Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Looking to Calvary

Photo from:  FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Too often I carry a load of guilt on my back that is useless. I lose focus on the cross and the gospel. The devil tempts me to look to myself and my shortcomings rather than my Savoir, who is my righteousness.

I thought these words were the perfect comforting reminder of where our focus should be. I came across them as I read a book written by Charles Spurgeon called: The Power of the Cross of Christ. 

May this point each of us in the right direction and cause the cares of this world to melt away in the light of the Son of God:

"The most earnest Christian man must sometimes have his doubts as to whether all is right with him. The more sincere a man is, the more does he tremble lest he should deceive himself. You may have your personal anxieties; certainly I have mine. But when I turn my eyes to Jesus upon the cross and view the thorn crown and the sacred head and the eyes that were red with weeping and the hands nailed fast to the wood and the feet dripping with blood, and when I remember that this shameful death was endured for love of me, I am so quiet and so happy in my spirit that I cannot tell how peacefully my life-floods flow. God must forgive my grievous fault, for my Redeemer has grievously answered for it. When I see Jesus die, I perceive that henceforth divine justice is on the sinner's side. How can the Lord God punish the same offence twice - first the Substitute and then the men for whom that Substitute has bled? Christ has bled as substitute for every man who believes in Him - therefore is every believer safe.

Oh brethren, when you are troubled, rest with us by looking to Calvary. And if the first glance does not quiet you, look, and look, and look again, for every grief will die where Jesus died. Not to Bethlehem, where the stars of Christmas burn, do we look for our greatest comfort, but to that place where the sun was darkened at midday and the face of eternal love was veiled. Because the Lord of life and glory was dying in extremis, suffering the most deadly pain for our sakes, therefore His wounds distilled the richest balm that ever healed a sinner's wound."

Monday, July 9, 2012

A time to gather....

From:  FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” 
― Charles H. Spurgeon

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Through each hour of the day...


Credit to:  FreeDigitalPhotos.net


"Our eyes should be taken off self, removed from our weakness and allowed to rest implicitly upon God's strength. A simple, confiding faith living day by day, and casting its burden on the Lord each hour of the day, will dissipate fear, drive away misgiving, and deliver from doubt." 
~E. M. Bounds


Monday, July 2, 2012

From drought to delight.

(Photo credit to: FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

I was going through a file filled with church bulletins this afternoon...

I'm not sure why I've kept so many, but as I went through them, I noticed something that refreshed me so much. The first ones were from the church we're going to now and I decided to keep most of them. And then I worked through to the bulletins I had filed away from a church we went to previously...

It stirred up memories. Memories that I didn't really care to remember. But then it dawned on me, that because of that dry and hard time I and my family went through going to that church, I and my family are reaping amazing joy and peace from it now. 

The discouragements and struggles ended up being a tool the Lord used to open our eyes to the immense greatness and awesome powerfulness of Christ. 

And it made me rejoice! God uses hard things. He changes heartaches into heartjoys ~ and it's all for His glory! 

In church yesterday our Pastor taught on James 1:2-5, and I realize reading them now that I've experienced these verses coming to life: 
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Thank you, Lord for bringing pure delight and refreshment in knowing You deeper out of a time of dryness!! =) His hand is always at work, though it be invisible at the moment. 

There is always hope when we look to Christ!