Spurgeon's devotional 29th September

“I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go.”
- Song of Solomon_3:4
Does Christ receive us when we come to him, notwithstanding all our past sinfulness? Does he never chide us for having tried all other refuges first? And is there none on earth like him? Is he the best of all the good, the fairest of all the fair? Oh, then let us praise him! Daughters of Jerusalem, extol him with timbrel and harp! Down with your idols, up with the Lord Jesus. Now let the standards of pomp and pride be trampled under foot, but let the cross of Jesus, which the world frowns and scoffs at, be lifted on high. O for a throne of ivory for our King Solomon! Let him be set on high for ever, and let my soul sit at his footstool, and kiss his feet, and wash them with my tears. Oh, how precious is Christ! How can it be that I have thought so little of him? How is it I can go abroad for joy or comfort when he is so full, so rich, so satisfying. Fellow believer, make a covenant with thine heart that thou wilt never depart from him, and ask thy Lord to ratify it. Bid him set thee as a signet upon his finger, and as a bracelet upon his arm. Ask him to bind thee about him, as the bride decketh herself with ornaments, and as the bridegroom putteth on his jewels. I would live in Christ’s heart; in the clefts of that rock my soul would eternally abide. The sparrow hath made a house, and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God; and so too would I make my nest, my home, in thee, and never from thee may the soul of thy turtle dove go forth again, but may I nestle close to thee, O Jesus, my true and only rest.
“When my precious Lord I find,
All my ardent passions glow;
Him with cords of love I bind,
Hold and will not let him go.”

Yesterday's Evening devotional by Charles Spurgeon

"Evening
“My Beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.”
- Song of Solomon 5:4
Knocking was not enough, for my heart was too full of sleep, too cold and ungrateful to arise and open the door, but the touch of his effectual grace has made my soul bestir itself. Oh, the longsuffering of my Beloved, to tarry when he found himself shut out, and me asleep upon the bed of sloth! Oh, the greatness of his patience, to knock and knock again, and to add his voice to his knockings, beseeching me to open to him! How could I have refused him! Base heart, blush and be confounded! But what greatest kindness of all is this, that he becomes his own porter and unbars the door himself. Thrice blessed is the hand which condescends to lift the latch and turn the key. Now I see that nothing but my Lord’s own power can save such a naughty mass of wickedness as I am; ordinances fail, even the gospel has no effect upon me, till his hand is stretched out. Now, also, I perceive that his hand is good where all else is unsuccessful, he can open when nothing else will. Blessed be his name, I feel his gracious presence even now. Well may my bowels move for him, when I think of all that he has suffered for me, and of my ungenerous return. I have allowed my affections to wander. I have set up rivals. I have grieved him. Sweetest and dearest of all beloveds, I have treated thee as an unfaithful wife treats her husband. Oh, my cruel sins, my cruel self. What can I do? Tears are a poor show of my repentance, my whole heart boils with indignation at myself. Wretch that I am, to treat my Lord, my All in All, my exceeding great joy, as though he were a stranger. Jesus, thou forgivest freely, but this is not enough, prevent my unfaithfulness in the future. Kiss away these tears, and then purge my heart and bind it with sevenfold cords to thyself, never to wander more."

What thinkest thou??

180 movie

Ray Comfort and Living Waters present 180 movie. Among other things it is a pro-life film which involves the topics of abortion and the Holocaust. At some points, you may want to cry!!
You can now watch it all for free. Check it out here.
http://www.180movie.com/

All I can say is Wow- it's really powerful!!

Yes, you guessed it, time for a few more quotes!

What a beggarly thing it is for a man only to do his work well when he is watched. Such oversight is for boys at school and mere hirelings. Spurgeon

Men and women who hear the Gospel regularly, I often fear much for you. I fear lest you become so familiar with the sounds of its doctrines, that you gradually become dead to its power. I fear lest your religion should sink down into a little vague talk about your own weakness and corruption, and a few sentimental expressions about Christ, while real practical fighting on Christ’s side is altogether neglected. Oh, beware of this state of mind! “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” No victory—no crown! Fight and overcome! ~ J.C. Ryle

Blessed is he who expects nothing of poor flesh and blood, for he shall never be disappointed. Spurgeon

When the wheel turns, those who are lowest rise, and the highest sink. Patience, then, believer, eternity will right the wrongs of time. Spurgeon

"Boast not of Christ's work for you, unless you can show us the Spirit's work in you." ~ J.C. Ryle

I am not so much troubled about how evil came into the world as about helping get it out. Spurgeon

"How many Christians really harbor within their own spirit the daily expectation of God's presence?" AW Tozer

I have come to reckon that nothing is worth seeking after but that which will survive the tomb. Spurgeon

Ray Comfort's blog on Heaven's location!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Heaven's Location

The location of heaven doesn’t concern me. Just because I couldn’t tell you the exact location of the country of Mauritania doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. All we can say for certain is that it is “up” (see Deut. 30:12; Amos 9:2; John 3:13).

