More Mercy Than We Deserve

Lamentations 3:21-24 (King James Version)

²¹This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

²²It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

²³They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

²⁴The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Spurgeon for July 31

“I in them.”
- Joh_17:23
If such be the union which subsists between our souls and the person of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow pipe through which a thread-like stream may wind its way, it is a channel of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods. Behold he hath set before us an open door, let us not be slow to enter. This city of communion hath many pearly gates, every several gate is of one pearl, and each gate is thrown open to the uttermost that we may enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through which to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a word of fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed in having so large an entrance! Had the Lord Jesus been far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we should have longed to send a messenger to him to carry him our loves, and bring us tidings from his Father’s house; but see his kindness, he has built his house next door to ours, nay, more, he takes lodging with us, and tabernacles in poor humble hearts, that so he may have perpetual intercourse with us. O how foolish must we be, if we do not live in habitual communion with him. When the road is long, and dangerous, and difficult, we need not wonder that friends seldom meet each other, but when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? A wife may when her husband is upon a journey, abide many days without holding converse with him, but she could never endure to be separated from him if she knew him to be in one of the chambers of her own house. Why, believer, dost not thou sit at his banquet of wine? Seek thy Lord, for he is near; embrace him, for he is thy Brother. Hold Him fast, for he is thine Husband; and press him to thine heart, for he is of thine own flesh.

Psalms 119:65-72

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” (v. 71)

Strength often comes through adversity. When a man lifts weights to increase his strength, he puts his body under much pressure and stress, but in the end, he is made stronger. Such is the way of adversity. We tend to not welcome adversity but we can see the long range affect of it, and how much we need it to mature us, and teach us patience. (Rom. 5:3). For this reason, we can “glory” in tribulation. Yes, when we are afflicted, and endure it, especially on Christ’s behalf, with patience, the “Spirit of glory and of God” are upon us (1 Peter 4:14).

Here though we see something even more special, and more peculiar. We see that affliction teaches us! The psalmist learns more about the things of God, especially the Word of God, through affliction. It is, therefore, good for us to have been, and to continue to be, afflicted. We see also the affliction can set us on the right path, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” (v. 67). Yes chastisement teaches us to do right. God uses affliction for His purposes, as we have seen, therefore, we can rejoice in our afflictions.

Perhaps a part of the affliction was that others had lied against him, and caused him much trouble, (v. 69), and in v. 70, it is clear that he is going to do right in spite of what others do. We too need this kind of tenacity; we need to determine to do right, no matter what. I used to tell my kids, “No matter what anyone else does, you do what’s right” I said it so much that they often finished the quote with me, but they got the point. Folks, we need to do right, and stay in the Word, no matter what comes our way. Afflictions will come, but God can make the most of them for His glory. We need to see them through, and realize that, somehow we will be made better through the trials.

Spurgeon Devotion

“And when he thought thereon, he wept.”
- Mar_14:72
It has been thought by some that as long as Peter lived, the fountain of his tears began to flow whenever he remembered his denying his Lord. It is not unlikely that it was so, (for his sin was very great, and grace in him had afterwards a perfect work. This same experience is common to all the redeemed family according to the degree in which the Spirit of God has removed the natural heart of stone. We, like Peter, remember our boastful promise: “Though all men shall forsake thee, yet will not I.” We eat our own words with the bitter herbs of repentance. When we think of what we vowed we would be, and of what we have been, we may weep whole showers of grief. He thought on his denying his Lord. The place in which he did it, the little cause which led him into such heinous sin, the oaths and blasphemies with which he sought to confirm his falsehood, and the dreadful hardness of heart which drove him to do so again and yet again. Can we, when we are reminded of our sins, and their exceeding sinfulness, remain stolid and stubborn? Will we not make our house a Bochim, and cry unto the Lord for renewed assurances of pardoning love? May we never take a dry-eyed look at sin, lest ere long we have a tongue parched in the flames of hell. Peter also thought upon his Master’s look of love. The Lord followed up the cock’s warning voice with an admonitory look of sorrow, pity, and love. That glance was never out of Peter’s mind so long as he lived. It was far more effectual than ten thousand sermons would have been without the Spirit. The penitent apostle would be sure to weep when he recollected the Saviour’s full forgiveness, which restored him to his former place. To think that we have offended so kind and good a Lord is more than sufficient reason for being constant weepers. Lord, smite our rocky hearts, and make the waters flow.

Psa 119:57-64

“At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” (v.62)

When was the last time you attended, or even heard about, and all-night prayer meeting? They are a rarity nowadays, but perhaps more desperately needed than ever before. I know I have never attended an all-nighter, in my 33 years of serving the Lord (at the time of this writing). Why not? Because praying just doesn’t seem important enough anymore, or so it seems. At “midnight” there are usually no interruptions; it is just us and the Lord. It may be the best time to really get hold of God. Late at night, or, (as I prefer) early in the morning are truly special “quiet times” with the Lord, in which we can spend some quality time with Him. So, not only is it important to read the Bible daily, but to have a time of prayer daily is indeed a precious thing.

I like to rise early, before anyone else is up, and read my Bible, and meditate and pray, in fact, I really look forward to it every morning now. An important part of prayer is thanksgiving; it may be the most important part, if we could put one element above the other. Prayer is definitely an integral part of our Christian life, and ought to be done “without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

Many ask “What is prayer”? I believe it is simply talking with God. Many of my prayers that obtained the most results were when my heart desperately cried out unto the Lord, either in sorrow or anxiety, or even from rejoicing greatly, each prayer must be motivated by some emotion. I consider these times the real quality prayers that moved God to action, and, after all, isn’t that why we pray? Try waking up early, or in the middle of the night, and spend some quiet, “quality” time with God.

Battle Hymn Of The Republic

http://frankbutkind.blogspot.com/2009/07/battle-hymn-of-republic.html

Get a load of these high school kids singing. At the conclusion listen to the high notes on the trumpet, played by a high school kid! One of the fathers recorded it, added some graphic enhancements to the recording, and posted it on the web. The song, of course, is the ' Battle Hymn Of The Republic.' Be prepared - it could send a few shivers up your spine or at least a tear from your eye.

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Spurgeon Today

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee.”
- Psa_73:23

“Nevertheless,”-As if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance which David had just been confessing to God, not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God’s presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature, yet, by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings “nevertheless I am continually with thee.” Believer, you are forced to enter into Asaph’s confession and acknowledgment, endeavour in like spirit to say “nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God!” By this is meant continually upon his mind, he is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before his eye;-the eye of the Lord never sleepeth, but is perpetually watching over my welfare. Continually in his hand, so that none shall be able to pluck me thence. Continually on his heart, worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon his heart for ever. Thou always thinkest of me, O God. The bowels of thy love continually yearn towards me. Thou art always making providence work for my good. Thou hast set me as a signet upon thine arm; thy love is strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it. Surprising grace! Thou seest me in Christ, and though in myself abhorred, thou beholdest me as wearing Christ’s garments, and washed in his blood, and thus I stand accepted in thy presence. I am thus continually in thy favour-”continually with thee.” Here is comfort for the tried and afflicted soul; vexed with the tempest within-look at the calm without. “Nevertheless”-O say it in thy heart, and take the peace it gives. “Nevertheless I am continually with thee.”

Psa. 119:49-56

“Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.” (v.54)

The Lord gives us a song in our hearts, and we are to sing praises unto Him. How many songs do we know that are actually scripture verses? The psalmist says here that the Word is his song, and sang the song unto the Lord. Actually, the psalms were songs, and often were sung in the worship of the Lord. David played the harp, and wrote many of them himself, and probably sang them as he was tending the sheep. Other psalms were sung as the priests approached the temple stairs, while ascending up into the temple. Many were written for various victories, and for obtaining the blessings of God in certain areas of their lives. The Lord would, no doubt, enjoy hearing us sing scripture to Him, more than any song written by man.

Look at the 100th psalm:

Psa 100:1 (A Psalm of praise.) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

We are to come before His presence with singing, and not with a long face. We are to serve Him with gladness, and enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. That is what we do in song. We also come before Him in prayer, as if we were right there submitting our requests, but we are to come with singing and joyful hearts. Psalm 100 is an excellent approach to prayer, as if we were entering the gate of the Tabernacle, and approaching the Holy of Holies, to fall before the throne of our God. Let us all Make God’s statutes our song.

