OCTOBER 23

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22

“strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Romans 5:3-5

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 8:35

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

Romans 12:12

“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;”

Malachi 3:3

“He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;  He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.”

Proverbs 13:24

“He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”

*******  *********

This month we will read choices from Charles Spurgeon’s (known affectionately as the “prince of preachers”)  devotional, “Beside Still Waters.”   It’s no secret that this world system is getting more evil by the day.  We have to stand strong in the Lord and look to Him more than ever to get through, and to be guided through, what is in the future……..known and allowed  by Him alone…..as well as whatever personal things we are experiencing in our lives.

PASTOR SPURGEON:

Just as the youths of Sparta were prepared for fighting by hard discipline, God’s servants are trained for war with the affliction that He sends in the early days of their spiritual life.  We must run with footmen or we will never be able to contend with horses.  We must be thrown into the water or we will never learn to swim.  We must hear the bullets whizzing or we will never become veteran soldiers.

The gardener knows that if the flowers are always kept in the hot house and raised in warm temperature they cannot live outdoors.  Therefore, he does not give them too much heat; by degrees, he exposes them to the cold, that eventually they can survive the open air.  The only-wise God does not keep His servants in hothouses;  He tenderly exposes them to trials, so that they know how to respond when trials come.

If you want to ruin children, never let them know hardship.  If you want to prevent them from ever being useful, guard them from every kind of work and do not let them struggle.  Pity them when they should be punished, supply all their wishes, avert all their disappointments, prevent all trouble, and you will surely train them to break your heart.  If you put them where they must work, expose them to difficulties, purposely throw them into peril, then you will make them mature and ready for life.

My Master does not cradle His children when they ought to run alone.  When they begin to run, He is not always putting out His hand;  He lets them tumble and skin their knees.  Thus they learn to walk carefully and to stand uprightly by the strength that faith confers on them.

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord