http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions Portions from God's Word, various hymns, and some quotations from godly Christians from the 19th century such as John Darby and Edward Dennett and others. From September 2005 to March 2006, postings are almost exclusively from "Footprints for Pilgrims"; since April 2006 postings include primarily selections from "Choice Gleanings" and "Streams in the Desert". en soundwords soundwords Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:45:52 +0100 daily 1 Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Exodus 33:13   Luke 9:29-32   Come Close to Him "He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray, and as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering . . . they saw his glory" (Luke 9:29, 32). "If I have found grace in thy sight, show me thy glory" (Exod. 33:13). When Jesus took these three disciples up into that high mountain apart, He brought them into close communion with Himself. They saw no man but Jesus only; and it was good to be there. Heaven is not far from those who tarry on the mount with their Lord. Who has not in moments of meditation and prayer caught a glimpse of opening gates? Who has not in the secret place of holy communion felt the rush of some white surging wave of emotion--a foretaste of the joy of the blessed? The Master had times and places for quiet... Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:45:52 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Drawing-Close-to-Him/5384/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Drawing-Close-to-Him/5384/ Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Romans 8:26-27   What Cannot Be Uttered "Likewise also the Spirit helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what to pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. 8:26, 27). This is the deep mystery of prayer. This is the delicate divine mechanism which words cannot interpret, and which theology cannot explain, but which the humblest believer knows even when he does not understand. Oh, the burdens that we love to bear and cannot understand! Oh, the inarticulate out-reachings of our hearts for things we cannot comprehend! And yet we know they are an echo from the throne and a whisper from the heart of God. It is often a groan rather than a song, a burden rather than a buoyant... Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:27:31 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Mystery-of-Prayer/5383/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Mystery-of-Prayer/5383/ Be Careful What You Ask For "And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." — Psalm 106:15 I sometimes hear people say, "I have been wrestling with God in prayer!" My first thought always is, "I hope you lost." If you have been trying to bend God your way, then that is a problem. Prayer is not trying to move God your way; it is moving yourself His way. In fact, I'm glad that God hasn't said yes to every prayer I have ever prayed. When I look back on some things I've prayed for, I realize that if the Lord would have allowed them, they could have destroyed me. They were not the right things or the right situations. So God graciously and lovingly said no. In John 15:7, Jesus gave an incredible promise regarding answered prayer. He said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." From the original language,... Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:44:55 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/What-do-you-ask-for/5382/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/What-do-you-ask-for/5382/ Source: Early in the Morning 2 Scripture Reference: Acts 28:1-31   A Long Day And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Bible students find many parallels between what they read in the Word of God and what they see in the animal kingdom. Many of God's creatures have been singled out as examples of various kinds of activities. We are all familiar with the expression, "Busy as a bee." Although perhaps not as noticeable, the activity of others of God's creatures is just as great as that of the bee. For example, the thrush gets up at 2:30 every morning, begins work at once and does not stop until 9:30 at night. That's a whole nineteen-hour day. During that period of time this bird feeds its hungry fledglings about two hundred... Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:51:09 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Energetic-Service/5381/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Energetic-Service/5381/ Robert Cleaver Chapman . . 1803-1902 Introduction Robert Chapman is not well known in this day. And in his day, when he first began to minister, friends said he would never make a good preacher. Though he never became a world-wide evangelist, never authored any monumental books, and did not lead any great mission in foreign lands. Yet, he labored for 70 years in a small town, in a remote corner of England, and became a living legend. The significant achievement of Robert Cleaver Chapman is the life he lived. He said: "My business is to love others and not to seek that others shall love me." As to his limitations in speaking, Chapman replied: "There are many who preach Christ, but not so many who live Christ; my great aim will be to live Christ." And this became a consuming passion. As a young man, Winston Churchill was taken to visit him. Charles Spurgeon called him: "the saintliest man I ever knew." John Nelson Darby said of... Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:02:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Biography-of-Robert-Chapman/5380/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Biography-of-Robert-Chapman/5380/ A Few Well Remembered and Treasured Sayings of H. E. Hayhoe (1880 – 1962) ***       God loves you, not because of what you are, but because of who He is, and the will and heart of God is the source of every blessing the heart can know.   ***       There will never be a look, across His face, that will remind us how much we cost Him.   ***       Though Christ can be grieved at a thousand things in us that no eye but His can see, yet none is so easily pleased by our little endeavors of love as He is.   ***       The Spirit of God would ever search our hearts that the motive spring of all our service should be love.   ***       Every joy the Lord had came from above.   It was not the weather that made the Lord Jesus a happy joyful servant; it was communion with the Father.   ***      The Lord Jesus passed through every form and kind of suffering that it was possible for... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:34:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Quotes-from-H.E.-Hayhoe/5378/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Quotes-from-H.E.-Hayhoe/5378/ True peace is when the soul revolves around its center, Almighty God, craving for nothing but what God continually supplies. Since the soul is large enough to contain the infinite God, nothing less than Himself can satisfy or fill it.                                                                                         ~ Edward B. Pusey Take your burdens, and troubles, and losses, and wrongs, if come they must and will, as your opportunities, knowing that God has girded you for greater things than these.                                                                                         ~ Horace Bushnell You find no difficulty in trusting the Lord with the management of the universe and all the outward creation, and can your case be any more difficult than these, that you need to be anxious about His management of... Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:26:36 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Do-we-trust-Him/5379/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Do-we-trust-Him/5379/ Evening: The Battle's End "There brake He the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle." --Psalm 76:3 Our Redeemer's glorious cry of "It is finished," was the death-knell of all the adversaries of His people, the breaking of "the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle." Behold the hero of Golgotha using His cross as an anvil, and His woes as a hammer, dashing to shivers bundle after bundle of our sins, those poisoned "arrows of the bow"; trampling on every indictment, and destroying every accusation. What glorious blows the mighty Breaker gives with a hammer far more ponderous than the fabled weapon of Thor! How the diabolical darts fly to fragments, and the infernal bucklers are broken like potters' vessels! Behold, He draws from its sheath of hellish workmanship the dread sword of Satanic power! He snaps it across His knee, as a man breaks the dry wood of a fagot, and casts it... Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:57:28 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Battle-s-End/5377/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Battle-s-End/5377/ FOR YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR…   THAT YE…MIGHT BE RICH “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”  2 Cor 8.9 “My God, My God, why hast Thou                “I will never leave thee, nor forsaken me?’  Matt 27.46                              forsake thee.”  Heb 13.5 “I looked for some to take pity,                     “Like as a father pitieth his children, but there was none.”  Ps 69.20                      so the Lord pitieth them that fear                                                                      Him.”   Ps 103.13 “I looked for... Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:21:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Christ-became-poor-so-we-might-become-rich/5376/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Christ-became-poor-so-we-might-become-rich/5376/ Morning: Shut In With God Evening: Love of Christ Morning: Shut In With God "The Lord shut him in." --Genesis 7:16 Noah was shut in away from all the world by the hand of divine love. The door of electing purpose interposes between us and the world which lieth in the wicked one. We are not of the world even as our Lord Jesus was not of the world. Into the sin, the gaiety, the pursuits of the multitude we cannot enter; we cannot play in the streets of Vanity Fair with the children of darkness, for our heavenly Father has shut us in. Noah was shut in with his God. "Come thou into the ark," was the Lord's invitation, by which He clearly showed that He Himself intended to dwell in the ark with His servant and his family. Thus all the chosen dwell in God and God in them. Happy people to be enclosed in the same circle which contains God in the Trinity of His persons, Father, Son, and Spirit. Let us never be inattentive to that gracious... Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:58:41 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Shut-in-with-God/5375/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Shut-in-with-God/5375/ 1 What is Faith? Close your eyes to everything visible, and open your ear to God. That is faith. Bad doctrine leads to bad behaviour. You can learn of a person by reading of that person in a book, but to learn from that person you must be in his company. Humility is the secret of fellowship, and pride is the secret of division. If we do not put into practice what we say we have believed, then we have not really believed it. I think that when near the Lord you look at your mercies, when away from Him at your troubles.  The best way to correct a failing in your brother is to be in yourself the living expression of the virtue he lacks 2 The Bible is always a new book to those well–acquainted with it. Spiritual work can only be done by spiritual strength. Every step in faith’s pathway... Sat, 31 May 2008 15:36:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Short-Expressions-of-Truth/5374/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Short-Expressions-of-Truth/5374/ Other scriptural encouragement posted in recent years: http://formofsoundwords.net http://formofsoundwords.net/wordoftruth http://formofsoundwords.net/soundwords http://formofsoundwords.net/plainpath http://biblegems.blogspot.com   http://www.biblegems.info/id2.html http://www.blogigo.com/soundwords     http://www.blogigo.com/wordoftruth http://www.blogigo.com/gospelhall   http://www.blogigo.com/fellowship   http://www.blogigo.com/trust http://www.blogigo.com/gems May God use some of these resources, gleaned from ones who are gifted in scripture ministry, to help growth in the knowledge of our wonderful and blessed Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:10:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Christian-resources/5373/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Christian-resources/5373/ The Law of Life by Chip Brogden http://www.theschoolofchrist.org/articles/law.html "I am the Vine, and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, will produce much fruit: for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). It is amazing the number of Christians who believe it is up to them to produce fruit. This teaching is, to them, like trying to force a square peg through a round hole. They become obsessed with making something happen, thinking it is all up to their effort, their willpower, their determination, to grow up into Christ. To suggest that they cease from their labor is to make light of all their hard work up until now, and this offends them! They begin in the Spirit, but look to the flesh (self-effort) to complete the work. That is not the Christ-Life! The fruit will come of its own accord, provided we abide in Him. