New Favorites!

Recently the Lord brought across my path a couple of new resources that have become a real blessing and encouragement to me.

Streams in the Desert is a wonderful devotional that hits the practical heart dealings of life and points to our only one true source of strength - Jesus Christ.

I have been blessed over the past couple of years by the Daily Light on the Daily Path devotional,which is simply a collection of various Scripture passages pulled together into one thought.  My only disappointment has been that it was not in the KJV.  While listening to a teaching tape by Elisabeth Elliot the other day she mentioned reading this in the KJV.  So, I had to look, and was very blessed to find Daily Light on the Daily Path in the KJV!

These are now in the left hand column under our Favorite Websites.  I hope that maybe these, along with the others listed there, can be a blessing and a tool to encourage and to point you to Christ.

~Brittany

My God, My Strength

"I will strengthen thee."—Isaiah 41:10.

God has a strong reserve with which to discharge this engagement; for He is able to do all things. Believer, till thou canst drain dry the ocean of omnipotence, till thou canst break into pieces the towering mountains of almighty strength, thou never needest to fear. Think not that the strength of man shall ever be able to overcome the power of God. Whilst the earth's huge pillars stand, thou hast enough reason to abide firm in thy faith. The same God who directs the earth in its orbit, who feeds the burning furnace of the sun, and trims the lamps of heaven, has promised to supply thee with daily strength. While He is able to uphold the universe, dream not that He will prove unable to fulfil His own promises. Remember what He did in the days of old, in the former generations. Remember how He spake and it was done; how He commanded, and it stood fast. Shall He that created the world grow weary? He hangeth the world upon nothing; shall He who doth this be unable to support His children? Shall He be unfaithful to His word for want of power? Who is it that restrains the tempest? Doth not He ride upon the wings of the wind, and make the clouds His chariots, and hold the ocean in the hollow of His hand? How can He fail thee? When He has put such a faithful promise as this on record, wilt thou for a moment indulge the thought that He has outpromised Himself, and gone beyond His power to fulfil? Ah, no! Thou canst doubt no longer.
O thou who art my God and my strength, I can believe that this promise shall be fulfilled, for the boundless reservoir of Thy grace can never be exhausted, and the overflowing storehouse of Thy strength can never be emptied by Thy friends or rifled by Thine enemies.

"Now let the feeble all be strong,
And make Jehovah's arm their song."

Charles Spurgeon's Morning Meditation, December 22nd

"Rend your heart, and not your garments."—Joel 2:13.

GARMENT-RENDERING and other outward signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested and are frequently hypocritical; but to feel true repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common. Men will attend to the most multiplied and minute ceremonial regulations—for such things are pleasing to the flesh—but true religion is too humbling, too heart-searching, too thorough for the tastes of the carnal men; they prefer something more ostentatious, flimsy, and worldly. Outward observances are temporarily comfortable; eye and ear are pleased; self-conceit is fed, and self-righteousness is puffed up: but they are ultimately delusive, for in the article of death, and at the day of judgment, the soul needs something more substantial than ceremonies and rituals to lean upon. Apart from vital godliness all religion is utterly vain; offered without a sincere heart, every form of worship is a solemn sham and an impudent mockery of the majesty of heaven.
HEART-RENDING is divinely wrought and solemnly felt. It is a secret grief which is personally experienced, not in mere form, but as a deep, soul-moving work of the Holy Spirit upon the inmost heart of each believer. It is not a matter to be merely talked of and believed in, but keenly and sensitively felt in every living child of the living God. It is powerfully humiliating, and completely sin-purging; but then it is sweetly preparative for those gracious consolations which proud unhumbled spirits are unable to receive; and it is distinctly discriminating, for it belongs to the elect of God, and to them alone.
The text commands us to rend our hearts, but they are naturally hard as marble: how, then, can this be done? We must take them to Calvary: a dying Saviour's voice rent the rocks once, and it is as powerful now. O blessed Spirit, let us hear the death-cries of Jesus, and our hearts shall be rent even as men rend their vestures in the day of lamentation.

