The sorrow of the world

The sorrow of the world

(Arthur Pink, "Worldly Sorrow")

"The sorrow of the world works death."
    2 Corinthians 7:10

Just as surely as happiness is the attendant of
holiness—so misery is the certain result of sin.

The sorrow of the world is not occasioned
by mourning over sin as sin—but over the
retribution which sin brings.

The sorrow of the world does not arise from
just views of sin, nor does it proceed from any
concern that God has been offended. It does
not lead the soul to God in true penitence, nor
to turn to Him for consolation.

When the worldling's dream of earthly happiness 
has been dispelled by misfortune—he feeds only
on the sour bread of self-pity and unblessed woe.

The sorrow of the world debilitates the body,
disturbs peace, impairs the mind, and breaks the
spirit. There is no contrite seeking unto God on
the part of the suffering one—but only a fretting
and murmuring against Him.

"Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed
 the God of heaven because of their pains and
 their sores—but they refused to repent of what
 they had done." Revelation 16:10-11

Sailing through the narrow strait of repentance

Sailing through the narrow strait of repentance

(William Dyer, "Christ's Famous Titles")

To bless God for mercies—is the way to increase them;
to bless Him for miseries—is the way to remove them.

Christ uncrowned Himself—to crown us!
He put off His robes—to put on our rags!
He came down from heaven—to keep us out of hell!
He fasted forty days—that He might feast us to all eternity!
He came from heaven to earth—that He might send us from earth to heaven!

There is no going to the fair haven of glory—without
sailing through the narrow strait of repentance.

Sodom will be better off!

Sodom will be better off! (MacDuff, "The Doomed City" 1887) "I assure you, Sodom will be better off on the judgment day than you." Matthew 11:24 Alas! alas! Is it not to be feared that many are content with having "a name to live," who are spiritually dead. There are thousands who come to our churches, who hear the preacher, who assent to the message, but go back from listening to the tremendous themes of Death, Judgment, and Eternity, to plunge deep as ever into engrossing worldliness and sin. The preacher may be heard; his words may fall like lulling music on the ear, but the gates of the soul are firmly locked and barred against admission. The preacher may thunder his rebukes, but some heart sin and life sin, will, in spite of them, be retained and caressed. Are there none now reading these words, whom the Savior would begin to "upbraid," because they have not repented? When His scrutinizing eye looks down, Sabbath after Sabbath, upon listening audiences throughout our land, all apparently solemn, sincere, outwardly devout, does He not discern, lurking underneath this fair external guise, the signs and symptoms of loathsomeness and decay; like the pure virgin snow covering the charred and blackened ruin? Ah! sermons will not save us! Church going will not save us! Orthodoxy in creed and party will not save us! Repent! Repent! is the sharp, shrill call of the Gospel trumpet! There must  be . . .   a change of heart;   a change of life;   a crucifixion of sin; and with full purpose of heart, a cleaving unto the Lord who died for us! n.b. To read this whole sermon, just click on  The Doomed City

This is one of the most foolish of all lies!

This is one of the most foolish of all lies! (Spurgeon, "Life's Ever Springing Well" #864) Some of you think, perhaps, because you have been to a place of worship from your youth up, and have been doing your best to lead reputable and respectable lives, that perhaps you shall obtain salvation as a matter of course; but it is not so. You must learn that saving grace can only come to you as the gift of mercy. I have heard it said, and I have been horrified when I have heard so gross a falsehood, that there is in man something good, noble, spiritual; and that the object of the Christian minister in delivering the gospel is to take away the ignorance and folly that may overlay this innate nobility, and so to bring out and train up the precious vital spiritual life which lays latent within the human heart. This is one of the most foolish of all lies! There is nothing spiritually good in man whatever by nature. The carnal mind is at enmity against God. We might rake the ash heap of human nature a long time before we found the priceless jewel of spiritual life concealed within it. Man is dead in sin. How long will you search the sepulcher before you shall discover life within the ribs of death? Long enough may you ransack yonder mouldering bones in the cemetery, before you shall discover the germs of immortality within the ashes of the departed. If man were but faint, we might, perhaps, by a sort of 'spiritual friction' or electricity, arouse him to life. If he were lying in a state of coma, we might, by some 'gracious surgery', at length rekindle the embers, and make the life burn forth in its strength. But when we are informed, over and over again, by the Holy Spirit himself, that man is not only dead, but that he is corrupt, where is the hope of finding spiritual life within him? The living and incorruptible seed of grace is not produced in men, by efforts of their own, through the imitation of good example, or through early instruction, or through gradual reform. Though for centuries the dead should be located in the neighborhood of the living, they will not thereby come to life.  For many a day might you read a homily upon life in the ears of the corpse before you shall thereby cause the skeleton to make any effort towards vitality. Spiritual life is a gift, wholly a gift. It is given according to the good will and purpose of God. If the Lord gives this spiritual life to some and not to others, he is perfectly free to do as he wills with his own. God will be debtor to no man. He owes nothing to sinful man but wrath! Justice awards me nothing but death. Sovereign grace alone can bring me life. If God chooses according to his good pleasure to give a new and spiritual life to his chosen, none shall dare to question him.

