http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth Considering a variety of life's issues using guidance provided in God's Word, the Bible en dondegr dondegr Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:25:53 +0200 daily 1 Source: Early in the Morning 2 Scripture Reference: Judges 6:16-40   Fleece or Faith And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. Discouraged and pathetic, Israel needed a champion. God had chosen His man. The angel of the Lord appeared unto Gideon, a mighty man of valor, and encouraged him with the promise of God's presence and power. Gideon had broken down the altar to Baal. Idolatry throughout the land of Israel was pounded with a heavy blow. Jehovah alone was now worshipped in Ophrah, and the fame of Gideon spread throughout the land. It was apparent that Gideon was the man behind whom all Israel could rally. Once again the Midianite Bedouins swarmed across the land. Gideon knew that the time for battle had come, but this time he was ready. Judges 6:34 says, "The Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon." Literally the Spirit of... Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:25:53 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Faith-not-Fleecing/4716/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Faith-not-Fleecing/4716/ Source: Early in the Morning 2 Scripture Reference: Joshua 6:1-27   Perfect Promises And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. Every few years the countries of the free world participate in national elections. The democratic system of government provides the opportunity for men and women representing their parties to campaign, make promises and pledges, and run for office on the basis of their platform and promises. Generally the winner is the person who promises the most and who, in the minds of the voters, can actually deliver on those campaign promises. Unfortunately history has taught us that most political promises are little more than campaign rhetoric and the voters have justifiable reason for concern about their validity. In contrast to this are the promises of God in which the believer... Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:51:22 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-s-Sure-Promises/4715/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-s-Sure-Promises/4715/ Morning: Looking Ahead Evening: Miracle of Grace Morning: Looking Ahead "The city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it." --Revelation 21:23 Yonder in the better world, the inhabitants are independent of all creature comforts. They have no need of raiment; their white robes never wear out, neither shall they ever be defiled. They need no medicine to heal diseases, "for the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick." They need no sleep to recruit their frames--they rest not day nor night, but unweariedly praise Him in His temple. They need no social relationship to minister comfort, and whatever happiness they may derive from association with their fellows is not essential to their bliss, for their Lord's society is enough for their largest desires. They need no teachers there; they doubtless commune with one another concerning the things of God, but they do not require this by way of instruction;... Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:49:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-and-His-Grace/4714/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-and-His-Grace/4714/ Source: Early in the Morning Scripture Reference: Exodus 16:1-21   God's Provision And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that He heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us? If we enjoyed the vantage point of heaven, above both space and time, we would readily see the hand of God guiding us through history. The continuity of God's dealings with man-kind would then become quite evident, for we would not be bound by the years of one lifetime. But even though we cannot rise above space and time, we are not left without insight into God's providential leading through history. Through the use of types and symbols the Bible miraculously illustrates the essential unity between the Old and New Testaments. By comparing the prophetic types of the Old Testament with their fulfillment in the New, we see that history is proceeding on the course designed by God before time began. ... Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:03:35 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-s-Provision/4713/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-s-Provision/4713/ Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Nahum 1:3   The Fruit Comes Afterward "The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and storm" (Nahum 1:3). I recollect, when a lad, and while attending a classical institute in the vicinity of Mount Pleasant, sitting on an elevation of that mountain, and watching a storm as it came up the valley. The heavens were filled with blackness, and the earth was shaken by the voice of thunder. It seemed as though that fair landscape was utterly changed, and its beauty gone never to return. But the storm swept on, and passed out of the valley; and if I had sat in the same place on the following day, and said, "Where is that terrible storm, with all its terrible blackness?" the grass would have said, "Part of it is in me," and the daisy would have said, "Part of it is in me," and the fruits and flowers and everything that grows out of the ground would have said,... Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:54:45 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Fruit-from-the-Storm/4712/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Fruit-from-the-Storm/4712/ Source: Joy and Strength Scripture Reference: Isaiah 42:16   The Acceptance of the Divine I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. ISAIAH 16 WHEN over dizzy heights we go, One soft hand blinds our eyes, The other leads us, safe and slow, O Love of God most wise! ELIZA SCUDDER THE simple thought of a life which is to be the unfolding of a Divine plan is too beautiful, too captivating, to suffer one indifferent or heedless moment. Living in this manner, every turn of your experience will be a discovery to you of God, every change a token of His fatherly counsel. Whatever obscurity, darkness, trial, suffering, falls upon you; your defeats, losses, injuries; your outward state, employment, relations; what seems hard, unaccountable, severe, or, as nature might... Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:57:08 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Divine-Plan/4711/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Divine-Plan/4711/ Morning: Beginning Education Evening: Waters of the World Morning: Beginning Education "The earnest of our inheritance." --Ephesians 1:14 Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone. Yet the realization which we have of Christ's preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, "'Tis but a taste!" We have tasted "that the Lord is gracious," but we do not yet know how good and gracious He is, although what we know of His sweetness makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the firstfruits of the Spirit, and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fulness of the heavenly vintage. We groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption. Here we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eshcol, there we shall be in the vineyard. Here we see... Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:11:56 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Refreshment-from-God/4710/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Refreshment-from-God/4710/ Source: Joy and Strength Scripture Reference: Exodus 33:14   Psalm 16:11   Inward Home In Thy presence is fulness of joy. PSALMS 16:11 My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. EXODUS 33:14 O REST of rests! O peace serene, eternal! Thou ever livest, and Thou changest never; And in the secret of Thy presence dwelleth Fulness of joy, for ever and for ever. HARRIET BEECHER STOWE I HAVE no home, until I am in the realized presence of God. This holy presence is my inward home, and, until I experience it, I am a homeless wanderer, a straying sheep in a waste howling wilderness. ANONYMOUS, 1841 Heaven consists in nothing else than walking, abiding, resting in the Divine Presence. There are souls who enter into this heaven before leaving the body. If thou believest that thy God, found, felt, and rested in, is heaven, why not, under the gracious help which He vouchsafes to thee in His Son, begin at once... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:38:43 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-s-Presence-our-home/4709/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-s-Presence-our-home/4709/ Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Isaiah 48:10   God Has Chosen Me "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" (Isa. 48:10). Does not the Word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yes, is it not an asbestos armor, against which the heat has no power? Let the affliction come--God has chosen me. Poverty, thou mayest stride in at my door; but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou mayest intrude; but I have a balsam ready--God has chosen me. Whatever befall me in this vale of tears, I know that He has chosen me. Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. "Fear not, for I am with thee," is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in "the furnace of affliction." --C.... Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:17:02 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-s-Choice/4708/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-s-Choice/4708/ From The Loveliness of Christ by Samuel Rutherford  “I wonder many times that ever a child of God should have a sad heart, considering what their Lord is preparing for them.” “Christ’s cross is such a burden as sails are to a ship or wings to a bird.” “I hope ye are not ignorant, that if peace was left to you in Christ’s testament, so the other half of the testament was a legacy of Christ’s sufferings” (John 16:33). “To live on Christ’s love is a king’s life.” “Glorify the Lord in your sufferings, and take his banner of love, and spread it over you. Others will follow you, if they see you strong in the Lord; their courage shall take life from your Christian carriage.” “The floods may swell and roar but our ark shall swim above the waters; it cannot sink, because a Savior is in it.” “Every day we may see some new thing in Christ. His love hath neither brim nor bottom.” I’m reminded by the verse in... Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:55:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Quotes-from-Samuel-Rutherford/4707/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Quotes-from-Samuel-Rutherford/4707/ Source: Joy and Strength Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 1:7   Seek Him in Everything On whatsoever errand I shall send thee thou shalt go; and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. JEREMIAH 1:7 (R. V. MARGIN) THERE is no change of time and place with Thee; Where'er I go, 't is still with me the same; Within Thy presence I rejoice to be, And always hallow Thy most holy name. JONES VERY BE assured of this, you do not know God in truth, and have no true peace, if you are depending upon times and places. Remember that whatever God gives you to do, from moment to moment, that is the very best thing you could possibly be doing, and you little know where and when the Lord will meet you. He who does not seek and find God everywhere, and in everything, finds Him nowhere and in nothing. And he who is not at the Lord's service in everything, is at His service in nothing. JOHN TAULER God must be sought and seen in His... Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:12:38 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Seek-Him-in-Everything/4706/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Seek-Him-in-Everything/4706/ Author: Charles Haddon Spurgeon Morning: Higher Knowledge of Christ Evening: No Rest in Sin Morning: Higher Knowledge of Christ "Get thee up into the high mountain." --Isaiah 40:9 Our knowledge of Christ is somewhat like climbing one of our Welsh mountains. When you are at the base you see but little: the mountain itself appears to be but one-half as high as it really is. Confined in a little valley, you discover scarcely anything but the rippling brooks as they descend into the stream at the foot of the mountain. Climb the first rising knoll, and the valley lengthens and widens beneath your feet. Go higher, and you see the country for four or five miles round, and you are delighted with the widening prospect. Mount still, and the scene enlarges; till at last, when you are on the summit, and look east, west, north, and south, you see almost all England lying before you. Yonder is a forest in some distant county,... Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:29:03 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Close-to-Christ/4705/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Close-to-Christ/4705/ Some of you have truly been brought by God to believe in Jesus. Yet you have no abiding peace, and very little growth in holiness. Why is this? It is because your eye is fixed anywhere but on Christ. You are so busy looking at books, or looking at men, or looking at the world, that you have no time, no heart, for looking at Christ. No wonder you have little peace and joy in believing. No wonder you live so inconsistent and unholy a life. Change your plan. Consider the greatness and glory of Christ, who has undertaken all in the stead of sinners, and you would find it quite impossible to walk in darkness, or to walk in sin. Oh, what low, despicable thoughts you have of the glorious Immanuel! Lift your eyes from your own bosom, downcast believer - look upon Jesus. It is good to consider your ways, but it is far better to consider Jesus. Oh, believer, consider Jesus. Meditate on these things. Look and look again, until your peace flows like a river. - Robert Murray M’Cheyne To those who love the... Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:12:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Christ-our-Object/4704/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Christ-our-Object/4704/ Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Hebrews 12:12-13   Limp Hands and Feeble Knees Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed" (Heb. 12:12-13). This is God's word of encouragement to us to lift up the hands of faith, and confirm the knees of prayer. Often our faith grows tired, languid, and relaxed, and our prayers lose their force and effectiveness. The figure used here is a very striking one. The idea seems to be that we become discouraged and so timid that a little obstacle depresses and frightens us, and we are tempted to walk around it, and not face it: to take the easier way. Perhaps it is some physical trouble that God is ready to heal, but the exertion is hard, or it is easier to secure some human help, or walk... Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:42:31 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Encouragement-when-weary/4703/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Encouragement-when-weary/4703/ Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: 1 John 5:4   Faith Can Change Any Situation "For every child of God overcomes the world: and the victorious principle which has overcome the world is our faith" (1 John 5:4, Weymouth). At every turn in the road one can find something that will rob him of his victory and peace of mind, if he permits it. Satan is a long way from having retired from the business of deluding and ruining God's children if he can. At every milestone it is well to look carefully to the thermometer of one's experience, to see whether the temperature is well up. Sometimes a person can, if he will, actually snatch victory from the very jaws of defeat, if he will resolutely put his faith up at just the right moment. Faith can change any situation. No matter how dark it is, no matter what the trouble may be, a quick lifting of the heart to God in... Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:57:53 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Overcoming-Faith/4702/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Overcoming-Faith/4702/ MORNING SCRIPTURE: Psalm 59:1-17 MORNING VERSE: Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: for Thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. Although he had never heard the words, David knew well the lesson of James 5:16, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.." Constantly being pursued by Saul and his men, David knew he must consistently pray to God for deliverance. He needed an open line to Heaven, a prayer line, and he needed to use that line frequently. David begins Psalm 59 with a prayer: "Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me." Deliverance from enemies and oppressors is the almost constant cry of David (cf. Psalms 22:20; 25:20; 31:1-2, 15; 35:17; 40:13; 43:1; etc.). Here, however, David is still crying out to God and praising Him for deliverance from Saul's many attempts to assassinate him. He notes that... Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:07:29 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Teach-me-to-pray/4701/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Teach-me-to-pray/4701/   Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Genesis 24:15-27   Attitude of Trust "And it came to pass, before he had done speaking...and he said, Blessed be Jehovah…who hath not forsaken his lovingkindness and his truth" (Gen. 24:15, 27). Every right prayer is answered before the prayer itself is finished--before we have "done speaking." This is because God has pledged His Word to us that whatsoever we ask in Christ's name (that is, in oneness with Christ and His will) and in faith, shall be done. As God's Word cannot fail, whenever we meet those simple conditions in prayer, the answer to our prayer has been granted and completed in Heaven as we pray, even though its showing forth on earth may not occur until long afterward. So it is well to close every prayer with praise to God for the answer that He has already granted; He who... Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:02:22 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Attitude-of-Trust/4700/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Attitude-of-Trust/4700/ Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Romans 4:18-19   Greatest Gifts Come Through Travail "For Abraham, when hope was gone, hoped on in faith. His faith never quailed" (Rom. 4:18-19). We shall never forget a remark that George Mueller once made to a gentleman who had asked him the best way to have strong faith. "The only way," replied the patriarch of faith, "to learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings." This is very true. The time to trust is when all else fails. Dear one, you scarcely realize the value of your present opportunity; if you are passing through great afflictions you are in the very soul of the strongest faith, and if you will only let go, He will teach you in these hours the mightiest hold upon His throne which you can ever know. "Be not afraid,... Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:04:54 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Gifts-thru-Travail/4699/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Gifts-thru-Travail/4699/ Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Numbers 21:17   Praise in Advance "Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it" (Num. 21:17). This was a strange song and a strange well. They had been traveling over the desert's barren sands, no water was in sight and they were famishing with thirst. Then God spake to Moses and said: "Gather the people together, and I will give them water," and this is how it came. They gathered in circles on the sands. They took their staves and dug deep down into the burning earth and as they dug, they sang, " Spring up, O well, sing ye unto it, " and lo, there came a gurgling sound, a rush of water and a flowing stream which filled the well and ran along the ground. When they dug this well in the desert, they touched the stream that was running beneath, and reached the flowing tides that had long been... Mon, 26 May 2008 18:38:23 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Praise-in-Advance/4698/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/Praise-in-Advance/4698/ Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman Source: Streams in the Desert Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:5   He Worketh "He worketh" (Ps. 37:5). The translation that we find in Young of "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass," reads: "Roll upon Jehovah thy way; trust upon him: and he worketh." It calls our attention to the immediate action of God when we truly commit, or roll out of our hands into His, the burden of whatever kind it may be; a way of sorrow, of difficulty, of physical need, or of anxiety for the conversion of some dear one. "He worketh." When? Now. We are so in danger of postponing our expectation of His acceptance of the trust, and His undertaking to accomplish what we ask Him to do, instead of saying as we commit, "He worketh." "He worketh" even now; and praise Him that it is so. The... Thu, 22 May 2008 19:37:52 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-is-working/4697/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/wordoftruth/God-is-working/4697/