The Dividing Line

Lines are everywhere! There are lines in parking lots to designate the parking spaces. There are lines drawn at intersections so that pedestrians know where to cross the street. There are little, but important, lines drawn on rulers to show units of measure. There are lines drawn on baseball diamonds, basketball courts, and football fields to help the players and referees know if the balls, and players, are in or out. Lines can be very important. They help us know where we stand. We are either on one side of the line or the other.

Exodus 32 tells us that Moses drew a line. Here’s why: God’s people had participated in a drunken party and had worshiped a golden calf. Drunken idolaters! Moses knew that God demands that people love, obey and worship only Him. In a very courageous move, Moses stepped in front of all those people and drew a line by saying, “Who is on the LORD’s side? Let him come unto me….” (Ex. 32:26). That day, many crossed the line by standing with Moses and the Lord. Jesus, too, drew a line when He called those from the multitude to follow Him. Jesus’ words make a very clear line: either you are for Christ or you are against Him.

That same line exists today. We must decide on which side of that line we will stand. Many choose to stand on both sides of the line. And for those individuals Jesus replies, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. ¹⁶So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Rev. 3:15, 16). There is no middle ground with the Lord. In fact, for those who try, it makes Him sick to His stomach. Take a stand on God’s side.

Lord bless,

Bro. Harry Shomaker

Spurgeon Devotion

“So foolish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast before thee.”
- Psa_73:22
Remember this is the confession of the man after God’s own heart; and in telling us his inner life, he writes, “So foolish was I, and ignorant.” The word “foolish,” here, means more than it signifies in ordinary language. David, in a former verse of the Psalm, writes, “I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked,” which shows that the folly he intended had sin in it. He puts himself down as being thus “foolish,” and adds a word which is to give intensity to it; “so foolish was I.” How foolish he could not tell. It was a sinful folly, a folly which was not to be excused by frailty, but to be condemned because of its perverseness and wilful ignorance, for he had been envious of the present prosperity of the ungodly, forgetful of the dreadful end awaiting all such. And are we better than David that we should call ourselves wise! Do we profess that we have attained perfection, or to have been so chastened that the rod has taken all our wilfulness out of us? Ah, this were pride indeed! If David was foolish, how foolish should we be in our own esteem if we could but see ourselves! Look back, believer: think of your doubting God when he has been so faithful to you-think of your foolish outcry of “Not so, my Father,” when he crossed his hands in affliction to give you the larger blessing; think of the many times when you have read his providences in the dark, misinterpreted his dispensations, and groaned out, “All these things are against me,” when they are all working together for your good! Think how often you have chosen sin because of its pleasure, when indeed, that pleasure was a root of bitterness to you! Surely if we know our own heart we must plead guilty to the indictment of a sinful folly; and conscious of this “foolishness,” we must make David’s consequent resolve our own-”Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel.”

Psa. 119:41-48

“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” (v. 45)

There is liberty in the Word of God. Those who keep His precepts do walk in liberty with Him. Jesus said “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32), and He went on to say, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (Jn. 8:36) This Liberty is found in Christ, The Truth. (Jn 14:6) The psalmist seeks God’s precepts, and in so doing, he walks in liberty with all men, and from all snares of the devil. He has the liberty to answer freely those who ask of the hope that is within him (v. 42); He asks for God’s mercy (v. 41), and vows to always walk in His laws (v.44), therefore, he can truly say, he is at liberty to do those things that God would have him to do. He shall not be ashamed, (v. 46). So, through meditation (v. 46), obedience, dedication to the Lord’s commandments, we too shall walk in liberty, free from the clutches of the devil.

Seeking God’s precepts, or commands, or whatever word we use to describe seeking the Lord, will always bring victory in our lives. It is God’s promise to bless those who seek Him; it is His prerogative. If we will seek His precepts, and love them, and desire them as a very precious gem, we too will be at liberty, with ourselves, and with our God. We must consider it a worthy venture, and deem it to be important enough before we will even attempt to seek Him and His statutes. When we consider His mercies upon us, even His salvation (v. 46), then we can begin to see that it is important, it is matter of life and death! It is time to get serious about our commitment to the Lord, and to His Word. Do we spend time with Him every day? Do we walk in His will? Do we abide in His Word? If not, why not? Why not get started today in a regular program and practice of a daily time of prayer, meditation, and Bible reading. When we pray, we talk to God, when we read the Bible, He talks to us; when we meditate on His principles and precepts, we have two-way communion with Him.

Don't Play Shoot The Spouse!

There is a very old, unpleasant and dangerous game around. In it married couples fling insults and putdowns, and indulge in innuendo and other tactics that are designed to bring their spouse down.

This game, apart from being utterly unpleasant for others to watch, is guaranteed to cause resentment between spouses and create general ill feeling toward each other, which will permeate all who come in their circles. The game is called Shoot The Spouse!

Really good contestants in the game will acquire years of practice before finally extinguishing any semblance of respect and love in their affronted spouse. They ideally will have started with snide remarks and sarcasm, gradually building up to full blown insults, punctuated by demands and threats.

The really seasoned contestants will have the ability to silence their spouse with a look or gesture, practiced over many years of tense stand-offs and silent treatment. A truly professional and seasoned player of The Game will be able to successfully reduce a spouse to tears or blows, usually dependant on the spouses’ gender.

Shoot The Spouse is especially deceptive is the fact that neither player initially appears to be playing as the leading player of the game will be such a consummate player as to ensure that the game will be fully established in its unpleasantness and demoralizing affect before the targeted spouse is aware that they have been engaged in play.

Once engaged in Shoot The Spouse, it is often difficult to regain the affronted spouses’ affections as mentioned previously. Therefore, this game is especially conducive to lining divorce lawyers’ and marriage counselors’ pockets and the end result is that neither player wins! The makers of Shoot The Spouse advise that only those prepared to lose out on a harmonious home life and happy marriage, should compete in this game.

Shoot The Spouse is not a game for those who desire to keep their marriage vows, or for the kind-hearted, but it is highly recommended for those who love to live life on the edge and gamble with each other’s happiness. Those unwilling to risk or gamble with such high odds of blowing their spouse out of the water and shooting themselves in the foot, are advised not to play Shoot The Spouse!

© Glenys Robyn Hicks of Morning Cuppas With Glenys

"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband." Ephesians 5:33

Die to Sin Cartoon

Well, I haven’t actually died to sin, but I did feel kind of faint once![1]





[1]Bunch, Cindy: Small Group Idea Book : Resources to Enrich Community, Worship, Prayer, Nurture, Outreach. Downers Grove, Ill. : InterVarsity Press, 1996

Spurgeon's Devotions

“Exceeding great and precious promises.”
- 2Pe_1:4
If you would know experimentally the preciousness of the promises, and enjoy them in your own heart, meditate much upon them. There are promises which are like grapes in the wine-press; if you will tread them the juice will flow. Thinking over the hallowed words will often be the prelude to their fulfilment. While you are musing upon them, the boon which you are seeking will insensibly come to you. Many a Christian who has thirsted for the promise has found the favour which it ensured gently distilling into his soul even while he has been considering the divine record; and he has rejoiced that ever he was led to lay the promise near his heart.
But besides meditating upon the promises, seek in thy soul to receive them as being the very words of God. Speak to thy soul thus, “If I were dealing with a man’s promise, I should carefully consider the ability and the character of the man who had covenanted with me. So with the promise of God; my eye must not be so much fixed upon the greatness of the mercy-that may stagger me; as upon the greatness of the promiser-that will cheer me. My soul, it is God, even thy God, God that cannot lie, who speaks to thee. This word of his which thou art now considering is as true as his own existence. He is a God unchangeable. He has not altered the thing which has gone out of his mouth, nor called back one single consolatory sentence. Nor doth he lack any power; it is the God that made the heavens and the earth who has spoken thus. Nor can he fail in wisdom as to the time when he will bestow the favours, for he knoweth when it is best to give and when better to withhold. Therefore, seeing that it is the word of a God so true, so immutable, so powerful, so wise, I will and must believe the promise.” If we thus meditate upon the promises, and consider the Promiser, we shall experience their sweetness, and obtain their fulfilment.

PSALMS 119:33-40

“Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.” (v.39)

God’s judgments are good, though we often do not see them in that light. God is a God of mercy, but He is also a God of judgment. We need the judgment as much, and perhaps more than, we need the mercy. He is the “Judge of all the earth” (Gen. 18:25), and will take vengeance on those who dare to oppose Him and deny the sacrifice of His Son on Calvary. “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29), and the world will see His great wrath in the last days. His judgments are good in the sense that they are righteous judgments, and not biased or prejudiced, but always true, and terrible. The Lord turns away our reproach, by His grace, but be assured that judgment will come for us all. Christians will stand before the Lord for their works, and the unsaved will stand before God for their sin in rejecting Jesus Christ as Savior. We need to ask the Lord, as the psalmist did, to turn our eyes from “beholding vanity” and avoid the place of judgment.