Our Dependency on Christ

Our Dependency on Christ

By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman


"We are troubled on every side" (2 Cor. 7:5).

Why should God have to lead us thus, and allow the pressure to be so hard and constant? Well, in the first place, it shows His all-sufficient strength and grace much better than if we were exempt from pressure and trial. "The treasure is in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

It makes us more conscious of our dependence upon Him. God is constantly trying to teach us our dependence, and to hold us absolutely in His hand and hanging upon His care.

This was the place where Jesus Himself stood and where He wants us to stand, not with self-constituted strength, but with a hand ever leaning upon His, and a trust that dare not take one step alone. It teaches us trust.

There is no way of learning faith except by trial. It is God's school of faith, and it is far better for us to learn to trust God than to enjoy life.

The lesson of faith once learned, is an everlasting acquisition and an eternal fortune made; and without trust even riches will leave us poor. --Days of Heaven upon Earth

"Why must I weep when others sing?
'To test the deeps of suffering.'
Why must I work while others rest?
'To spend my strength at God's request.'
Why must I lose while others gain?
'To understand defeat's sharp pain.'
Why must this lot of life be mine
When that which fairer seems is thine?
'Because God knows what plans for me
Shall blossom in eternity.'"

Delusive signs!

Delusive signs!
(John Angell James)There are delusive signs of spiritual health and vigor.

Increased ability and disposition to 'talk of religion' in
the way of explaining and defending its doctrines, may
be mistaken for an increased influence of it in the heart.
Yet this may be nothing but the working of pride, or an
effusion of vanity.

To have a knowledge of the truths of Scripture, without
an experience of their influence upon the heart, is only
walking to the bottomless pit with the torch of truth
in our right hand!

Zeal for some peculiar notions or forms, may be thought
to be pure concern for God's glory. Yet all the while it
may only be the most rancorous party spirit.

Liberality in giving may be merely self-righteousness
or ostentation.

Undeviating formality may be erroneously thought
to be ardent devotion.

Enthusiastic attachment to some novel opinion, may
be erroneously supposed to be spirituality of mind.

These are but a few specimens of the errors into which
people fall, in judging spiritual health and vigor. And
they tend to show the vast importance of our having
a scriptural knowledge of the correct tests of personal
godliness.

The sheep's clothing will soon be stripped from the wolf's back!

The sheep's clothing will soon be
 stripped from the wolf's back!
(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

"Having a form of godliness—but denying its power."
2 Timothy 3:5

Formality frequently takes its dwelling near the chambers of integrity, and so assumes its name; the soul not suspecting that hell should make so near an approach to heaven. A rotten post, though covered with gold, is more fit to be burned in the fire, than for the building of a fabric. Where there is a pure conscience—there will be a pure conversation. The dial of our faces does not infallibly show—the time of day in our hearts. The humblest looks may enamel the face—while unbounded pride governs the heart!

A hypocrite may be both the fairest creature—and the foulest creature in the world! He may be fairest outwardly in the eyes of man—and foulest inwardly in the sight of God. How commonly do such unclean swans cover their black flesh with their white feathers! Though such wear the mantle of Samuel—they should bear the name of Satan!

Many appear righteous—who are only righteous in appearance. But while they are deceiving others with the false shows of holiness—they are also deceiving themselves with the false hopes of happiness. The hypocrite would not willingly appear evil—and yet would inwardly be evil. He would gladly be accounted godly—and yet would not be godly.

Man, either appear what you are—or be what you appear. What will the form of godliness do for you—if you deny the power thereof? Those who have the power of godliness, cannot deny the form; while those who have the form of godliness, may deny the power.

Hypocrites resemble looking-glasses—which present faces that are not in them. Oh, how desirous are men to put the fairest gloves—upon the foulest hands; and the finest paint—upon the rottenest posts!

Hypocrites are better in show—than in substance. They are like painted tombs—which enclosedecayed bones. That is a sad charge, which the God of truth brings against certain false professors, "I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not—but are the synagogue of Satan!" A false friend—is worse than an open enemy. A painted harlot is less dangerous—than a painted hypocrite. A treacherous Judas is more abhorred by God—than a bloody Pilate!

Professors! Remember—the sheep's clothing will soon be stripped from the wolf's back! The velvet plaster of profession—shall not always conceal the offensive ulcer of corruption. Neither the ship of formality nor hypocrisy—will carry a person to the harbor of felicity. The blazing lamps of foolish virgins may light them to the bridegroom's gate—but not into His chamber. Either get the nature of Christ within you—or take the name of Christ away from you.

A bad man is certainly the worst—when he is seemingly the best. We must not account everyone a soldier—who swaggers with a sword. A rusty sword—may frequently be found in a highly decorated scabbard. What good is it to have our hands as white as snow—if our hearts are as black as the bottomless pit! Such professors resemble soap bubbles—smooth and pretty without—yet only filled with air!

A man may wear the Savior's livery—and yet be busied in Satan's drudgery! The skin of an apple may be fair—when it is rotten at the core! Though all gold may glitter—yet all is not gold that glitters. The worst hypocrite may have the color of gold—but not the value of gold!

