Charles Spurgeon

ADORATION

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CHRIST’S INTERCESSION

Screen Shot 2016-03-19 at 3.38.15 PM“Immanuel, God with us…—in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph…” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 25th AM).

FATHER, how thankful I am that CHRIST is not come to You as He left, but now comes to You not only as the “Son of GOD” but also as the “Son of Man.” Because He ascended as the “Son of Man,” I can follow Him straight into Your holy of holies.

“As the Son of Man Jesus Christ deliberately limited omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience in Himself. But since His ascension these qualities are His in absolute full power” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, May 17th). He has all power at Your throne. He is now King of kings and Lord of lords (ref#7, May 17th). And as King He does not just rest on His throne:

“…the essence of Christ’s intercession is intervention in our interests rather than supplication on our behalf…” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1505, “The Ascension of Jesus”).  “He sits at the Father’s right hand—not to rest, but to rule. The picture is not of inactivity but of authority” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1572, “Jesus’ Heavenly Reign”).

From His throne He sends the HOLY SPIRIT and equips me for service. I now have at my disposal all the benefits that His suffering won for me (ref#56, p 1505, “The Ascension of Jesus”).

“Jesus provides his righteousness for our sin, his strength for our weakness, and his relationship with the Father to replace our alienation (2 Cor 5:21)” Bryan Chapell (ref#66, p87).

ADORATION

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GOD GIVES WHAT HE COMMANDS

Screen Shot 2016-02-03 at 2.34.43 PM… “THOU ART THE BLESSED GOD,

happy in thyself,

source of happiness in thy creatures,

my maker, benefactor, proprietor, upholder.

Thou hast produced and sustained me,

supported and indulged me,

saved and kept me,…” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p115).

FATHER, how vast is the ways You demonstrate Your love. You stand so majestic over Your creatures and yet go to such great lengths to establish relationship. We are like sheep—created needy. You are a Shepherd—life-sustaining.

You are so very high—holy and righteous and command me to rise up to a similar position. Since I cannot, You reach down and bring me up. You call Your covenant with me an “everlasting covenant” (Gen 9:16), because it is kept by You keeping Your part as well as mine.

The Psalmist knows very well his weakness when he writes: “I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart” (Ps 119:32 ESV)! Or: “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant…” (Ps 119:176 ESV).

I reminisce with joy that covenant keeping does not depend on me. You say: “I will remember my covenant that is between me and you…” (Gen 9:15 ESV). You do not ask me to remember for I am prone to forget, but You remember.

“It is not my remembering God and my laying hold of His covenant, but it is God’s remembering me and His covenant’s laying hold of me” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Aug 13th PM). Truly, “in His sovereign grace He gives what He commands and delights in the result (Phil 2:13)”  The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1739, “Pleasing God”).

SUPPLICATION

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GENERAL TRIBULATION

[We all can think of a Christian sister or brother experiencing so much affliction they may not be able to pray for themselves. Here’s an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

REASONS FOR AFFLICTION – TO TEST FAITH

Screen Shot 2016-01-28 at 9.47.30 AM…FATHER, I know that it is necessary ____ be grieved by various trials so the genuineness of (his/her) faith may be tested (1 Pet 1:6-7). It is (his/her) faith that You will have on display as evidence of CHRIST’s victory (1 Pet 1:7).

Because of this, FATHER, may ____ understand that all Your providences to (him/her) are doors to trial.

“Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high and our valleys are not too low for temptations; trials lurk on all roads” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Sept 3rd PM).

Do not screen ____ from the trials by which faith is strengthened (ref#34, Sept 3rd PM). SOVEREIGN MASTER, allow the “beast” to wage war against (him/her) and conquer (him/her) (Rev 13:7) so (he/she) has opportunity to endure persecution patiently and remain faithful (Rev 13:10).

“…our pain and losses are always a test of how much we treasure the all-wise, all-governing God in comparison to what we have lost….God ordains the hard  times…to see if we have made a god out of our good times” John Piper (ref#124, p112).

FATHER, guide ____ through the tests of faith. May (he/she) be content “without the promise of any benefits in this life” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Jan 22nd PM) and, by faith, long for the eternal things (ref#34, Jan 22nd PM).

 O GOD, help (him/her) keep Your commandments and maintain (his/her) faith in JESUS (Rev 14:12). But also, when saddled with trials, remind (him/her) to expect Your blessings (James 1:12).

SUPPLICATION

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LACKING PROVISIONS

[We all know someone who is dealing with financial problems. Here is an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

GOD GIVES DAILY ALL PROVISIONS

Screen Shot 2016-01-27 at 12.03.58 PMFATHER, I lift up ____ as (he/she) foresees (his/her) present supplies insufficient for (his/her) future daily needs. Grant (him/her) faith enough to believe You will never cease to sustain and uphold (him/her). You will not, You will not, You will not let (him/her) down (Heb 13:5). You obligate Yourself to supply (his/her) needs (ref#36, p388).