In this passage the psalmist repeats a few of his supplications to the Lord. He asks God to “quicken” him twice, and repeats his longing for God’s Word, and his delight in it. Again, the psalmist mentions serving with his whole heart, and cries unto the Lord from a heart of desperate love. Oh, that we might have a heart for the Lord and His Word as this psalmist had, and that we might seek God as he sought Him, and we might “hunger and thirst after righteousness” as our Lord taught us we should. Until we learn to hunger, we cannot be filled; until we truly thirst after Him, we cannot slake our thirst. Seek after the Word as the Proverbs teach us to seek after wisdom, whose price is far greater than rubies, or fine gold. How do we develop a love for the Bible that meets these requirements? By “abiding” in His Word, living in it all the time, on a regular basis.

What About Your Pocket? (copied)

A serviceman once wrote about a moment of comedy he had witnessed in the army. It happened during a company inspection at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. The inspection was being conducted by a full colonel. Everything had gone smoothly until the officer came to a certain soldier, looked him up and down and snapped, “Button that pocket, trooper!” The soldier, more than a little rattled, stammered, “Right now, sir?” “Of course, right now!” was the reply. Whereupon the soldier very carefully reached out and buttoned the flap on the colonel’s shirt pocket. The officer had been quick to note the youngster’s uniform problem, but hadn’t noticed his own.

For some reason, we seem to be the same way. The faults of others stick out like a missing tooth, while our own are often hard to spot. Small specks in other people seem major, while the planks in our own eye seem excusable (Matt. 7:1–5). Let’s quit dwelling on the faults of others all the time. The church needs builders and workers—not a wrecking crew. Work on your own faults, then seek to help others in a spirit of gentleness.

Bro. Harry Shomaker

Spurgeon Devotion

“Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge, etc.”
- 2Pe_1:5, 2Pe_1:6

If thou wouldest enjoy the eminent grace of the full assurance of faith, under the blessed Spirit’s influence, and assistance, do what the Scripture tells thee, “Give diligence.” Take care that thy faith is of the right kind-that it is not a mere belief of doctrine, but a simple faith, depending on Christ, and on Christ alone. Give diligent heed to thy courage. Plead with God that he would give thee the face of a lion, that thou mayest, with a consciousness of right, go on boldly. Study well the Scriptures, and get knowledge; for a knowledge of doctrine will tend very much to confirm faith. Try to understand God’s Word; let it dwell in thy heart richly.
When thou hast done this, “Add to thy knowledge temperance.” Take heed to thy body: be temperate without. Take heed to thy soul: be temperate within. Get temperance of lip, life, heart, and thought. Add to this, by God’s Holy Spirit, patience; ask him to give thee that patience which endureth affliction, which, when it is tried, shall come forth as gold. Array yourself with patience, that you may not murmur nor be depressed in your afflictions. When that grace is won look to godliness. Godliness is something more than religion. Make God’s glory your object in life; live in his sight; dwell close to him; seek for fellowship with him; and thou hast “godliness”; and to that add brotherly love. Have a love to all the saints: and add to that a charity, which openeth its arms to all men, and loves their souls. When you are adorned with these jewels, and just in proportion as you practise these heavenly virtues, will you come to know by clearest evidence “your calling and election.” “Give diligence,” if you would get assurance, for lukewarmness and doubting very naturally go hand in hand.

PSALMS 119:25-32

“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” (v. 27)

When we really grasp the wonders of God, we will share the blessing with others. Our testimony ought to always be about how great He is, and what The Lord has done for us. When I think of the way the Lord has nurtured me along all these years, I am amazed, dumbfounded, to say the least. I hope to shout it from the housetops, for all eternity, the amazing grace of God, and His wonderful Love toward me and mine. Oh that we could all say that, and see the hand of God at work in our lives for many years. The psalmist knew where his strength was, in v. 28, and he sought God’s Word for it. Yes, there is strengthening in His Word. The power to do right; to glorify the Father, we all have the power and ability to do so, but shamefully we fail in the task.

This passage contains the words “according unto thy Word” two times, the first in v. 25, where he asks to be refreshed, or “quickened” by the Word of God, and the promise of it, and in v. 28 where we see him asking for the strength that comes through the Word. The real strength comes from God Himself, and in Him “making us” to understand His Word, and to His way, as the text verse clearly implies. Understanding is defined in Job 28:28, as is wisdom, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Holiness is the key to happiness. We need to ask, with the psalmist, that the Lord would deliver us from lying, (v. 28), and from all evil (Mt 6:13).

Will we “Run the way” of His commandment, as the psalmist said he would do in v. 32? If so, God will “enlarge” our heart for us, and our life will be an abundant life, filled with the grace and blessing of God Almighty.

Spurgeon's Devotion

“He left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.”
- Gen_39:12

In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight. The ancient naturalists wrote much of basilisks, whose eyes fascinated their victims and rendered them easy victims; so the mere gaze of wickedness puts us in solemn danger. He who would be safe from acts of evil must haste away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to look upon the cause of temptation, for such sins only need a spark to begin with and a blaze follows in an instant. Who would wantonly enter the leper’s prison and sleep amid its horrible corruption? He only who desires to be leprous himself would thus court contagion. If the mariner knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it. Cautious pilots have no desire to try how near the quicksand they can sail, or how often they may touch a rock without springing a leak; their aim is to keep as nearly as possible in the midst of a safe channel.
This day I may be exposed to great peril, let me have the serpent’s wisdom to keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be of more use to me to-day than the jaws of a lion. It is true I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company, but I had better leave my cloak than lose my character; it is not needful that I should be rich, but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin. The devil I am to resist and he will flee from me, but the lusts of the flesh, I must flee, or they will surely overcome me. O God of holiness preserve thy Josephs, that Madam Bubble bewitch them not with her vile suggestions. May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil, never overcome us!

Psalms 119:17-24

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (v.18)

God gives great wisdom through the study of His Word. Those who seem to get more out of the Bible are those who have whole-heartedly sought after Him. What joy it is to discover little “jewels” of scripture as we read God’s Word. Many things are revealed when we “diligently seek Him” and we seem to have better judgment in decisions we must make. Oh, the wondrous things we see from His Law, and the blessing it is in our lives. David said “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” (119:10).

Have you ever traveled to a distant land, or even in our own land, been in a far-away, and strange seeming place? I believe the psalmist captured that attitude in this world, and he knew he was a stranger here, and needed God’s comfort and direction in life. He said, “I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.” How often I have heard some claim that they are pilgrims and strangers in this world, but then they seek after its delicacies with a zeal that is unmatched in the Christian realm. If we think ourselves to be sojourners here, we have no desire, nor business running the world, do we? If I were to come to your home, and begin to run your business, you would resent it, but we do the same thing when we seek after this world so vehemently; we do it to Christ. Jesus put it this way, to one of His followers, “Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” (Mt. 8:22). Yes, there is great wisdom in following our Lord, but we need to let go of this world to fully appreciate His blessings. Seek out the Lord in all thy ways, my friend, and find the wisdom and the comfort of it in Christ, and Him only. Remember 1 John 2:15-17, and especially v. 15, where we see that “the love of the Father is not in him”. We must all ask ourselves, “Do I look to the Lord for my peace? Do I seek comfort in Him, or in some organization or person? What about my economic security, who do I trust for that?” There are so many ways that we violate these verses that one cannot mention remember all—and as humans, we usually find them quite easily.

Spurgeon Today

“Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”
- Exo_14:13

These words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master’s word to him is, “Stand still.” It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.” But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, “do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness.” We must be doing something at once-we must do it so we think-instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, “If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle.” But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it stands. “Stand still;”-keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.”

Psalms 119:9-16

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (v.9)

We see, first, the cleansing power of the Word. Oh what joy there is in total cleansing, few things feel better to us when we are weary, than a nice hot bath or shower. A young man finds cleansing here, as the young seem to get the dirtiest, but there is a cleansing for all of us at any age in the Word. Where is the cleansing found? In v. 11, by hiding God’s Word in our hearts. Oh that we would realize the power of the Word of God, and allow It to do Its wonderful work in us.
Notice the psalmist repeats his zeal in v. 10, and in the whole-hearted seeking. This cannot be emphasized enough. A heart totally given to the Lord’s will, is one that has already hid Him in it, and will walk accordingly, and has learned to rejoice in Him, “as much as in all riches”, (v. 14).