OUR GREATEST DAY

OUR GREATEST DAY -Spurgeon, "Found by Jesus, and Finding Jesus" For a soul to come to Jesus, is the grandest event in its history. It is spiritually dead until that day; but it then begins to live! A saved man may reckon his age from the time in which he first knew the Lord. That day of first knowing Christ is important in the highest degree, because it affects all the man's PAST-- It sheds another light on all the years that have gone by since he has lived in sin. The transaction of that day blots out all his sin. The day in which a man comes to Christ, that very day his transgressions and iniquities are blotted out, even as the thick clouds are driven from the sky, when God's strong wind chases them away. Is not that a grand day in which our sins are cast into the depths of the sea? As for the PRESENT what a different life does a man begin to live on the day in which he finds the Lord-- He commences to live in the light, instead of being dead in the darkness. He begins to enjoy the privileges of liberty, instead of suffering the horrors of slavery. He is started on the way to heaven, instead of continuing on the road to hell. He is such a new creature that he cannot tell how changed he is. One said to me, "Sir, the change in me is of this kind-- either the whole world is altered, or else I am." So is it when we are brought to know Christ-- it is a real, total, radical change! It is a most joyous alteration. Oh! happy, happy day, when the miraculous hand of Christ takes away the infirmities of the soul, and makes the lame man to leap as a hart, and causes the tongue of the dumb to sing! The day in which a man comes to Christ is also a wonderful day in its effect upon all his FUTURE-- It is as when the helm of a ship is turned right around; the man now sails in a totally different direction. His future will never be what his past was. There may be faults; there may be infirmities and shortcomings; but there will never be the old love of sin any more. "Sin shall not have dominion over you." When Christ comes to our soul, he so breaks the neck of sin, that though it lives a struggling, dying life, and often makes a great deal of howling in the heart, yet it is doomed to die. The cross of Christ has broken sin's back, and broken its neck, too, and die it must. Henceforth the man is bound for holiness, and bound for heaven.

Perservering Prayer

Perservering Prayer

By Andrew Murray



Let it be thus whether you pray for yourself or for others. All labor, bodily or mental, needs time and effort: we must give up ourselves up to it. Nature discovers her secrets and yields her treasures only to diligent and thoughtful labor. However little we can understand it, in the spiritual farming it is the same: the seed we sow in the soil of heaven, the efforts we put forth, and the influence we seek to exert in the world above, need our whole being: we must give ourselves to prayer. But let us hold firm the great confidence that in due season we will reap if we don't give up.

And let us especially learn the lesson as we pray for the Christ's Church. She is, indeed, like the poor widow, in the absence of her Lord, apparently at the mercy of her adversary, helpless to obtain restitution. Let us, when we pray for His Church or any portion of it, under the power of the world, asking Him to visit her with the mighty workings of His Spirit and to prepare her for His coming-- let us pray in the assured faith: prayer does help, praying always and not stopping will bring the answer. Only give God time. And then keep crying out day and night. "And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?" (Luke 18:6-7).

SONS OF GOD

SONS OF GOD from Spurgeon’s sermon, SONS OF GOD If we are born into God’s family, it is a miracle of mercy! It is one of the ever-blessed exhibitions of the infinite love of God which without any cause in us, has set itself upon us. If you are this day an heir of heaven, remember you were once the slave of hell. Once you wallowed in the mire. If you should adopt a swine to be your child, you could not then have performed an act of greater compassion than when God adopted you! And if an angel could exalt a gnat to equal dignity with himself, yet the gain would not be such a one as that which God has conferred on you. He has taken you from the dunghill, and he has set you among princes!

The time of love?

The time of love? There is a day appointed by God for the salvation of his elect, a day fixed from eternity when grace will come to the chosen sinner, an hour determined before the world began when the Good Shepherd will seek out and find his lost sheep. There is a time fixed before time began, called "the time of love,” when the predestined child, the elect sinner, redeemed by the blood of Christ, must be saved. At that hour, salvation must and shall come to the soul loved of God with an everlasting love. Only one thing is really important in this matter, only one question must be answered, only one issue must be settled. “Do you believe on the Son of God?” You will know that God has saved you, that you are chosen, redeemed, and called by grace, when you find yourself believing the gospel. Do you believe? If you do, the Lord has sought you out and found you by his grace. -Don Fortner

The Hell Fire Club?

The Hell Fire Club? (edited from Spurgeon's sermon, #950 "Means for Restoring the Banished" )  Mr. Thorpe was a member of an 'infidel' club. In those days infidelity was more blasphemous than now. This infidel society took the name of the "Hell Fire Club". Among their amusements was that of holding imitations of religious services, and exhibiting mimicries of popular ministers. Thorpe went to hear George Whitfield preach, that he might caricature him before his profane associates. He listened to Whitfield so carefully that he caught his tones and his manner, and somewhat of his doctrines. When the "Hell Fire Club" met to see his caricature of Whitfield, Thorpe opened the Bible that he might take a text to preach from it after the manner of Whitfield. His eye fell on the passage, "Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish." As he spoke upon that text he was carried beyond himself, lost all thought of mockery, spoke as one in earnest, and was the means of his own conversion! He was carried by the force of truth beyond his own intention, like one who would play in a river, and is swept away by its current. Even the scoffer may be reached by the arrows of truth! Scripture has often been the sole means in the hands of its divine Author of converting the soul. "For the Word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are." Hebrews 4:12 (After his amazing conversion, Thorpe became a noted preacher of the gospel. This is the most amazing conversion I have ever heard of. -editor)

