3 inspiring passages I read today. Spurgeon and Tozer

December 23 Precious Things

And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath. (Deuteronomy 33:13)

We may be rich in such things as Joseph obtained, and we may have them in a higher sense. Oh, for "the precious things of heaven"!

Power with God and the manifestation of power from God are most precious. We would enjoy the peace of God, the joy of the Lord, the glory of our God. The benediction of the three divine Persons in love, and grace, and fellowship we prize beyond the most fine gold. The things of earth are as nothing in preciousness compared with the things in heaven.

"The dew." How precious is this! How we pray and praise when we have the dew! What refreshing, what growth, what perfume, what life there is in us when the dew is about. Above all things else, as plants of the Lord's own right hand planting, we need the dew of His Holy Spirit.

"The deep that coucheth beneath." Surely this refers to that unseen ocean underground which supplies all the fresh springs which make glad the earth. Oh, to tap the eternal fountains! This is an unspeakable boon; let no believer rest till he possesses it. The all-sufficiency of Jehovah is ours forever. Let us resort to it now.

and from Tozer's "God's Power for your life",

"God's Word is both our terror and our hope; it both kills and makes alive. If we engage it in faith, humility and obedience, it gives life, cleanses, feeds and defends. If we close it in unbelief or ignore it or resist it, it will accuse us before the God who gave it. It is the living Word of God, coming like a fierce man of war with great power, and you and I dare not resist it, and we dare not argue it down. 

I know people who believe part of it but do not believe other parts of it. They say that if it inspires them, it is inspired; and if it does not inspire them, it is simply history and tradition. For my part, I believe this is God's unique thing- the uttered Word of the living God - and that when we get into the meaning of it and know what God is uttering forth, it has the power to kill those who resist and the power to make alive those who believe.

There is power in God's Word, and when I believe it and engage it, and it engages me, something happens; The eternal God does an eternal act in the heart of a finite man."

"God has made our future, our destiny, our faith, our hope and our grief; He has done so for the entire world and all the countless centuries yet ahead. God has made it all and tied it up with this Book. This Word of God, at the discretion of the Holy Spirit, is the power in the life of a believer, and it is not to be challenged.

God is speaking authoritatively, and nobody has any right to come in and say, "I don't believe that." All right, go your way, but the Word of the living God still sounds through the world, destroying what it does not redeem. In that awful day when God shakes all that can be shaken, that living, vibrant, awesome, all-powerful, eternal Word will destroy all that is not redeemed. I, for my part, want to be on the side of the redeemed."

Today's entry in Faith's CheckBook

Faith's Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

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December 7

Gift of Strength; Peace to Bless

The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)

David had just heard the voice of the Lord in a thunderstorm and had seen His power in the hurricane whose path he had described; and now, in the cool calm after the storm, that overwhelming power by which heaven and earth are shaken is promised to be the strength of the chosen. He who wings the unerring bolt will give to His redeemed the wings of eagles; He who shakes the earth with His voice will terrify the enemies of His saints and give His children peace. Why are we weak when we have divine strength to flee to? Why are we troubled when the Lord's own peace is ours? Jesus, the mighty God, is our strength; let us put Him on and go forth to our service. Jesus, our blessed Lord, is also our peace; let us repose in Him this day and end our fears. What a blessing to have Him for our strength and peace both now and forever!

That same God who rides upon the storm in days of tempest will also rule the hurricane of our tribulation and send us, before long, days of peace. We shall have strength for storms and songs for fair weather. Let us begin to sing at once unto God, our strength and our peace. Away, dark thoughts! Up, faith and hope!

God's Desire for Your Life (Don McClure)

Self-distrust

Here's a quote I read in A.W. Tozer's "The Crucified Life":
"So necessary is self-distrust in this conflict, that without it you will be unable, I say not to achieve the victory desired, but even to overcome the very least of your passions. Let this be well impressed upon your mind; for our corrupt nature too easily inclines us to a false estimate of ourselves; so that, being really nothing, we account ourselves to be something, and presume, without the slightest foundation, upon our own strength. This is a fault not easily discerned by us, but very displeasing in the sight of God. For He desires and loves to see in us a frank and true recognition of this most certain truth, that all the virtue and grace which is within us is derived from Him alone, Who is the fountain of all good, and that nothing good can proceed from us, no, not even a thought which can find acceptance in His sight."

Scripture song

Scripture song:

"O fear the Lord, serve Him in truth with all your heart

Consider what great things He's done for you.

