Major Ian Thomas's "Let God be in you."

Another really challenging teaching sermon from Major Thomas.
Enjoy:)

A few more quotes from the late great Major Ian Thomas

There are few things quite so boring as being religious, but there is nothing quite so exciting as being a Christian! Major I. Thomas

Christ in you, on the grounds of redemption this is the Gospel! To preach anything less than this must inevitably produce "Evan-jellyfish" folk with no spiritual vertebrae, whose faith does not "behave!" Major I. Thomas

The flesh everything that you do apart from Him "profiteth nothing" (John 6:63), and there is always the awful possibility, if you do not discover this principle, that you may spend a lifetime in the service of Jesus Christ doing nothing! Major I. Thomas

Jesus Christ Himself is the final exegesis of all truth. He is all that we need to know about God, and He is all that we need to know about man. Major I Thomas
Power to Say, “No,” to Ungodliness and, “Yes,” to Righteousness
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age . . . .Titus 2:11-12

Grace is not the freedom to sin, but the freedom not to sin. Grace is God’s heart extending itself towards us as he initiates in us the ability to overcome our weaknesses, failures, and inadequacies. The foremost characteristic of living by grace is trust in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ: the Cross forgives our past sin through Christ’s death, puts away our present sin through Christ’s burial and triumphs over future sin through Christ’s resurrection. Grace is not an abstraction, but Jesus living his life in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To be in Christ—that is redemption; but for Christ to be in you—that is sanctification! To be in Christ—that makes you fit for heaven; but for Christ to be in you—that makes you fit for earth! To be in Christ—that changes your destination; but for Christ to be in you—that changes your destiny! The one makes heaven your home—the other makes this world His workshop. Major I. Thomas

Apparently, Major Thomas also used to tell people "God Bless You... even though you don't deserve it!!" You've got to love his honesty! :)

Major Thomas on "Salvation"

I think this is excellent teaching. See what you think. :)


(Thanks A. for sharing this with me.):)

Be challenged, encouraged and blessed.

The good man has his enemies. He would not be like his Lord if he had not – Spurgeon

We have a God who delights in impossibilities. Andrew Murray

Doubt? I had sooner suffer any affliction than be left to question the gospel or my own interest in it – Spurgeon

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.

If we were without enemies we might fear that we were not the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity to God- Spurgeon

To worship God in truth is to recognize Him for being who He is, and to recognize ourselves for what we are.

The best way to make a man sober is to bring him to the foot of the cross – Spurgeon

What a humbling thought it is, that so often there is earnest prayer in which the desire for our own joy or pleasure is far stronger than many desire for God's glory. No wonder there are so many unanswered prayers! Here we have the secret. God cannot be glorified when that glory is not the object of our prayers.
Andrew Murray

Patience! patience! you are always in a hurry, but God is not – Spurgeon

Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation. Andrew Murray
Ambition, self-esteem, and self-conceit lie deep at the bottom of all men’s hearts, and often in the hearts where they are least suspected. Thousands imagine that they are humble, who cannot bear to see an equal more honoured and favoured than themselves. Few indeed can be found who rejoice heartily in a neighbour’s promotion over their own heads. The quantity of envy and jealousy in the world is a glaring proof of the prevalence of pride. Men would not envy a brother’s advancement if they had not a secret thought that their own merit was greater than his.
Let us live on our guard against this sore disease, if we make any profession of serving Christ. The harm that it has done to the Church of Christ is far beyond calculation. Let us learn to take pleasure in the prosperity of others, and to be content with the lowest place for ourselves. The rule given to the Philippians should be often before our eyes: “In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” The example of John the Baptist is a bright instance of the spirit at which we should aim. He said of our Lord, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Philippians 2:3; John 3:30)
What right have you to set up your feelings against the Word of Christ – Spurgeon

Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!
Andrew Murray

There is nothing so deluding as feelings. Christians cannot live by feelings. – Spurgeon

