"Grieve not the Holy Spirit." Ephesians 4:30 All that the believer has must come from Christ, but it comes solely through the channel of the Spirit of grace. Moreover, as all blessings thus flow to you through the Holy Spirit, so also no good thing can come out of you in holy thought, devout worship,... Continue Reading →
Renew a right spirit within me…
"Renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 A backslider, if there be a spark of life left in him will groan after restoration. In this renewal the same exercise of grace is required as at our conversion. We needed repentance then; we certainly need it now. We wanted faith that we might come to... Continue Reading →
Ye looked for much, and lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? Saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house…
"Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house." Haggai 1:9 Churlish souls stint their contributions to the ministry and missionary... Continue Reading →
Will you also go away?
"Will ye also go away?" John 6:67 Many have forsaken Christ, and have walked no more with him; but what reason have you to make a change? Has there been any reason for it in the past? Has not Jesus proved himself all-sufficient? He appeals to you this morning—"Have I been a wilderness unto you?"... Continue Reading →
Godly sorrow worketh repentance
"Godly sorrow worketh repentance." 2 Corinthians 7:10 Genuine, spiritual mourning for sin is the work of the Spirit of God. Repentance is too choice a flower to grow in nature's garden. Pearls grow naturally in oysters, but penitence never shows itself in sinners except divine grace works it in them. If thou hast one particle... Continue Reading →
I acknowledged my sin to you, and my iniquity have I not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin…
"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." Psalm 32:5 David's grief for sin was bitter. Its effects were visible upon his outward frame: "his bones waxed old"; "his moisture was turned... Continue Reading →
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord…
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Luke 3:4 The voice crying in the wilderness demanded a way for the Lord, a way prepared, and a way prepared in the wilderness. I would be attentive to the Master's proclamation, and give him a... Continue Reading →
He left his garment in her hand, and fled…
"He left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." Genesis 39:12 In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight. The ancient naturalists wrote much of basilisks, whose eyes fascinated their victims and rendered them easy victims; so the mere gaze of wickedness puts us in... Continue Reading →