nChrist

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Prayer

(John Bunyan)

Prayer is a sincere, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised in His Word.

Prayer opens the heart to God, and it is the means by which the soul, though empty, is filled with God's grace.

The truths that I know best, I have learned on my knees.
I never know a thing well, until it is burned into my heart by prayer.

Sincere prayer is . . .
a shield to the soul,
a scourge to Satan, and
a fragrant and pleasing sacrifice to God.

Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.

When you pray, rather let your heart be without words--than your words be without heart.
 
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It is radical, revolutionary, lasting!

(Arthur Pink)

"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God!" 1 Peter 1:23

The new birth is very much more than simply shedding a few tears due to a temporary remorse over sin.

It is far more than changing our course of life, the leaving off of bad habits and the substituting of good ones.

It is something different from the mere nourishing and practicing of noble ideals.

It goes infinitely deeper than coming forward to take some popular evangelist by the hand, signing a pledge-card, or joining a church.

The new birth is no mere turning over a new leaf--but is the inception and reception of a new life.

It is no mere reformation, but a radical transformation.

Regeneration consists in a radical change of heart, for a new disposition is implanted as the foundation of all holy exercises . . .
the mind being renovated,
the affections elevated, and
the will emancipated from the bondage of sin.

In short, the new birth is a miracle, the result of the supernatural operation of God. It is radical, revolutionary, lasting!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
 
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Total strangers to a work of divine grace in their hearts!

(Arthur Pink)

"Come, and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul!" Psalm 66:16

It is greatly to be feared that there are multitudes in Christendom who truly imagine and sincerely believe that they are among the saved, yet who are total strangers to a work of divine grace in their hearts.

It is one thing to have clear intellectual conceptions of God's truth--it is quite another matter to have a personal, real heart acquaintance with it.

It is one thing to believe that sin is the awful thing that the Bible says it is--but it is quite another matter to have a holy horror and hatred of it in the soul.

It is one thing to know that God requires repentance--it is quite another matter to experimentally mourn and groan over our vileness.

It is one thing to believe that Christ is the only Savior for sinners--it is quite another matter to really trust Him from the heart.

It is one thing to believe that Christ is the sum of all excellency--it is quite another matter to love Him above all others.

It is one thing to believe that God is the great and holy One--it is quite another matter to truly reverence and fear Him.

It is one thing to believe that salvation is of the Lord--it is quite another matter to become an actual partaker of it through His gracious workings.
 
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A strict, close, assiduous, diligent search!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Search the Scriptures." John 5:39

The word here rendered "search" signifies a strict, close, assiduous, diligent search--such as men make when they are seeking gold, or hunters when they are in earnest after game. We must not rest content with having given a superficial reading to a chapter or two; but with the candle of the Spirit, we must deliberately seek out the depth of the Word.

Holy Scripture requires searching--much of it can only be learned by careful study.
There is milk for babes--but also meat for strong men.

The rabbis wisely say that a mountain of matter hangs upon every word of Scripture.
Tertullian exclaims, "I adore the fullness of the Scriptures."

No man who merely skims the book of God, can profit thereby.
We must dig and search until we obtain the hidden treasure.

The door of the Word only opens to the key of diligence!

The Scriptures claim searching. They are the writings of God, bearing His divine stamp and sanction--who shall dare to treat them with levity? He who despises them, despises the God who wrote them! God forbid that any of us should leave our dust-covered Bibles to become swift witnesses against us in the great day of account!

The Word of God will repay searching. God does not bid us sift a mountain of chaff with here and there a grain of wheat in it. The Bible is winnowed grain--we have but to open the granary door, and find it.

Scripture grows upon the sincere searcher. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to the searching eye--it glows with God's splendor, like a vast temple paved with wrought gold, and roofed with rubies, emeralds, and all manner of precious gems.

Lastly, the Scriptures reveal Jesus, "The Scriptures point to Me!" No more powerful motive can be urged upon Bible readers than this--he who finds Jesus finds life, Heaven, all things. Happy he who, searching his Bible, discovers his Savior!

"If you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God!" Proverbs 2:4-5
 
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The advantages and blessings of family worship

(Arthur Pink)

An old writer well said, "A family without prayer is like a house without a roof--open and exposed to all storms." All our domestic comforts and temporal mercies issue from the loving-kindness of the Lord. The best we can do in return is to gratefully acknowledge His goodness to us as a family.