Abide in Me: These words are the command of love, which is ever only a promise in a different shape. Think of this until all feeling of burden and fear and despair pass away, and the first thought that comes as you hear of abiding in Jesus be one of bright and joyous hope.
Andrew Murray

We must all learn to hear what we do not like. The question is not, “Is it pleasant?” but, “Is it true? - Spurgeon

The holy and most glorious God invites us to come to Him, to converse with Him, to ask from Him such things as we need, and to experience what a blessing there is in fellowship with Him. He has created us in His own image and has redeemed us by His own Son, so that in prayer with Him we might find our highest glory and salvation.
Andrew Murray

He who communes with God is always at home. Spurgeon

Keith Green's "Stained Glass"

I really like this song too.
Quite challenging though- do we really let God shine through us most of the time?

(Sorry, the video has been deleted by the youtube user- not much I can do about it!)
But here are the words.


We are like windows
Stained with colours of the rainbow
Set in a darkened room
Till the bridegroom comes to shining through

Then the colours fall around our feet
Over those we meet
Covering all the gray that we see

Rainbow colours of assorted hues
Come exchange your blues
For His love that you see shining through me

We are His daughters and sons
We are the colourful ones
We are the kids of the King
Rejoice in everything

My colours grow so dim
When I start to fall away from Him
But up comes the strongest wind
That He sends to blow me back into his arms again

And then the colours fall around my feet
Over those I meet
Changing all the gray that I see

Rainbow colours of the Risen Son
Reflect the One
The One who came to set us all free

We are His daughters and sons
We are the colourful ones
We are the kids of the King
Rejoice in everything

We are like windows
Stained with colours of the rainbow
No longer set in a darkened room
'Cause the bridegroom wants to shine from you

No longer set in a darkened room
'Cause the bridegroom wants to shine from you

Hope you enjoy it too.

More quotes anyone?

 A faith which works not for purification will work for putrefaction. – C H Spurgeon 

To walk with God is to walk in the light of God’s countenance; to live as people who remember that all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we walk, that the darkness is no darkness with Him, and remembering this, to aim at never thinking or saying or doing anything we should be ashamed of in the presence of the great Searcher of hearts. To walk with God is to walk after the Spirit–to look to the Holy Spirit as our Teacher, to lean on Him for strength, to put no confidence in the flesh, to set our affections on things above, to wean them from things on earth, and to be spiritually-minded. ~ J.C. Ryle 

Faith is giving up control and completely throwing yourself into the arms of God. "To pray with your fists closed means you're hanging onto something. Let it go. Open your hands to God." A W Tozer

Jimmy and Carol Owen's "He Came in Love" from "The Witness"

I THINK THIS IS SUCH A POWERFUL SONG!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd heard it before years ago but I didn't remember it!
I'm so glad I've found it again!

Here are the lyrics:

Pure and holy Son of God,
Taking on the form of man;
Left the glory of His throne,
Came to bring salvation's plan.
Righteous Father, Holy One,
Looking down on us in Love;
Gave to us His only Son,
Sent with blessings from above.

But we took Him and we nailed Him
to a cross made of wood
And we raised it high and dropped it
in the ground where it stood
And the blood that flowed to the earth below
Bought forgiveness for the world
that had treated Him so.

"Peace on earth, Good will to men,"
At His birth the angels sang,
Love and mercy from the throne
Through the earth his message rang.

But we took Him and we nailed Him
to a cross made of wood
And we raised it high and dropped it
in the ground where it stood
And the blood that flowed to the earth below
Bought forgiveness for the world
that had treated Him so.

He came in love to bring us light in our darkness,
He came in peace to bring release from our pain;
He came with joy to bring us rest in our weariness,
He came in love to bring us beauty again.

I hope each person who hears it realizes afresh just how much OUR SIN cost Jesus!

Thank you Jesus for being willing to pay that price!

A few quotes to ponder on.

