“I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.”

I try to read Spurgeon’s “Morning Devotional” each day. This morning was especially helpful. It reminded me that we all have ups and downs, even the preacher.

As you read it let the grace of God lift you up today. Isaiah 44:3

When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears. Such is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it. As well chain the eagle’s wing to make it mount, as doubt in order to increase our grace. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of love allure him to Jesus’ bosom. Are you this morning thirsting for the living God, and unhappy because you cannot find him to the delight of your heart? Have you lost the joy of religion, and is this your prayer, “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation”? Are you conscious also that you are barren, like the dry ground; that you are not bringing forth the fruit unto God which He has a right to expect of you; that you are not so useful in the Church, or in the world, as your heart desires to be? Then here is exactly the promise which you need, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.” You shall receive the grace you so much require, and you shall have it to the utmost reach of your needs. Water refreshes the thirsty: you shall be refreshed; your desires shall be gratified. Water quickens sleeping vegetable life: your life shall be quickened by fresh grace. Water swells the buds and makes the fruits ripen; you shall have fructifying grace: you shall be made fruitful in the ways of God. Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be—the thirsty land shall be springs of water.  Charles Spurgeon

 

Wednesday Night Message

From time to time I will post the outline from the Wednesday night Bible Study and Prayer Meeting. This outline is from Luke 24:13-35.

We are often like the two on the road to Emmaus. We misinterpret the facts as we see them because our perspective is limited. This in turn affects our emotions. Re-read Luke 24 and use the outline below to help you.

What is Your Perspective? Luke 24:13-35

…“What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Luke 24:17

Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. Luke 24:30-31

I.       Perspective                  vs. 17, 21

2 Kings 6:17-18

II.      Interpretation   vs. 22-24

2 Peter 1:19-21

III.    Explanation                  vs. 25-27

-διερμηνεύω: to explain thoroughly, to interpret

-διά through (a channel) + ἑρμηνεύω translate (hermeneutics)

Acts 17:3-4

IV.     Revelation          vs. 30-32

1 Samuel 3:1

Proverb 29:18

Luke 2:32

Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:3; Romans 16:25; 2 Corinthians 12:1-7

Ephesians 1:17

The two on the road to Emmaus had the wrong perspective AND interpretation of the facts… v18, 25-26

Bro. Gordon

 

Stuck

Why did I do that? I knew better. I even told myself to be careful but I blew it anyway. I really want to do what is right but I don’t. I end up doing what I don’t want to do too much of the time.

I blow up at my wife, my kids.

I think the same negative thoughts.

I tell myself to focus on Scripture but I end up worrying about the same stupid thing.

I make up my mind to put a spiritual discipline in practice and I don’t come through.

I feel like I’ve lost control.

I say harsh things and later regret it; but the damage is done.

I want to stay on that diet but everything looks so good and I’m sooo hungry. Then I eat and feel guilty.

I make promises and then break them.

I know what I’m doing is wrong but I do it anyway.

Does any of they above seem remotely familiar? You could fill in your own struggles.

You may be STUCK in what is described in Romans 7. The struggle can be with the LAW of God or your own “Christian LAW”. Romans 7 teaches us that we are dead to the law (7:4). The Law of God is not our means of right standing with God (Romans 3:20; Phil 3:9). Keeping rules whether they are yours or God’s can’t make you right with God or keep you right with Him.

The Holy Spirit is our power for living the Christian life. The Law of the Spirit has set us free from the Law of sin and death (Romans 8). The Holy Spirit will always produce in us far more that merely trying to keep all the dos and don’ts! He will always take us to a higher level.

I told our congregation that if a person was to memorize Romans 6, 7, and 8 and understand the principles taught in these three chapters they would have very few problems in their Christian life. I’m not talking about the problems of life; Paul did not have an “easy life”. I’m talking about the struggles mentioned above in this post. Paul went through the struggle; chapter 7 of Romans is autobiography.

I challenged our staff to memorize Romans 7. I want to be able to recite it by memory. I want to have the Scriptures to be such a part of my life that they flow out with ease. I’ve already lost you? You can’t do it? Why? There is no law or rule that say’s you HAVE to do this. Scripture memory is a discipline that is life altering.

More later…

Gordon

 

Something to think about on an icy day…

As most of us will be spending a good deal of time indoors this week, I thought I would give us something to think about and maybe even discuss.  What do you think of the quote below?  It is from one of my favorite pastors/writers, John Piper.  I would love to hear from you in the comments section…jeff

“God is the one Being in the entire universe for whom self-centeredness, or the pursuit of his own glory, is the ultimately loving act. For him, self-exaltation is the highest virtue. When he does all things ‘for the praise of his glory,’ he preserves for us and offers to us, the only thing in the entire world, which can satisfy our longings. God is for us, and therefore has been, is now and always will be, first, for himself. I urge you not to resent the centrality of God in his own affections, but to experience it as the fountain of your everlasting joy.” (John Piper)

What do you think???

 

Hearing God as a Church

Remember our message series on “Hearing God Speak“. It is crucial to hear Him and obey Him as individuals. Look at the following quote about hearing God corporately as a Church.

God’s primary means for achieving His will is the local church, which is the living body of Christ. And the churches that are being mightily used of Him are the ones that have learned to “hear” God.

It is time in all our churches for God’s people to experience the real presence of our living Lord guiding us collectively, and to adjust our lives to his purpose and activity.  Henry Blackaby

 

Let’s go fishing again!!!

October is a month in which we make a fresh committment to share our faith. I am going to be preaching a series on sharing your faith. We are also planning  to offer a course called “Share Jesus without Fear”. It is a simple way to engage friends, family, and person X with the gospel…..gordon

 

Sunday’s Message–Our Conscience

To get ready read Romans 2:12-16. We are going to be talking about our conscience, where it came from and what is its purpose. Should our conscience “be our guide”? Does God speak to us in our conscience? Have you ever disobeyed that “inner voice” of right and wrong? What was the result? The Bible mentions 11 different types of consciences! See you Sunday……..

g

 

Sunday’s Sermon…

Yesterday, our pastor began a series on “Hearing God”, with a look at the call of Samuel.  In the sermon, Gordon said that:

1.  God calls us by name

2.  God desires a relationship

3.  God reveals His purpose

We would love to hear your thoughts and questions regarding this message, please leave us a comment!

By the way, if you have questions regarding the evening sermon from Romans 4, you can ask those here as well.

May God richly bless you today and give you a hunger for His word and a desire to know Him more!!

J

 

Hearing from God

This Sunday morning we will be considering the idea of hearing from God.  This is a vitally important subject for us to know and understand, so we will be spending the next few weeks thinking together about what it means to “hear from God”.

This Sunday we will begin by considering the life of Samuel and God’s call on his life.  If you want to get a head start you can read 1 Samuel 3.  Does God still speak to us today?  How do we know the voice of God?  Join us this week as we look into God’s Word for answers.

J