LET FEAR BECOME TRUST

LET FEAR BECOME TRUST By A.W. Tozer       What can we do but pray for the throngs of defiant men and women who believe that their humanistic view of life is all-sufficient? They believe that they are responsible "captains" of their own souls. The sad fact is that even while they are joining in the age-old rejection of Jesus Christ-"We will not have this Man to rule over us"-they still are beset with fears within.  The present competitive world and its selfish society have brought many new fears to the human race. I can sympathize with those troubled beings who lie awake at night worrying about the possible destruction of the race through some evil, misguided use of the world's store of nuclear weapons. The tragedy is that they have lost all sense of the sovereignty and omnipotence and faithfulness of the living God. Although the material world has never understood it, our faith is well-placed in the Scriptures! Those who take God's Word seriously are convinced of an actual heavenly realm as real as this world we inhabit!

JACOB & ESAU

JACOB & ESAU Spurgeon "JACOB HAVE I LOVED, BUT ESAU HAVE I HATED" -Romans 9:13 WHY DID GOD LOVE JACOB AND HATE ESAU? I can tell you why God LOVED Jacob-- IT IS SOVEREIGN GRACE! There was nothing in Jacob that could make God love him; there was everything about him that might have made God hate him as much as He did Esau, and a great deal more. But it was because God is infinitely gracious that He loved Jacob, and because He is sovereign in His dispensation of His grace, that He chose Jacob as an object of that love. Jacob was loved by God simply on the footing of FREE GRACE. WHY DID GOD HATE ESAU? Why does God hate any man? I defy anyone to give any answer but this... because that man DESERVES to be hated. No reply but that can be true. If God deals severely with any person, it is because that person deserves all that he gets. Esau did not lose his birthright; he sold it. He sold it for a "mess of pottage." If any of you want to know what I preach, it is this-- "I preach salvation all of grace and damnation all of sin. I give God the glory for every soul that is saved; and when I come to preach damnation, I say that damnation is of man."

We are not saved by a creed!

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

That which makes one a Christian is not . . .
  the acceptance of Christ's teaching, 
  the uniting with His church, 
  the adoption of His morals,
  the espousing of His cause — 
but the receiving of Him as our personal Savior, the entering into a covenant of eternal friendship with Him as our Lord and Master.

We are not saved by a creed which gathers up the essence of the truth about Christ's person and work, in a few golden sentences.We must have the Christ Himself, whom the creed holds forth, in His radiant beauty and grace.

A good many people think that being a Christian is . . .
  to pray a few moments morning and evening, 
  to read a daily chapter or two in the Bible, 
  and to attend church on Sundays. 
These duties are important as means of grace — but they are not vital religion. 

True religion is living out the principles of Christianity in one's ordinary week-day life. It is getting the Bible and the prayers and the services — into thought and act and character! 

We must not cut our lives in two and call one part secular, governing it by one set of principles — and regarding the other part as sacred, to be controlled by another set of rules. All of life is to be made religious, in the sense that everything is to be done in such a way as to please God, under the direction of His counsel. We have just as much religion, as we get into our week-your life, and not a whit more!

The True Church!

The True Church!

(George Everard, "The True Church!" 1885)

"For it is we who are the true circumcision . . .
  who worship by the Spirit of God,
  who glory in Christ Jesus, and
  who put no confidence in the flesh." Philippians 3:3

There is a vast difference between the Church as seen by the eye of man — and by the eye of God.

The Church, as seen by man, is the mixed mass of . . .
  the true and the false,
  good coin and base,
  the genuine and counterfeit people of God.

The Church, as seen by God, is the unmixed company of those whose hearts are right before Him. It is the flock who hear the Shepherd's voice, and follow in His footsteps. It is those who are cleansed in His blood from guilt, and renewed in the inner man by the working of His Spirit.

In the above passage, we have three distinct marks of God's people. The Jew gloried in circumcision, and accounted the Church of God to be limited to such as had received this rite. But Paul goes deeper. Those who have but the outward circumcision may be very far from God. But the true circumcision, the circumcision of the Spirit — this marks the Church of the saved.

Then he names three points. And if you would know whether you are a member of the mystical body of Christ, the Church of the living God whose names are written in Heaven — try yourself by these three marks:

1. "Who worship by the Spirit of God." Is this your worship?
Are your prayers and praises offered by the aid of the Holy Spirit?
Do you come to God as a child to a tender Father? 
Do your hearty desires go with the words you utter?
Do you thoroughly believe that the ear of God is open to your petition, and do you look for an answer in His own time and way?