Family worship should be conducted reverently, earnestly and simply. It is then that the little ones will receive their first impressions and form their initial conceptions of the Lord God. Great care needs to be taken lest a false idea be given to them of the Divine Character. For this, the balance must be preserved between dwelling upon . . .
His holiness, and His mercy,
His power, and His tenderness,
His justice, and His grace.

Worship should begin with a few words of prayer invoking God's presence and blessing.
A short passage from His Word should follow, with brief comments thereon.
Two or three verses of a Psalm or hymn may be sung.
Close with a prayer of committal into the hands of God. Though we may not be able to pray eloquently, we should pray earnestly. Prevailing prayers are usually brief ones. Beware of wearying the young ones.

The advantages and blessings of family worship are incalculable. Family worship . . . .
will prevent much sin,
conveys a sense of God's majesty and authority,
sets solemn Scripture truths before the mind,
brings down benefits from God on the home.

Personal piety in the home is a most influential means, under God, of conveying piety to the little ones.

Children are largely creatures of imitation, copying what they see in their parents--so good instructions must always be accompanied by godly example. That teaching which issues only from the lips alone, is not at all likely to sink any deeper than the ears. Children are particularly quick to detect inconsistencies, and despise hypocrisy. How Christian parents need to be constantly on their guard against anything which might render them contemptible in the eyes of those who should respect and revere them!

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:5-7
 
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Oh, the atrocity of the sin of a pardoned soul!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"O Lord, we are covered with shame--because we have sinned against You!" Daniel 9:8

A deep sense and clear sight of sin--its heinousness and the punishment which it deserves--should make us lie low before God's throne. As Christians--we have sinned! Alas! that it should be so. Favored as we have been--we have yet been ungrateful. Privileged beyond most--we have not brought forth fruit in proportion. What Christian is there--who will not blush when he looks back upon his past sins?

As for our days before we were regenerated, may they be forgiven and forgotten; but since then, though we have not sinned as before, yet we have sinned against light and against love--spiritual light which has really penetrated our minds, and the love of Jesus which we have experienced.

Oh, the atrocity of the sin of a pardoned soul! An unpardoned sinner sins cheaply--when compared with the sin of one of God's redeemed ones, who has had communion with Christ and leaned his head upon Jesus' bosom.

Look at David! Many will talk of his sin--but I beg you to look at his repentance, and hear his broken bones, as each one of them moans out its dolorous confession! Mark his tears, as they fall upon the ground, and the deep sighs with which he accompanies the softened music of his harp! We have erred--let us, therefore, seek the spirit of penitence.

Look, again, at Peter! We speak much of Peter's denying his Master. But remember that it is written, "He wept bitterly!" Have we no denials of our Lord to be lamented with tears?

Alas! these sins of ours would consign us to the place of inextinguishable fire--if it were not for God's sovereign mercy which has made us to differ, snatching us like brands from the burning! My soul, bow down in humility under a sense of your natural sinfulness, and worship your God. Admire . . .
His grace which saves you;
His mercy which spares you;
His love which pardons you!
 
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The Sovereignty of God

(Arthur Pink)

"Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!" Psalm 115:3

"Whatever the LORD pleases, He does--in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps!" Psalm 135:6

The Sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy. Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature, He is the Most High, Lord of Heaven and earth. Subject to none, influenced by none, He is absolutely independent. God does . . .
as He pleases,
only as He pleases,
always as He pleases.
None can thwart Him--none can hinder Him.

God's sovereignty is not the sovereignty of a tyrannical Despot, but the exercised pleasure of One who is infinitely wise and good!
Because God is infinitely wise, He cannot err.
Because He is infinitely righteous, He will not do wrong.
Here then is the preciousness of this truth. The mere fact itself that God's will is irresistible and irreversible fills me with fear--but once I realize that God wills only that which is good, my heart is made to rejoice.

God's purpose cannot fail.
God's plans cannot miscarry.
God's will must be done.

A "god" . . .
whose will is resisted,
whose designs are frustrated,
whose purpose is checkmated,
possesses no title to Deity--and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nothing but contempt!

"All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have You done?" Daniel 4:35
 
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When the creature failed, he flew to the Creator!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Help, Lord! For the godly are no more." Psalm 12:1

The prayer itself is remarkable, for it is short, seasonable, pithy, and suggestive. David mourned the fewness of godly men, and therefore lifted up his heart in supplication. When the creature failed, he flew to the Creator! He evidently felt his own weakness—or he would not have cried for help.

There is much of directness, clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance in this petition of two words; much more, indeed, than in the long rambling outpourings of certain professors. The Psalmist runs straight-forward to his God, with a well-considered prayer; he knows what he is seeking, and where to seek it. Lord, teach us to pray in the same blessed manner.

