Est.

 

Reading through the book of Matthew this morning, I came across this little phrase that struck me...  "But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”"  The Lord looked with love on the one who was betraying Him.  Obviously we cannot hear the tone in which the Lord spoke it but what tender compassion He displayed for the man who was by that time personally indwelt by the enemy. How amazing that our Saviour would condescend to call any human "friend" but at that moment in those circumstances is past comprehension! He knew the depths of depravity and He still chose such a gracious loving response!!  I don't think I've ever suffered betrayal, but knowing our human nature I would imagine I would not feel at all kindly towards a betrayer. Only recorded in Matthew's account, Mark and John say nothing of Jesus's words to Judas in the garden of Gethsemane, while Luke recorded another equally challenging sentence, "But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are ...

Last month, I attended this conference; I found it encouraging and challenging.

When this passing world is done, When has sunk yon glaring sun, When we stand with Christ in glory, Looking o’er life’s finished story, Then, Lord, shall I fully know— Not till then—how much I owe. When I hear the wicked call, On the rocks and hills to fall, When I see them start and shrink On the fiery deluge brink, Then, Lord, shall I fully know— Not till then—how much I owe. When I stand before the throne, Dressed in beauty not my own, When I see Thee as Thou art, Love Thee with unsinning heart, Then Lord, shall I fully know— Not till then—how much I owe. When the praise of Heav’n I hear, Loud as thunders to the ear, Loud as many waters’ noise, Sweet as harp’s melodious voice, Then, Lord, shall I fully know— Not till then—how much I owe. Even on earth, as through a glass Darkly, let Thy glory pass, Make forgiveness feel so sweet, Make Thy Spirit’s help so meet, Even on earth, Lord, make me know Something of how much I owe. Chosen not for...

I'm really enjoying Susan Warner's books. Here are some more quotes, this time from volume 2 of "The Old Helmet". "I saw how Jesus loves sinners. I saw I had nothing to do but to give myself to Him, and He would do everything. I see how sins are forgiven through His blood; and I trust in it, and I am sure mine are; and I feel as if I had begun a new life." "I had been trying and thinking to make myself good first. I thought I was unworthy and unfit to be Christ's servant; but now I see I can be nothing but unworthy, and only He can make me fit for anything; so I give all up, and I feel that He will do all for me. I am so happy! I was so blind before!" "The way to keep that joy and to know more of it, is to take every succeeding step in the Christian life exactly as you took the first one; in self renunciation, in entire dependence. As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him. It is a simple and humble way, the way al...

The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Psalm 145:8 Spurgeon's Evening by Evening devotional for November 27th.  "The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."—Ephesians 1:7. OULD there be a sweeter word in any language than that word "forgiveness," when it sounds in a guilty sinner's ear, like the silver notes of jubilee to the captive Israelite? Blessed, for ever blessed be that dear star of pardon which shines into the condemned cell, and gives the perishing a gleam of hope amid the midnight of despair! Can it be possible that sin, such sin as mine, can be forgiven, forgiven altogether, and for ever? Hell is my portion as a sinner—there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me—can the load of guilt be uplifted, the crimson stain removed? Can the adamantine stones of my prison-house ever be loosed from their mortices, or the doors be lifted from their hinges? Jesus...