Do Not Pick The Lock To Which He Has Allowed No Key!

Deuteronomy 29:29  The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Do not be anxious to understand the secrets of God.  

Do not 'pick the lock' to which He has allowed no key!  

He who will be scanning every cloud...may be smitten with a thunderbolt...

And he who will labor to pry into God's secrets...may be overwhelmed with His judgments!

Adam would presumptuously increase his knowledge; therefore Adam dreadfully lost his goodness!

The Bethshemites would pry into the ark of God; therefore the hand of God slew more than fifty thousand of them!

For my part, I will carefully be improved by things revealed, and not presumptuously inquire into, or after, what He has concealed. 

~Thomas Sherman~

An Angel Of Light - Satan

Satan is never more a devil, than when he looks most like an angel.

But let him look and talk as he will...he is Satan still;

And those who are experienced and watchful may discern his cloven foot hanging below his fine garment of light.

Let us beware of him, for many wise have been deceived, and many strong have been cast down by him.

Let us continually apply to Him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us spotless in the end.

~John Newton~

Perfect Willingness

Psalm 110:3  Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Blessed be the God of grace that it is so! 

He has a people whom He has chosen from of old to be His peculiar portion. 

These by nature have wills as stubborn as the rest of the froward sons of Adam...

But when the day of His power comes and grace displays its omnipotence, they become willing to repent and to believe in Jesus.

None are saved unwillingly, but the will is made sweetly to yield itself. 

What a wondrous power is this, which never violates the will and yet rules it!

God does not break the lock, but He opens it by a master key which He alone can handle. 

Now are we willing to be, to do, or to suffer as the LORD wills.

If at any time we grow rebellious, He has but to come to us with power, and straightway we run in the way of His commands with all our hearts.

May this be a day of power with me as to some noble effort for the glory of God and the good of my fellowmen!

LORD, I am willing; may I not hope that this is a day of Thy power?

I am wholly at Thy disposal; willing, yea, eager, to be used of Thee for Thy holy purposes.

O LORD, let me not have to cry, "To will is present with me, but how to perform that which I would, I find not"; but give me power as Thou givest me will.

~Charles Spurgeon~

Hindrances In The Realm Of Daily Living

There is one more area of life in which this hindering work may be found, and that is that the flow of the Spirit may be checked by inconsistencies in the daily life. 

The question which constantly faces us is whether or not we want to know the free flow from the well within. 

Do we want that springing up of living water, of which the Lord Jesus spoke? 

Do we want that, as He promised, rivers of living water shall flow out from our inner life? 

If we do, then we must always give serious consideration to anything which may serve as a blockage. 

Any disobedience, yes, any reservation in obedience, from our side will be sure to hinder the flow from God's side, acting as a deterrent to the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

We can never know the well springing up and the river flowing out if at any point where God has revealed His will, we fail in the matter of obedience.

This well is choked by disobedience to the known will of God.

It is choked and blocked by inconsistency of walk. 

The Lord wants more than mental agreement with His Word; He expects to see it working out in practical terms. 

He is concerned with how we spend our time, how we manage our financial affairs, how we behave both alone and before others. 

He watches us in the home and at our work, as well as in our fellowship activities, always looking for a walk worthy of the gospel which we believe and preach. 

Not that He desires us to have a narrow life. Far from it! 

The Spirit has come to bring enrichment and fulfilment to us. 

God's command to us, though, is that we must not quench the Spirit nor must we grieve Him...

In other words that we do not allow any rocks, stones or rubbish to accumulate as a hindrance to the springing-up well. 

We need to watch the practical expression of our daily life and so avoid a quagmire of suppression, whereas God provides for a well of water springing up into eternal life.

~T. Austin Sparks~

Causes Of Heart Wanderings~Imperceptible Inroads Of Satan

Heart wanderings from God are almost imperceptible at first.

There are slow degrees of the leakage of grace, almost imperceptible inroads of temptation.

The Devil insinuates himself in soft, silent ways and through unguarded avenues, and in such an assumed celestial raiment, that before the soul is aware, he has well-nigh captured the magazines of the heart.

A little spiritual laziness and little tonings down of self-sacrifice are like the coming of gray hairs.

The Bible speaks of a certain one who had "gray hairs... here and there upon him, yet he knoweth [it] not."

The loss of property and of health have the same imperceptible beginning as backsliding from God.

~G. D. Watson~

The Proud

                                                   
Proud professors and proud worldlings. 

All who unduly value themselves, and despise others.

All, who are too proud to submit to the righteousness of God...

