The spirit of the world is hatred; that of Christ is love: the spirit of the world is vexation; that of Christ is pleasure: the spirit of the world is sorrow; that of Christ is joy: the spirit of the world is evil, and that of Christ is good: the spirit of the world will never satisfy us, but Christ’s Spirit is all satisfaction: the spirit of the world is misery, but that of Christ is ease.
In one word, the spirit of the world has nothing lasting, but Christ is durable, and will last through an eternity of ages. The Spirit of Christ will remove every difficulty, satisfy every doubt, and be a means of bringing you to Himself, to live with Him forever and ever.
- C. H. Spurgeon
Friday, May 7, 2010
Be Careful How You Walk
"Be very careful, then, how you walk!" Ephesians 5:15
To honor Jesus in your thoughts, words, and every action should be your constant aim.
You are in an enemy's land; surrounded by temptations; and have a heart that can be deceived.
This present world is not your home! Satan's family are not to be your intimate friends. Riches, honors, or pleasure are not to be your objects of pursuit. You are walking in the midst of snares and traps! Be watchful, prayerful, depending upon Jesus, and cultivating fellowship with Him.
Keep your eyes on Jesus as your example! Walk by His Word as your rule. Do not be venturesome or presumptuous, but avoid the very appearance of evil. Never leave the Lord's ways to join the world's vanities or to please a carnal lust. Keep close to Jesus and follow on to know the Lord. Walk as a beloved child, who going home to his loving Father's house! "Be very careful, then, how you walk!"
- James Smith
To honor Jesus in your thoughts, words, and every action should be your constant aim.
You are in an enemy's land; surrounded by temptations; and have a heart that can be deceived.
This present world is not your home! Satan's family are not to be your intimate friends. Riches, honors, or pleasure are not to be your objects of pursuit. You are walking in the midst of snares and traps! Be watchful, prayerful, depending upon Jesus, and cultivating fellowship with Him.
Keep your eyes on Jesus as your example! Walk by His Word as your rule. Do not be venturesome or presumptuous, but avoid the very appearance of evil. Never leave the Lord's ways to join the world's vanities or to please a carnal lust. Keep close to Jesus and follow on to know the Lord. Walk as a beloved child, who going home to his loving Father's house! "Be very careful, then, how you walk!"
- James Smith
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
From Wales to America - Pt. 1
William Rowlands: Welsh Missionary to America
William Rowlands is a name that is unknown to American Christians. This Welshman arrived in America in 1836, to become the pastor of the first Calvinistic Methodist Church in New York City. The church was small, less than one hundred members, but with the arrival of Rowlands, it was the beginning of a new work of God.
While James Owens was rightly called the originator and initiator of Calvinistic Methodism in America, Rowlands was probably its most outstanding figure and its spiritual father. A preacher of exceptional ability, wherever he went, large numbers of people came to hear the gospel because of his eloquence and passion. A keen student of human nature, Dr. Rowlands had a tremendous capacity for hard work in both physical and spiritual matters. He traveled thousands of miles for the gospel in the interest of the work when travel was difficult, whether in stagecoaches, on horseback, or even on foot, to organize and to bring support of the churches.
Rowlands, while pastoring one of the local churches in New York, was also the editor of an evangelical magazine entitled The Friend, which he edited and published for thirty years. Rowlands lived until 1866, a man with many spiritual giftings and abilities, none of which he "stored away in a napkin", but instead freely used them fully in the interests of the kingdom of God. He was a Welshman who, loving his homeland, came to America to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. This he did until his dying day.
to be continued...
- Mack Tomlinson
William Rowlands is a name that is unknown to American Christians. This Welshman arrived in America in 1836, to become the pastor of the first Calvinistic Methodist Church in New York City. The church was small, less than one hundred members, but with the arrival of Rowlands, it was the beginning of a new work of God.
While James Owens was rightly called the originator and initiator of Calvinistic Methodism in America, Rowlands was probably its most outstanding figure and its spiritual father. A preacher of exceptional ability, wherever he went, large numbers of people came to hear the gospel because of his eloquence and passion. A keen student of human nature, Dr. Rowlands had a tremendous capacity for hard work in both physical and spiritual matters. He traveled thousands of miles for the gospel in the interest of the work when travel was difficult, whether in stagecoaches, on horseback, or even on foot, to organize and to bring support of the churches.
Rowlands, while pastoring one of the local churches in New York, was also the editor of an evangelical magazine entitled The Friend, which he edited and published for thirty years. Rowlands lived until 1866, a man with many spiritual giftings and abilities, none of which he "stored away in a napkin", but instead freely used them fully in the interests of the kingdom of God. He was a Welshman who, loving his homeland, came to America to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. This he did until his dying day.
to be continued...
- Mack Tomlinson
A Ravenhill Regret
If I had spent more time alone with God rather than preaching and planning how I was going to change the world, I would be a very different man.
