We Need Stirring Up!

We need stirring up, not so much to be taught something new, as to be stirred up as to what we have learned already.   Most of us have long ago been taught the facts and doctrines of the gospel. Probably we know them well. Perhaps we are even firmly "established in the present truth." We have learned of Heaven and Hell and eternity. We have been taught our lost estate as sinners, and that Jesus died for sinners that His precious blood has atoned for sin, that He has opened the way for us to the throne of grace and to acceptance with God. We have heard of death and of judgment and of the uncertainty of life and the shortness of time.

We have been told  of Satan's devices, of the value of prayer, of the mercy and love of God in Christ, and of the work of the Spirit.What is our spiritual state, after so much teaching? Alas, how cold are our hearts, how trifling are our thoughts, how small is our zeal and love! How little we have of deep sorrow for sin and how little sincere faith in Jesus! Where are the fruits of the Spirit in us? Where is  that deep concern, that earnest desire, that prayerfulness, that watchfulness, that warmth of feeling, that pressing toward the mark which might be expected in those who have learned such things?

We need stirring up! We should stir ourselves up by the Word of God. Let us apply it to ourselves and take it as if addressed to us. Let us not listen to it or read it carelessly but as the message of God to us!  Let us not be hearers only but doers of the Word receiving it as God's message, pondering it in our minds, applying it to ourselves, believing it, and striving to live by it! Let us also pray for the quickening influence of God's Holy Spirit. This alone can really stir the depths of our hearts, rouse us from spiritual sloth and give us new earnestness and zeal!

[Francis Bourdillon]

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2 Peter 1:12-13 ... Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

Philippians 3:14 ...  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

James 1:22 ... But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.❤

In Happiness or In Torment?

The soul is immortal it can never cease to be. It is destined by the immutable decree of God, to exist eternally.  O eternity! Who can conceive your dimensions!  Forever! Who can grasp the mighty idea!         To exist forever solemn consideration!

Millions of ages as numerous as the stars in the skies, as the sands on the seashore, as blades of grass on the surface of the globe, as leaves which fall from the trees in autumn are as nothing in comparison with eternity!  But where shall we exist? How will eternity be spent by us? In happiness or in torment?

That will entirely depend upon the character, the state, the condition in which we live and die. If we live in sin, if we serve self and Satan, if we die accursed then we must suffer the due desert of our deeds in eternal Hell. But if we believe in Jesus, if we live unto God, if we die under His blessing, then we shall possess and enjoy glory, honor and eternal life in Heaven and these forever!

Let the solemn fact that you are immortal, deeply impress your mind. Try to realize the overwhelming thought, "I must live forever! I must live forever in unspeakable happiness or inconceivable misery! My eternal state depends on my present state. If I live unconverted, then I must die accursed, I am lost, and once lost, lost forever!"  O eternity! Tremendous sound! Incomprehensible idea!

[James Smith]

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Matthew 25:46 ... And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.


Romans 8:6 ... For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Psalm 90:12 ... So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.❤

Wonderous Countrast

In the floral kingdom, the flowers have many hues. A number of different colored flowers in a bouquet will enhance the beauty of each other by their contrast.

Just so in the cross of Christ, the attributes of God are brought out in wondrous contrast and yet with consistent harmony. There we see His name glorified, His love manifested, His majesty upheld, His justice satisfied, His truth vindicated, His law magnified, and His righteousness displayed in the putting away of our sins!

[Frederick Marsh]

Psalm 85:10 ... Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.


Colossians 1:20 ... And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.


Hebrews 12:2 ... Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.❤

Pig in Your Parlor

If we do not exactly know the particulars of what Heaven is then we know to a certainty, what it is not. We are sure that it is not like earth. There are no ale-houses, gambling parlors, or theaters there.

How then could those whose hearts are set upon these things possibly be happy even in Heaven, where they would be separated forever from all that they love? Heaven must be a Hell to an un-humbled, unsanctified sinner even if he could be admitted there. The company, the employments, the enjoyments are of the same kind with what he despised on earth. If you admit a pig into your parlor among your friends he would find no pleasure there. He would rather be in the sty, or wallowing in the mire in a ditch!