The man who has God for his treasure has all things in one - A. W. Tozer

 There is no royal road to rest of soul. Let that never be forgotten. There is only one way to the Father—Jesus Christ; one door into heaven—Jesus Christ; and one path to heart-peace—Jesus Christ. By that way all “laboring and heavy-laden” ones must go, whatever be their rank or condition. Kings in their palaces and paupers in the workhouse, are all on a level in this matter. All alike must come to Christ, if they feel soul-weary and thirsty. All must drink of the same fountain, if they would have their thirst relieved. ~ J.C. Ryle 

 "Nothing should so occupy the mind of the Christian than discovering God each day." A W Tozer 

 "We can never make too much of Christ. He is worthy of all the honour that we can give Him." ~ J.C. Ryle 

 Faith is the surest of all sin-killers – Spurgeon 

 We have learned to live with unholiness and have come to look upon it as the natural and expected thing - A. W. Tozer

 He that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God – Spurgeon 

 The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him - A. W. Tozer

You can’t (live the Christian life), God never said you could, but He can (live it in you) and always said He would! Major Ian Thomas

 It will do us good to be very empty, to be very weak, and so to go about our Master's work. – Spurgeon 

 Hope you're challenged and encouraged!

Where did God come from? by S M Lockridge

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!
Some great questions and answers here!

Enjoy!!

35 Reasons not to sin.

1. Because a little sin leads to more sin.
2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
10. Because my sin saddens the godly.
11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.
18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.
29. Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.
33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own.
35. Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.


Copyright © 1992 Jim Elliff

More really challenging stuff!

Faith and Love

Aug 22nd. Coming to Christ in Simple Faith.
They that thirst and want to come to Christ must remember that simple faith is the one thing required. By all means let them come with a humble, broken, and contrite heart; but let them not dream of resting on that for acceptance. Faith is the only hand that can carry the living water to our lips. Faith is the hinge on which all turns in the matter of our justification. It is written again and again that “whosoever believes shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “To him that does not work, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5). Happy are they that can lay hold on the principle laid down in that matchless hymn:

Just I am! without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

~ J.C. Ryle

and I like this song so much I'm re-uploading it! Really powerful stuff!

"Jesus Says He Will"

Here's another William Luff poem for us all.

 Hast thou asked the Lord to hear? 

Jesus says He will. 

Bowing, listening, ever near, 

He beholds thy every tear, 

Waits to still each rising fear, 

Jesus says He will. 

 Hast thou asked the Lord to bless? 

Jesus says He will. 

Humbly to His footstool press,

There thy sin and guilt confess, 

He will pity thy distress, 

Jesus says He will. 

 Hast thou asked the Lord to keep?

 Jesus says He will. 

Through the valley, dark and deep,

 When all other watchers sleep,

 Still the Shepherd guards His sheep,

 Jesus says He will. 

 Hast thou asked the Lord to guide?

 Jesus says He will. 

Where the clouds the future hide,

 Up the mountain path untried, 

He will every need provide, 

Jesus says He will.

He will take us by and by, 

Jesus says He will. 

Sweetly let the spirit fly, 

Far above yon sunny sky, 

Where no tear-drops dim the eye, 

Jesus says He will.

"Something about Jesus" another William Luff poem

Something About Jesus

Worried, and worn, and weary, a busy one sought his bed,
Alone in his silent chamber, he buried his throbbing head:
Life's cares in a moment vanished, while a sunbeam seemed to trace
Bright thoughts on the mind's clear tablet, messages full of grace,
"Something about the Saviour," gilding that furrowed face.

"Something about the Saviour," a tempted one seemed to say,
As he opened the Good Old Volume at the dawn of a dreaded day;
He read till the clouded future with a golden rift grew bright;
I looked o'er his bended shoulder, and found the radiant light,
"Something about the Saviour," ending the darkened night.

"Something about the Saviour," an anxious one sadly sighed,
As he went to the place of meeting; but the preacher was full of pride,
And, soaring on borrowed pinions, was lost in a misty cloud:
So the worldly ears were tickled, and praises were high and loud,
But nothing about the Saviour was said to the dying crowd.

