Well this is a first..for me at least! I want to use this blog to put up anything that I think will be helpful to those who either know God are are really looking. It will include my own thoughts.. stuff from sites I really like and a few classics from great Christian teachers and writers of the past.
I will also comment on current events inside and outside the church from a Biblical perspective. What really will make this worthwhile is feedback from YOU! Well there's the invitation..
Let me get things going with a quote from "Morning & Evening" by CH Spurgeon the great 19th Cenury English Baptist - the "Prince of Preachers" He is trying to get us to have an eternal perspective- but he can say it much better than me!
"Afterward." Hebrews 12:11
How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. No calm more deep than that which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well exercised soldiers. After killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill Difficulty, we sit down in the arbour to rest; after traversing the Valley of Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears, with the healing branch from the tree of life. Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them "afterwards." It is peace, sweet, deep peace, which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls. See, then, the happy estate of a Christian! He has his best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things are "afterward" good things, harsh ploughings yielding joyful harvests. Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full by being emptied; if, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy "afterwards" in heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world's days, what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun, what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a dungeon, how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the fires, how will he extol him before the eternal throne! If evil be good to him now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then? Oh, blessed "afterward!" Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross for the crown which cometh afterwards? But herein is work for patience, for the rest is not for today, nor the triumph for the present, but "afterward." Wait, O soul, and let patience have her perfect work.
"Morning & Evening "May 18th
God bless
1 comment:
Hugely encouraging. A favourite chapter of mine is Psalm 73. It shows how we can be discouraged, seeing the "success" and "riches" of the wicked, and reminds us of the true rewards to come for those who serve or don't serve God.
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