Most people don’t realize the Bible teaches that heaven is coming down to earth. We are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth in which God will make all things new (see Isa. 65:17; 2 Pet. 3:13). Completely. When God sets up His kingdom on this earth, He is going to remove the Genesis curse; that means there will be no more floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, earthquakes, disease, weeds, pain, suffering, or death. It is then that “the wolf and the lamb shall feed together” (Isa. 65:25), and creation will stop devouring itself (see Rom. 8:18–25). Those who trust in Jesus Christ will be given brand new bodies that will be like the resurrected body of Jesus—bodies that can eat, touch, feel, etc., but will never age or feel pain or sorrow. All this all sounds too good to be true, but it can be a proven reality for those who obey the gospel.

Think of it—eternal life, on this wonderful earth restored to when it was like the Garden of Eden. A place where there are no rapists, no murderers, no pedophiles, no hypocrites, liars, blasphemers, or thieves. A place of perfect fruit, incredible animals, unimaginable color, massive waterfalls, amazing plants, more beautiful birds, bigger fish, grander canyons. We are also told that God will remove the sea (Rev. 21:1), which will give us a little more room.

But best of all, the Creator of the universe, Almighty God, will be there. Scripture tells us a number of times that “God is light.” So there will no longer be a need for the sun, because He Himself will radiate in all of His unspeakable glory (see Rev. 21:23). Two thousand years ago He was manifest in human form to save us from death. However, Jesus of Nazareth is no longer the Man who was limited to time and space. He has ascended into heaven and is “glorified”—in the state He was in before He came to this earth. He dwells in “unapproachable light” and shines “brighter than the sun” (1 Tim. 6:16; Acts 26:13).

Mere words could never express my infinite gratitude to Him for giving me life, and then for saving me from being justly damned in hell for my sins. But I will have eternity to love and worship Him at whose right hand are “pleasures forevermore” (Psa. 16:11). No enjoyment on this sad, old earth has come even close to the unending pleasures that God has prepared “for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). What a tragedy for people to miss out, simply because they refuse to repent and trust the Savior.
http://raycomfortfood.blogspot.com/2011/09/heavens-location.html

I found reading these truths such a blessing that I wanted to share it with you.

180 movie trailer

Here's another challenging clip. I'd be interested to know your thoughts on this topic!
I'm looking forward to watching the movie soon! (It is released on 26th!)

A couple of challenges from Philippians

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." Philippians 2:14+15

So as well as thinking of ways to encourage each other, lets try stopping ourselves complaining!
(Well, that's a challenge to me even if it isn't to anyone else!)

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
¹⁵ Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. ¹⁶ Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule,^[a] let us be of the same mind." Philippians 3:7-16

Is knowing Christ our consuming desire? Do we long to know Him better? Can any of us say with Paul that we count "all things as rubbish" that we may gain Christ?

Just thought I'd share these challenges. :) In fact, the whole book is full of challenges. (I'll leave you to decide whether you think I mean the book of Philippians or the Book of the Bible. Or maybe I mean both?)

Methought it was time for a few more quotes:)

Faith obliterates time, annihilates distance, and brings future things at once into its possession. Spurgeon

If you love Christ, never be ashamed to let others see it and know it. Speak for Him. Witness for Him. Live for Him. Work for Him. If He has loved you and washed you from your sins in His own blood, you never need shrink from letting others know that you feel it, and love Him in return. ~ J.C. Ryle

He would have us like children who believe what their father tells them. Spurgeon

"When we allow God to be exalted in our difficulties we are in the perfect place to smell the fragrance of His Presence." AW Tozer

The saints are sinners still. Our best tears need to be wept over, the strongest faith is mixed with unbelief. Spurgeon

"Christians often try to put God in a box. The God who fits in a box isn't the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." AW Tozer

Stagger not at electing love; it is one of the highest notes of heavenly music. Spurgeon

Jesus Christ’s honour is at stake in our bodily lives. Are we remaining faithful to the Son of God in everything that attacks His life in us? Oswald Chambers

God’s choice of us was not because we were holy, but to make us holy; and God’s purpose will not be fulfilled unless we are made holy. Spurgeon

Jesus Christ reveals, not an embarrassed God, not a confused God, not a God who stands apart from the problems, but One who stands in the thick of the whole thing with man. Oswald Chambers

That which is wrought by noise will subside when quiet reigns, as the bubble dies with the wave which bore it. Spurgeon

"Remember that you cannot understand the mind of the Lord, nor the meaning of His dealings." ~ J.C. Ryle

All human work which does not begin and end in the Lord Jesus must be a non-success. Spurgeon

Be challenged!!