"Something about the Saviour." From a sick one's lips it fell,
But her visitor, though she loved Him, neglected the holy spell;
She talked of the church, the people, and many an idle whim,
But she trembled to speak of Jesus. Then the sufferer's eye grew dim
With a briny tear, as they parted, for she longed to hear of Him.

"Something about the Saviour," - something is all we know;
Something about His doings, sojourning here below;
Something about His mercy, bountiful, boundless, free;
Something about His power, bidding the legion flee;
Something about His glory - something is all we see.

Perhaps when we reach the Palace, a part of our sweet reward
Will be to rehearse to angels something about their Lord,
Telling them how we proved Him, telling what He has done;
I know they will like to listen to our life stories one by one,
And perhaps, in return, will tell us their knowledge of God's dear Son.

Hard Times by Jamie Owens Collins

https://youtu.be/XI8VAJlNHcQ 
(The video that I originally posted has been deleted from YouTube so now you'll have to click the link to hear the song.) 

My Dad often sang the chorus of this song to me and I really loved it, but it has taken till now for me to find the original full song! I think it is really beautiful!
Hope you enjoy it too!

Hard Times
1. Is the rain falling from the sky keeping you from singing?
Is that tear falling from your eye because the wind is stinging?

Refrain
Don't you fret now, child, don't you worry
The rain's to help you grow, so don't try to hurry the storm along
The hard times make you strong.

2. Don't you know the seed would never grow if there were never showers?
And though the rain might bring a little pain, just look at all the flowers.

Refrain
Don't you fret now, child, don't you worry
The rains to help you grow, so don't try to hurry the storm along
The hard times make you strong.

Bridge
I know how long your days can seem when storm clouds hide His face.
But if the rain dissolves your dreams, just remember His amazing grace.

3. Don't you know the sun is always there even when the rains fall?
And don't you know the Son will always care when He hears your voice call?

Refrain
So don't you fret now, child, don't you worry
The rains to help you grow, so don't try to hurry the storm along
The hard times make you strong.

Helen Shapiro coming to Lancaster on Friday 9th September

This should be a really great evening. Come if you can! :)

Time for another William Luff poem

He Waits This Hour to Welcome Thee

Poor weary, burdened, anxious one,
With guilt and sin oppressing thee,
Oh seek the gracious Saviour's throne,
He waits this hour to welcome thee.

Thou oft hast made resolves and vows,
While vainly struggling to be free;
Now, come to Jesus. Lo, He bows,
And waits this hour to welcome thee.

His wounded hands, and feet, and side,
His heart of tender mercy, see;
There may thy trembling spirit hide,
He waits this hour to welcome thee.

Come as thou art, He calls thee near,
With all thy sin and sorrow flee;
He speaks! Oh why that timorous fear?
He waits this hour to welcome thee.

Thy sins - He'll freely all forgive;
Thy worthlessness - 'tis all thy plea;
Thy death - His word will bid thee live:
He waits this hour to welcome thee.

He waits - His love has waited long,
Oh, bow at once that stubborn knee;
Come now, and learn salvation's song,
He waits this hour to welcome thee.

He waits - but will not always wait,
Oh, trifle not with His decree;
Tomorrow's hour may be too late,
He waits this hour to welcome thee.

Some song words and quotes to ponder on.

All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat; leave it there.
Never a burden He cannot bear;
Never a friend like Jesus!

Edward Henry Joy(1871-1949)


Oh, for a new anointing,
oh, for a heavenly flame -
oh, for a new anointing,
to magnify Thy Name.
Oh, for sin and self to cease,
oh, for a sense of inward peace,
oh, for thy glory to increase,
Saviour, anoint me now.