The occasions for the use of this prayer are frequent:

In providential afflictions, how suitable it is for tried believers who find all helpers failing them.

In doctrinal difficulties, may often obtain aid by lifting up this cry of "Help, Lord!" to the Holy Spirit, the great Teacher.

Spiritual warriors in inward conflicts may send to the throne for reinforcements, and this will be a model for their request.

Workers in heavenly labor may thus obtain grace in time of need.

Seeking sinners, in doubts and alarms, may offer up the same weighty supplication.

In fact, in all cases, times, and places, this prayer will serve the turn of needy souls.

"Help, Lord!" will suit us . . .
living and dying,
suffering or laboring,
rejoicing or sorrowing.

In Him our help is found—let us not be slack to cry to Him.

The answer to the prayer is certain, if it is sincerely offered through Jesus. The Lord's character assures us that He will not leave His redeemed people; His gift of Jesus is a pledge of every good thing. His promise stands sure, "Fear not—I will help you!" Isaiah 41:13

"I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you!" Psalm 88:13
 
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Walk in the Spirit!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

"Walk in the Spirit (let your steps be guided by the Spirit,) and you will not gratify the evil desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

Rich would the blessings of this day be, if we were filled with the Holy Spirit. The consequences of this sacred filling of the soul, would be impossible to overestimate. Life, comfort, light, purity, power, peace; and many other precious blessings are inseparable from the Spirit's gracious presence.

As sacred oil--He anoints the head of the believer, sets him apart to the priesthood of saints, and gives him grace to execute his duties aright.

As the only truly purifying water--He cleanses us from the power of sin and sanctifies us unto holiness, working in us to will and to do of the Lord's good pleasure.

As the holy light--He reveals the Lord Jesus to us, and guides us in the way of righteousness. Enlightened by His pure celestial ray, we are no longer walk in darkness--but in the light of Scripture truth.

As purifying fire--He both purges us from dross, and sets our consecrated nature ablaze. He is the sacrificial flame by which we are enabled to offer our whole souls as a living sacrifice unto God.

As heavenly dew--He removes our barrenness and nourishes our lives. O that He would drop from above upon us at this early hour! Such morning dew would be a sweet commencement for the day.

As the heavenly Dove, with wings of peaceful love--He broods over the souls of believers; and as a Comforter He dispels the cares and doubts which mar the peace of His beloved ones. He descends upon His chosen people, and bears witness to their sonship by working in them a filial spirit by which they cry Abba, Father!

As the wind--He brings the breath of spiritual life to men. He performs the quickening operations by which the spiritual creation is animated and sustained.

O that we might feel the Spirit's presence and influence this day and every day!
 
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Christ's garden!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"I have come into My garden--My sister, My bride!" Song of Solomon 5:1

The heart of the believer is Christ's garden. He bought it with His precious blood, and He enters it and claims it as His own.

A garden implies separation. It is not the open common, nor is it a wilderness. A garden is walled around, or hedged in. Would that we could see the wall of separation between the Christian and the world made broader and stronger. It makes one sad to hear Christians saying, "Well, there is no harm in this; there is no harm in that," thus getting as near to the world as possible. Grace is at a low ebb in that soul, which can even raise the question of how far it may go in worldly conformity!

A garden is a place of beauty, it far surpasses the wild uncultivated fields. The genuine Christian must seek to be more excellent in his life than the best moralist, because Christ's garden ought to produce the best flowers in all the world. Even the best is poor--compared with Christ's deservings. Let us not put Him off with withered and dwarf plants. The rarest, richest, choicest lilies and roses--ought to bloom in Christ's own garden!

The garden is a place of growth. The saints are not to remain undeveloped, always mere buds and blossoms. We should grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Growth should be rapid where Jesus is the Gardener, and the Holy Spirit is the dew from above.

A garden is a place of retirement. So the Lord Jesus Christ would have us reserve our hearts as a place in which He can manifest Himself, as He does not unto the world. O that Christians were more retired, that they kept their hearts more closely shut up for Christ! We often worry and trouble ourselves, like Martha, with much serving--so that we have not the room for Christ that Mary had, and do not sit at His feet as we should.

Lord grant the sweet showers of Your grace to water Your garden this day!
 
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A sight of God!

(James Smith, "Food for Hungry Souls")

"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear--but now my eye sees You!
Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes!" Job 42:5, 6.

Job now saw God in another manner than he had ever done before. He saw more . . .
of His greatness and glory,
of His power and majesty,
of His holiness and sovereignty,
of His grace and mercy.