In Psalms 138:2 we see that God magnifies His Word even above His Name! This seems like an amazing thing to us, but it shows how important God’s Word really is to Him. The psalmist in Psalms 119 treats the Word of God much the same way that God does, he “delights “ in It, (v.16); he meditates on It, and has respect unto It, (v.15), and it is no wonder that that he can hide It in his heart, and is afraid to sin against God! Folks, that Bible you hold in your hand is a very precious Book, let’s take care of it and respect it, and obey it. First we need to read It, then we need to heed It! We sometimes respect the American flag even more than the Word of God! We throw our Bible on the floor, or in a closet, but proudly display the flag, and forbid it to touch the ground even! Shame on us! When we learn to love the Lord with all our hearts, we will learn to treat His Word with the great respect It deserves. Let’s get our priorities right!
“Blessed art thou, oh Lord: teach me thy statutes” (v.12). The Lord will teach us, if we will learn of Him. The Word will cause us to bless the Lord too. We will appreciate His goodness, and His graces. We will desire to know Him better, and to get closer to Him. The joy He gives us through His Precious Word, will guide us through the storms of life with confidence in Him, if we can learn to delight in Him.

Spurgeon

“Even thou wast as one of them.”
- Oba_1:11
Brotherly kindness was due from Edom to Israel in the time of need, but instead thereof, the men of Esau made common cause with Israel’s foes. Special stress in the sentence before us is laid upon the word thou; as when Caesar cried to Brutus, “and thou Brutus”; a bad action may be all the worse, because of the person who has committed it. When we sin, who are the chosen favourites of heaven, we sin with an emphasis; ours is a crying offence, because we are so peculiarly indulged. If an angel should lay his hand upon us when we are doing evil, he need not use any other rebuke than the question, “What thou? What dost thou here?” Much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, much blessed, shall we dare to put forth our hand unto evil? God forbid!
A few minutes of confession may be beneficial to thee, gentle reader, this morning. Hast thou never been as the wicked? At an evening party certain men laughed at uncleanness, and the joke was not altogether offensive to thine ear, even thou wast as one of them. When hard things were spoken concerning the ways of God, thou wast bashfully silent; and so, to on-lookers, thou wast as one of them. When worldlings were bartering in the market, and driving hard bargains, wast thou not as one of them? When they were pursuing vanity with a hunter’s foot, wert thou not as greedy for gain as they were? Could any difference be discerned between thee and them? Is there any difference? Here we come to close quarters. Be honest with thine own soul, and make sure that thou art a new creature in Christ Jesus; but when this is sure, walk jealously, lest any should again be able to say, “Even thou wast as one of them.” Thou wouldst not desire to share their eternal doom, why then be like them here? Come not thou into their secret, lest thou come into their ruin. Side with the afflicted people of God, and not with the world.

PSALMS 119:1-8

For the next 22 days, I hope to post the 119th Psalm. It is broken up into eight line stanza, and thewre are 22 of them altogather. I hope to do a devotion on all 22, if the Lord allows it.

“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart.” (v.2)

The 119th Psalm is chock full of synonyms for the Word of God, which is the main subject of this Psalm. Some 9 different words are used to describe His Word, and it is a beautiful tribute to such a great God. These are the “blessed ones” who seek Him with all their hearts, they are blessed because they seek Him. These are the “undefiled in the way” (v.1) and they “do no iniquity” (v.3) because they Love God’s Law. Indeed they are blessed. They are not ashamed, when they have respect to the Word of God; they are ashamed in nothing (v.7). This speaks of victory; it speaks of prosperity; it speaks of blessings.

In these few verses we see already several synonyms for the wonderful Word of God. We have “Law”, “Testimonies”, “Ways”, “Precepts”, “Statutes”, “Commandments”, etc, all as an introduction for the rest of the entire chapter. The focus is, again, on the Word, but also on it’s worth to us. As we read these verses, we will see what It does for us; what It is to us; and what our attitude should be toward It. It is resplendent with poetic references of the joy of knowing Jesus, as He is the True Word. As we read through the Psalm, let us be mindful of the Lord of the Psalm, and the purity of His love for us. Only a whole-hearted seeking will prove Him, and only a true love for Him (The Word made flesh) will promote us to the joy the psalmist had as he penned these hallowed words. Yes, “Blessed” and “very blessed”, are they that walk in His statutes, and seek the Way of the Lord. Let us remember that merely knowing is not seeking, nothing short of a whole-hearted commitment will do. Is it worth it to you? It is to me.

Verse 3: This is interesting. It is the same message of the New Testament, that we should walk holily before our God (2 Thess. 2:10). One man defines "iniquity" as "not an action, but the character of an action"; I see this as a valid, and clear meaning of what iniquity is. It differs from sin, which hints at the doing of evil, rather than the being of evil. "No iniquity" refers to those who can no longer be condemned as sinners, because they have been saved by the blood of Christ; this is why they are "blessed", (v.2).

Spurgeon Devotions

July 22

Morning
“I am married unto you.”
- Jer_3:14
Christ Jesus is joined unto his people in marriage-union. In love he espoused his Church as a chaste virgin, long before she fell under the yoke of bondage. Full of burning affection he toiled, like Jacob for Rachel, until the whole of her purchase-money had been paid, and now, having sought her by his Spirit, and brought her to know and love him, he awaits the glorious hour when their mutual bliss shall be consummated at the marriage-supper of the Lamb. Not yet hath the glorious Bridegroom presented his betrothed, perfected and complete, before the Majesty of heaven; not yet hath she actually entered upon the enjoyment of her dignities as his wife and queen: she is as yet a wanderer in a world of woe, a dweller in the tents of Kedar; but she is even now the bride, the spouse of Jesus, dear to his heart, precious in his sight, written on his hands, and united with his person. On earth he exercises towards her all the affectionate offices of Husband. He makes rich provision for her wants, pays all her debts, allows her to assume his name, and to share in all his wealth. Nor will he ever act otherwise to her. The word divorce he will never mention, for “He hateth putting away.” Death must sever the conjugal tie between the most loving mortals, but it cannot divide the links of this immortal marriage. In heaven they marry not, but are as the angels of God; yet there is this one marvellous exception to the rule, for in Heaven Christ and his Church shall celebrate their joyous nuptials. This affinity as it is more lasting, so is it more near than earthly wedlock. Let the love of husband be never so pure and fervent, it is but a faint picture of the flame which burns in the heart of Jesus. Passing all human union is that mystical cleaving unto the Church, for which Christ left his Father, and became one flesh with her.

Lifting up Jesus

“Lifted Up”

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32)


Think for a moment of the great significance of this verse; Jesus is speaking here, most likely, of His crucifixion, and the fact that the attention of the world will be His at that time (v. 33). Let us look though at a few of other ways we might lift Him up, and thereby draw the attention of men.

First, and foremost, is the text; Christ knew that the calendar would be based on Him, and time, as we know it, would center on His death at Calvary. Today we still use “BC” and “AD” in our time tables, as well as regulating the calendar as starting about the time of His death. He, indeed, drew the attention of all men unto Him, as well as drawing them to the Father by providing salvation for mankind.

Next we must “Lift Him up” before others in praise and testimony. Our actions in this regard, will “draw” men to Him, and further glorify the Father. Keep in mind as we look at these things that all scripture has only one interpretation, but there can be several applications to one verse, as we will see here.

Also, Christ would be “lifted up” in the resurrection, from the grave. This gives us our Easter Season, and all men are drawn to Him through it. This resurrection was not yet accomplished, and was therefore spoken of as a future event. Christ often taught the disciples of His resurrection from the dead.

Then, lastly, we see that we are to “Lift Him up” in our hearts, to the throne of our lives. Giving Him “First place” in our life would draw the attentions of others. If Christ is first in our lives, before anything else, we honor Him in all that we do, and it becomes obvious to others around us. One is not always popular in this way; sometimes, even though we draw another man’s attention, it comes in the form of persecution and trails, but nonetheless, it comes to us. Friends, it is worth whatever we must suffer for His sake. Put the Lord first, before love; before friendship; before careers; before everything in your life, and reap the great benefits of peace, and joy unspeakable.