2. "Who glory in Christ Jesus."
Do you glory in Christ as . . .
  your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption?
  being the Rock, the Resting-place, the Refuge of your soul?
  being your great High Priest, your Shepherd, your King, your Redeemer?
  the source and spring of your happiness, as well as your salvation and your hope?
Do you glory . . .
  in His changeless love,
  in His unshaken fidelity, and
  in His Almighty power to save and help?

3. "Who put no confidence in the flesh." Is this the case with yourself? Have you cast aside all confidence in all that is merely external? Have you learned to put away all confidence in ordinances, duties, church work, and all that is merely on the surface? Have you refused to rely in the least degree on your zeal, or good feelings, or works, or gifts, or self-improvement, or prayers — that to you, Christ alone may be all in all?

Here was Paul's ground of rejoicing — is it yours?

Are you a member of that Church of God's true saints, whose marks are such as these?

Every creature has some rock

(James Smith, "The Incomparable Rock!" 1860)

"There is no Rock like our God!" 1 Samuel 2:2

As creatures, we all need . . .
  an object of trust,
  one on whom we can lean,
  one in whom we can confide,
  one to whom we may look for defense and safety.
Every creature has some rock — some object of dependence and trust; for without this, there would be recklessness or despair.

Some make a 'rock' of their wealth,
some of their talents,
some of their station,
some of their friends,
some of their good deeds,
some of their religious observances,
some of their name or fame.

But the Christian's rock is his God, that is — God in Christ. Yes, Jesus is . . .
  the foundation of his hopes,
  the source of his strength,
  the anchor of his safety, and
  the fountain that supplies him!

In Christ, his Rock — he finds honey; and this Rock pours out rivers of oil for him, "He nourished him with honey from the Rock, and with oil from the flinty crag." Deuteronomy 32:13. This Rock, Christ — is the Rock of his salvation. This Rock of ages — is the Rock of his strength. Of this Rock, he can sing, "The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior!" 2 Samuel 22:2-3

Looking around upon all others, he can say, "But their 'rock' is not like our Rock; even our enemies concede." Deuteronomy 32:31.

There is no rock like our Rock:
  none so great,
  none so ancient,
  none so durable,
  none so suited to meet all a sinner's needs.

On this Rock we build for eternity! We have no doubt that our immortal interests are safe. To this Rock, we run for safety, and smile at the opposition of all our foes. In this Rock, we hide, and are safe from the sword of divine justice, as well as the rage of infernal Hell. In this Rock we take shelter, and are uninjured by the windy storm and tempest. From this Rock we look for all our supplies — and we are not, cannot be disappointed. Beneath its shade — we enjoy peace and comfort! In its cleft — we are safe for evermore!

How safe, how happy is the believer — having God for his ROCK; for . . .
  he builds on a foundation that can never decay,
  he trusts in a stronghold that can never be taken,
  he hides in a refuge from which he can never be expelled!

"The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!" 2 Samuel 22:47

The Shepherd searching for the sheep!

The Shepherd searching for the sheep!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for My sheep and look after them!" Ezekiel 34:11 

The prophet looked into a distant future, and saw the day of Christ from afar.

1. Just so, I look back and see my sovereign Lord in the manger-cradle at Bethlehem. He has emptied Himself — He has laid all His glory down. He has come to my earth, not in the splendors of His divinity, but with an infant's palpable and pathetic claim for nursing and nurture. He has taken my nature in its feeblest and most helpless condition, and made it His own nature. 

It is a long way for the Shepherd to travel in search of the sheep — no arithmetic can compute it, no history can describe the downward journey. But the Incarnation is not enough. Not at Bethlehem does the Lover of my soul find me who has departed from His fold.

2. Then I see my sovereign Lord on the hillsides and in the cornfields and on the lake-waters of Galilee. 

Never a man speaks like this Man — His are the words of grace and truth, of fire and dew. 

Never a man lives like this Man — He does not weary in healing, feeding, comforting, rebuking sin, and compassionating and blessing the sinner. 

He is seeking me by the messages of His lips, and by the blamelessness and beneficence of His life. Patiently He is enticing me home. But the ministry of word and miracle is not enough. Not in Capernaum does the Flock-master find me, who am so persevering in my revolt.

3. Then I see my sovereign Lord beneath the olive trees in Gethsemane. He is praying with strong cryings and tears. He has come very near to the transgressors now, and more poignantly than ever He feels the awfulness of their burden. His sweat, falling down to the ground, is, as it were, great drops of blood. The Seeker is learning the sharpness of the crag, and the rush of the torrent. None has cared for me so much; none has borne a sorrow so deep on my behalf. But His intercession and His sympathy are not enough. Not in the agonies of the garden, does He succeed in finding me.

4. But, last, I see my sovereign Lord nailed to the Cross outside the gate on the Hill of Reproach. He dies for sin — but not His own; He is purer than the newborn lamb and the new-fallen snow. He lays my immeasurable guilt on Himself. He redeems me by the one perfect offering of His unblemished body and soul. The Good Shepherd is giving His life for His sheep! And this, at length, is enough — the atonement, the blood-shedding. It is enough for God — and it is enough for me. 

On Calvary I behold the depth of my iniquity — and the wonder of His redemption! 

On Calvary my God finds me, and conquers me, and saves me!