An excerpt from Spurgeon's Evening by Evening for 17th September

“Encourage him.” - Deuteronomy_1:38

"Brethren, take the text as God’s message to you. Labour to help others, and especially strive to encourage them. Talk cheerily to the young and anxious enquirer, lovingly try to remove stumblingblocks out of his way. When you find a spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame. Leave the young believer to discover the roughness of the road by degrees, but tell him of the strength which dwells in God, of the sureness of the promise, and of the charms of communion with Christ. Aim to comfort the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding. Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their way with gladness. God encourages you by his promises; Christ encourages you as he points to the heaven he has won for you, and the spirit encourages you as he works in you to will and to do of his own will and pleasure. Imitate divine wisdom, and encourage others."

I think it would be great if everyone thought of a couple of ways to encourage each other over the next week (and longer) and put them into practice!!

How can I keep from singing? Chris Tomlin

I think this is a really great song, and I've thought so since I first heard it. I hope you enjoy it too.

Further to my previous blog post, here is the link for Creation Research's web museum. There is some more fascinating information to be found here!!
http://evidenceweb.net/index.php?pr=MainPage

and here!
http://www.creationresearch.net/

Get researching!! :)

Creation talks.

Well, Dad and I had a really fantastic time in Winsford, Cheshire listening to John Mackay. There were 3 sessions, and we arrived a few minutes into the 1st session due to a traffic jam. It sometimes feels a bit like information overload as he always gives so many fascinating facts. We learnt a lot!! 1 of my favourite parts was when he told us not to blame God for broccoli and brussels sprouts because they come from the cabbage and its man made breeding etc that gave us all these varieties. (But left to their own devices, they would revert to wild cabbage!!!!) We also had a great time singing along to Helen Shapiro's latest album "What Wondrous Love is this?"
:):)

Trip to Winsford to hear John Mackay :)

Well, after a really great night last night, I get a day off :) and my Dad is taking me to Winsford to hear John Mackay who is the founder of Australian creation ministry Creation Resarch. I'm excited :)3 sessions and they're going to be really great as well!

Helen Shapiro

Well, we had an absolutely fantastic time with Helen Shapiro at St. Thomas' Church, Lancaster, this evening. It was great! She has a really powerful voice and a really powerful presentation of the Gospel incorporated with her testimony! Everyone I spoke to had REALLY enjoyed it and been so blessed. :)

Today's quota of quotes.

I want you to beware of letting good thoughts and godly convictions slip away, if you have them. Cherish them and nourish them, lest you lose them for ever. Make the most of them, lest they take to themselves wings and flee away. Have you an inclination to begin praying? Put it in practice at once. Have you an idea of beginning really to serve Christ? Set about it at once. Are you enjoying any spiritual light? See that you live up to your light. Trifle not with opportunities, lest the day come when you will want to use them, and not be able. Linger not, lest you become wise too late. ~ J.C. Ryle

It very often happens that the converts that are born in excitement die when the excitement is over. Spurgeon

Any battle for victory, power, and deliverance - from ourselves and from sin - which is not based constantly upon the gazing and the beholding of the Lord Jesus, with the heart and life lifted up to Him, is doomed to failure.
Alan Redpath

If you profess to be a Christian, yet find full satisfaction in worldly pleasures and pursuits, your profession is false. Spurgeon

Every now and again, Our Lord lets us see what we would be like if it were not for Himself; it is a justification of what He said - "Without Me you can do nothing." That is why the bedrock of Christianity is personal, passionate devotion to the Lord Jesus.
Oswald Chambers

When man fell in the garden, manhood fell entirely; there was not one single pillar in the temple of manhood that stood erect. Spurgeon

[Jesus] is strong...but He's also approachable. He is able to carry our load...but He'll never make us feel embarrassed or defeated for asking.
Joni Eareckson Tada

If we do as God commands, and do not seem to succeed, it is no fault of ours. Failure itself is success as long as we did not fail to obey. Spurgeon

Here is the great secret of success. Work with all your might; but trust not in the least in your work. Pray with all your might for the blessing of God; but work, at the same time, with all diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance. Pray then, and work. Work and pray. And still again pray, and then work. And so on all the days of your life. The result will surely be, abundant blessing. Whether you see much fruit or little fruit, such kind of service will be blessed... George Muller

Faith is the channel of salvation, not the fountain and source of it. Spurgeon

Jesus Christ wants disciples and not admirers. An admirer is the cheap edition of a disciple.
Anonymous

If you truly believe in Jesus, it is for life. Saving faith is a life-long act. Spurgeon


(Enjoy!!)

