Charles Haddon Spurgeon May 9th — Evening Reading
"Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field . . . let us see if the vine flourish." — Song of Songs 7:11,12
The church was about to engage in earnest labour, and desired her Lord's company in it. She does not say, "I will go," but "let us go." It is blessed working when Jesus is at our side! It is the business of God's people to be trimmers of God's vines. Like our first parents, we are put into the garden of the Lord for usefulness; let us therefore go forth into the field. Observe that the church, when she is in her right mind, in all her many labours desires to enjoy communion with Christ. Some imagine that they cannot serve Christ actively, and yet have fellowship with Him: they are mistaken. Doubtless it is very easy to fritter away our inward life in outward exercises, and come to complain with the spouse, "They made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept": but there is no reason why this should be the case except our own folly and neglect. Certain is it that a professor may do nothing, and yet grow quite as lifeless in spiritual things as those who are most busy. Mary was not praised for sitting still; but for her sitting at Jesus' feet. Even so, Christians are not to be praised for neglecting duties under the pretence of having secret fellowship with Jesus: it is not sitting, but sitting at Jesus' feet which is commendable. Do not think that activity is in itself an evil: it is a great blessing, and a means of grace to us. Paul called it a grace given to him to be allowed to preach; and every form of Christian service may become a personal blessing to those engaged in it. Those who have most fellowship with Christ are not recluses or hermits, who have much time to spare, but indefatigable labourers who are toiling for Jesus, and who, in their toil, have Him side by side with them, so that they are workers together with God. Let us remember then, in anything we have to do for Jesus, that we can do it, and should do it in close communion with Him.
...compelling addendum...
...that depends on what your definition of "buffalo" is...
...doggy winks...
...doggy winks...
...more fuel for the "fire"...
...of course he has...
...but let's not talk about them...
...doggy winks...
...accurate character assessment...
God is in control.
...distinct possibility...
...please share this as much as you see fit..
...where we howl 1, we howl all...
Matthew 11:15
KJV
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Thru the Bible - Minute with McGee Dr. J. Vernon McGee
Rejoice Always
“Rejoice in the Lord; and again, I say, rejoice.” My, that’s a commandment. You have no right, my friend, as a child of God to go around as a sour puss. You’ve got no right to go around as a cantankerous individual. You are to “rejoice evermore” as a child of God. And how wonderful it is to be able to rejoice. And by the way, it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace—and if you can’t rejoice right now, then begin reading the Word of God and calling on God to put joy in your heart. He’ll do it. Rejoice. Always.
https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/thru-the-bible-minute-with-mcgee/
Thru the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee Isaiah 43, 44
As our study of the Old Testament book of Isaiah continues, we’ll hear more about God’s plans for Israel and the comfort He provides for His people in the midst of life’s storms, including a prophecy about the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon May 9th — Morning Reading
"Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings." — Ephesians 1:3
All the goodness of the past, the present, and the future, Christ bestows upon His people. In the mysterious ages of the past the Lord Jesus was His Father's first elect, and in His election He gave us an interest, for we were chosen in Him from before the foundation of the world. He had from all eternity the prerogatives of Sonship, as His Father's only-begotten and well-beloved Son, and He has, in the riches of His grace, by adoption and regeneration, elevated us to sonship also, so that to us He has given "power to become the sons of God." The eternal covenant, based upon suretiship and confirmed by oath, is ours, for our strong consolation and security. In the everlasting settlements of predestinating wisdom and omnipotent decree, the eye of the Lord Jesus was ever fixed on us; and we may rest assured that in the whole roll of destiny there is not a line which militates against the interests of His redeemed. The great betrothal of the Prince of Glory is ours, for it is to us that He is affianced, as the sacred nuptials shall ere long declare to an assembled universe. The marvellous incarnation of the God of heaven, with all the amazing condescension and humiliation which attended it, is ours. The bloody sweat, the scourge, the cross, are ours for ever. Whatever blissful consequences flow from perfect obedience, finished atonement, resurrection, ascension, or intercession, all are ours by His own gift. Upon His breastplate He is now bearing our names; and in His authoritative pleadings at the throne He remembers our persons and pleads our cause. His dominion over principalities and powers, and His absolute majesty in heaven, He employs for the benefit of them who trust in Him. His high estate is as much at our service as was His condition of abasement. He who gave Himself for us in the depths of woe and death, doth not withdraw the grant now that He is enthroned in the highest heavens.
...doggy winks...
https://youtu.be/RZB96cvBjy8?si=d0uijJOm-AO7v17R
...great stuff...
Charles Haddon Spurgeon May 8th — Evening Reading
"Acquaint now thyself with Him." — Job 22:21
If we would rightly "acquaint ourselves with God, and be at peace," we must know Him as He has revealed Himself, not only in the unity of His essence and subsistence, but also in the plurality of His persons. God said, "Let us make man in our own image"-let not man be content until he knows something of the "us" from whom his being was derived. Endeavour to know the Father; bury your head in His bosom in deep repentance, and confess that you are not worthy to be called His son; receive the kiss of His love; let the ring which is the token of His eternal faithfulness be on your finger; sit at His table and let your heart make merry in His grace. Then press forward and seek to know much of the Son of God who is the brightness of His Father's glory, and yet in unspeakable condescension of grace became man for our sakes; know Him in the singular complexity of His nature: eternal God, and yet suffering, finite man; follow Him as He walks the waters with the tread of deity, and as He sits upon the well in the weariness of humanity. Be not satisfied unless you know much of Jesus Christ as your Friend, your Brother, your Husband, your all. Forget not the Holy Spirit; endeavour to obtain a clear view of His nature and character, His attributes, and His works. Behold that Spirit of the Lord, who first of all moved upon chaos, and brought forth order; who now visits the chaos of your soul, and creates the order of holiness. Behold Him as the Lord and giver of spiritual life, the Illuminator, the Instructor, the Comforter, and the Sanctifier. Behold Him as, like holy unction, He descends upon the head of Jesus, and then afterwards rests upon you who are as the skirts of His garments. Such an intelligent, scriptural, and experimental belief in the Trinity in Unity is yours if you truly know God; and such knowledge brings peace indeed.
...united we stand...
...divided we fall...
...unfortunately, no...