Well, such were some of us, yes, such were all of us once! And you, my dear friends, though you were not vile profligates like me, you were carelessly swimming down the stream of the world, and, when upon the edge of the whirlpool which would have eternally swallowed you up, He snatched you with a strong hand, set your feet upon a rock, and established your goings, and has put a new song in your mouth!

[John Newton]

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2 Corinthians 6:14 ... Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

1 Corinthians 15:10 ... But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.


Revelation 5:9 ... And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;❤

We Are But Learning Job's Lesson

What did he mean? Probably, that while he had long known God, as having heard of Him, and in a measure believed in and served Him yet now he knew Him far more deeply and closely, now he had experienced God's personal dealings, now he had had great searchings of heart, now he had learned far more of God than ever he knew before.

How many can say the same! How many can think of some time of sore affliction and see that at that season and by that means, they learned to know God in a way they had never known Him before more closely, more deeply, more lovingly. Yes, more lovingly. For this is what God is leading His children to by all His dealings to know His love to them more, and to love Him more in return.

How many inward comforts does He send in the time of trial! What deep searchings of heart go on in the silence of a sick-room! How many earnest prayers are sent up thence! What sweet thoughts of Christ are given what a sense of pardon, what peace, what love, what a manifestation of Christ to the soul!

These are the gifts of God, the work of His Spirit the Comforter, the blessings of sanctified affliction!

Shall we repine when God's chastening hand is laid upon us? Ah, no! Rather let us  look well into our own hearts,  and search out the root of self-righteousness,

and humble ourselves before God,  and shelter ourselves more closely under the shadow of His wing. He is teaching us and blessing us now. And if, under His teaching, we find ourselves distressed by a new and deeper feeling of our sinfulness yet let us then think that we are but learning Job's lesson; and let us be led to cast ourselves more earnestly and entirely upon the merits of Christ our Savior, that in Him we may find rest to our souls.

[Francis Bourdillon]

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Job 40:4 ... Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Job 42:6-7 ... Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.❤

The Vastness of His Love

As a measure of His loving kindness toward us. God uses the vastness of the heavens to help us understand the magnitude of His love for us. God’s love for us is greater than the billions of light years which separate us from the most distant galaxies.

[Steven K. Haught]

Psalm 103:11 ... For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.


Psalm 108:4 ... For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

Psalm 19:1 ... The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.❤

The Highest Grace

Let us mark Mary's deep humility in this hymn of praise.  She who was chosen of God to the high honor of being Messiah's mother speaks of her own "humble estate," and acknowledges her need of a "Savior." She uses the language of one who has been taught by the grace of God to feel her own sins, and need a Savior for her own soul.

Let us copy this holy humility of our Lord's mother.  Like her, let us be lowly in our own eyes, and think little of ourselves. Humility is the highest grace that can adorn the Christian character. It is a true saying of an old divine, "A man has just so much Christianity as he has humility." This is the grace which is most suitable to sinful human nature.

Above all, humility is the grace which is within the reach of every converted person! All are not rich. All are not learned. All are not highly gifted. All are not preachers. But all children of God may be clothed with humility!

[J. C. Ryle]

Luke 1:46-55 ... And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.  And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.   He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.   He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.  He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;  As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.❤

Freedom From The Dominion of Sin

There is no more galling yoke to be found, than the thraldom of evil passions, tyrant lusts and sinful habits, uncontrolled tempers which burst forth like a hurricane,  temptations which hurry a man onward toward the precipice of utter ruin, the dark trinity of "the world, the flesh, and the devil" all drawing a man along the pathway that leads to eternal damnation! Here is a foe that is terrible indeed!

Yet in Christ, there is freedom from the dominion of sin, and from all the power of the enemy. Satan is strong, for he is a roaring lion. But Christ is stronger, for He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Yes, He is the almighty Shepherd, who can guard the weakest of His flock from the treachery and deceit of the evil one.