Or to bow to be saved in the same way, by the same grace, as the thief on the cross, or the immoral woman.

All who in the pride of their hearts reject the gospel...

Put away the invitations of the Savior...

And refuse to be reconciled to God.

All who despise the poor saints, on account of their poverty...

Or any of the Lord's little ones, on account of their infirmities.

The proud always exalt man, insult God, yield to Satan, and grieve the Holy Spirit.

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

~James Smith~

"NOAH'S ARK"

HE wiped out every living thing that was on the surface of the ground, from mankind to livestock, to creatures that crawl, to the birds of the sky, and they were wiped off the earth!

Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark! 

And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. Genesis 7:23

Finally, the frightful morning began! 

The heavens gathered blackness. 

Angry tempests conflicted in the skies.

The lightnings flashed over the world! 

Word was spread, that Noah and his family had entered into the ark.

The ungodly then began to fear!

Before long, floods of water poured from the sky.

Some now began to turn their eyes towards the ark; others stood doubting; others still dared to scoff!

The waters go on to increase. 

The rivers fill and start to overflow.

The waters begin to rise in the streets. 

Some flee into their houses; others, more intimidated, hasten to the hills!

Others are now convinced, and with dreadful fright, are seen wading towards the ark!

The fountains of the great deep are now broken up! 

The waters rise more rapidly, and begin to rush with impetuous force.

With difficulty they stand against the stream. 

They struggle for their lives to reach the ark!

Thousands come...some wading, some swimming, some sinking, some hanging onto the ark with the grasp of death...all screaming for admission!

But it is too late!

Time was, when the ark was open and they might have entered in...but that time is past!

Where are now those tongues which derided the enormous vessel and the man who built it?

Now what do you think of him - who for more than a century has borne the character of a fool and madman!

They would give a thousand worlds to be in his condition now!

Those nearest to the ark, cry and plead for admission, but in vain!

The waters roar! 

The ark is lifted up!  

They sink and are seen no more!

By this time, every wretch on earth is thoroughly convinced.

Hear their cries from the tops of the houses, which are answered by wails from those on the hills.

See the multitudes who have fled to the mountains.

How like frightened sheep they crowd together! 

Now the waters, roaring and foaming, have reached their feet!

They flee up to the highest ridge - but the floods pursue them there!

Some are able to climb the lofty oaks and the waves overtake them there!

They flee to the highest branches, and for a moment have time to reflect on their former madness: 

How could I disbelieve the Lord's prophet?

Where is now the ark which I scorned?

Where am I going? O eternity! eternity!

What a dreadful God have I despised!
 
On the topmost bough, the impetuous torrent sweeps them away!

Their hold is broken and they sink to rise no more!

The ark floats by and sails over the heads of the revilers and persecutors!

Only that blessed family in the ark are safe!

The same terrors will seize an unbelieving world when Jesus comes again!

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

~Edward Griffin~

There Is Nothing Too Hard For Thee!

Jer 32:17  Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

At the very time when the Chaldeans surrounded Jerusalem, and when the sword, famine and pestilence had desolated the land, Jeremiah was commanded by God to purchase a field, and have the deed of transfer legally sealed and witnessed.

This was a strange purchase for a rational man to make. 

Prudence could not justify it, for it was buying with scarcely a probability that the person purchasing could ever enjoy the possession.

But it was enough for Jeremiah that his God had bidden him, for well he knew that God will be justified of all his children.

He reasoned thus: “Ah, Lord God!"

Thou canst make this plot of ground of use to me...

Thou canst rid this land of these oppressors...

Thou canst make me yet sit under my vine and my fig-tree in the heritage which I have bought...

For thou didst make the heavens and the earth, and there is nothing too hard for thee.o

This gave a majesty to the early saints, that they dared to do at God’s command things which carnal reason would condemn.

Whether it be a Noah who is to build a ship on dry land...

An Abraham who is to offer up his only son...

Or a Moses who is to despise the treasures of Egypt...

Or a Joshua who is to besiege Jericho seven days, using no weapons but the blasts of rams’ horns...

They all act upon God’s command...

Contrary to the dictates of carnal reason...

And the Lord gives them a rich reward as the result of their obedient faith.

Would to God we had in the religion of these modern times a more potent infusion of this heroic faith in God.

If we would venture more upon the naked promise of God, we should enter a world of wonders to which as yet we are strangers.

Let Jeremiah’s place of confidence be ours...

Nothing is too hard for the God that created the heavens and the earth.

~Charles Spurgeon~

God Is Near At Hand To Listen!

Christian! 

God is near at hand whenever you approach Him in prayer. 