He redeemed your life, rescued you from your enemies

The Lord will not forsake His own.

Cry out to the Lord in your trouble. He will deliver you out of your distress.

Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.

He satisfies the longing soul, His mercy will endure forever.

He gives good gifts to those who ask. Delight His heart by walking in His ways.

He is my shield and strength, the horn of my salvation and my stronghold.

I trust in the shelter of His wings.

Trust Him at all times. Pour out your heart before Him.

God is a refuge for us.

God is a refuge for us."

Short thought provoking video

https://anchorednorth.org/i-deserve-hell/

I reckon watching this is 5 minutes well spent.

Today's devotional from Tozer

TOZER DEVOTIONAL
Fri, November 06, 2015
Unclean By Comparison
Whenever the living God revealed Himself in some way to humankind in the Old Testament, terror and amazement were the reactions. People saw themselves as guilty and unclean by comparison! In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John describes the overwhelming nature of his encounter with the Lord of glory. Although a believer and an apostle, John sank down in abject humility and fear when the risen, glorified Lord Jesus appeared before him on Patmos. Our glorified Lord did not condemn John. He knew that John’s weakness was the reaction to revealed divine strength. He knew that John’s sense of unworthiness was the instant reaction to absolute holiness. Along with John, every redeemed human being needs the humility of spirit that can only be brought about by the manifest presence of God. Jesus at once reassured John, stooping to place a nail-pierced hand on the prostrate apostle, and saying, “Do not be afraid. I am the Living One. I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and hades” (Revelation 1:18).

Verse
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.
Revelation 1:17

Thought
Our glorified Lord did not condemn John. He knew that John’s weakness was the reaction to revealed divine strength.

Prayer
Lord, I am undone in Your presence; I depend solely on Your robe of righteousness to clothe me and make me presentable to You! Thank You for such a wonderful provision!

found here: https://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer

I thought this was too good not to share!

Faith's Check Book, Today's Entry

Godly Stability

And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 15:20)

Stability in the fear and faith of God will make a man like a wall of brass, which no one can batter down or break. Only the Lord can make such; but we need such men in the church, and in the world, but specially in the pulpit.

Against uncompromising men of truth this age of shams will fight tooth and nail. Nothing seems to offend Satan and his seed like decision. They attack holy firmness even as the Assyrians besieged fenced cities. The joy is that they cannot prevail against those whom God has made strong in His strength. Carried about with every wind of doctrine, others only need to be blown upon and away they go; but those who love the doctrines of grace, because they possess the grace of the doctrines, stand like rocks in the midst of raging seas.

Whence this stability? "I am with thee, saith the Lord": that is the true answer. Jehovah will save and deliver faithful souls from all the assaults of the adversary. Hosts are against us, but the Lord of hosts is with us. We dare not budge an inch; for the Lord Himself holds us in our place, and there we will abide forever.

Well, I thought this was just too good not to share! :) So many good reminders.

Powerful video

https://vimeo.com/117548263?from=outro-embed

Here's a short video clip re: a Professor and a boy

You might have seen it before, but I think it's rather interesting.

2 quotes

"Redemption means that I can be delivered from the heredity of sin and through Jesus Christ can receive an unsullied heredity, viz., the Holy Spirit."   Oswald Chambers

"God is always right, always trustworthy, and He loves us deeply."  Mark Thomas

I thought these were really great reminders.

When This Passing World is Done (How Much I Owe)

Beautiful rendition of this lovely old hymn.

A wonderful old hymn by Robert M. McCheyne

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 good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour’s side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

Oft I walk beneath the cloud,
Dark, as midnight’s gloomy shroud;
But, when fear is at the height,
Jesus comes, and all is light;
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe.

When in flowery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I’m captive led;
Oft I fall—but still arise—
The Spirit comes—the tempter flies;
Blessed Spirit! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.

Oft the nights of sorrow reign—
Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain;
But a night Thine anger burns—
Morning comes and joy returns;
God of comforts! bid me show
To Thy poor, how much I owe.

2 more Wesley hymns

1 LET the world their virtue boast,
Their works of righteousness;
I, a wretch undone and lost,
Am freely saved by grace;
Other title I disclaim;
This, only this, is all my plea,
I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me.

2 Happy they whose joys abound
Like Jordan's swelling stream,
Who their heaven in Christ have found,
And give the praise to him;
Meanest follower of the Lamb,
His steps I at a distance see;
I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me.