Never was there a sheep so silly, so fond of roaming, so bent on destroying itself!
Never was there a search so longsome, so untiring, and so fraught with suffering! 
Never was there a Shepherd like my adorable Redeemer!

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep!" John 10:11

Puritan AUDIO Devotional-Life is too short; Love is too sacred!

Life is too short; Love is too sacred!
J.R. Miller, very helpfulPlay Audio! Download Audio

The two trees!

(George Everard, "The Piercing of Jesus' Side!" 1868)

One tree has been the channel of all the evil that is to be found in the world.

Another tree has been the channel of all the good that is to be found in the world.

From the fruit of the tree of which Eve partook, has arisen . . .
  all the sin,
  all the care,
  all the sorrow,
  all the disease, and
  all the death that are to be seen on every side.

From the fruit of another tree, that on which Jesus bore our sins, has arisen . . .
  all the grace,
  all the holiness,
  all the hope,
  all the consolation,
which the redeemed have received from above.

Oh, that we might gaze upon that cross, and in faith behold Him who hung there!

O blessed Redeemer, grant us the Spirit of grace and supplication . . .
  that we may look upon You whom our sins have pierced, and mourn; 

  that we may again look upon You, and rejoice in such a loving Savior, in such a blood-bought salvation!

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We have published George Everard's very uplifting 4 page article, "The Priceless Pearl!"

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The Last Message to the Church

The Last Message to the Church  by T. Austin-Sparks "These things saith the Amen" (Rev. 3:14). The last message to the Church is from the One who selects for Himself from His many titles and designations the one that embodies everything that is affirmative, positive, and definite. "Amen" is not only an ejaculation or form of assent, it is a Divine title, and in the title there is - as always - a character, a definition. In Isaiah 65:16, "the God of truth" is literally "the God of Amen". When Jesus so often said, "Verily, verily", He used this very word, "Amen, Amen", thus conveying the meaning that what He was and said was of the character of absolute certainty, perfect assurance, and unmistakable positiveness. Eventually He gathered all into the personal title - "the Amen". This, alongside of its definition, "the faithful and true witness", gives a forceful significance to the message of the context, and becomes the message itself. It stands in vivid contrast to the conditions existing. Although not universally, yet quite widely, the interpretation of the messages to the seven churches is thought to be historical and future: that is, that they not only relate to the first Christian century, but cover the whole Church dispensation and represent phases and stages of the spiritual life of the Church at certain given times. Thus, such an interpretation gives to "Laodicea" an end-time application and describes the condition which will obtain at that time. It is not necessary to accept that interpretation, for whether it be right or not so, the message holds a test and a challenge for all time. It is important to get the whole significance of this challenge, for undoubtedly it indicates an ever-present tendency. 1. The Lord's Reaction to a Reactionary Movement To fully grasp the meaning of the message to "Laodicea", we have to go back some years. There are two factors to bring forward. (a) It is generally recognised and known that the two great letters of Paul called "to the Ephesians" and "to the Colossians" did not have such designations attached to them, but that they were circular letters for the Churches in Asia (see, e.g., Col. 4:16). If this was the case, as we believe it to have been, then these were the greatest documents ever penned; and the greatest revelation ever given by God, as contained in those two letters, was given to these seven churches in Asia. That, at least, signified spiritual capacity and aliveness on their part, for the Lord does not give His fullest and best where there is little capacity, life or spirituality. They must have been tuned to this great heavenly key. (b) The second thing is that terrible statement of Paul at the end of his life concerning these churches: "All that are in Asia turned away from me" (2 Tim. 1:15). This is generally held to mean a doctrinal turning away; an adverse reaction to Paul and his teaching; and it is surely borne out by the things said to at least five of the seven churches, and by Paul's letters to Timothy, who had responsibility in Ephesus. If this was true, then the messages, and the message to Laodicea in particular, represent the Lord's reaction to that reactionary movement. It is as though the Lord said (and here is the message for all time): 'I have given you a full revelation of My mind concerning Myself and the Church; you have that immense deposit, but you have turned from it. You may turn from the messenger, but you cannot get away either from the message or from the One who sent it. 'These things saith (not Paul - but) "the Amen, the faithful and true witness" - the unalterable, unchanging, invincible One.' The Church is responsible for what the Lord has given it, and will be judged accordingly. 2. The Inclusive Charge  "Neither hot nor cold" How necessary it is for us rightly to appraise what this means. Surely the things of which Laodicea boasted did not come to them without some zeal or energetic activity on their part! These things do not just tumble into the lap without thought and concern. May there not have been many things there that today would be regarded as the marks of a vigorous, energetic, active and 'living' church? - indeed, a very prosperous church? It depends upon the viewpoint and the standard that governs - whether the world's or the heavenly Lord's! Here is a state which, from one standpoint, is defined as "rich, and in need of nothing". From the Lord's viewpoint it is judged to be spiritual mediocrity, and the very boast contains the constituents of that spiritual mediocrity. Spiritual contentment and complacency, the absence of a deep and strong sense of need and desire for what has never yet been attained, are such constituents, and the symptoms of spiritual invalidism.

Can You See Where You Are Going? By Theodore Epp

Can You See Where You Are Going?

