
Help us to read in His cruel death, the reality and immensity of His love.Β
Open to us the wondrous volumes of glorious truth in the cry,Β “It is finished!”Β
Our atonement is forever achieved,Β
our debt is fully paid,Β
all our guilt is washed away,
all our sins most righteously forgiven,
our souls saved,
Hell vanquished,
the devil crushed,
Heaven won, andΒ
eternity of glory our rightful home!
Holy Spirit, deepen in us these saving lessons.Β
Write them with Your finger on the tablets of our hearts.Β
May our walk be . . .
Β sin-loathing,
Β sin-fleeing,
Β Christ-loving,
Β God-fearing!
Believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil
April 7, 2020 4 Comments
Believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil
(Charles Spurgeon)
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28Β
The Christian does not merely hold this truth as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has worked for good as yet.Β
TheΒ poisonous drugsΒ mixed in fit proportions, have worked the cure.Β
TheΒ sharp cutsΒ of the lancet, have cleansed out the infected flesh and facilitated the healing.Β
In every event of your life, God has always worked out the most divinely blessed results.
Believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil–the believer’s heart is comforted, and he is enabled calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine! Send me what You will, my Father, so long as it comes from You!”
The diamonds of Heaven!
April 4, 2020 6 Comments
The diamonds of Heaven!
“You keep track of all myΒ sorrows.
Β You have collected all myΒ tearsΒ in Your bottle.
Β You have recorded each one in Your book.”Β Psalm 56:8
“Behold, he is praying!” Acts 9:11Β
Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray, the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in theΒ lachrymatory of Heaven.Β “You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.”Β ThisΒ implies that they are caught as they flow!Β
The suppliant, who groans out his words, will be well understood by the Most High God. He may only look up with misty eye; butΒ prayer is the falling of a tear!Β Tears areΒ the diamonds of Heaven!Β SighsΒ are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court, and are numbered with the most sublime strains which reach the majesty on high!
Do not think that your prayers, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Our God not onlyΒ hearsΒ prayers, but alsoΒ lovesΒ to hear them. “He does not forget the cry of the humble.”Β
True, He does not regard proud looks and lofty words.Β
He no concern for the pomp and pageantry of kings.Β
He does not listen not to the swell of martial music.Β
He does not regard the triumph and pride of man.Β
But wherever there is a contrite heart full with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sighθhe heart of Jehovah is open! He marks that prayer down inΒ the registry of His memory!Β He puts our prayers, like rose leavesεetween the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom!
You Guide Me
March 26, 2020 4 Comments
Psalm 73:23-26 (ESV)
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength[a] of my heart and my portion forever.
Gather your manna fresh every morning!
July 22, 2018 1 Comment
Gather your manna fresh every morning!
(Charles Spurgeon)
“Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long!”Β Psalm 119:97
The Bible in the pulpit, must never supersede the Bible at home. Let us read our Bibles in private more, and with more pains and diligence.Β
There is less private Bible reading than there was fifty years ago. I never would have believed that so many men and women would have been tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, some falling into skepticism, some rushing into the wildest and narrowest fanaticism, and some going over to the Roman church. With many, there was a habit developed of lazy, superficial and careless reading of God’s Word.Β Β Β
Read the Bible daily. Make it part of your everyday business to read and meditate on some portion of God’s Word.Β Gather your manna fresh every morning!Β Choose your own seasons and hours. Do not scramble over and hurry your reading. Give your Bible the best, and not the worst, part of your time. But whatever plan you pursue, let it be a rule of your life to visit the throne of grace and the Bible every day.
Next to praying there is nothing so important in practical religion as Bible reading. By reading that Book we may learn . . .
Β what to believe,
Β what to be,Β
Β what to do,
Β how to live with comfort,
Β and how to die in peace.
Happy is that man who possesses a Bible!
Happier still is he who reads it!
Happiest of all is he who not only reads it, but obeys it, and makes it the rule of his faith and practice!
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness–that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Issue Of Faith
June 9, 2015 2 Comments
βThe issue of faith is not so much whether we believe in God, but whether we believe the God we believe in. (p.35)β
R.C. Sproul, Knowing Scripture
It Was In Paradise
November 21, 2014 3 Comments
βThe terrible, tragic fallacy of the last hundred years has been to think that all man’s troubles are due to his environment, and that to change the man you have nothing to do but change his environment. That is a tragic fallacy. It overlooks the fact that it was in Paradise that man fell.β
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
Faith Comes By Hearing
May 16, 2014 2 Comments
I prayed for faith and thought it would strike me like lightening. But faith did not come. One day I read, βNow faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.β I had closed my Bible and prayed for faith. I now began to study my Bible and faith has been growing ever since.
Dwight L. Moody
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