Posts Tagged ‘C.H. Spurgeon’

Confess and Forsake

Saturday, August 16th, 2008

Verse: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
– Proverbs 28:13

Quote: “Furthermore, we must forsake the evil: having owned our fault, we must disown all present and future intent to abide in it. We cannot remain in rebellion and yet dwell with the King’s Majesty. The habit of evil must be quitted, together with all places, companions, pursuits, and books which might lead us astray.”

Today Spurgeon tells us that the sinner’s “business” is to confess and forsake his sin. I love his line of owning our fault, and then disowning our connection with the sin. You cannot truly be healed from sin until you do both of those completely. You must take full responsibility for the sin, not shirking the blame off on anyone, then take every measure not to engage in that sin again.

It is not easy as humans to disassociate ourselves with certain creature comforts that we might have, but if there is a specific person, or restaurant, or TV show, or personal goal, or whatever that is making you more susceptible to sin, you must distance yourself from it immediately. There is nothing in this life that is more valuable than your relationship with the Father, and as we discussed yesterday, there is no room for sin in that relationship.

It is easy for us to downplay sin because it is everywhere, and we are born with the inclination towards it, but let us not forget that sin is what nailed Jesus to the cross, and it is still what separates us from God. However, God continues to love us, and invite us back into fellowship with Him. Confess and forsake your sin, and walk hand in hand with the Creator once again.

Neither to the Right nor the Left

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

Verse: “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”
– Joshua 1:7

Quote: “Ours is to be a straightforward course, which bends neither to the right nor to the left. We are not to err by being more rigid than the law, nor turn out of levity to a more free and easy way.”

I try to quote the verse in the same version that is presented in the devotion I am reading. I did that today, but was very tempted to “modernize” it, though I trust you get the point.

Balance is key. It’s often said that Satan’s greatest tool is using half-lies. If you start with something true and then twist it, you are less likely to notice that you have gone astray. God’s Word warns us sternly to pay close attention to our course, and continually look to God for direction lest you “bend” to the right or the left.

As Christians, we have just as much tendency to make the law more tedious as we do to ignore it altogether. Remember that it was the teachers of the law who conflicted more with Jesus during His time here on earth, because of their rigidness. Spend time communicating with the God of the Law, follow as He leads, and you will remain in His light.

Impossible Grace

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

Verse: “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” – Hebrews 10:17

Quote: “O miracle of grace! God here doth that which in certain aspects is impossible to him.”

This miracle sets the stage for all other miracles of grace. God is purposefully limiting His omniscience by promising to eternally forget our trespasses against Him! Jesus’ sacrifice is permanent only because of this promise. We can now rest in the shadow of God’s grace as blameless children, through the cleansing blood of Christ, because God’s mercy “worketh miracles which far transcend all other miracles.”

Familiar Fellowship with God

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Verse: “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” – Daniel 11:32

Quote: “Oh, that we may know our God by familiar fellowship with him; for then we shall be prepared to stand up for truth and righteousness.  He who comes forth fresh from beholding the face of God will never fear the face of man.”

It is the constant communication with God that us gives us resolve to resist His enemies.  When you are out of fellowship with God, it is easy to forget that He has the power to overcome all obstacles, and you stumble in fear out of separation from Him.  The second half of the above quote is so powerful; who can be against you with the awesomeness of God fresh in your spirit?

I’m headed out to an early game of golf, but I hope to expound on this, and maybe a little “more awake” editing when I get back.

Temptation and Delivery

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

Verse: “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished.” – 2 peter 2:9

Quote: “But the godly are delivered out of their trials, and that not by chance, nor by secondary agencies, but by the Lord himself.  He personally undertakes the office of delivering those who trust him.”

You are going to face trials in your life and rightly so.  When you persevere, you emerge from them closer to God and with a better understanding of the life He has for you.  God insists on trials, be He also insists on being with you every step of the way.  “He personally undertakes the office of delivering those who trust him.”  That was worth repeating.

C.H. Spurgeon

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

Verse: “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.” – Psalm 101:6

Quote: “Let no true-hearted man think that he is over-looked; the king himself has his eye upon him.”

I decided today to implement a different devotional.  I have been reading C.H. Spurgeons “Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith” on and off all year, and have found good encouragement in his writings, I just haven’t been consistent.  This morning’s had several good quotes, but this one stuck out to me.  Sometimes even the faithful need to be reminded that when no one else is keeping track, God Himself is.