Spurgeon

"The daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.”
- Isa_37:22

Reassured by the Word of the Lord, the poor trembling citizens of Zion grew bold, and shook their heads at Sennacherib’s boastful threats. Strong faith enables the servants of God to look with calm contempt upon their most haughty foes. We know that our enemies are attempting impossibilities. They seek to destroy the eternal life, which cannot die while Jesus lives; to overthrow the citadel, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They kick against the pricks to their own wounding, and rush upon the bosses of Jehovah’s buckler to their own hurt.
We know their weakness. What are they but men? And what is man but a worm? They roar and swell like waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame. When the Lord ariseth, they shall fly as chaff before the wind, and be consumed as crackling thorns. Their utter powerlessness to do damage to the cause of God and his truth, may make the weakest soldiers in Zion’s ranks laugh them to scorn.
Above all, we know that the Most High is with us, and when he dresses himself in arms, where are his enemies? If he cometh forth from his place, the potsherds of the earth will not long contend with their Maker. His rod of iron shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel, and their very remembrance shall perish from the earth. Away, then, all fears, the kingdom is safe in the King’s hands. Let us shout for joy, for the Lord reigneth, and his foes shall be as straw for the dunghill.
“As true as God’s own word is true;
Nor earth, nor hell, with all their crew,
Against us shall prevail.
A jest, and by-word, are they grown;
God is with us, we are his own,
Our victory cannot fail.”

Psa. 91

Hiding Places

Did you ever wish you could just get away from everything. And perhaps live out in the woods, or in the mountains by yourself, or with only your family? I have. I have daydreamed of finding a secret place, where no one else knows about, and just dwelling there forever; I longed to get away from the news of the world, the unrest and turmoil of things around me. I have discovered that I can do that, right here from my chair; I can seek the haven of Christ. I can have a “secret place” in Him.

Years ago, as a child, I had a “secret camp”. Oh, it wasn’t really secret because others knew about it, but to me it was a haven, a place to be alone…and think. It was out in the thick of the woods, and a trail went right by it. You could sit in there among the bushes, and someone could walk right by you, and not know you were there. It was a sort of hollowed out area amidst the trees and bushes, and formed a sort of large room for us to “hide” in. Many times I had hid from friends who were seeking me, or from enemies who were seeking me, in those very same bushes, and was safe from their eye and their clutches. I loved that place, and whenever I went there, I was alone; it seemed that no one else knew about it. I found a haven in the busy world and a resting place for my weary feet there, but since that time I have found another resting place, and an even better one. That place is in Jesus.

He is my “secret camp” now, where the world can walk by, and not even know I am there. They cannot touch me, nor harm me because I am in my place of refuge. I need no vacation because I have this place to relax and to meet with my best Friend, Jesus. In Him I am free from the burdens and pressures of this life, and I am sheltered from the dangers that lurk about in this world, and seek to consume me, and destroy me. There is no greater place I long to be than in my secret place in Christ.

In that camp I had as a child, there was room for many others, and in the secret place I have now there is room for many others too. All are welcome. You see, it has not only been a secret place, but a sacred place; a place of comfort and joy; a place where one can relax and enjoy the fellowship of the Savior and rest in the assurance that He is control. Yes, everyone is welcome, and even with many finding refuge there, it remains a “secret place” because it is hid from the world and from the things of this life. It is as if many share a secret, sometimes from brothers and sisters too. This is unfortunate. It need not be secret from other believers, but they choose to allow it to be so. The call is sent to all: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30). Again, in Hebrews we see: “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Yes, this “rest” is a secret place; a place of security and comfort; it is our dwelling place, if we so choose. Will you seek refuge in Jesus? Whether lost or saved, there is a secret place for you too.

Sympathetic, Self-Pity

Some years ago a man living in coal country had the misfortune of being involved in a mining accident which necessitated the amputation of his right leg. After a period in the hospital, he went to a prosthesis maker to be supplied with an artificial leg. When the appendage had been strapped to the stump, which was all that remained of the injured leg, the attendant requested that the patient get up and walk across the floor. Awkwardly, the man struggled to his feet and staggered across the room. Then, dragging himself painfully back to his chair, he slumped into it, utterly exhausted and discouraged. “That’s not how to do it,” said the attendant. “Watch this!” Then he walked gracefully across the floor. “Ah,” exclaimed the patient, “It’s all very easy for you because you don’t have any disability.” “Oh, haven’t I?” replied the attendant. “Look.” Pulling up the legs of his trousers, he disclosed that he was not wearing just one artificial limb, but two!

Too many times we doubt or we get depressed and discouraged and we are inclined to say, “Jesus, it was easy for you. You were God and could not sin. You never tasted the abundance of daily temptation, toil, and frustration." Yet the writer in Hebrews 4:15 tells us “…we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” So the next time you find yourself doubting you can finish the race, look to Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. The next time you’re depressed about giving up things for God, look to Jesus who gave up even more. Or the next time you’re discouraged, remember the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus bearing the sins of the world on the cross as God turned His back, to say “I love you” to us.

Lord bless,

Bro. Harry Shomaker

Spurgeon

Morning
“The earnest of our inheritance.”
- Eph_1:14
Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone. Yet the realization which we have of Christ’s preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, “‘Tis but a taste!” We have tasted “that the Lord is gracious,” but we do not yet know how good and gracious he is, although what we know of his sweetness makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the firstfruits of the Spirit, and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fulness of the heavenly vintage. We groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption. Here we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eshcol, there we shall be in the vineyard. Here we see the manna falling small, like coriander seed, but there shall we eat the bread of heaven and the old corn of the kingdom. We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the first letters of the alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together; but as one says, “He that has been in heaven but five minutes, knows more than the general assembly of divines on earth.” We have many ungratified desires at present, but soon every wish shall be satisfied; and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy. O Christian, antedate heaven for a few years. Within a very little time thou shalt be rid of all thy trials and thy troubles. Thine eyes now suffused with tears shall weep no longer. Thou shalt gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendour of him who sits upon the throne. Nay, more, upon his throne shalt thou sit. The triumph of his glory shall be shared by thee; his crown, his joy, his paradise, these shall be thine, and thou shalt be co-heir with him who is the heir of all things.

Ephesians 4

“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." (v. 8)

When death comes to a mortal soul, one can apply this phrase, and realize that the Lord has “lead captivity captive”. He has set the captive free! You see, we are captives to the flesh, souls trapped in a weak body of flesh, and subject to its rules. Death sets the spirit free, and no longer are we confined to a body, and to temporal restrictions of this life, but we are free to transcend the boundaries of another world, and bask in the joy of the spirit. The application is clear, though the verse is speaking of another occasion.

Some feel “trapped” in a relationship, and wish to be “free” from it, but many times, in these cases, freedom is merely a state of mind. In death, we truly are set free, and eternal life is not a state of mind, but a reality that we can all enjoy. Death then becomes a friend, and not an enemy. Yes, our soul is set free in death; free to enter the realm of Heaven and enjoy its beauties and bliss. To the flesh death is an enemy (1 Cor. 15: 26), but to the spirit it is a friend. Yes, as a captive to this body of flesh, I long to be free; free from the turmoil of life; free from the evil that follows every man; free from the confinements of a temporal body in a secular and temporal world, and most of all, free from the temptations of sin. I almost envy those that go on before, although I do not wish to leave my family either. The thought is bittersweet. On the one hand, I wish to soar the clouds and dwell forevermore with the Lord, and on the other hand, I long to remain here with friends and loved ones. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. One day, the Lord will set our spirits’ free, and He will take us home, to His home, forevermore to dwell with Him, but meanwhile, we are captive to the flesh, and sin. It is a dilemma we must endure.

It is a blessing though that while we must remain here, and await that glorious day of the fulfillment of our redemption, that the Lord gives gifts unto men. We have special “prizes” all wrapped up in the sweetness of grace, and the Lord gives them to us so that we might endure our stay here, and to help us as we dwell in our bodies of flesh. We use them, of course, for the glory of God, but we long, deep inside, to see Him face-to-face, in Heavenly realm. God is so good to care for us so richly while we endure the world we were put in. He has made our stay here somewhat pleasant by granting us these gifts of grace.

The Man and the Master (Fred's sermon this AM)

"And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed."

I. The Man
.....A. Condition - Leper Mark 1:40 and following
..........1. Indiscriminate Disease - comes on all
..........2. Shameful Condition - disfigured
..........3. Isolating Condition - outcast
..........4. Helpfless Condition - progressive disease
..........5. Hopeless and Uncureable by man - God only could cure
..........6. Relates to sin: Rom. 3:9-18, 23
..........7. Fatal condition
...............a. leporasy killed
...............b. sin kills Rom 6:23
....................1. We all die, for Christians: II Cor. 5:6-8, Phil 1:20-24
....................2. We all die, for the lost: Luke 16:19-26, Rev. 20:11-15
.....B. Cry of man - "if thou wilt"
II. The Master
.....A. Compassion
..........1. Acceptance - John 7:37
..........2. He touched him, a leper
..........3. Power
..........4. Restoration
..........5. Life John 10:10
.....B. Cleanses "I will, be thou clean" Jesus is willing, are you?