By Theodore Epp


1 John 1:5-10

For a person to walk in the light requires that he first receive Christ as personal Saviour. The light of God's Word must first have enlightened that person's heart and convicted him of his sin.

That same light reveals to us the holiness of God and brings us to a reverential fear of Him, something foreign to the natural man (see Rom. 3:18).

That same light reveals to us how Christ came to reconcile us to God. To us is offered "the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference" (Rom. 3:22).

Christians who walk in the light become increasingly conscious of the holiness of God and of the sinfulness of sin. They are not deluded into denying that they have a sinful nature.

They realize that they still have sinful tendencies that are expressed in fleshly impulses, nonspiritual inclinations and standards of living that are patterned after the world rather than after God.

These are all sinful in the sight of God, and to call them righteous rather than sinful is to walk in darkness. Should we even so much as waver in our trust in God, we sin, for the Word says, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23).

"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

TO BE A PILGRIM

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

TO BE A PILGRIM

[Harry Foster]

THE Pilgrims were tired. They were walking against time. And now they had lost their way. There were five of them and they were not really pilgrims but campers. There were five tents in the Boys' Holiday Camp which their Bible Class had organized for them. Each tent held five boys and each tent had a name. So there were Sowers, Heralds, Warriors, and Ambassadors as well as Pilgrims, and, of course, there was much rivalry between them.

In addition to the ordinary games and fun which made their camp such a happy place there were occasional special competitions between the different tents. At the moment the Heralds seemed to have the edge on the other four, but the Pilgrims were coming up from behind and making a tremendous effort to become the champions.

Today had been the day of the final Pathfinder contest. If the Pilgrims could win this they would finish as the champion tent. For the contest each leader had been handed a map and a route, with various landmarks and points of call. The five routes were all different, but the distances were equal and the first party home would be adjudged winners. They had been given packed lunches and set off after breakfast. Now it was late afternoon and the Pilgrims were on almost the last lap of their journey. They had left Westlake some way behind, and were pressing on towards Northfield, their last place of call before the final rush home to camp. Time was all important and they were tired.

They had reached a place where five paths intersected, and had expected to find there a signpost which would show which of these paths led to Northfield. But they had been disappointed. At first it seemed from a distance as if there were no signpost at all, but as they drew nearer they saw that it was there, but it lay flat on the ground. The post had rotted and either the wind had blown it down, or some mischievous person had given it a last push and made it useless. Whatever the cause, there it lay, and no one could tell which of the paths was the right one.

John, who was in charge of the party , asked for the opinions of the other four. First to speak -- as usual -- was Peter. "I feel sure that it is straight on," he said. "Hurry up! Let's get moving at once or the Heralds will beat us." "You may be wrong, Peter," said John, "you often are. We mustn't rush the matter." "Come on," urged Peter, "let's get moving. If we find that it is wrong we may find another sign, or we can come back and start again." John turned to Stephen who gave his opinion that the correct path was the first on the left, which was enough to ensure that James would declare his view that it was the one on the right. Just like James, John thought, he always has to be contrary. Of course, he may be right. In any case this left only Andrew and himself, so he turned to him and asked, "What about it? Is it first left, right or straight on?" Whether John would have accepted a two to one majority or not, we do not know, for Andrew also had his own ideas and thought that it was the second on the left. "Oh dear!" exclaimed John, "what shall we do? Every one of you wants to go a different way. There are four chaps and four paths. Which is the right one?" "No" interjected Peter, who liked his little joke, "there are five chaps and five ways! Which one will you choose, John, the one we have just come along?"

At first John was a bit nettled by this and told Peter not to be an ass, but then an idea struck him. "Right," he shouted, "that is one thing we do know. We know the path which comes from Westlake. Come on boys, lift up the signpost and swivel it round until the arm marked WESTLAKE points back along the path we have come by. No, move it round a bit more! Hold it!" They held it, and all looked up at the five arms of the post. There was NORTHFIELD on the arm pointing second to the left. "Come on," cried Andrew, letting go of the post again, "I win!" "This is the way," said John, "but we must hurry if any of us are going to win. No more talking, you chaps. Walk! And keep on walking!"

Great was the rejoicing that evening in the Pilgrims' tent. They had just made it. And of course the whole camp had to hear of John's detective act with the signpost. It had been done in the nick of time. If they had waited to argue or to investigate further they would have been too late. But the Pilgrims were champions. And they were very proud of it.

At least they were until the Camp-fire Service after supper. For in his message the Leader spoke on looking back and read the verse about the men who were "strangers and pilgrims" which said "And if indeed they had been mindful of that [53/54] country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country ..." (Hebrews 11:15). The Leader said that on the whole looking back was a bad thing, at least if it included a desire to go back. "But there are times," he said, "when a remembrance of where we have come from may help to keep us on the right road. Abraham may have seen a signpost sometimes which pointed to UR. It was the way back. That was the place of the old life, the place of idols and an empty heart. He had left that behind. And then if he turned his back to Ur he would be facing the right direction to walk with God. Israel often saw signposts pointing to EGYPT where they had come from. It was the land of their slavery and their shame. When they turned their backs on Egypt, Isaiah and other prophets told them, then they would be able to walk in the ways of God."

