Mar. 4, 2009 - THE WORLD OR CHRIST?

THE WORLD OR CHRIST? -Spurgeon, "Sown Among Thorns" "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." Matthew 13:22 This is the way in which those thorns served the wheat-- they starved it by devouring its food, and they choked it by keeping off the air and sun. The poor thing became shriveled and weak, and quite unable to produce the grain which the sower expected of it. So it is with many professing Christians. They are at first worldly, but not so very worldly. They are fairly religious, though by no means too zealous. They seek the pleasures of the world, but by no means quite so much as others we could name. But very soon the thorns grow, and it becomes doubtful which will win-- sin or grace, the world or Christ. Two masters there cannot be...

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Aug. 23, 2008 - I Have Much More to Say to You

I have much more to say to you

(J. R. Miller, "The Building of Character" 1894)

"I have much more to say to you--more than you can now bear." John 16:12

All learning is slow. This is true in proportion to the importance of the
lessons. We learn some things quickly--but they are not the things which
are of greatest value. Mere head-lessons are gotten more easily than
heart-lessons. We may memorize the beatitudes in a few minutes--but it
takes many years to learn to live them! And in spiritual and moral
lessons--living is the only learning which counts. Anyone can memorize a
code of ethics by heart, without much effort. But to get the faultless
code wrought into conduct, disposition, spirit, and character--is the work
of a lifetime!

In life-teaching, the lessons are given only as fast as they are learned.
Our Master will not teach us more rapidly than we can live His lessons. It
was in the midst of His most confidential talk with His disciples, that He
said He had much more to say to them--more than they could now bear.

Spiritual truths can be received--only as we come to the experiences for
which they are adapted. There are many of the divine promises which we can
never claim, and whose blessedness we cannot realize--until we come to the
points in life, for which they were specially given.

For example: "He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity;
He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a
rock." This word can mean nothing to the child playing amid the flowers,
or to the young man or woman walking in sunny paths--without a care or a
trial. It can be understood only by one who is in the depths of trouble.
In the days of gladness, when there is no trouble, no pain--there are many
of God's Words which seem to have no meaning for us. We do not need them.
They are for times of sorrow--and we have no sorrow. They are lamps for
the darkness--and we are not walking in darkness. They are for days of
pain and loss--and we have no pain, and are called to endure no loss.

There is a large part of the Bible which can be received by us, only when
we come into the places for which the words were given. There are promises
for weakness--which we can never get, while we are strong. There are
promises for times of danger--which we can never know, in the days when we
need no protection. There are consolations for sickness whose comfort we
can never get, while we are in robust health. There are promises for times
of loneliness, when men walk in solitary ways--which never can come with
real meaning to us, while loving companions are by our side. There are
words for old age--which we never can appropriate for ourselves along the
years of youth, when the arm is strong, the blood warm, and the heart
brave.

Christ says to us then, "I have much more to say to you--more than you can
now bear." We could not understand these lessons now. But by and by when
we come into places of need, of sorrow, of weakness, of failure, of
loneliness, of sickness, of old age--then He will tell us these other
things, these long-withheld things, and they will be full of joy for our
hearts!

There are beatitudes for certain conditions. "Blessed are those who
mourn--for they shall be comforted." But only those who are in sorrow, can
experience the blessedness of divine comfort. Thus all the treasures of
the Bible are ready to open to us--the moment we have the experience which
the particular grace in them is intended to supply. Hence it is that the
Bible is never exhausted. Men read it over and over again, and each time
they find something new in it--new promises, new comforts, new revealings
of divine love. The reason is, they are growing in experience, and every
new experience develops new needs, and brings them to new revealings.

Thus, as life goes on, the meaning of Christ's words come out clearer and
clearer, until the child's heedless repetition of them, becomes the
utterance of the faith and trust of the strong man's very soul.

This is the great law of divine revealing. We learn Christ's
teaching--only as fast as we are able to bear it. So we may wait in
patient faith when mysteries confront us, or when shadows lie on our
pathway, confident that He who knows all--has in gentle love withheld from
us for the time, the revealing we crave, because we could not yet endure
the knowledge.


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Aug. 22, 2008 - Our Faithful, Unfailing Friend

Our faithful, unfailing friend

(J. R. Miller, "The Building of Character" 1894)

"Having loved His own who were in the world,
 He loved them to the end." John 13:1

Christ loves unto the uttermost. His love is not worn
out by our faultiness, our dullness, nor even by our
sinning. Christ bears with us in all our sad failings;
and is patient toward all our weakness, infirmity, and
sin. He is our faithful, unfailing friend, though we
give Him but little love--and that little mingled with
doubts, complainings, murmurings, and ingratitude.
Many of us make it hard for Christ to be our friend;
yet He loves unto the end--unto the uttermost!