Empower ____ to ask You to take charge of (him/her). Provide for (him/her), FATHER, all that concerns (him/her) in this world—everything which (his/her) body requires. Aid ____ in acknowledging (his/her) “entire dependence upon You for life, and breath, and all things” Neil T. Anderson (ref#14, “Give us this day our daily bread”).

You graciously supply spiritual as well as physical needs. ____ requires a daily supply of grace, too. As with physical food, ____ needs a daily portion of spiritual food. Remind (him/her) that, in JESUS, all necessary things are laid up for (him/her). “In the Word, through the ministry, by meditation, in prayer, and in waiting” (he/she) will receive renewed strength (ref#34, Feb 14th AM).

ADORATION

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SCRIPTURE – GOD’S SELF-DISCLOSURE

Screen Shot 2016-01-27 at 11.29.37 AMFATHER, my worship of You rests on You revealing Yourself to me. I would not know the truth about You or be able to relate to You in a personal way, had You not made Yourself known to me. The themes running throughout the Bible are about You, Your attributes, and godliness. It is “the record, interpretation, and expression of Your self-disclosure” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p141, “The Word of God: Scripture as Revelation”).

“Here I see thy greatness and thy grace, thy pity and thy rectitude, thy mercy and thy truth, thy being and men’s hearts; Through it thou hast magnified thy name, and favored mankind with the gospel” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p192).

This Word of Yours is as true as Your own existence. You and Your Word do not change; everything You have spoken has and will happen (ref#34, July 27th, AM). “I do not need signs and wonders to believe, For thy Word is sure truth” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p164).

The availability of the Bible makes ignorance no excuse for my actions. Draw me toward Your Holy Scriptures where I may find reason to adore You and live in honor to You, for recalling Your loving activities leads me into worship.

SUPPLICATION

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THE PRICE JESUS PAID

[We all have friends and family that do not want anything to do with Christianity so it is up to us to pray for their salvation.  Here’s an opportunity to pray for them.  Fill their name in the blanks.]

Screen Shot 2015-12-31 at 12.33.46 PM“God is not unfaithful to forget the price which His Son has paid. He will not suffer His substitution to be in any case an ineffectual, dead thing. Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be;…” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 4th AM).

CHRIST, Himself prays for the now ungodly who will someday believe. “Their names are on His breastplate, and ere long they must bow their stubborn knee, breathing the penitential sigh before the throne of grace” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 4th AM).

FATHER, ____ is in rebellion against You. (He/She) does not stay in Your path and is not acquainted with Your ways (Job 24:13). (He/She) is not mindful of the wonders that You perform—not realizing that You are ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and therefore, will not forsake (him/her) (Neh 9:17).

____ is deceived by the arrogance of (his/her) own heart (Jer 49:16). Thus is defiant and rebellious, revolting and departing from You (Jer 5:23), spurning Your counsel (Ps 107:11).

But You, FATHER, will break that stubborn heart and lay low that lofty spirit. Make conscious (his/her) wound so it brings (him/her) into contact with You, the Healer (ref#61, Oct 26th). I pray (he/she) be “broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent” (Ps 51:17 AMP).

“Who would refuse to drink the wormwood and the gall, if along this path only he could reach the sunlit spot where the smiles of a sin-pardoning God fill the heart with joy and gladness” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Oct 26th)?

CHRISTMAS 2015

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WHY A JESUS?

Screen Shot 2015-12-13 at 2.23.07 PM

It’s easy to say, Jesus Christ was born to die because it’s true.  “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”  (Mark 10:45 KJV)

Thomas Chase (1598-1682) wrote regarding the mystery of God:  “Jesus was a Son in heaven without a mother; and a Son on earth without a father.”  Jesus was born without an earthly father to fulfill what was uttered to the serpent, by God, in the Garden of Eden.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 KJV)

Spurgeon said:  “Here a blessed promise lies like a pearl in a shell.  The serpent’s curse is for us a blessing, for Jesus our Savior is therein foretold.”  In Isaiah 7:14 it’s told nearly a century before the birth of Jesus:  “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (KJV)

In Matthew Chapter One we read:

“But while he [Joseph] thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”  (Matthew 1:20, 23 KJV)

Like a big “connect the dots” picture!  Jesus had no earthly father; his miraculous conception was between that of the Holy Spirit and that of the seed of a virgin woman!  Just as God said it would be in Genesis 3:15 and forward!  But there are even more dots to be connected in this unfolding drama!

I opened with the statement that it’s easy to say Jesus Christ was born to die because it’s true, but you know what else is true?  We were all born again to die.  From the moment we were born we began the process of dying.  But listen to this!  Christ died to take away the curse of death!  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 KJV)

That’s why the Bible says:

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:3-6 KJV)  “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”  (John 1:12 KJV)

Did you hear that?  If we believe in the work Jesus did to reverse the curse of sin and death; if by faith in his shed blood we are born again by the power of the Holy Spirit—we become SONS (AND DAUGHTERS) OF GOD!  What amazing grace and phenomenal news!  To be spiritually born again, is to be like Jesus…having no need of a heavenly mother….all we could ever need is our Heavenly Father!