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:48:43 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Bearing-Fruit-for-God/5372/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Bearing-Fruit-for-God/5372/ A Selection of “Choice Sayings” of Robert Cleaver Chapman By: Robert C. Chapman  Love “God is love” ( 1 John 4:16 ). His children please Him only so far as they are like Him, and “walk in love” ( Eph. 5:2 ). True heavenly love has its life and root in the cross of Christ; it has the single eye, and is its own recompense; endures ingratitude, and survives indifference and contempt; has quick sense of wrongs, but is ready to forgive; and covers a multitude of sins. The love we speak of is meek and lowly; behaves itself wisely and edifies; bearing with the foolish and self-conceited, while it shuns their folly. This holy love is the durable work of the Spirit of God: it proves faithful in wintry days; and, ever ready to “rejoice with them that do rejoice,” adds gladness to their days of sunshine. If we would so love all saints as to please God, we must bear in mind that their names are written in heaven and on Christ’s heart;... Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:47:52 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Quotes-from-Robert-Chapman/5371/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Quotes-from-Robert-Chapman/5371/ Morning: Growing Stronger Evening: Crucified With Christ Growing Stronger "They go from strength to strength." --Psalm 84:7 They go from strength to strength. There are various renderings of these words, but all of them contain the idea of progress. Our own good translation of the authorized version is enough for us this morning. "They go from strength to strength." That is, they grow stronger and stronger. Usually, if we are walking, we go from strength to weakness; we start fresh and in good order for our journey, but by-and-by the road is rough, and the sun is hot, we sit down by the wayside, and then again painfully pursue our weary way. But the Christian pilgrim having obtained fresh supplies of grace, is as vigorous after years of toilsome travel and struggle as when he first set out. He may not be quite so elate and buoyant, nor perhaps quite so hot and hasty in his zeal as he once was, but he is much stronger in... Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:00:58 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Strength-from-Christ/5370/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Strength-from-Christ/5370/ Morning: It's All in His Control Evening: No Seas in Heaven It's All in His Control "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." --Proverbs 16:33 If the disposal of the lot is the Lord's whose is the arrangement of our whole life? If the a simple casting of a lot is guided by Him, how much more the events of our entire life--especially when we are told by our blessed Saviour: "The very hairs of your head are all numbered: not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Father." It would bring a holy calm over your mind, dear friend, if you were always to remember this. It would so relieve your mind from anxiety, that you would be the better able to walk in patience, quiet, and cheerfulness as a Christian should. When a man is anxious he cannot pray with faith; when he is troubled about the world, he cannot serve his Master, his thoughts are serving himself. If you would... Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:34:19 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/God-is-in-Control/5369/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/God-is-in-Control/5369/ Title: When We're in the Dark Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Isaiah 45:3-3   "I will give thee the treasures of darkness" (Isa. 45:3). In the famous lace shops of Brussels, there are certain rooms devoted to the spinning of the finest and most delicate patterns. These rooms are altogether darkened, save for a light from one very small window, which falls directly upon the pattern. There is only one spinner in the room, and he sits where the narrow stream of light falls upon the threads of his weaving. "Thus," we are told by the guide, "do we secure our choicest products. Lace is always more delicately and beautifully woven when the worker himself is in the dark and only his pattern is in the light." May it not be the same with us in our weaving? Sometimes it is very dark. We cannot understand what we are... Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:20:40 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Treasures-of-Darkness/5368/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Treasures-of-Darkness/5368/ Title: Who is Leading? Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Psalm 27:14   "O Lord , I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23). "Lead me in a plain path" (Ps. 27:14). Many people want to direct God, instead of resigning themselves to be directed by Him; to show Him a way, instead of passively following where He leads. --Madame Guyon I said: "Let me walk in the field"; God said: 'Nay, walk in the town"; I said: "There are no flowers there"; He said: "No flowers, but a crown." I said: "But the sky is black, There is nothing but noise and din"; But He wept as He sent me back, "There is more," He said, "there is... Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:36:48 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/God-s-Leading/5367/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/God-s-Leading/5367/ Title: Upper Springs Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Joshua 15:18-19   "And Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou? Who answered, give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs" (Joshua 15:18, 19). There are both upper and nether springs. They are springs, not stagnant pools. There are joys and blessings that flow from above through the hottest summer and the most desert land of sorrow and trial. The lands of Achsah were "south lands," lying under a burning sun and often parched with burning heat. But from the hills came the unfailing springs, that cooled, refreshed and fertilized all the land. There are springs that flow in the low places of life, in the hard places, in the desert places, in the lone places, in the... Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:43:08 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Upper-Springs/5366/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Upper-Springs/5366/ Title: Dealing With the Past Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Matthew 9:28   "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" (Matt. 9:28). God deals with impossibilities. It is never too late for Him to do so, when the impossible is brought to Him, in full faith, by the one in whose life and circumstances the impossible must be accomplished if God is to be glorified. If in our own life there have been rebellion, unbelief, sin, and disaster, it is never too late for God to deal triumphantly with these tragic facts if brought to Him in full surrender and trust. It has often been said, and with truth, that Christianity is the only religion that can deal with man's past. God can "restore the years that the locust hath eaten" (Joel 2:25); and He will do this when we put the whole situation and ourselves unreservedly and believingly into His hands.... Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:26:25 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Dealing-with-the-Past/5365/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/portions/Dealing-with-the-Past/5365/