Joseph Templeton

Unless our faith makes us pine after holiness, it is no better than the faith of devils – Spurgeon

Christian ministers are not priests, nor mediators between God and man. They are not agents into whose hands men may commit their souls, and carry on their religion by deputy. They are witnesses. They are intended to bear testimony to God’s truth, and specially to the great truth that Christ is the only Savior and light of the world. This was Peter’s ministry on the day of Pentecost. “With many other words did he testify“ (Acts 2:40). This was the whole tenor of Paul’s ministry. “He testified both to the Jews and Greeks repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Unless a Christian minister bears a full testimony to Christ, he is not faithful to his office. ~ J.C. Ryle

We must meet the uncertainties of this world with the certainty of the world to come - A. W. Tozer

a few more quotes:)

After grief for sin there should be joy for forgiveness - A. W. Pink 

 "God answers our prayers not because we are good, but because He is good." AW Tozer Be dogmatically true, obstinately holy, immovably honest, desperately kind, fixedly upright – Spurgeon 

 He who affirms that Christianity makes men miserable, is himself an utter stranger to it – Spurgeon 

 Jesus saves his people from their sins-earth knows it, hell howls at it, heaven chants it; time has seen it, eternity reveals it- Spurgeon 

 "Nothing bothers the devil more than a Christian delighting in God's presence." AW Tozer (Experiencing the Presence of God) 

 "There are few things quite so boring as being religious, but there is nothing quite so exciting as being a Christian! Most folks have never discovered the difference between the one and the other, so that there are those who sincerely try to live a life they do not have, substituting religion for God, Christianity for Christ, and their own noble endeavors for the energy, joy, and power of the Holy Spirit. In the absence of reality, they can only grasp at rituals, stubbornly defending the latter in the absence of the former, lest they be found with neither! They are lamps without oil, cars without gas, and pens without ink, baffled at their own impotence in the absence of all that alone can make man functional; for man was so engineered by God that the presence of the Creator within the creature is indispensable to His humanity. Christ gave Himself for us to give Himself to us! His presence puts God back into the man! He came that we might have life - God's life! There are those who have a life they never live. They have come to Christ and thanked Him only for what He did, but do not live in the power of who He is. Between the Jesus who "was" and the Jesus who "will be" they live in a spiritual vacuum, trying with no little zeal to live for Christ a life that only He can live in and through them, perpetually begging for what in Him they already have! Major Ian Thomas

Another Dale Potts poem! "The Glorious Twelfth"

To celebrate the glorious twelfth,
cruel men with surplus wealth,
head out for the heath-clad hill,
Not for the beauty of the ling,
nor to hear the soaring skylark sing
But just to maim and kill.

If I were to treat a dog or cat
With mindless cruelty such as that
T’would be prison for a time
But if I take a sporting gun
And blast away a bird for fun
They’d no call that a crime.

We’ve somehow lost respect for life
In it’s place put rebellious strife
To maim with shot and shell
We lost the vision of heaven on earth
And seem intent to haste the birth
The birth on earth of hell.


Some more challenging words to think on.
(by the way, August 12th is the glorious twelfth.)

Norman Barratt

Today, my dad went to a celebration of the life of Norman Barratt. This is one of his favourite songs (definitely my favourite Norman Barratt song!)
Hope you enjoy it too!

Do everything! by Steven Curtis Chapman

Very interesting song and video!
(I think its based on 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:23)
Enjoy!

A few more quotes to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest!

This shall be an infallible test to you concerning anyone’s ministry. If it is man-praising, and man-honouring, it is not of God. C H Spurgeon.

Hard words, if they be true, are better than soft words if they be false.
C H Spurgeon.

To sing with the soul is to offer the only acceptable praise.C H Spurgeon.

As sure as God puts His children in the furnace he will be in the furnace with them. C H Spurgeon.

Every new discovery must necessarily raise in us a fresh sense of the greatness, wisdom, and power of God. C H Spurgeon.

"In souls filled with love, the desire to please God is a continual prayer."
Rev John Wesley

Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side. Abraham Lincoln

To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him–to be always leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him, and using Him as our Fountain of life and strength, as our chief Companion and best Friend. To have His words abiding in us, is to keep His sayings and precepts continually before our memories and minds, and to make them the guide of our actions and the rule of our daily conduct and behaviour. ~ J.C. Ryle

Some great truths to bear in mind here!
Enjoy!