Sin is strong, and it has conquered and destroyed its myriads in every age. But Christ is stronger, for He is our Joshua, and can put every enemy beneath our feet. If united to Christ by true faith, "sin shall not have dominion over you." Being no longer under the law, but under grace.  Christ reigns in you by His Holy Spirit, and by the same Spirit can make you more than conqueror over every snare of the tempter.

Christian, always remember the secret of success in the sore conflict you have to wage. Let "the joy of the Lord" be "your strength." Apart from Christ, there is nothing but defeat. You may resolve to do better, you may strive against your besetting sin but if it is in your own might, you will fail. But draw near to Christ, and keep Him in view continually. Hide deep in your heart His own word of promise, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Fly to Him as your stronghold, whenever danger is at hand. Make Him your shield, when the shafts of the wicked one are aimed for your destruction.

I often think of a lesson I learned one snowy day in Birmingham. A big bully was unmercifully snow-balling a smaller boy. But when the little fellow saw me coming, he ran behind me and kept me between himself and his enemy, until he was able to escape from him.

Ah, here is a lesson for me, thought I. Let me ever make Christ my shield. Let me ever put Him between me and my temptations; between me and my cares, and fears, and perils and He will answer for them. No evil can overcome His power and when I thus trust in Him, no sin or evil can overcome me.

Thus will you find strength for victory. You will be delivered from the sin which was once too strong for you. More and more the Spirit of Christ shall fashion you in His image and likeness. More and more shall the evil nature be mortified and kept under control, and Christ Himself make your heart His dwelling-place.

[George Everard]

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John 8:36 ... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 8:2 ... For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Galatians 5:1 ... Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.❤

Substantial Happiness

O what a mercy to be persuaded that whatever may be our circumstances, God is with us, directing and overruling the whole for our good and for His own glory. To know that He is ours and that we are His. To draw near in faith, telling Him all that is in our hearts, conscious of having the ear and heart of Jehovah towards us. Is not this true, substantial happiness?

[Mary Winslow]

Hebrews 10:22 ... Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.



Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Song of Solomon 2:16 ... My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.❤

When Will It Be My Time

All men persist in thinking all men mortal, but themselves.  If there were a great monster in our city, which ate ten of the inhabitants alive every day we would be dreadfully miserable, especially if we never knew when it would be our turn to be devoured!

If we were certain that it would eat all in our city by-and-bye, but would only eat ten in a day we would all tremble as we passed by the huge monster's den, and say, "When will it be my time to be eaten?" This would cast a dark cloud over the whole metropolis, blacker than its usual fog.

But here is a monster, DEATH, which devours its hundreds at its meal. With its iron tongue, the funeral knell keeps crying out for more! Its greedy and insatiable throat is never filled, its teeth are never blunted and its ravenous hunger is never satisfied.

And though it will be our turn by-and-bye to be devoured of this great monster yet how little do we think about it!

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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Ecclesiastes 3:2 ... A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;


Hebrews 9:27 ... And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:❤

Many Storms and Billows

My Very Dear Friends,

We wished that Mr. Andrews might remain much longer in this world of sin and sorrow but the Lord had much better things for him. The time was come when He would have him near His throne, to behold His glory and therefore our prayers were overruled.

I hope dear Mrs. Andrews can say from her heart, "The Lord does all things well."

The time is short, and those who weep should be, if believers as though they wept not. Many whom we loved best while here, and who are gone a little before us, are waiting for us. The joy of meeting where there will be no parting will make abundant amends for the pain of a temporary separation.

Mr. Andrews met with many storms and billows during his voyage on the sea of life but we trust he is now in that peaceful haven, where the winds of trouble never blow.

What a wonderful transition to pass, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye from pain and sickness and weeping friends to join in the songs of the innumerable company of the redeemed before the throne of God and the Lamb!

[John Newton]

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John 17:24 ... Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

1 Corinthians 15:52 ... In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Revelation 21:4 ... And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.❤