Spurgeon's Morning Devotion

“The Lord our God hath shewed us his glory.”
- Deu_5:24

God’s great design in all his works is the manifestation of his own glory. Any aim less than this were unworthy of himself. But how shall the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are? Man’s eye is not single, he has ever a side glance towards his own honour, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way, that there may be room for God to be exalted; and this is the reason why he bringeth his people ofttimes into straits and difficulties, that, being made conscious of their own folly and weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majesty of God when he comes forth to work their deliverance. He whose life is one even and smooth path, will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying, and hence, but little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God. They who navigate little streams and shallow creeks, know but little of the God of tempests; but they who “do business in great waters,” these see his “wonders in the deep.” Among the huge Atlantic-waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road: it is this which has given you your experience of God’s greatness and lovingkindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: your trials have been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as he did his servant Moses, that you might behold his glory as it passed by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight of affliction, you have been capacitated for the outshinings of his glory in his wonderful dealings with you.

Our Security

Romans 8

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (vs. 35-38)

Friends, you can’t get away from the love of God; no matter what you do, or where you go, you cannot get away from His love. The Lord loved us while we were lost and steeped in sin, and He does not quit loving us if we fall into it again. We cannot do anything to make Him quit loving us, because God is love (1 Jn. 4: 8), He is all that love is; He is the essence of love. Love never fails us because it is eternal, as God is eternal; it is what God is. In Psalm 139, David tells us the same thing, that wherever we go, and no matter what the circumstance, we can never get away from the love of God. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” (vs. 7-12) It is amazing to me that some claim that they can hide from God’s love, or remove themselves from His grace; it is more than amazing that any could think that God would let us go after He went to all the trouble of Calvary and the suffering and persecutions that led to it, for us. After going through what Christ went through, how could He abandoned anyone, ever? No, you cannot ever, in any way make the Lord quit loving you. That is what love is; it is constant; it is unconditional; it is pure, and everlasting, because “God is love”.

There is something else “special” about these passages, something that we all need to know; one has to do with trials and persecutions, while the other has to do with self and conviction. You see, they are somewhat related, second cousins, if you will. They entail all of life, all the mysteries and the trials, and all the “searchings” of our heart for the one true path of life. They represent all we can do; everywhere we can go, and all that can done unto us. Nothing is adequate to remove us from the ever reaching love of God, absolutely nothing. Same message with a different twist. No matter what comes your way, it cannot break you. No matter what you do on your own cannot turn the heart of the Lord from you; neither circumstance nor self affliction can tear us from the Lord, we are His, and He is ours, and we are one in Him. Take comfort in these things; be assured that If you know Christ as your Savior, and truly trust in Him and nothing else to get you to heaven, then death itself cannot part you from the Lord, nor anything short of death.

Lord, You said if I want to follow you…..

Lord, You said if I want to follow you, I will need to carry my cross every day.

I want to follow, Lord. But there are days when I’m dragging my cross, making a trail for everyone to see.

There are days when I’m pushing my cross, making my own path miserable and dusty.

There are days when I’m sitting on my cross, trying to get comfortable and going nowhere.

There are days when I’m giving my cross to somebody else, who already has one of his own.

Help me, Lord, to carry my cross on my shoulder. When it’s up there, it leaves no room for a chip!

Lord bless you on this weekend,

Bro. Harry Shomaker

Praying for the Lost Sinner

Pray Specifically and with Focus

                 Burden and Desire

                 Without Ceasing

Pray with Facts

                 Being Religious Isn’t Salvation

                 1, 2, 3 Repeat after Me Isn’t Salvation

                                 DON’T MISS HEAVEN BY 18”

Pray with Faith

                He Will in NO Wise Cast Out

                Today is the Accepted Day

Psa. 139: 14

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

The Psalmist is saying, in essence, “I am uniquely made” I am different from everyone else, and so are you; and yet, we are all alike! In the realm of human nature, we are all alike; we all are compelled to sin. In the realm of individuality, we are all different; no one can see through my eyes, they are my own; no one can have my set of fingerprints, God has given them to only me. They distinguish me from you and us from others. No one has my exact genes and DNA, they are only made for me; and none can reason the exact same way I reason, because they have not built the background of reasoning on the exact same experiences that I have. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” indeed, and yet, we are alike in many ways. His works are indeed marvelous, and beyond marvelous, they supercede our understanding. Can anyone “borrow” my ears, and hear what I hear? Can they use my feet to take them to far off places? Of course that is ridicules, and yet, it shows the uniqueness of man, and the awesomeness of our Creator.

I often amuse myself with the thought that God only has a few things to work with, and yet manages to make everyone look different, for the most part. With the exception of identical twins, everyone looks different even though they all have basically the same features. Think of it! How amazing this is! A little hair (more on some, and less on others!), and a pair of lips; a nose, some eyes, and a forehead, and chin, and a couple of ears is about all He has to work with, and yet billions of people look different than one another; all come together in each of us, and yet we are all unique. One can hardly fathom the depths of God’s creation.
We are so different that each of us has a different relationship with the Lord. My relationship with Him is not the same as yours, nor is yours the same as mine, because I am different than you in thought, in deeds and in spirit, as you are with me. For this reason, worship is a personal thing and not public. Yes, true worship is from the heart, in which no man can see or hear. It is done “in the closet” as prayer is supposed to be, and not in public meetings; we worship the Lord in our “quiet time” and personal time with Him. Jesus Himself said “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (Jn. 4: 23, 24). Let us learn to worship Him “in truth” from the heart, and in private, so that our worship will be individual and unique like we are.

How Long Has It Been Since You?

Took the time to go see someone who lives alone?

Wrote a letter to someone who crossed your mind?

Read the Bible to someone too ill to read for themselves?

Encouraged someone who was having a hard time being a Christian?

Prayed earnestly for someone who was faltering?

Tried to have a Bible study with someone you knew was lost?

Told a teenager that you were proud of his efforts to live for the Lord?

Spent more time on your knees praying than on the telephone talking?

Every Christian can do something to encourage someone else!

Today would be a good day to start!

Lord bless you this weekend,

Bro. Harry Shomaker

The Uniqueness of Love

Love is unique to all of us. Here is what I mean: I love many people in this world, but none pf them are loved by me like my wife is. I love all of my children, but each of them is loved in a different way; no two of them are the same, neither are they loved the same way. I love my siblings but that love is not as deep perhaps, and is not as complete as the love for my immediate family. I loved my parents, both differently, but both intensely; you see, love has many faces and is manifested in different degrees, to different people. I love the Lord with all my heart and mind and soul, but that love is unique to Him, and Him only. The flip side of the uniqueness of love is that not everyone loves me the same either! I cannot expect anyone to love me as another might; I expect too much of them when I do. I have friends that love me, but their love is sometimes a vague love, reserved and “quiet” in a sense, while others love emphatically, and express it openly; they all have a certain affection for me, as I do them, but we are all different in appearance, in emotion, and in spirit. My point? I have learned not to expect too much from others when it comes to expressing their love. Some are embarrassed to show it, but make it clear that they love us; others, perhaps a bit more ostentatious, love us with a more boisterous love, and let it show openly to all; we all love differently, and are loved differently by others. Some love from a distance, and we see little of them, but the love is there nevertheless; and others desire to be with us all the time, though they may not be able to do so. So, give others a chance to love you; allow them to love you in their way, and not necessarily in the way you want them to. Much anxiety and disappointment can be avoided by not expecting too much of them.

When love merely responds to the goodness of others, it is a weak love, and has no value. When this is the case, others control our love, and not we ourselves; we cannot decide who to love and who not to love by the persons merit or worthiness, but by our own. We choose to love whom we will. When the actions of another dictate our love for them, we do not truly love them, but the good they do for us. This is a self-seeking love that cannot stand the test of time. We must love because it is in us to do so, and not because we are moved by a particular person or thing. I used to say that “love responds to love” and it does to some extent, but when love responds to hate, and continues to love in spite of it, one has taken a giant leap toward mature, complete and valuable love that makes a difference in the one that is loved as well as the one that does the loving. Again, we ought to love others because it is in us to do so, and not because of what, or who they are, nor for what they can do for us, or have done for us.

