From the Heart of Spurgeon. A Daily Devotional.

 "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Romans 8:33

   Most blessed challenge! How unanswerable it is! Every sin of the elect was laid upon the great Champion of our salvation, and by the atonement carried away. There is no sin in God's book against His people: He seeth no sin in Jacob, neither iniquity in Israel; they are justified in Christ for ever!

THE GOSPEL OF RADIOHEAD

  This is some great insight (bellow) by a worship leader of a church pertaining to secular music. Give it a read and ask yourself about the music you listen to. It is important to know what kind of band you are supporting with your money and your mind. Really pay attention to the lyrics and see what they are all about.

Have it your way or Have it His Way

Isaiah 4:20-21 (NKJV)

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"


  Today, anyone almost at anytime, can pull up to a fast food joint and get whatever they want. They could either have chicken or beef, cheese no cheese, fries or fruit, super sized, regular size or a kids size. The options truly are endless, and when it comes down to it we can basically have it our way. We call the shots.

From the Heart of Spurgeon. A Daily Devotional.

"Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time is come. For Thy servants rake pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof."
Psalm 102:13, 14
A selfish man in trouble is exceedingly hard to comfort, because the springs of his comfort entirely within himself, and when he is sad all his springs are dry. But a large-hearted man full of Christian philanthropy, has other springs from which to supply himself with comfort beside those which lie within. He can go to his God first of all, and there find abundant help; and he can discover arguments for consolation in things relating to the world at large, to his country, and, above all, to the church. David in this Psalm was exceedingly sorrowful; he wrote, "I am like an owl of the desert, I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top." The only way in which he could comfort himself, was in the reflection that God would arise, and have mercy upon Zion: though he was sad, yet Zion should prosper; however low his own estate, yet Zion should arise. Christian man! learn to comfort thyself in God's gracious dealing towards the church. That which is so dear to thy Master, should it not be dear above all else to thee? What though thy way be dark, canst thou not gladden thine heart with the triumphs of His cross and the spread of His truth? Our own personal troubles are forgotten while we look, not only upon what God has done, and is doing for Zion, but on the glorious things He will yet do for His church. Try this receipt, O believer, whenever thou art sad of heart and in heaviness of spirit: forget thyself and thy little concerns, and seek the welfare and prosperity of Zion. When thou bendest thy knee in prayer to God, limit not thy petition to the narrow circle of thine own life, tried though it be, but send out thy longing prayers for the church's prosperity, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," and thine own soul shall be refreshed.


Thank you and my God cause you to have a deep hunger for the things of righteousness.

Grace and Works

There Is No Argument Here

   Some people stumble at the book of James because they were falsely taught that James was teaching salvation by works, unlike Paul who taught salvation, by grace, through faith.   

   The issue in James Chapter 2 verses 14-26 is the heart of a man, how can someone have a God filled heart and turn away from a brother in need, I.E. true sign of conversion is that a man being full of God is always available to help his brother or sister in need, not because it puts him or her in better favor in Gods economy. Out of an abundance of love towards God good works will follow. Someone could work forever with the thought it would make God love them more or the reverse saying the opposite but the proof of salvation and a God centered life is enjoying and delighting in God and “loving thy neighbor as thy self.” The rest will fall in line. 

   Paul taught the vehicle in which we are saved and James is providing the evidence of a true believer. James and Paul are both in unison with the Holy Spirit, falling in line with what Christ said in Mathew Chapter 7 verse 15-23, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  And in thy name have cast out devils?  And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” So there is no argument here. Let us always be a tree that brings forth good fruit in season and out and always working out our salvation with fear and trembling giving glory to God.  towards God, good works follow. Someone could work forever with the thought it would make God love them better or the reverse saying the opposite but the proof of salvation and a God centered life is enjoying and delighting in God and "Loving thy neighbor as thy self" the rest will fall in line.

By: Anonymous 


Thank you and my God cause you to have a deep hunger for the things of righteousness.
C.Sortini

From the Heart of Spurgeon. A Devotional.

"When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me."
                                                               Psalm 56:9
   
     It is impossible for any human speech to express the full meaning of this delightful phrase, "God is for me." He was "for us" before the worlds were made; He was "for us," or He would not have given His well-beloved son; He was "for us" when He smote the Only-begotten, and laid the full weight of His wrath upon Him--He was "for us," though He was against Him; He was "for us," when we were ruined in the fall--He loved us notwithstanding all; He was "for us," when we were rebels against Him, and with a high hand were bidding Him defiance; He was "for us," or He would not have brought us humbly to seek His face. He has been "for us" in many struggles; we have been summoned to encounter hosts of dangers; we have been assailed by temptations from without and within--how could we have remained unharmed to this hour if He had not been "for us"? He is "for us," with all the infinity of His being; with all the omnipotence of His love; with all the infallibility of His wisdom; arrayed in all His divine attributes, He is "for us,"--eternally and immutably "for us"; "for us" when yon blue skies shall be rolled up like a worn out vesture; "for us" throughout eternity. And because He is "for us," the voice of prayer will always ensure His help. "When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies be turned back." This is no uncertain hope, but a well grounded assurance--"this I know." I will direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up for the answer, assured that it will come, and that mine enemies shall be defeated, "for God is for me." O believer, how happy art thou with the King of kings on thy side! How safe with such a Protector! How sure thy cause pleaded by such an Advocate! If God be for thee, who can be against thee?


By: C.H. Spurgeon

Thank you and my God cause you to have a deep hunger for the things of righteousness.

C.Sortini

Twilight

 Everyone is crazy about the new Twilight. I think if we took a poll of the youth group almost 100% probably went to go see the movie and I bet if we asked some of their parents they would confirm they went to. Who could blame them it is such an epic love story, with giant man puppies and sweet cuddly vampires.

  Although the movie does have such an epic love story and super fictional beings, it does address some real, everyday, life issues as well. Over the next few days I want to ask you what you think about a couple real life issues in the movie, and how the characters handled it.

So keep an eye out and Comment Back on the Facebook page!

Thank you and my God cause you to have a deep hunger for the things of righteousness.

Youth Pastor, Chris Sortini