Watch Against Pride

"Let us watch against pride in every shape – pride of intellect, pride of wealth, pride of our own goodness. Nothing is so likely to keep a person out of heaven, and prevent them from seeing Christ, as pride. So long as we think we are something we shall never be saved. Let us pray for and cultivate humility; let us seek to know ourselves correctly, and to find out our place in the sight of a holy God." ~ J.C. Ryle

The Center of Sin and Pride

Oh how true. Food for thought and prayer. Posted from The Narrow Gate on Facebook.

Author and Finisher

 

 (Photo by Letoirina)

"We often forget that the author of our faith must be the finisher of it also."

~ C. H. Spurgeon

“HENCEFORTH—Not unto Themselves”

(Photo from Chapel Library Facebook)

Oh, the bitter shame and sorrow,

That a time could ever be,

When I let the SAVIOUR’S pity

Plead in vain, and proudly answered:

‘All of self, and none of Thee.’

Yet He found me: I beheld Him

Bleeding on the accursed tree,

Heard Him pray: ‘Forgive them, Father;’

And my wistful heart said faintly:

‘Some of self, and some of Thee.’

Day by day His tender mercy,

Healing, helping, full and free,

Sweet and strong, and ah! so patient,

Brought me lower, while I whispered:

‘Less of self, and more of Thee.’

Higher than the highest heaven,

Deeper than the deepest sea,

LORD, Thy love at last hath conquered;

Grant me now my supplication:

‘None of self, and all of Thee.’

http://www.chapellibrary.org/files/archive/pdf-english/luje.pdf

Our God

"He [God] is the Most High, Lord of heaven and earth. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent; God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases. None can thwart Him, none can hinder Him." ~ A. W. Pink

Building Material

"Every day brings its own duty and its own discipline. How is it that I make such slow progress while this is the case? It is a marvel to me why God allows characters like mine to defile His Church. I can only account for it with the thought that if I ever am perfected, I shall be a great honor to His name for surely worse material for building up a temple of the Holy Ghost was never gathered together before. The time may come when those who know me now, crude, childish, incomplete, will look upon me with amazement, saying, 'What hath God wrought!' . . ."

~ Katherine Elliott, January 1, 1841, Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss

Look Up and Take Comfort

Art painting by Cornacchia

"O Christian, look up and take comfort. Jesus has prepared a place for you, and those who follow Him shall never perish, neither shall anyone pluck them out of His hands." ~ J.C. Ryle

God Created

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Gen. 1:1

This is God's "deed" for the whole creation; it is a statement of ownership. The whole of the first chapter tells us how He did it, but this one verse is an absolute statement of truth. It is a grand summary statement that stands independent of all the others and introduces all the teaching on creation. [Synopsis of sermon by Pastor R. yesterday.]

A few other truths from the sermon:

1. Everything we have, know and are had a beginning.

2. God had no beginning. He is eternal.

3. The eternal God brought the heavens and earth into existence out of nothing.

4. The earth is the exclusive distinct object of His purposes. He distinguishes earth from all the others.

Now you have to agree we have a mighty God. Does He not have the right to have the final say about what His creation can and cannot do?

What I Remember

Poster borrowed from Truth for Life Facebook photos. Just such a wonderful truth, especially for those of us who are older.

A Message to Mothers, C.H. Spurgeon

"Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty. Christian women, by teaching children the Holy Scriptures, are as much fulfilling their part for the Lord, as Moses in judging Israel, or Solomon in building the temple."  ~ C.H. Spurgeon

A wonderful and touching message to mothers from Mr. Spurgeon. I know it's a day late, but this message is for any day of the year, and ALL days of the year. Read the rest of it here, at Raising Godly Children.