We all have pre-conceived ideas of what love is, and how it is shown. We think according to our own ways of doing things, but how can we do otherwise when we were conditioned to love the way we do all our life long? We cannot comprehend much beyond our own thoughts and motives; our ways are often the only ways we know. Did you know that God loves us all uniquely? His love is unconditional, and yet He expects little of true love from us; we are not capable of loving Him in the way we should, but we can strive for the goal of doing so. Only His love in us will teach us to love properly and not to expect too much of others less capable of loving us the way we would like them to. Only His love can deliver us from the heartbreak and pain of a non-reciprocating love. Our God, though we love with an inferior love, accepts us and accepts our love for Him as a precious thing, though it is far short of what we owe Him and of what He has a right to expect from us. He is an amazing God, and His love is an amazing love. Only God’s love is able to love those who hate Him; He is able, and willing to love the unlovable. How do I know? Because He loved you and me; He loved us when we did not love Him, when we were at our worst, when we were “yet sinners” God loved us, and still He loves us today. (Rom 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Let us all rejoice in the pure and sweet love of Jesus, given freely to all mankind. Let us love because of who we are, and not because of whom the recipient of our love may be; let us love as Jesus loved, and reflect His love in us to others.

Written by a man who lived in the last 1700s, it's message holds true today

THERE smiled the smooth Divine, unused to wound
The sinner's heart with hell's alarming sound.
No terrors on his gentle tongue attend;
No grating truths the nicest ear offend.

That strange new-birth, that methodistic grace,
Nor in his heart nor sermons found a place.
Plato's fine tales he clumsily retold,
Trite, fireside, moral seesaws, dull as old,--

His Christ and Bible placed at good remove,
Guild hell-deserving, and forgiving love.
'Twas best, he said, mankind should cease to sin:
Good fame required it; so did peace within.

Their honors, well he knew, would ne'er be driven;
But hoped they still would please to go to heaven.
Each week he paid his visitation dues;
Coaxed, jested, laughed; rehearsed the private news;

Smoked with each goody, thought her cheese excelled;
Her pipe he lighted, and her baby held.
Or placed in some great town, with lacquered shoes,
Trim wig, and trimmer gown, and glistening hose,

He bowed, talked politics, learned manners mild,
Most meekly questioned, and most smoothly smiled;
At rich men's jests laughed loud, their stories praised,
Their wives' new patterns gazed, and gazed, and gazed;

Most daintly on pampered turkeys dined,
Nor shrunk with fasting, nor with study pined:
Yet from their churches saw his brethern driven,
Who thundered truth, and spoke the voice of heaven,

Chilled trembling guilt in Satan's headlong path,
Charmed the feet back, and roused the ear of death.
"Let fools," he cried, "starve on, while prudent I
Snug in my nest shall live, and snug shall die."

Timothy Dwight

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How to Pray Part 1

Today I want to address one of my favorite topics, prayer. Prayer is so awesome that if I ever backslide I probably will still pray regularly after 6 months of not reading my Bible. Prayer is absolutely essential for the Christian, because Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship. Prayer is how we talk to God, and no relationship will be very strong without talking to the person we are trying to have a relationship with. Martin Luther said, "to be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Many Christians sadly never really get to enjoy a relationship with God because they never talk to God.

Ephesians lays out one of the clearest outlines in the Bible for what prayer is. In the next
couple of posts I will explain how we can all have can have the amazing conversational life with God that he intends for us. Ephesians 6:18-19 says,

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,"

Praying Always-
The first secret to prayer is just actually doing it, it's amazing how little Christians pray. Consider this 1 hour in prayer is only 4% of your day, and yet how many Christians do you know who spend an hour a day in prayer. According to the Nielsen Media Research Organization the average American spends 4 hours and 13 minutes a day watching tv, but according to the Barna Group the average American Christian spends 4 minutes a day in prayer.

We have no problem watching a 3 hour movie, but to pray for even a few minutes is such a chore. The thing to remember is that prayer is just talking to God its a conversation just like any other we have, and so we can talk to God all day even if its just in our hearts. So today try to spend more time talking to your heavenly Daddy, and don't just talk, but pause and listen to what He is saying back.

With all Prayer
Prayer is a whole lot more then just asking for stuff, and so Paul tells us to use all kinds of prayer. Lets think about some of the different kinds of prayer.

Worship- Worship comes from the old english word worthship, and simply means ascribing worth to God. In worship we adore God, and praise His attributes, His Character, His Actions etc. For instance we might praise God for His holiness, or His creation, His work in someones life, His provision for us etc. Worship can be inspired by looking at his creation thus making praying outside a great idea. It can also be inspired by studying God's attributes in the Bible, or by meditating on His actions in your life, and others lives.

Confession- Confession is also an essential part of prayer. Christians with unconfessed sin in their lives don't have clear lines of communication with God. All good relationships require openess, and willingness to confess wrong our relationship with God is no different.

Thanksgiving- James tells us that every good, and perfect gift comes from God, because God is our daddy He loves giving us good things. Like any daddy He likes it when His children are thankful for His provision. So start thanking God for everything in your life, thank Him when things are going good in your opinion Hosea says pray for the rain when it already raining. Thank Him when things are going bad in your opinion, the Bible says in everything give thanks. You see God is perfectly good, and is working all things together for god for you (Romans 8:28). So whether it looks good or not you must trust that it is all good, it is all a perfect gift, and thank God for it.

Supplication- Supplication simply means petition or simply put asking God for things that you need or want. John R. Rice always said prayer is asking. Supplication is asking God for his provision more on this later.

Intercession- Intercession is like supplication, but instead of our own needs we are asking God to move on behalf of others. Intercession is one of the most unselfish forms of prayer, and certainly the most hated by Satan.

I will cover these various aspects of prayer in more depth in future posts, but for now make a commitment to talk to God more throughout the day, and let Him talk to you. Also employ these various kinds of prayer in your prayer arsenal.

From the blog: The Journey

No Unreasonable Service

Sometimes in the routines of life- in the seemingly mundane tasks of everyday living, I can see why women get exasperated with being homemakers. No sooner have we washed, dried and folded a load of washing, than the hamper is filling up again! The freshly made bed has been sat on again, the pristine bathroom has toothpaste in the basin and the toilet seat has been left up- again! We won’t even think about the pots that need scrubbing and the plates needing washing- for the third time today. Life can seem so boring and repetitive! Especially when there are little ones to look after and you are in desperate need of a nap- and they aren’t.

Monotony sometimes fuels fatigue- or maybe the fatigue is brought on through the monotony of the mundane running of a home.Whatever the reason, we can dwell on our many tasks, and as we see our husbands off to work, we can brood about our lot in life. We think we are serving our husbands, and we are- but we haven’t got a servant’s heart. We need an attitude adjustment.

Instead of focusing on our husband’s “freedom” as he leaves for work, we should consider that it is WE who have the choice part in life. For we can for the most part, pick and choose what jobs are to be done on any particular day. We can rest when we need it, make a phone call, watch a TV program, use the computer or enjoy a hobby. Or we can go to the store and get out into the thick of things, only to return to the relative calm of our own home when we have had enough.

Unfortunately, our husbands do not enjoy the same privileges. They are out in the thick of the “dog-eat-dog” mentality of the world all day. Restricted in activities and choices- they do not enjoy the freedom that we have. Certainly, they have to face stresses we do not often have to worry about- pleasing the boss and producing. Employment is always about production when you come down to the bottom line! And that is often stressful.

How our husband can enjoy his home and family and unwind from the enormous pressures that he bears will depend upon us! If he comes home to a peaceful home that is reasonably well maintained with his wife and family genuinely glad to see him, he will be able to not only unwind but feel appreciated. It is for you that he works and worries about maintaining his job.

Compared to our domestic woes, his worries are by far the more gruelling and we would do well to try to develop a compassionate and empathetic attitude to him. Apart from being affectionate when he arrives home, I believe we should have planned our day to have the majority of our domestic chores completed so that we can be available to our man.

Sometimes a man will need to be pleasantly silent and reflective- just to turn off from the constant interaction of the day. Understand that this is not a reflection on you- allow him the time to unwind. When he is ready, he will share his day with you. Try to be attentive when he wants to talk.

It is a good thing to prepare the evening meal in the morning if possible. That way, dinner will be on time and you will be less tired. Try to set the table in the afternoon. You will be glad later on that you did. Have the children pick up their toys before Daddy comes home, and make sure bikes and scooters have been removed from the driveway.

Washing is best done- and by done I mean, washed, dried, folded and/or ironed and put away early in the day- it is not good to be folding it when the evening comes and your husband wants to talk and enjoy your company! As his wife, your place is by his side.

Try to have the children cleaned up and freshen up your makeup and brush your hair before your husband arrives home! Make him glad to come home to you! Try not to overwhelm him as soon as he gets in the door with the woes of the day and the disciplining of the children. Remember, he needs time to unwind.

This all sounds like a lot of effort and work for a wife, but we must keep our focus on being a helpmeet to our husband. It is not unreasonable for a man to have a clean shirt, socks in the drawer and in pairs, dinner ready and the home tidy and exuding a peaceful tone, and his wife in a welcoming mood when he gets in the door. This is what will keep him motivated in providing for you- his family.

A servant’s heart is needed for this wonderful job of being a helpmeet. God has given us the choice role in marriage, one that He in His Wisdom has ordained as the woman’s role. May keeping an open mind of the cares your husband bears daily help you develop a servant’s heart- for to serve your husband is no unreasonable service, but a God-given role designed to bless not only your marriage and family, but you as a godly wife, mother and homemaker. And that doesn’t sound unreasonable to me!

© Glenys Robyn Hicks of Morning Cuppas With Glenys

"She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:12

Spurgeon's Morning Devotion

- Exo_16:21

"They gathered manna every morning."

Labour to maintain a sense of thine entire dependence upon the Lord’s good will and pleasure for the continuance of thy richest enjoyments. Never try to live on the old manna, nor seek to find help in Egypt. All must come from Jesus, or thou art undone for ever. Old anointings will not suffice to impart unction to thy spirit; thine head must have fresh oil poured upon it from the golden horn of the sanctuary, or it will cease from its glory. To-day thou mayest be upon the summit of the mount of God, but he who has put thee there must keep thee there, or thou wilt sink far more speedily than thou dreamest. Thy mountain only stands firm when he settles it in its place; if he hide his face, thou wilt soon be troubled. If the Saviour should see fit, there is not a window through which thou seest the light of heaven which he could not darken in an instant. Joshua bade the sun stand still, but Jesus can shroud it in total darkness. He can withdraw the joy of thine heart, the light of thine eyes, and the strength of thy life; in his hand thy comforts lie, and at his will they can depart from thee. This hourly dependence our Lord is determined that we shall feel and recognize, for he only permits us to pray for "daily bread," and only promises that "as our days our strength shall be." Is it not best for us that it should be so, that we may often repair to his throne, and constantly be reminded of his love? Oh! how rich the grace which supplies us so continually, and doth not refrain itself because of our ingratitude! The golden shower never ceases, the cloud of blessing tarries evermore above our habitation. O Lord Jesus, we would bow at thy feet, conscious of our utter inability to do anything without thee, and in every favour which we are privileged to receive, we would adore thy blessed name and acknowledge thine unexhausted love.

Mark 16

“And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.” (v. 2)

In Matthew 28, we talked about the first day of the week, but here we see that these ladies got up very early, “at the rising of the sun.” This is estimated to be about 6 o’clock a. m. according to the old Jewish calendar. I would like us to see that Jesus rose before sun up, or sometime “very early in the morning”. Remember, He was in the grave for three days and three nights, as foretold by the Book of Jonah (Mt. 12: 39,40). Thus, while rising on the first day, that would make Him to have been crucified on a Thursday, and not on what is commonly called “Good Friday.” Figure it out. Thursday night was the first night; Friday night the second; and Saturday night would make it three nights, according to the Scriptures, and then He rose on Sunday morning, which was the first day of their week. A little study of the times in the four Gospels would bear this out, I believe. Of course, the old Jewish calendar did not name the days as we do, these came from pagan worship! Just look at a few of them: Sun-day was from the sun worshippers; Mon-day was shortened from “moon day”, etc. Saturday was for Saturn, and Wed for Woden a mythical god; Thursday was from Thor, another mythical god. Don’t be too shocked, the names of our months had their roots in paganism also! Back to our subject though; the Jewish calendar numbered the days, as day one, day two, etc. so keep all this in mind when you figure it all out. Also. Bear in mind that the Jewish day began at 6:00 p.m. on the evening before, and ended at that time also (6:00 p.m.) the next day. We base our day on the midnight hour, but theirs was quite different. Here’s the gist of the matter: After checking this all out, I believe you will find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on a Wednesday night, and therein lies the reason for Wednesday night prayer meetings. Yes, I believe the mid-week service was based on this fact. The fact is, Jesus did rise from the dead, and is now sitting at the right hand of God, making intercession for us; Wednesday night payer meetings are all but forgotten now, and we quickly brush aside the prayer for the preaching. Too bad--it’s our loss, not the Lord’s!

Mark 15

Mark 15

“Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.” (v. 32)

It scares me to think how often I have made statements similar to this one. I have often thought, throughout the years, that if Jesus would just prove Himself, and show us something, I too would believe it. We look for a little hope to appease our unbelief. God forgive us; God help us. These revilers were having a good time mocking, scorning, and blaspheming Him, but His “hour had not yet come.” It was their moment, but He would have His soon.

Romans 8:24 says “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” In other words, sight destroys faith. If we can see it, it is not faith when we believe it, any fool can believe what he sees. I am afraid I would have been tempted to jump down from the cross—just to show these fools; I would have rubbed it in their faces, but the sacrifice would not have been made, and we all would have died in our sin if Jesus would have done that. Mankind needs to thank God that it was not me on the cross, though I was there in Him. I would have failed miserably. Thank God that Jesus stayed on the cross and paid our sin debt in spite of their mockery and pompous pride. Yes, I was as the thieves that were with Him, reviling and ridiculing, Him with my tongue and with my life. Oh thankless soul of mine, thank God that Jesus stayed there for me. We need not see His power and glory to believe Him, but take Him at His Word by faith, and He will reveal His power and glory in us. Woe to the mockers of His glory and grace, as they wagged their heads and bade Him “save thyself” and said “He saved others, Himself He cannot save” (vs. 29-31), their fate is sealed. Jesus did not prove Himself to them, they died in their sin, swallowed up in their unbelief. Jesus did not sacrifice the redemption of mankind from that time forevermore for the sake of a few; even if they would have believed if He came down from the cross (and they probably wouldn’t have because “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him”), He could not leave the goal before Him and be enticed into doing it their way. I for one, thank the Lord in a mighty way, that He stayed there for me.

Spurgeons Morning and Evening

"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out."
- Lev_6:13
Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here, therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer, of vital and experimental religion.
Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet seasons be, if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual prayer availeth much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us suggest the Church, the ministry, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbours, your country, and the cause of God and truth throughout the world. Let us examine ourselves on this important matter. Do we engage with lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on the family altar, and lessen our influence both in the Church and in the world.
The text will also apply to the altar of the heart. This is a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of his people glowing towards himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek his grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if the unseen hand behind the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will blaze higher and higher. Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel for our heart’s fire, they are live coals; let us attend sermons, but above all, let us be much alone with Jesus.

Mark 14

“And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (vs. 35, 36)

Our Lord, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed so earnestly that He sweat “as it were great drops of blood”. What in the world would cause Him to pray so earnestly? I do not believe it was the anticipation of the weight of sin upon Him, but the fact that He knew the results of it! Let me explain; Jesus had lived every moment with the power of God upon Him, and every thought He had, every deed He did, was with the blessing and “signature” of the Father on it. He did not see one moment of darkness without the Father, but soon, He knew that God would have to turn away from Him, and could not so much as look upon His Beloved Son.

We cannot imagine the impact that this had on Him, because we cannot live as He lived, with every thought only on the Father and on glorifying Him in all things. The Two were inseparable until sin was laid upon Jesus. Jesus would have to “go it alone” without His Fathers guidance and power. This was a very scary thing to Christ. This is the “cup” that He wished could pass, and the incident He wished He could avoid. I don’t think the sin of the world was as scary to Him as the thought of God forsaking Him was. Oh, if we could only realize this. The worst part of sin is that God turns His face away from us when we indulge in it; it separates us from our God. We walk much of our lives without God guiding us, and without His power and blessings upon us because we will not turn our hearts to Him, and give Him our all. That ought to scare us to death, literally! Yes, we often “go it alone” and run ahead of God, and only wait for Him when we become entangled in this world’s wiles and pitfalls, and He bails us out. Even facing the dilemma before Him, He sought the Fathers’ will rather than His own. What a Servant; what a Son; what a Savior.