3 I, like Gideon's fleece, am found
Unwatered still, and dry,
While the dew on all around
Falls plenteous from the sky;
Yet my Lord I cannot blame,
The Saviour's grace for all is free;
I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me.

4 Surely he will lift me up,
For I of him have need,
I cannot give up my hope,
Though I am cold and dead;
To bring fire on earth he came,
O that it now might kindled be!
I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me.

5 Jesus, thou for me hast died,
And thou in me shalt live,
I shall feel thy death applied,
I shall thy life receive;
Yet, when melted in the flame
Of love, this shall be all my plea,
I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me.

http://www.invubu.com/lyrics/show/Charles_Wesley/Let_The_World_Their_Virtue_Boast.html


1 FATHER of Jesus Christ, my Lord,
I humbly seek thy face,
Encouraged by the Saviour's word
To ask thy pardoning grace.

2 Entering into into my closet, I
The busy world exclude,
In secret prayer for mercy cry,
And groan to he renewed.

3 Far from the paths of men, to thee
I solemnly retire;
See, thou who dost in secret see,
And grant my heart's desire.

4 Thy grace I languish to receive,
The Spirit of love and power,
Blameless before thy face to live,
To live and sin no more.

5 Fain would I all thy goodness feel,
And know my sins forgiven,
And do on earth thy perfect will
As angels do in heaven.

6 O Father, glorify thy Son,
And grant what I require;
For Jesu's sake the gift send down,
And answer me by fire.

7 Kindle the flame of love within,
Which may to heaven ascend,
And now the work of grace begin,
Which shall in glory end.

http://www.ccel.org/w/wesley/hymn/jwg01/jwg0119.html

Two of Wesley's Hymns (mentioning Perfection)

How can a sinner know
His sins on earth forgiven?
How can my Saviour show
My name inscribed in Heaven?
What we ourselves have felt, and seen,
With confidence we tell,
And publish to the sons of men
The signs infallible.

We who in Christ believe
That He for us hath died,
His unknown peace receive,
And feel His blood applied:
Exults for joy our rising soul,
Disburdened of her load,
And swells, unutterably full
Of glory, and of God.

His love, surpassing far
The love of all beneath,
We find within, and dare
The pointless darts of death:
Stronger than death, or sin, or hell,
The mystic power we prove,
And conquerors of the world we dwell
In Heaven, who dwell in love.

The pledge of future bliss
He now to us imparts,
His gracious Spirit is
The earnest in our hearts:
We antedate the joys above,
We taste the’ eternal powers,
And know that all those heights of love,
And all those heavens are ours.

Till He our life reveal,
We rest in Christ secure:
His Spirit is the seal,
Which made our pardon sure:
Our sins His blood hath blotted out,
And signed our soul’s release:
And can we of His favour doubt,
Whose blood declares us His?

We by His Spirit prove
And know the things of God,
The things which of His love
He hath on us bestowed:
Our God to us His Spirit gave,
And dwells in us, we know,
The witness in ourselves we have,
And all His fruits we show.

The meek and lowly heart
Which in our Saviour was,
He doth to us impart,
And signs us with His cross:
Our nature’s course is turned, our mind
Transformed in all its powers,
And both the witnesses are joined,
The Spirit of God with ours.

Whate’er our pardoning Lord
Commands, we gladly do,
And guided by His Word
We all His steps pursue:
His glory is our sole design,
We live our God to please,
And rise with filial fear divine
To perfect holiness.

Found here: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/h/o/w/howcansk.htm

THE Spirit of the Lord our God
(Spirit of Power, and Health, and Love)
The Father hath on Christ bestowed,
And sent him from his throne above;

Prophet, and Priest, and King of peace,
Anointed to declare his will,
To minister his pardoning grace,
And every sin-sick soul to heal.

Sinners, obey the heavenly call;
Your prison-doors stand open wide;
Go forth, for he hath ransomed all,
For every soul of man hath died.

'Tis his the drooping soul to raise,
To rescue all by sin opprest,
To clothe them with the robes of praise,
And give their weary spirits rest;

To help their grovelling unbelief,
Beauty for ashes to confer,
The oil of joy for abject grief,
Triumphant joy for sad despair;

To make them trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord below,
To spread the honour of his grace,
And on to full perfection grow.

found here:

http://www.invubu.com/lyrics/show/Charles_Wesley/The_Spirit_Of_The_Lord_Our_God.html