The effect of seeing God: "Therefore I abhor myself." Job had disgusting and humiliating views of himself. Having a clearer and more correct view of his God--led him to despise himself, and he turned from himself with loathing! He now abhorred . . .
the rashness he had displayed,
the impatience He had manifested,
the complaints he had uttered,
the self-righteousness he had indulged,
and the aspersions he had cast on his God.

Now he says, "I repent." My mind is changed, and I am sorry for my misconduct. According to the custom of the country, and the times in which he lived--he sat down on ashes, put dust on his head, humbling himself before God--loathing himself in his own sight for all his abominations.

A sight of God always humbles us!

It humbled the prophet Isaiah, who when he saw God, cried out, "Woe to me, for I am ruined! For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!"

It humbled the apostle Peter, who when he perceived the dignity and glory of Jesus, exclaimed, "Depart from me--for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

It humbled the beloved John, who when Jesus appeared to him in Patmos, fell at His feet as dead!

God's glory always lays the believer in the dust of self-abasement.

Those who know the most of God--think the least of themselves.

Pride cannot live in the presence of God. His glory . . .
consumes our self-righteousness,
dries up our self-admiration, and
spoils all our supposed moral beauty.

The higher we rise in our knowledge and enjoyment of God--the lower we shall sink in our estimation of ourselves.

"Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes!"
True repentance is always attended with self-abhorrence.
We abhor not only sinful self; but righteous self!

The more we understand God's love to us--the more we mourn over our sin and sinfulness. The tear of penitence will drop from the eye of faith, on the crystal threshold of the gate of the New Jerusalem. And then the light of glory will extinguish the light of faith--and there shall be no more sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain--for the former things will have passed away!
 
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Liquid prayers!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"The LORD has heard the voice of my weeping!" Psalm 6:8

Is there a voice in weeping? Does weeping speak?

In what language does it utter its meaning? Why, in that universal tongue which is known and understood in all the earth, and even in Heaven above. When a man weeps, whether he is a Jew or Gentile, Barbarian, Scythian, bond or free--it has the same meaning in it.

Weeping is the eloquence of sorrow. It is a wordless orator, needing no interpreter, but understood by all.

Is it not sweet to believe that our tears are understood by God, even when words fail?

Let us learn to think of tears as liquid prayers, and of weeping as a constant dropping of importunate intercession which will surely trickle its way into the very heart of divine mercy.

My God, I will "weep" when I cannot plead--for You hear the voice of my weeping.
 
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Believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil

(Charles Spurgeon)

"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28

The Christian does not merely hold this truth as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has worked for good as yet.

The poisonous drugs mixed in fit proportions, have worked the cure.

The sharp cuts of the lancet, have cleansed out the infected flesh and facilitated the healing.

In every event of your life, God has always worked out the most divinely blessed results.

Believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil--the believer's heart is comforted, and he is enabled calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine! Send me what You will, my Father, so long as it comes from You!"
 
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The Weaver!

(J.R. Miller)

The life that is given up to God in true devotion, need fear nothing. We may have our sorrows, our disappointments, our losses, but all of our life is in the hands of God--and no real harm can come to us. In all the events and experiences of our most difficult days--God is developing our graces and character!

Very beautiful is the figure of the loom. God is the Weaver. He has before Him the pattern into which He would fashion our lives. Some threads are white, some are dark--but the great Weaver will blend them so that the finished work will be beautiful.

The Weaver!
(Author unknown)

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper
And I the under-side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.

"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
 
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It is your duty to assure him that he is not saved

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven." Matthew 7:21

"I will tell them plainly: I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!" Matthew 7:23

If a professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will, but does not mean to obey it--then you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved.

Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified, by going to religious worldlings and telling them that they are saved--while they are still wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so, I . . .
tell them a lie,
pervert the Gospel,
insult Christ, and
turn the grace of God into a license for sin!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
 
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Pride cannot live beneath the cross!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"He humbled Himself." Philippians 2:8

Jesus is the great teacher of 'humility of heart'. We need daily to learn of Him. See the Master taking a towel and washing His disciples feet! Follower of Christ--will you not humble yourself? See Him as the Servant of servants--and surely you cannot be proud!

Is not this sentence the compendium of His biography: "He humbled Himself." Was He not on earth, always stripping off first one robe of honor and then another--until, naked, He was fastened to the cross. There He not emptied out His inmost self, pouring out His life-blood, giving up for all of us, until they laid Him penniless in a borrowed grave.