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
   Hebrews 13:5












Please visit my other blog:  www.besidethebrook.blogspot.com

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Jul. 21, 2008 - Great REad!!

Where the world reigns in the heart (J. C. Ryle, "Faith") "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith." 1 John 5:4 He who truly believes on Christ, overcomes the world. A true believer is not ruled by the world's standards of right or wrong, of truth or error. He is independent of the world's opinion. He cares little for the world's praise. He is not moved by the world's blame. He does not seek for the world's pleasures. He is not ambitious of the world's rewards. He looks at things unseen. He sees an invisible Savior, a coming judgment, and a crown of glory which never fades away. The sight of these objects makes him think comparatively little of this glittering world. Where the world reigns in the heart, there is no saving faith. A man who is habitually conformed to the world, has no right to regard himself as a believer! "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith." 1 John 5:4 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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Jul. 19, 2008 - The danger of Sin

If this cockatrice is not crushed in the egg! ("The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod" or, "The Silent Soul with Sovereign Antidotes" by Thomas Brooks, 1659, London.) "See how terrible sin really is." Romans 7:13 There is infinitely more evil in the least sin—than there is in the greatest miseries and afflictions that can possibly come upon you! Yes, there is more evil in the least sin—than there is in all the troubles that ever come upon the world; yes, than there is in all the miseries and torments of hell! The least sin . . . is an offense to the great God; is a wrong to the immortal soul; is a breach of God's righteous law; cannot be washed away but by the blood of Jesus; will shut the soul out of heaven, and shut the soul up as a prisoner in hell forever and ever! The least sin is rather to be avoided and prevented— than the greatest sufferings. If this cockatrice is not crushed in the egg—it will soon become a serpent! Sin, if but thought on and pondered— will break out into action— action into custom— custom into habit—and then, both body and soul are eternally and irrecoverably lost! If the serpent can but wriggle in his tail by an evil thought, he will soon make a surprise of the soul—as you see in that sad instance of Adam and Eve. The least sin is very dangerous! Caesar was stabbed to death with a small needle. Herod was eaten up by small worms. Pope Adrian was choked with a gnat. A scorpion is little, yet is able to sting a lion to death. The least spark, may consume the greatest house. The least leak, may sink the greatest ship. A whole arm has been gangrened, by a pick of the little finger. A little opened door, may betray the greatest city. A pinch of poison diffuses itself into all parts, until it strangles the vital spirits, and turns out the soul from the body. The least sin is very dangerous!

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Jul. 12, 2008 - All the afflictions of God's people

All the afflictions of God's people By John Fawcett "We also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope." Romans 5:3-4 The chastisements of Christ are precious to those who believe. The believer's love to Jesus Christ, not only continues under the rod of correction—but is quickened and increased by it! Thus it is distinguished from that pretended love, which exists only in times of prosperity. The afflicted Christian is enabled to consider--that whom the Lord loves--He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives; and that He only afflicts us for our profit--to make us partakers of His holiness. The Lord can so manifest Himself to His afflicted people--that the season of affliction shall be to them a season of great consolation. He is to them--a fountain of life, of strength, of grace and comfort in the afflictive hour--and of His fullness they receive, as their necessities require. The Lord Jesus Christ is a sun to enlighten and cheer His afflicted followers, and a shield to defend them. He is a hiding-place from the storm, a covert from the tempest, and as the shadow of a great rock in a dry and weary land. All the afflictions of God's people are designed, under His gracious management--to test, to make manifest, and to exercise, those graces and virtues which He has implanted in them. Though afflictions in themselves are not joyous but grievous, nevertheless they yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness in those who are exercised thereby. Afflictions serve to quicken the spirit of devotion in us; and to rouse us from that formality and indifference which frequently attend a long course of ease and prosperity. We are constrained to seek God with sincerity and fervor, when His chastening hand is upon us, since we then feel our absolute need of that help and deliverance, which He alone can give us. When the loss of any temporal enjoyment casts us into excessive despondency and dejection--it is evident that what we have lost, was the object of our inordinate love. The most innocent attachments cease to be innocent, when they press too strongly upon us! To cleave to any created object, and to look for happiness from it--is to make an idol of it--and set it up in God's place. Should this object be a friend, a brother, a wife, or a child--the idolatry is still odious in the eyes of that God, to whom we owe our chief affection. Our warmest passions, our most fervent love, desires, hopes, and confidences--should always have God for their object. It is His desire that our happiness should not center in any of the good things of this life. Losses and disappointments--are the trials of our faith, our patience, and our obedience. When we are in the midst of prosperity, it is difficult to know whether we have a love for the Benefactor--or only for His benefits. It is in the midst of adversity--that our piety is put to the trial. Afflictions serve most effectually--to convince us of the vanity of all that this world can afford--to remind us that this is not our rest--and to stir up desires and hopes for our everlasting home. They produce in us a spirit of sympathy towards our companions in tribulation. They give occasion for the exercise of patience, meekness, submission, and resignation. Were it not for the wholesome and necessary discipline of affliction--these excellent virtues would lie dormant. Afflictions serve to convince us more deeply of our own weakness and insufficiency, and to endear the person, the grace, the promises, and the salvation of our Redeemer, more and more to our hearts. Thus we are taught to esteem His very chastisements as precious--on account of the benefits we derive from them. Afflictions are not to punish--but to purify the believing soul. They are not in wrath--but in mercy. Amidst the distresses and miseries of life--it is a felicity to belong to Christ, without whose permission and appointment, no evil can befall us! He always sends afflictions for our good; and knows by experience, what it is to suffer them. His kind hand will speedily put a end to all the pains we feel--when we have derived from them all the good which He intends to do for us, by them. How many, how suitable, how sovereign are the supports our heavenly Father affords to His afflicted children! They make the affliction, which in itself would seem heavy and tedious--appear to be light, and but for a moment. It is happier to be in the furnace of affliction with these supports--than to be in the highest prosperity without them! Blessed with the hopes and comforts of Christ--the true Christian would prefer the lot of Lazarus, with all the poverty and distress which he endured--to the lot of the rich man, who, amidst all the splendor and affluence which this world could afford--lived a life of alienation from God, and destitute of the sovereign supports which can only be enjoyed, by those who love and fear Him. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Compliments of Grace Gems! A treasury of ageless sovereign grace devotional writings