Oh, comforting truth! 

You have a God at hand . . .
 
To listen to the softest breath of prayer...
 
To listen to every confession of sin...
 
To listen to every cry of need...
 
To listen to every utterance of sorrow...
 
To listen to every wail of woe...
 
To listen to every appeal for counsel, strength, and support!

~Octavius Winslow~

The Conflict

 Although our reward is not of debt but of grace...

Yet the necessity of struggling against and overcoming our spiritual enemies, is constantly urged upon us. 

Every motive drawn from danger on the one hand, and from delight on the other, is presented in order to rouse us to a vigorous contest. 

How numerous, subtle, and powerful are our foes!

The world appeals most attractively to our natural susceptibilities. 

Satan assumes at one time the form of an angel of light; and at another, advances boldly to the attack, in all his hellish malignity.

Our own hidden lusts are ever ready to kindle in the soul an unhallowed excitement.

What a troop of spiritual enemies! 

Blessed be God, we have not to meet them alone and in our own strength!

Greater is he who is with us, than all that are against us. 

The spiritual armor is offered to us; and, invested in it, we are prepared for a successful warfare.  

Jesus too, the great Captain of salvation, has already achieved a signal victory over these foes...

And he promises to stand by us...

To strengthen our weakness...

And to lead us on to certain victory.

He has moreover held forth a glorious reward, "He who overcomes will inherit all things." 

Yes, all that Heaven has of happiness, shall be ours. God will be our God, and we shall be his adopted children. 

Here is an all-powerful stimulus to animate us in the conflict. 

Look then steadily at the crown of glory! 

When the world allures, remember, it is a foe in disguise. 

When Satan attacks,  raise the shield of faith to ward off his fiery darts. 

When the flesh pleads - take a determined stand against its clamors. Yes, crucify it!

Soon the warfare will be over. The last enemy, which is death, being conquered - nothing will remain, but to enter upon the glorious, the everlasting reward!

PRAYER...

Surrounded by the enemies of our souls, we look upwards to you, O God, for help. 

You know their power and their malignity and you are acquainted with our weakness. 

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Everywhere around us, are the allurements of the world. 

Without your protecting and supporting hand - we must inevitably fall before the power of the tempter. 

How often indeed have we been overcome by evil! How often by our melancholy lapses, have we proved our own helplessness! 

The flesh has corrupted us, the world has allured and deceived us. 

Satan has suddenly attacked and prostrated us...

And were it not that your mercy is boundless, that your love is unchangeable - we would long since have been abandoned to the powers of Hell. 

But thanks to your name, O God, you have made a way for our escape with every temptation. 

When, overwhelmed with shame and sorrow at our fall, we have ventured to cast an imploring look towards the mercy seat...

You have been ready to pardon, restore, and strengthen us. 

We come to you anew. 

We beseech you to invest our souls with the armor of righteousness. 

O put your strength within us.

Help us to watch unto prayer. 

Instead of confiding in our own arm, may we make you our refuge and our fortress.

In all times of temptation, will you deliver us. Uphold us by the right hand of your righteousness. 

Enable us to war a good warfare. 

May we, without presumption, look forward to the rewards of the faithful...

And impelled by the glorious "hope set before us," may we, through grace, overcome every foe...

And at last be invested with the privileges and honors which are promised to all your children, for Jesus' sake. 

Amen.

~Jared Bell Waterbury~

　

Far From A World Of Grief And Sin-With God Eternally Shut In!

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Here is a precious truth for you, believer...

You may be poor, or in suffering, or unknown - but for your encouragement take a review of your "calling" and the consequences that flow from it, and especially that blessed result here spoken of.

As surely as you are God's child today-so surely shall all your trials soon be at an end, and you shall be rich to all the intents of bliss! 

Wait awhile, and your weary head shall wear the crown of glory, and your work-worn hands shall grasp the palm-branch of victory.

Do not lament your troubles-but rather rejoice that before long you will be where "there shall be neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.

The chariots of fire are at your door, and a moment will suffice to bear you to the glorified. 

The everlasting song is almost on your lips. 

The portals of Heaven stand open for you.

Do not think that you can fail of entering into eternal rest.

If He has effectually called you-nothing can divide you from His love. 

Trials and troubles cannot sever the bond...
 

The fire of persecution cannot burn the link...
 

The hammer of Hell cannot break the chain...

That voice which effectually called you to Jesus at first-shall call you yet again from earth to Heaven, from death's dark gloom to immortality's unuttered splendors! 