"And how about the Pilgrims?" asked the Leader -- John and Peter and the other three. Had they learned their lesson? All true Christians have turned towards Christ, and that means turning their back on the world. He asked the boys what they would do after the camp when they got back to their ordinary life and saw the many signposts which pointed back to sin and self. Would they remember that this was the way of living which they had left behind? If they did, it would help them to keep moving in the right direction. Pilgrims, yes and Sowers and Heralds and Warriors and Ambassadors too, all of them should keep their old life at their backs and look straight forward to the way of life and blessing in Christ!

Did we say that the Pilgrims were no longer proud of their exploit with the signpost? Perhaps that would not be quite true. But more than proud, they were grateful. Grateful to be reminded never to look back, except to gain fresh help for moving forward. That is the way for pilgrims. And that is the way in which pilgrims become champions. H. F.

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GOD'S WATCHFUL CARE

GOD'S WATCHFUL CARE

[Harry Foster]

PHILLIP was very fond of his grandmother, but there was just one thing he did not like about her room. This was a framed Sampler which hung on the wall over her bed. Of course, it was very old-fashioned; but what Phillip did not like were the embroidered words: "Thou God seest me."

"Why do you have that on your wall?" he asked his grandmother one day. She replied: "Because it comforts me." "Well, it doesn't comfort me," said Phillip, "it does just the opposite. I don't think it is fair that God should always be spying on me." "Fair or not," said his grandmother quietly, "it is true."

As Christmas came near the matter of shopping arose, and when one day Phillip's school had a shopping holiday, his father also took a day off and they drove into the nearby town. As he drove along, Phillip's father remarked: "I hear that the police have TV cameras covering the town centre, so that they can keep an eye on thieves and pickpockets." He added: "Of course, some people don't like the idea of being spied on. In fact, my newspaper this morning says that it is not right." Phillip's mother said that she thought that it was a good idea, but Phillip broke in with his old complaint about it not being fair. "I don't like it," he told his parents. "No," said his father, "and nor do the criminals. Those who are doing no wrong have no need to fear being watched." "Well, I don't like it," repeated Phillip. "I don't think that it is fair. Why, it is almost as bad as Grandma's text!"

By this time they had arrived at the car park, and were soon so involved in their shopping that all else was forgotten. There seemed so much to buy and Phillip found it very exciting. The great moment for him was when he chose his tape-recorder. This was something he had longed to have, but because of the price he hardly dare hope that he would ever get one. However, his parents and his grandmother had joined together to give him the money. He found just the thing, at just the right price, and was thrilled when they went back to the car park and he was carefully carrying the parcel with the recording machine. Of course, he was carrying other parcels as well, and so were his parents. In fact, they were all three so loaded up that nobody had a free hand to open the car.

Father's arms were full of small parcels, so he asked Phillip to get the car key out of his outside pocket. Phillip first placed his precious parcel in a safe place and then fished around in his father's pocket till after a struggle and some delay he managed to find it. At first he could not get the car door open, which made Mother and Father rather impatient, as they were so laden with their parcels, but at last he succeeded. Father poured out his armful of parcels on to the back seat, helped Mother with hers, and then they all got into the car and drove off.

They were less than half a mile from the car park when they were stopped by a police car. Father wondered for a moment if he had hurt somebody without knowing it, and even more so when the policeman's first question was: "Have you just come from the main car park?" "Yes," he replied. "I hope that there is no trouble." "Not really, sir," said the policeman, "but I think that you left a parcel there." Both Father and Mother were about to deny this when Phillip broke in. As soon as the policeman mentioned a parcel he had a cold feeling inside him as he remembered that he had forgotten to pick up his recording machine. So in a rather scared voice he said: "It's mine! I left it down behind our car." "That's all right, sir," said the policeman cheerfully. "Not to worry." So they turned round to drive back to the car park. [27/28]

Meanwhile poor Phillip hardly dared to breathe in case the tape recorder might be stolen while they were driving back, but really he had no cause for worry, since there at the car park entrance was a smiling police officer with the precious parcel in his hand. Phillip was so grateful that he could hardly speak, but his father thanked the policeman and then he asked him how they knew about it and whose it was. The man explained that at the Police Station there was an officer watching the television screens. He had seen it all happen, had taken their number, and had then put out calls to him and also to the police car. "It was the ever-watchful eye that did it," he concluded laughingly.

Phillip was very quiet as they drove home. His father could not resist asking him if he had changed his mind about being spied on, and he had to admit that but for the TV cameras he would never have been warned about his mistake and would have lost his valuable Christmas present.

That evening he went into his grandmother's room and told her all about it, and how the watchful eye of the man at the Police Station had saved him from losing his parcel. In a very gentle voice she said to him: "Now you know, Phillip, why I find it such a comfort to remember that God always sees me. He is looking not to spite me but to take care of me. He will do the same for you if you trust Him to be your Saviour."

She then showed him another verse about the eye of God. It was that wonderful reminder that "the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9). This was the lesson which Phillip had learned. Have you learned it yet? H.F.

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