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Jun. 26, 2008 - "My Sheep"

 

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My sheep

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of John")

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and
 they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they
 shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of
 My hand." John 10:27,28

Christ calls His people, "My sheep."

The word "sheep," no doubt, points to something
in the character and ways of true Christians. It
would be easy to show that weakness, helplessness,
harmlessness, usefulness—are all points of resemblance
between the sheep and the believer. But the leading
idea in our Lord's mind was the entire dependence
of the sheep upon its Shepherd.

Just as sheep hear the voice of their own shepherd,
and follow him—so do believers follow Christ. By faith
they listen to His call. By faith they submit themselves
to His guidance. By faith they lean on Him, and commit
their souls implicitly to His direction.

The expression, "My sheep," also points to the close
connection which exists between Christ and believers.
They are His by gift from the Father, His by purchase,
His by election and effectual calling, and His by their
own consent and heart submission.

In the highest sense they are Christ's property; and
just as a man feels a special interest in that which he
has bought at a great price and made his own—so does
the Lord Jesus feel a peculiar interest in His people.

We should notice the vast privileges which the Lord
Jesus Christ bestows on true Christians. He uses
words about them, of singular richness and strength.

Christ "knows" His people with a special knowledge of
interest and affection. By the world around them they
are comparatively unknown, uncared for, or despised.
But they are never forgotten or overlooked by Christ.

Christ "gives" His people "eternal life." He freely bestows
on them—a right and title to heaven, pardoning their many
sins, and clothing them with a perfect righteousness.

Money, and health, and worldly prosperity He often
wisely withholds from them. But He never fails to
give them grace, peace, and glory.

Christ declares that His people "shall never perish."
Weak as they are—they shall all be saved. Not one of
them shall be lost and cast away; not one of them shall
miss heaven. If they err—they shall be brought back; if
they fall—they shall be raised. The enemies of their souls
may be strong and mighty—but their Savior is mightier;
and none shall pluck them out of their Savior's hands!
"My sheep shall never perish; no one can snatch them
out of My hand."

 

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Jun. 14, 2008 - Quick Note

I was told this blog would be deleted if I didn't post on it, so for the sake of keeping it and all of my past entries, I am going to be posting little things here and there.

Don't forget my main blog now is: http://www.besidethebrook.blogspot.com/




      Absolutely and without question

(J. R. Miller 1882)

"If you love Me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

God is our Father and we are His children. We are to obey Him absolutely and without question. Yet it is no blind obedience. We know that He loves us with a deep, tender, unchanging love. We know that He is wiser than we, infinitely wiser, and can never err. We know that when He denies a request—that the granting of it would be unkindness. We know that when He leads us in another path than the one we had marked out—that His is the right way. We know that when He chastens or corrects—that there is love in His chastisement or correction. We know that in all His government and discipline—that He is seeking only our highest good. Our whole duty therefore as God's children, is to yield ourselves to His will.

"If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

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Jun. 2, 2008 - I have moved!

I have a new blog and I hope you will stop by. The link is:

http://www.besidethebrook.blogspot.com/

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Mar. 25, 2008 - Announcement and Intelligent Quiz

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