Rest assured, the heart of Him who has predestined, called and justified you-beats with infinite love towards you! 

You shall soon be with the glorified, where your everlasting portion is. 

You are only waiting here to be made fit for your Celestial inheritance...

And that done, the wings of angels shall waft you far away, to the mount of peace, and joy, and blessedness...

Where, "Far from a world of grief and sin-with God eternally shut in," you shall rest forever and ever!

~Charles Spurgeon~

Fly Into The Bosom Of Christ For Refuge And Safety

Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

It is very sweet just to nestle down in the bosom of Christ ...to be as a little child with Him.

Those who come otherwise do not get near to Him...but the child-like always find a close place in His heart.

So the more like children we can be in our trust and in the simplicity of our faith, in humbleness of disposition, in willingness to do His will and to learn of Him the nearer to Him shall we get, and the more shall we enjoy of His love.

Some years ago, as I was passing along one of our streets one afternoon, I heard a fluttering of birds over my head and, looking up, saw a little bird flying wildly about in circles, chased by a hawk!

The bird flew down lower and lower, and then darted into my bosom, under my coat. 

I cannot quite express to you, the feeling which filled my heart at that moment...that a little bird, chased by an enemy, had come to me for refuge, trusting me in time of danger.

I laid my hand over the bird, which nestled as quietly and confidently under my coat, as a baby would in a mother's bosom.

I carried the little thing along for several blocks until I thought the way was clear of danger, and then let it out.  

It flew away into the air again, but showed no fear of me.

Ever since that experience, I have understood better what it is to fly into the bosom of Christ for refuge and safety in time of danger, or in time of distress.

All this helps me to understand better what it means to Jesus when we, hunted and chased by enemies, or suffering from weakness or pain...fly to Him and hide ourselves in His love.

That is all we need to do...just to creep into the bosom of Christ, and lie down there, with no fear, no anxiety, but with simple trust.

The lines of Wesley's old hymn have meant more ever since:

Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly, While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high.

Hide me, O my Savior, hide,Till the storm of life is past; Safe into the haven guide; Oh, receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah! leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me.

All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of Thy wing."

~J. R.  Miller~

Overturn Overturn Overturn!

                                                    
Are there not seasons in our experience when we can lay down our souls before God, and say, Let Christ be precious to my soul...

Let him come with power to my heart...

Let him set up his throne as Lord and King, and let self be nothing before him?

Well, we utter these prayers in sincerity and simplicity, we desire their fulfilment; but oh, the struggle!...

The conflict! when God answers these petitions. 

When our plans are frustrated, what a rebellion works up in the carnal mind! 

When self is cast down, what a rising up of the fretful, peevish impatience of the creature! 

When the Lord does answer our prayers, and strips off all false confidence...

When he does remove our rotten props...

And dash to pieces our broken cisterns...

What a storm-...what a conflict takes place in the soul! 

Angry with the Lord for doing the very work we have asked him to do...

Rebelling against him for being so kind as to answer those petitions that we have offered up..

And ready to fume and fret against the very teaching for which we have supplicated him. 

But he is not to be moved; he will take his own way...

I will overturn, let the creature say, let it think what it will. 

Down it shall go to ruin, it shall become a wreck, it shall be overthrown. 

My purpose shall be accomplished, and I will fulfil all my pleasure. 

But I will overturn, not to destroy, not to cast into eternal perdition...

But I will overturn the whole building to erect a far more goodly edifice. 

Self is a rebel, who has set up an idolatrous temple...

And I will overturn and bring the temple to ruin, for the purpose of manifesting my glory and my salvation...

That I may be your Lord and your God."

~J. C. Philpot~

We May Speak For GOD

Jer 15:19  Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.

Poor Jeremiah!

Yet why do we say so?

The weeping prophet was one of the choicest servants of God and honored by Him above many. 

He was hated for speaking the truth.

The word which was so sweet to him was bitter to his hearers...

Yet he was accepted of his LORD.

He was commanded to abide in his faithfulness...

And then the LORD would continue to speak through him.

He was to deal boldly and truthfully with men... 

And perform the LORD's winnowing work upon the professors of his day...

And then the LORD gave him this word: "Thou shalt be as my mouth." 

What an honor!

Should not every preacher, yea, every believer, covet it?

For God to speak by us, what a marvel!

We shall speak sure, pure truth; and we shall speak it with power.

Our word shall not return void...

It shall be a blessing to those who receive it...

And those who refuse it shall do so at their peril.

Our lips shall feed many.

O dear reader, pray that it may be so with all the sent servants of our LORD. 

~Charles Spurgeon~