-Charles Spurgeon's Morning Meditation, December 18th

We Have But to Knock

"Ask, and it shall be given you."—Matthew 7:7.

We know of a place in England still existing, where a dole of bread is served to every passerby who chooses to ask for it. Whoever the traveler may be, he has but to knock at the door of St. Cross Hospital, and there is the dole of bread for him. Jesus Christ so loveth sinners that He has built a St. Cross Hospital, so that whenever a sinner is hungry, he has but to knock and have his wants supplied. Nay, He has done better; He has attached to this Hospital of the Cross a bath; and whenever a soul is black and filthy, it has but to go there and be washed. The fountain is always full, always efficacious. No sinner ever went into it and found that it could not wash away his stains. Sins which were scarlet and crimson have all disappeared, and the sinner has been whiter than snow. As if this were not enough, there is attached to this Hospital of the Cross a wardrobe, and a sinner making application simply as a sinner, may be clothed from head to foot; and if he wishes to be a soldier, he may not merely have a garment for ordinary wear, but armor which shall cover him from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. If he asks for a sword, he shall have that given to him, and a shield too. Nothing that is good for him shall be denied him. He shall have spending-money so long as he lives, and he shall have an eternal heritage of glorious treasure when he enters into the joy of his Lord.
If all these things are to be had by merely knocking at mercy's door, O my soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord. Leave not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the Lord, and until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be all supplied. No bashfulness need retard when Jesus invites. No unbelief should hinder when Jesus promises. No cold-heartedness should restrain when such blessings are to be obtained.

-Charles Spurgeon's Morning Meditation, December 5th

A Challenge and Encouragement - New Every Morning

Just as the sun rise is new every morning, so is the Lord’s faithfulness, love, forgiveness, and strength!

This morning, after waking to a breathtaking sunrise, the Lord really challenged me in some areas.

Using my time in a truly profitable way is often a challenge for me, and wasting that precious time often results in a lack spiritually.  This doesn’t just effect me; it effects all those around me!

I would like to share briefly with you the things that the Lord showed me this morning through His Word, in hopes that it will be a benefit and encouragement to you as well as it was to me.

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.   For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”   –Philemon 1:4-7

Philemon’s love and faith brought about much joy and comfort to Paul, and was a refreshment to the saints.  Take note that Philemon was sharing his faith!  When we are about worthy spiritual pursuits, we will incur the prayers and support of the body of Christ.

“Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.”   –Philemon 1:20

We should be of benefit and refreshment to the body of Christ.  This only happens when our focus is right.

“Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.”   –Philemon 1:21

Can the same be said of me?  Will I truly obey the voice of the Lord, or do I just slide back into the easy path?  Will I walk in faith and love and zeal for my Lord and for those He has placed around me?

This following quote by Charles Spurgeon, which I also read this morning, fit so well with everything else the Lord showed me.

“If we observe the apostle’s precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.”

-Charles Spurgeon’s Morning Meditation, November 19th

We each know the areas in which we fail, and those things that distract us from serving our Lord as we ought.  But there is no room for defeat.  His mercy is always there, and with it He provides new strength.  May we each press on to walk steadfastly in the calling that we have received from the Lord!

~Post shared by Brittany

God, Your Only Object

"To whom be glory for ever. Amen"—Romans 11:36.

To whom be glory for ever." This should be the single desire of the Christian. All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this—"To Him be glory for ever." He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that "To Him may be glory for ever." You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord's glory. As a Christian, you are "of God, and through God," then live "to God." Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to Him. Let this ambition fire your soul; be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. Depend upon it, where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object,

"To me 'tis equal whether love ordain
My life or death—appoint me ease or pain."
Let your desire for God's glory be a growing desire. You blessed Him in your youth, do not be content with such praises as you gave Him then. Has God prospered you in business? Give Him more as He has given you more. Has God given you experience? Praise Him by stronger faith than you exercised at first. Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly. Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been restored from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give Him more music; put more coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise. Practically in your life give Him honour, putting the "Amen" to this doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing holiness.
-Charles Spurgeon's Morning Meditation, November 17th

Cut it off!