Phatfish song "There is a Day"

I really love this song and I think its a great video too.
So, I'm quite surprised I haven't put it on here before now! How remiss of me!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. :)

A few more quotes to read and enjoy / be challenged by

O blessed Jesus, it is the same still, thou wilt not dazzle or amuse, and therefore men prefer any charlatan to thee. Spurgeon

Are you a true believer? If you are, you ought to glory in Christ. Glory not in your own faith, your own feelings, your own knowledge, your own prayers, your own amendment, your own diligence. Glory in nothing but Christ. Alas! The best of us know but little of that merciful and mighty Saviour. We do not exalt Him and glory in Him enough. Let us pray that we may see more of the fullness there is in Him. ~ J.C. Ryle

Nobody can do as much damage to the church of God as the man who is within its walls, but not within its life. Spurgeon

“…your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch!” 1 Samuel 25:29 NLT

Half our fears arise from neglect of the Bible and are the result of ignorance. Spurgeon

I find all these quotes very interesting. I hope you do too!
+ Always remember that God cares for you so your life is safe in Him (although technically its His life- HE made us and redeemed us!)

A couple of lovely hymns

O my Redeemer,
What a Friend Thou art to me!
Oh, what a refuge I have found in Thee!
When the way was dreary,
And my heart was sore oppressed,
’Twas Thy voice that lulled me
To a calm sweet rest.

Refrain

Nearer, draw nearer,
Till my soul is lost in Thee;
Nearer, draw nearer,
Blessèd Lord, to me.

When in their beauty
Stars unveil their silver light,
Then, O my Saviour,
Give me songs at night—
Songs of yonder mansions,
Where the dear ones, gone before,
Sing Thy praise for ever,
On that peaceful shore.

Refrain

Jesus, my Saviour,
When the last deep shadows fall;
When in the silence
I shall hear Thy call—
In Thine arms reposing,
Let me breathe my life away,
And awake triumphant,
In eternal day.

Refrain
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/f/wfyor2me.htm


O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

Refrain

Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,”
I’m hiding in Thee.

In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power;
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

Refrain

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.

Refrain

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/i/hidingin.htm

Time for a few more quotes to consider!!

If we know any thing of true saving religion, let us ever beware of the beginnings of backsliding. It is like the letting out of water, first a drop and then a torrent. Once out of the way of holiness, there is no saying to what we may come. Once giving way to petty inconsistencies, we may find ourselves one day committing every sort of wickedness. Let us keep far from the brink of evil. Let us not play with fire. Let us never fear being too particular, too strict, and too precise. No petition in the Lord’s prayer is more important than the last but one, “Lead us not into temptation.” ~ J.C. Ryle 

 No law can give me the right to do what is wrong. - Abraham Lincoln

 "Having made Jesus your all, you shall find all in Jesus." - C.H. Spurgeon 

 Let all who desire to please Christ, watch and pray against self-esteem. It is a feeling which is deeply rooted in our hearts. Thousands have come out from the world, taken up the cross, professed to forsake their own righteousness, and believe in Christ, who have felt irritated and annoyed when a person has been more honored than themselves. These things ought not so to be. We ought often to ponder the words of Paul, “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.” (Phil 2:3) Blessed is that person who can sincerely and gladly rejoice when others are exalted, though they themselves are overlooked and passed by! ~ J.C. Ryle 

 "Only after all the noise has spent itself do we begin to hear in the silence of our hearts, the voice of God." AW Tozer 

 Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus—humility, happiness, and holiness. Spurgeon "Most Christians are satisfied living as common Christians, without an insatiable hunger for the deeper things of God." AW Tozer 

 The converse of saints on earth should be a rehearsal of their everlasting communion in heaven. Spurgeon 

 Nothing that man makes for man will endure. Build on, ye despots; but Time, a mightier king than you, will pull down all that you put up. Spurgeon  

Ye shall not have his smiles if the smiles of the world will do as well. Spurgeon