Thursday, November 29, 2012

Words come too easy...

The Lord has done it again! He has used His word to change and mold my heart! It ceases to amaze me to see how His word is alive and active! Nothing pierces to the heart and unveils the truth about the way we think like His precious word to us. I was reading Spurgeon's 'Morning and Evening' devotion this morning and was just struck by a couple of things that he penned. (All this while the rain was so beautifully falling outside- cleaning the earth and the Lord was actively cleaning my heart like only He can do.)

I want to only speak helpful, truthful, kind and up-building things. I want the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to the Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). I mean, it is often the case where I just speak so freely and don't monitor my motives and reasons for saying things! This should definitely NOT be the case! Only by His grace! 


By His grace may our words count for His glory!
Spurgeon wrote, "Tale-bearing emits a three-fold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer and the person concerning whom the tale is told." ... later, "Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves." and also... "Be this our family rule, and our personal bond- SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN.' And my favourite, "We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now."

Oh my prayer for myself and for those reading, "May the Lord receive honour for the way that we treat others... May His love be evident in our dealings with one another!" It is a clear reminder to me of how much we need the gospel- there is no way that we can have pure hearts and speak good things apart from the grace of His work in us! 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Remember when...

Whenever I feel a little down or when I wonder why it feels like it is taking me so long to get where I would prefer to be, I end up being encouraged by remembering how far the Lord has brought me. He is so faithful and that is so clear when I look back and see all that He has done in me. 


I remember being a little girl and wondering what on earth this life was all about and why we are all here. I literally remember simply wanting to die because life did not add up or make sense to me. I remember when the Lord opened my eyes to see who He was- my Saviour... my Lord. And it was like this marvellous paradigm shift took place right in front of me... and all the puzzle pieces finally fell into place perfectly! It finally made sense! He was the Creator, He had a purpose for this earth, for this life... for me. Despite my obvious sin, He could save me to the uttermost. The guilt and sin that was my heaviest burden was washed away and I was made as white as snow through my capable and gracious Saviour. I finally could enjoy right-standing with the God of perfect holiness through the sacrifice of His Son on my behalf... What a relief! My searching was finally not in vain. 

In reflection I can honestly say that He has brought me from a place of utter hopelessness and confusion and granted me life and purpose. What a testimony! Jesus is not just an idea to me- He is real, a Person and He is my hope. My only true hope.
I love how hopeful this little flower looks! hehe- it looks like it is looking upward and praising the Creator!

In our Bible study yesterday (EWG) our group leader said something that stirred my heart so much, she said that the wonderful thing about getting older is that you have a longer time to look back on and see the Lord's faithfulness. Wow! It excites me to think of a life walked with the King of hope. :)

I love reading Spurgeon's morning and evening devotional book. A few days ago the morning's reading encouraged my heart to the skies! Spurgeon used such a helpful analogy to describe the believer's relationship with the Lord, he wrote, "The delight which a mariner feels, when, after being tossed about for many a day, he steps again upon the solid shore..." and later he added, "the stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained  a hold fast...". I love these parallel's describing a life of trusting and knowing Him. He is the solid ground in this changing life. He is the anchor that helps us from drifting off into hopelessness. 

He is God and I am man. I am so thankful for this truth. My prayer is that you and I would grow in our amazement of who He is. That we would surrender the ways of earthly hopelessness for the ways of eternal hope in Him.