"If your hand or your foot causes you to sin--cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled--than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire!" Matthew 18:8

Our life is so full of temptation and peril--that even its best things may become stumbling-blocks. Our very qualities of strength--may become fatal forces driving us to eternal ruin.

Human beauty is a blessing from God--and yet beauty has proved a snare to many a woman, drawing her away from God.

Ability to make money is a perilous gift--which has led many a man to spiritual ruin. It is better to altogether throw away the money-making ability, and go poor through life with the talent wasted and shriveled, and reach Heaven--than to exercise the ability and grow rich, and be lost forever! These are illustrations of our Lord's meaning when He speaks of 'cutting off' the hand or the foot which causes us to sin.

The appetites, desires, and affections--are part of the glory of humanity; and yet, when they are unbridled--they have whirled many a noble life to eternal destruction!

A steam-boat came into port which had long been out on the sea. An accident had happened which caused delay. The coal gave out; then all that would burn--cargo, stores, furniture--had to be burned up, in order to bring the vessel home. At last she gained the shore--but stripped of everything of value. Yet it was better to burn up all her cargo and stores--than perish at sea.

Just so, some men can get to Heaven--only by sacrificing every earthly pleasure and crucifying every sinful desire; but who will say that the prize is not worth the sacrifice? The hand would be better chopped off--than steal or strike down another. The foot would be better cut off--than carry one into crime or sin. The eye would be better plucked-out--than by its lustful gazing set the soul on fire. A man on a wrecked vessel had better throw his bags of gold into the sea and have his life saved--than hold on to the gold and sink into the waves!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

Limitless Riches

 My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Paul's God is our God and will supply all our need. Paul felt sure of this in reference to the Philippians, and we feel sure of it as to ourselves. God will do it, for it is like Him: He loves us, He delights to bless us, and it will glorify Him to do so. His pity, His power, His love, His faithfulness, all work together that we be not famished.

What a measure doth the Lord go by: "According to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." The riches of His grace are large, but what shall we say of the riches of His glory? His "riches of glory by Christ Jesus"-who shall form an estimate of this? According to this immeasurable measure will God fill up the immense abyss of our necessities. He makes the Lord Jesus the receptacle and the channel of His fullness, and then He imparts to us His wealth of love in its highest form. Hallelujah!

The writer knows what it is to be tried in the work of the Lord. Fidelity has been recompensed with anger, and liberal givers have stopped their subscriptions; but he whom they sought to oppress has not been one penny the ~ nay, rather he has been the richer; for this promise has been true, "My God shall supply all your need." God's supplies are surer than any bank.

-Charles Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook, November 15th

How do you spend your time?

Recently in our family, a topic of conversation has been time management. Just this morning, Seth and I were talking about some areas that we see as time wasters and what the fruit of walking in the flesh in any area will produce given a little time.

I poured my cup of tea and headed upstairs to spend some time in prayer and reading in the Bible; as is my normal practice.

I usually start my computer and open up e-sword (an awesome free tool), review my memory work (currently I am working on memorizing James 1. I am on verses 5-9 right now).

I read Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional, morning section only :-) and then proceed on to prayer.

Well this morning, I read the devotional and immediately went downstairs to share it with the family.

God is so good! When He wants to teach you something He is so faithful to show you in many ways. What a great teacher!

Anyways, I wanted to share it with all of you. Perhaps it will serve to encourage someone else in how you spend your time. Time is a gift from God and needs to be used wisely for His glory.

So on to the devotional . . .

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
- Ecc_9:10


“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,” refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do. It is well it is in our heart; but if we would be eminently useful, we must not be content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must practically carry out “whatsoever our hand findeth to do.”

One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we “find to do” day by day.

We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God.

Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. 

Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do-”do it with thy might.”

Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of to-day. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do to-day.

Whatever you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little slurred labour, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength.

But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself, for he is perfect weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of Hosts.

Then let us seek his help; let us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our “hand findeth to do,” let us wait upon the Lord for his blessing. What we do thus will be well done, and will not fail in its effect.