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Presence of the Spirit
We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
Recent Posts
God? Who Needs Him?May 31, 2013
Self-sufficient humanism. Paul saw it coming – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Imago Dei
September 12, 2012
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Why Can't I Pray?
August 18, 2012
The bible gives us several reasons, but according to Jeremy Taylor, a deceitful heart is at the root of prayerlessness.
It's Not Rocket Science
July 23, 2012
To keep in step with the Spirit should be our daily quest. And if we are successful at that, all of life falls into place.
Theological Steak
April 10, 2012
These words by P. T. Forsythe on the magnificence of Christ's work are to theology what Ruth's Chris is to a good steak.
Describing the Indescribable
February 11, 2012
What we have in Christ will take all eternity to describe. But for one segment of one sermon, a great preacher made a mighty attempt.
Making Sense Of It All
January 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Don't Leave Home Without Him!
May 4, 2009
The Holy Spirit is indispensable to our spiritual life. And yet, we do our best to live independently, relying on Him as little as possible. Big mistake. Spurgeon helps us realize what we're missing.God gives the Spirit without limit. John 3:34
If that's true, why don't we ask for more? Why don't we try and test God on this, asking unabashedly that He lavish His Holy Spirit on us? Fear, maybe? Independence? Probably.
So just what does the Holy Spirit add to our lives? In his devotional MORNING AND EVEING, C. H. Spurgeon reels off a number of reasons why the Holy Spirit makes the difference in our lives. Here, slightly tweaked for contemporary prayer, is his list.
Holy Spirit, how we need you. We are such fools for attempting to live our lives with you in the back seat. How much pain could we avoid if we let you drive.
Sacred oil, you anoint our heads as believers, setting us apart to the priesthood of saints, and give us the grace to execute that office properly.
As the only truly purifying water, you cleanse us from the power of sin and set us apart to holiness, enabling us to desire and then to do what pleases you.
As light, you reveal yourself to us in our darkness, and reveal the Lord Jesus to us in us, guiding us in the way of righteousness. Now we live in light, we are children of the day.
As fire, you purge the dross from us and set our consecrated natures ablaze. You are the sacrificial flame by which we are enabled to offer our whole souls as living sacrifices to you.
As the heavenly dew, you remove our barrenness and fertilize our lives. Oh, how we long for you to come on us from above at this early morning hour. That kind of dew would make all the difference in the day ahead.
As the dove, with wings of peaceful love you brood over the Church and over the souls of believers, and as a Comforter you dispel the cares and doubts that spoil our hard-fought-for peace.
Now, heavenly dove, would you descend upon us as you did upon your Son at his baptism, and bear witness to our son ship by arousing in us a filial, family affection, so that we cry, "Abba, Father."
As the wind, would you bring your breath of life among us, and blow on us where you will. Perform your quickening operations, just as you animate and sustain all life. May we feel your nearness this day and every day. Amen.
Just Wait, The Rain Will Come
April 4, 2009
Faith needs watering and refreshing. The dry spells of life take their toll, no question. But the Holy Spirit is on the lookout, with special tentacles that spot spiritual lethargy, and lukewarmness.And then, it's time for action.
See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:1-6
Whenever lamps burn low in the Church and love waxes cold, and watchers slumber while the Bridegroom tarries, the Restorer and Sustainer of His people is always standing at the door.
He can create fresh witnesses to Himself in the most unlikely quarters, even as He raised up Paul from among the Pharisees, and Luther from among the Mendicants.
The Gospel of the grace of God has been disproved a great number of times - it has been assailed and wounded and beaten down and left for dead - but it survives by the power of an endless life. Redeemer lives." Who can guess what swift, incalculable revival Christ has in store for His desponding people?
John Hutton
THE BRITTISH WEEKLY
January 7, 1926
Quoted in THE FIRST FORTY YEARS, a biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones
You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. Psalm 85:1-7
Whenever lamps burn low in the Church and love waxes cold, and watchers slumber while the Bridegroom tarries, the Restorer and Sustainer of His people is always standing at the door.
He can create fresh witnesses to Himself in the most unlikely quarters, even as He raised up Paul from among the Pharisees, and Luther from among the Mendicants.
The Gospel of the grace of God has been disproved a great number of times - it has been assailed and wounded and beaten down and left for dead - but it survives by the power of an endless life. Redeemer lives." Who can guess what swift, incalculable revival Christ has in store for His desponding people?
John Hutton
THE BRITTISH WEEKLY
January 7, 1926
Quoted in THE FIRST FORTY YEARS, a biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones
You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. Psalm 85:1-7
The Gift of God
February 24, 2009
The Holy Spirit residing in us? God that close? What a privilege to be a temple for Him to reside. How frightening! And yet how glorious! God is good, and this is a gift like no other.
Speaking Of Saints....
October 8, 2008
The book of Hebrews lets us know that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. And that very fact should spur us on to greater faith and perseverance. What can be learned from those who ran well? How much time do you have?