***

An old cliche applies to me–after 40 years of walking with Jesus I find: “The more I learn the less I know.”  The gospel message is so rich and full I scarce can take it in!

Lorraine McWethy

THANKSGIVING

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CHRIST’S INTERCESSION

Screen Shot 2015-11-10 at 11.51.21 AM“Immanuel, God with us…—in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph…” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 25th AM).

FATHER, how thankful I am that CHRIST is not come to You as He left, but now comes to You not only as the “Son of GOD” but also as the “Son of Man.” Because He ascended as the “Son of Man,” I can follow Him straight into Your holy of holies.

“As the Son of Man Jesus Christ deliberately limited omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience in Himself. But since His ascension these qualities are His in absolute full power” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, May 17th).

He has all power at Your throne. He is now King of kings and Lord of lords (ref#7, May 17th).  And as King He does not just rest on His throne:

“…the essence of Christ’s intercession is intervention in our interests rather than supplication on our behalf…” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1505, “The Ascension of Jesus”).  “He sits at the Father’s right hand—not to rest, but to rule. The picture is not of inactivity but of authority” (ref#56, p1572, “Jesus’ Heavenly Reign”).

From His throne He sends the HOLY SPIRIT and equips me for service. I now have at my disposal all the benefits that His suffering won for me (ref#56, p 1505, “The Ascension of Jesus”).

“Jesus provides his righteousness for our sin, his strength for our weakness, and his relationship with the Father to replace our alienation (2 Cor 5:21)” Bryan Chapell (ref#66, p87).

ADORATION

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“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise” (Prov 27:21 ESV).

MIGHTY IN BATTLE

Screen Shot 2015-11-10 at 11.19.08 AMIn remembrance of what my Elder brother,

JESUS CHRIST has done for me,

I sing this prayer to You, FATHER

so I might review the acts of Your Son.

 

The LORD JESUS upon Calvary routed every foe,

“breaking the weapons of the enemy

by His finished work of satisfactory obedience;”

and “by His triumphant resurrection and ascension” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 3rd PM).

 

My LORD “completely overturned—

the hopes of hell” (ref#34, Dec 3rd PM)—

making a show of His enemies openly,

“triumphing over them by His cross” (ref#34, Dec 3rd PM).

 

Every arrow of guilt that Satan shoots at me

is now broken.

“Vain are the sharp swords of infernal malice,

and the perpetual battles of the serpent’s seed,” (ref#34, Dec 3rd PM).

 

For in the midst of the church

I, the lame take the prey,

and I, the feeblest warrior am crowned.

“Who shall lay anything to the charge of GOD’s elect” (ref#34, Dec 3rd PM)?

 

With You I shall do valiantly;

it is You who shall tread down my enemies (Ps 108:13).

You, yes, You will certainly deliver me

from every assault of evil (2 Tim 4:18).

 

SUPPLICATION

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REASONS FOR AFFLICTION – SO GOD MAY GLORIFY HMSELF BY DELIVERANCE

Screen Shot 2015-11-06 at 4.29.54 PM…“O LOVE BEYOND COMPARE, Thou art good when thou givest, when thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me” (ref#76, p111).

FATHER, as ____ loses hope and is paralyzed with fear, guide (him/her) to a place where (he/she) can remember the past where You greatly worked for (him/her). Overwhelm (him/her), grant (him/her) enough quietness within to recall what You have done that (he/she) might find strength to go on (Ps 143:4-6).

Remind (him/her) that You will either deliver (him/her) speedily or definitely support (him/her) in this trouble as long as You are pleased to keep (him/her) in it (ref#34, March 4th AM).

“Be submissive, meek, and quiet under God’s chastening and afflicting hand, and receive all His dispensations as only tending to prepare you more perfectly for ‘the inheritance of the saints in light’ (Col 1:12)” (ref#61, Oct 9th).

FATHER, You allowed Your Son to suffer so now He knows how _____ feels. JESUS, come and help ____ (Heb 2:18).

“Against me earth and hell combine,

But on my side is power divine;

Jesus is all, and He is mine”  Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Oct 9th AM)!

FATHER, when You come to deliver ____, the circumstances which seem to go against (his/her) deliverance will only set forth more of Your glory. The more awful You make (his/her) circumstances, and then turn and get (him/her) out of them, the more reverence from others and (him/her) You will receive. I cannot wish less misery for (him/her) than what You gave Your Son.

Keep (him/her), O GOD, send Your angel to strengthen (him/her) (Luke 22:43). Provide for (him/her) as You provided for Your Son. By faith I know it will be enough.

“Thy calmness bends serene above,

My restlessness to still;

Around me flows thy quickening life,

To nerve my faltering will:

Thy presence fills my solitude;

Thy providence turns all to good” S. Longfellow (1819-1892) (ref#59, p550).