- Leonard Ravenhill
- Leonard Ravenhill
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Ministry of Angels
We do not think enough of these heveanly beings, yet they are all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who are heirs of salvation. Like Elijah's servant, if your eyes were opened, you would see the mountain full of horses of fire and chariots of fire round about the servants of God. Let us learn from our Master to reckon upon forces invisible....There is no need to pluck out the sword with which to cut off men's ears, for infinitely better agencies will work for us. Have faith in God, and all things shall work for your good. The angels of God think it an honor and a delight to protect the least of His children. Our Lord said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26: 52-53
"Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" Hebrews 1:14
- C. H. Spurgeon
"Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" Hebrews 1:14
- C. H. Spurgeon
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Cast All Your Care on Him
"Casting all your care upon Him--because He cares for you!" 1 Peter 5:7
The Lord knows all His people--all their needs, and all their trials. He thinks upon them to bless, deliver and supply them. He keeps His eye upon them in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances. He has them in His hand and will not loosen His hold.
He looks upon them always as His own 'treasured possession', the objects of His eternal love, the purchase of His Son's blood, and the temple of His Holy Spirit. They are precious in His sight!
He knows they are weak and fearful and that they have many enemies. He teaches them to cast themselves and all their cares into His hands! And He has given them His promise that He will care for them.
It is a Father's care which He exercises. It is a wise, holy, tender, and constant care. Therefore, all will be well with you--only trust Him.
Believe that He cares for you this day. Carry all your concerns to Him in the arms of faith! Leave all with Him, persuaded that He will manage all by His infinite wisdom, and bring all to a good outcome by His omnipotent power.
Cast all your cares upon Him--as fast as they come in.
Do not worry about anything.
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you! He will never allow the righteous to be shaken!" Psalm 55:22
- James Smith
The Lord knows all His people--all their needs, and all their trials. He thinks upon them to bless, deliver and supply them. He keeps His eye upon them in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances. He has them in His hand and will not loosen His hold.
He looks upon them always as His own 'treasured possession', the objects of His eternal love, the purchase of His Son's blood, and the temple of His Holy Spirit. They are precious in His sight!
He knows they are weak and fearful and that they have many enemies. He teaches them to cast themselves and all their cares into His hands! And He has given them His promise that He will care for them.
It is a Father's care which He exercises. It is a wise, holy, tender, and constant care. Therefore, all will be well with you--only trust Him.
Believe that He cares for you this day. Carry all your concerns to Him in the arms of faith! Leave all with Him, persuaded that He will manage all by His infinite wisdom, and bring all to a good outcome by His omnipotent power.
Cast all your cares upon Him--as fast as they come in.
Do not worry about anything.
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you! He will never allow the righteous to be shaken!" Psalm 55:22
- James Smith
Teach Me Your Way
"I will instruct you." Psalm 32:8
At best we know but little--and we are slow to learn. But the Lord has promised to instruct us. The Lord's teaching always produces humility, self-loathing, confidence in God, zeal for His glory, and devotes the heart to His glory!
The Lord's teaching always brings us to the feet of Jesus, and delivers us from the present evil world.
Under Divine instruction we learn the true nature of sin, the vanity of the world, the emptiness of creatures, and the fullness and preciousness of Christ!
Is God willing to instruct us? Then let us be early and often at His throne of grace, praying, as the Psalmist did, "Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me--for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5. Then shall we exclaim, as Elihu did, "God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him!" Job 36:22
The Lord will teach us to profit, and sanctify us through the truth He imparts. Christ is our great lesson, and to know Him rightly is life, peace and joy!
Is Jesus your Teacher? Then sit at His feet, treasure up His Words, and show forth His praise!
He says, "Learn of Me." Learn to know Him, love Him, obey Him, and live upon Him!
"Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path!" Psalm 27:11
- James Smith
At best we know but little--and we are slow to learn. But the Lord has promised to instruct us. The Lord's teaching always produces humility, self-loathing, confidence in God, zeal for His glory, and devotes the heart to His glory!
The Lord's teaching always brings us to the feet of Jesus, and delivers us from the present evil world.
Under Divine instruction we learn the true nature of sin, the vanity of the world, the emptiness of creatures, and the fullness and preciousness of Christ!
Is God willing to instruct us? Then let us be early and often at His throne of grace, praying, as the Psalmist did, "Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me--for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5. Then shall we exclaim, as Elihu did, "God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him!" Job 36:22
The Lord will teach us to profit, and sanctify us through the truth He imparts. Christ is our great lesson, and to know Him rightly is life, peace and joy!
Is Jesus your Teacher? Then sit at His feet, treasure up His Words, and show forth His praise!
He says, "Learn of Me." Learn to know Him, love Him, obey Him, and live upon Him!
"Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path!" Psalm 27:11
- James Smith
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