How low was our dear Redeemer brought! How then can we be proud?

Stand at the foot of the cross and count the scarlet drops by which you have been cleansed. See the thorny crown and His scourged shoulders still gushing with the crimson flow of blood. See His hands and feet given up to the rough iron, and His whole self mocked and scorned. See the bitterness, the pangs, and the throes of inward grief show themselves in His outward frame. Hear the chilling shriek, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me!"

If you do not lie prostrate on the ground before that cross--you have never seen it! If you are not humbled in the presence of the sin-atoning Savior--you do not know Him. You were so lost that nothing could save you, but the sacrifice of God's only begotten Son. Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you--bow yourself in humility at His feet.

A realization of Christ's amazing sacrificial love has a greater tendency to humble us than even a consciousness of our own guilt. May the Lord bring us in contemplation, to Calvary. Then our position will no longer be that of pompous pride--but we shall take the humble place of one who loves much, because much has been forgiven him.

Pride cannot live beneath the cross!
Let us sit there and learn our lesson.
Then let us rise and carry it into practice.

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29
 
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nChrist

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Nothing in this world is more beautiful

(J.R. Miller)

A ship is made to go in the water, and no matter how deep the sea nor how wild the tempest--all goes well as long as the water does not get into the ship. The problem of managing a ship, is not to keep the ship out of the water--but to keep the water out of the ship!

In this sinful world, we cannot avoid all cares and trials and temptations. The goal of of true Christian living is to keep these cares and trials and temptations from getting into our souls. Some people let all their frets and worries at once into their hearts--and they soon live out their lives in sourness, irritability, and discontent. They become thus miserable themselves--and they make all around them miserable. They cast, not cooling, healthful, refreshing shade on others--but melancholy, darksome, chilling shadows.

Learn to keep your cares in your hands--and out of your hearts. Nothing in this world is more beautiful than a Christian life with many trials and cares--yet remaining ever peaceful and joyous amid them all. This is the real goal of noble Christian living.
 
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nChrist

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Short pithy gems from Spurgeon! #1

~ ~ ~ ~

There is enough dust on some of your Bibles, to write "Damnation!" with your fingers!

~ ~ ~ ~

The joys of Heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth.

~ ~ ~ ~

An unholy church! It is useless to the world--and of no esteem among men. It is an abomination, Hell's laughter, and Heaven's abhorrence. The worst evils which have ever come upon the world--have been brought upon her by an unholy church!

~ ~ ~ ~

Does the world satisfy you? Then you have your reward and portion in this life. Make much of it--for you shall know no other happiness.
 
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nChrist

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He is a bad preacher!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation." Joel 1:3

In this simple way, by God's grace, a living testimony for truth is always to be kept alive in the land. The beloved of the Lord are to hand down their witness for the gospel to their heirs, and these again to their next descendants.

This is our first duty--we are to begin at the family hearth. He is a bad preacher, who does not commence his ministry at home. The heathen are to be sought by all means, and the highways and hedges are to be searched--but home has a prior claim, and woe unto those who reverse the order of the Lord's arrangements.

To teach our children is a personal duty. We cannot delegate it to Sunday School Teachers, or to the church. These can assist us--but cannot relieve us from the sacred obligation. Mothers and fathers must, like Abraham, command their households in the fear of God, and talk with their offspring concerning the wondrous works of the Most High God.

Parental teaching is a natural duty. Who is so fit to look to after child's well-being, as those who are the authors of his actual being? To neglect the instruction of our offspring is worse than brutish!

Family instruction is necessary for the nation, for the family itself, and for the church of God. By a thousand plots, atheism is covertly advancing in our land, and one of the most effectual means for resisting its inroads is left almost neglected, namely, the instruction of children in the faith. Would that parents would awaken to a sense of the importance of this matter.

It is a pleasant duty to talk of Jesus to our sons and daughters, and the more so because it has often proved to be an accepted work, for God has often saved the children through the parents' prayers and admonitions.

May every house into which this counsel shall come, honor the Lord in this matter and receive His smile!

"These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates!" Deuteronomy 6:6-9

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
 
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I would rather have my soul soaking in a few verses all day!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." Psalm 119:97

Some people like to read so many chapters every day. I would not dissuade them from the practice, but I would rather have my soul soaking in a few verses all day, than rinse my hand in several chapters.

Oh, to be bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let it be sucked up into your very soul, until it saturates your heart!

Set your heart upon God's Word! Let your whole nature be plunged into it as a cloth into a dye!

"His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night!" Psalm 1:2
 
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