Parts 2,3, 4, and 5 of David Hocking's sermon, "He Touched Me"

If you want a tremendous boost to your self esteem do not listen to this sermon.

If you want to hear about the people God chooses, do listen to this sermon!
It is very interesting learning the Greek original words! and very challenging!

Morning by Morning by C H Spurgeon

7/8/11 “The upright love thee” - Song of Solomon 1:4
Believers love Jesus with a deeper affection then they dare to give to any other being. They would sooner lose father and mother then part with Christ. They hold all earthly comforts with a loose hand, but they carry him fast locked in their bosoms. They voluntarily deny themselves for his sake, but they are not to be driven to deny him. It is scant love which the fire of persecution can dry up; the true believer’s love is a deeper stream than this. Men have laboured to divide the faithful from their Master, but their attempts have been fruitless in every age. Neither crowns of honour, now frowns of anger, have untied this more than Gordian knot. This is no every-day attachment which the world’s power may at length dissolve. Neither man nor devil have found a key which opens this lock. Never has the craft of Satan been more at fault than when he has exercised it in seeking to rend in sunder this union of two divinely welded hearts. It is written, and nothing can blot out the sentence, “The upright love thee.” The intensity of the love of the upright, however, is not so much to be judged by what it appears as by what the upright long for. It is our daily lament that we cannot love enough. Would that our hearts were capable of holding more, and reaching further. Like Samuel Rutherford, we sigh and cry, “Oh, for as much love as would go round about the earth, and over heaven-yea, the heaven of heavens, and ten thousand worlds-that I might let all out upon fair, fair, only fair Christ.” Alas! our longest reach is but a span of love, and our affection is but as a drop of a bucket compared with his deserts. Measure our love by our intentions, and it is high indeed; ‘tis thus, we trust, our Lord doth judge of it. Oh, that we could give all the love in all hearts in one great mass, a gathering together of all loves to him who is altogether lovely!

Challenging words: do we really love Christ like that?
I pray that God would reveal more of Himself in His glory and beauty to us. Then, we must surely love Him!

I think this song ties in well with that.
"You're the Altogether Lovely, the fairest of the fair,
More Beautiful than anything or anyone, anywhere
Precious Lord and Saviour, Glorious Mighty King,
You are the well-beloved of my soul."

Must Hear Sermon by David Hocking (1 of 5) (He touched me)

I really love listening to David Hocking's teachings. They're excellent, sound, and full of the Bible (and he can be really funny too!)

Enjoy!

3 great quotes - Mueller, Spurgeon, Tozer

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." George Mueller

To contend against Omnipotence is insanity – C H Spurgeon

“The purpose of God is not to save men from hell; the purpose of God is to save them unto Christ-likeness.” A W Tozer


Take some time to think about that! and think also about how amazing God is!

8 thought provoking statements from J C Ryle (excerpt from Holiness)

J. C. Ryle writes:
1. If we love a person, we like to think about him. We do not need to be reminded of him. We do not forget his name or his appearance or his character or his opinions or his tastes or his position or his occupation... Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!
2. If we love a person, we like to hear about him. We find a pleasure in listening to those who speak of him. We feel an interest in any report which others make of him... Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!
3. If we love a person, we like to read about him. What intense pleasure a letter from an absent husband gives to a wife, or a letter from an absent son to his mother... Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!
4. If we love a person, we like to please him. We are glad to consult his tastes and opinions, to act upon his advice and do the things which he approves... Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!
5. If we love a person, we like his friends. We are favourably inclined to them, even before we know them. We are drawn to them by the common tie of common love to one and the same person... Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!
6. If we love a person, we are jealous about his name and honour. We do not like to hear him spoken against, without speaking up for him and defending him... Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!
7. If we love a person, we like to talk to him. We tell him all our thoughts, and pour out all our heart to him. We find no difficulty in discovering subjects of conversation... Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!
8. Finally, if we love a person, we like to be always with him. Thinking and hearing and reading and occasionally talking are all well in their way. But when we really love people we want something more... Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!
Holiness, (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press,) 247-249.

My 3 days off work:)

So, Tuesday was my birthday:) so Andy (my brother) and my Mum, and I went to: an Antique Centre, a Garden Centre, and Stanley Park, Blackpool, for an ice cream and a ride on a pedalo. :) We all thoroughly enjoyed it all (including during the time on the pedalo when it was pouring down with rain!) it was still great fun! After that, we also saw some peacocks and had a little scramble up a rocky crag.



On Wednesday, Andy was back at work, so Mum and I went for a longer ride up to the Lake District where we stopped off at a Craft Barn (and I had a scramble up another rocky hill!) We enjoyed gorgeous sunshine and beautiful scenery all day! We went on Windermere ferry, popped in at Hawkshead, went on to Grizedale and Moor Top, and then on to Coniston where I enjoyed some delicious chips and a burger! I also had a little paddle in Lake Coniston. It was really lovely! Then we popped in at another brother's house to see my sister in law and nephews. Then it was home time!!


(I didn't climb this one!)

Then today, first, we went to the next door farm where my brother, sister in law, nephew and niece were (and they sang Happy Birthday and helped me blow out my candles:)) Then we popped in at Gran's house and shared some more cake:) After that, we went off for another drive- this time to Yorkshire- Settle and Watershed Mill where we had a nice look round and we both bought a few items. It was actually pouring down with rain so we thought we'd try going back to Lancashire! We had a lovely ride round Slaidburn etc. Then, as we were nearing home and it brightened up and the sun actually came out!, we decided to pop to Bay View Garden Centre where I wanted to get some really nice eau fraiche. So, we did and then it was home time again:) So, I've had a wonderful 3 days off work:) Hope the next couple of days at work are good too!

More quotes:)

“The man who talks about his experience as a Christian, who never does anything for Christ, is, I am afraid, only an idle dreamer.”—1894, C H Spurgeon

“Let the purpose of God, for which you ought to adore Him every day, be plenteously fulfilled in you, and let it be seen that He
has chosen you to know Christ that you may make Him known to others!—1887- C H Spurgeon

Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition. It can only be obtained by diligent, regular, daily, attentive, wakeful reading. ~ JC Ryle

“If Christ has healed you, obey Him! Obey Him at once, obey Him exactly, obey Him in everything, be it little, or be it great! If
some say it is nonessential, remember that what is not essential to salvation may be essential to obedience! Do it if Jesus commanded it. Do it whether it appears to you to be essential or not!... if He puts it to you, ‘He that believes and is baptized shall be saved,’ believe and be baptized. Be obedient unto Him who deserves to be obeyed.”—1895, C H Spurgeon

“Children need to learn the doctrine of the Cross that they may find immediate salvation. I thank God that in our Sunday school
we believe in the salvation of children as children! How very many has it been my joy to see of boys and girls who have come
forward to confess their faith in Christ! And I again wish to say that the best converts, the clearest converts, the most intelligent
converts we have ever had have been the young ones! And, instead of there being any deficiency in their knowledge of the Word
of God and the Doctrines of Grace, we have usually found them to have a very delightful acquaintance with the great cardinal
Truths of Christ. Many of these dear children have been able to speak of the things of God with great pleasure of heart and force
of understanding. Go on, dear teachers, and believe that God will save your children! Be not content to sow principles in their
minds which may possibly develop in later years, but be working for immediate conversion! Expect fruit in your children while
they are children! Pray for them that they may not run into the world and fall into the evils of outward sin—and then come back
with broken bones to the Good Shepherd. But that they may, by God’s rich Grace, be kept from the paths of the Wicked One and
grow up in the fold of Christ—first as lambs of His flock—and then as sheep of His hand.” —1887, C H Spurgeon

Through Perseverance the Snail Reached the Ark. C H Spurgeon

I guess I've given you enough quotes to take some while to digest, but I'll be back before so long with some more!!