Author: Charles Spurgeon

Pray with Spurgeon: God can grow his people

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

May we behave ourselves in your house in such a way that you can show yourself to us and give us answers to our prayers. Help us to delight ourselves in you, that you may give us the desire of our hearts. We want to be all that believers can be. The Lord grant that the life of faith in us may come to its flower, and not be forever merely in the stalk and root; may we bring forth ripe fruit unto our Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Spirit of God. Fire us with the heavenly flame. Make us intensely earnest for the increase of the Redeemer’s Kingdom, for the conservation of his truth, and for the exhibition of that truth in all its sanctifying power.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

They are not full of their own righteousness, but long for more and more of that which comes from above. They pine to be right themselves both with God and man, and they long to see righteousness have the upper hand all the world over.

Where God works such an insatiable desire, we may be quite sure that he will satisfy it; yes, fill it to the brim. In contemplating the righteousness of God, the righteousness of Christ, and the victory of righteousness in the latter days, we are more than filled.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A Visual Guide to the Entire New Testament

We need the Bible. But we don’t just need to have it, we need to understand it; we need to know it through-and-through. We need to study every passage and learn every book.

A great guide to help you know your Bible deeper is The Visual Word by Patrick Schreiner. This book offers an outline and a visual guide to every book in the New Testament. This gives you a great overview of the entire New Testament, which you can use as a guide for jumping in deeper.

The book is simple enough (and rich enough) for any Christian to benefit from. The illustrations that accompany each outline are stunning and help guide us into the New Testament books.

The Visual Word is an incredible (and beautiful!) resource to add to your Bible study tool belt. I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy The Visual Word:

Pray with Spurgeon: Following in the Footsteps of Jesus

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We ask that we may be among those who love Christ and keep his commandments. We are very anxious about this: the Lord make us obedient to our blessed Leader. May we follow in his steps. We must complain of ourselves that we are not what we want to be, nor what we should be. Oh, we do rejoice in this—that we are not what we shall be, for “When he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

Will you be pleased, by your Spirit, O our Father, to conform us to the image of the Firstborn. Take out of us all tempers that are not according to his gentleness, all spirits that are not after the manner of his obedient, loving, filial spirit. May we be sons in whom you are well pleased.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

They are lowly-minded, and are ready to give up their portion in the earth; therefore it shall come back to them. They neither boast, nor contend, nor exult over others, yet are they heirs of all the good which God has created on the face of the earth. In their meekness they are like their King, and they shall reign with him. The promised land is for the tribes of the meek; before them the Canaanites shall be driven out. He has the best of this world who thinks least of it, and least of himself.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Anger is deadly… And God can offer lasting change

Today we prayed that God would make us more like Jesus. One of the most frequent ways many Christians fail to follow in the footsteps of anger is how we experience and respond to anger. Most of us who struggle with anger, no matter how infrequently, hate it but we don’t know how to change.

A really great book to help you is The Heart of Anger by Christopher Ash and Steve Midgley. This book is an incredible exploration of everything the Bible teaches about anger. It will help you understand your anger, what motivates it, and how to slay it. This book is practical, biblical, and deep.

Reading The Heart of Anger will really help you, because it doesn’t offer short-cuts — it offers real transformation, rooted in God’s Word and dependent on God’s grace. (And, if you’re a pastor, you should grab a copy to be equipped to confront anger in others you disciple/counsel).

This book is incredibly useful. I hope you’ll pick up a copy today.

Buy The Heart of Anger:

*You can get the audiobook for free with a trial membership of Audible.

Weekend Edition: Draw near to us, God

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (BY SPURGEON)

As we gather with our church, be pleased to refresh us. Draw near to us, gracious God; it is only your presence that can make us happy, holy, devout or strong. Shadow us now with your wings, cover us with your feathers, and under your wings may we trust. May we follow very near unto you, and so feel the quickening warmth, the joy which only your nearness can bring.

If any in your presence this morning are unsaved, oh save them now. Grant that the service of this morning may bring such glad tidings to their ear, that their heart shall leap at the sound of it, and they shall return unto God, who will abundantly pardon. Bless every preacher of the Word today, and all Sunday schools, classes of young men and women, all tract-distributing and street preaching, and every form of holy service. Accept the prayers and praises of your people.

Amen.

GET A FREE COURSE

Thanks to Midwestern Seminary for sponsoring the Weekend Edition of this newsletter.

My friends at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have put together a GREAT video class from Jared Wilson that unpacks exactly how God’s story really can impact every part of your life.

It’s called “The Story of Everything” and it’s available FOR FREE right now.

Click here to get started with this FREE seminary-level course.

WEEKEND LONG READ (SERMON BY SPURGEON)

What Jesus Would Do

Jesus is willing to gather us — to gather the children of this city together, — as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings. Oh! I trust I may not have to say, “And ye would not;” but may the sweet Spirit of God be here to move the untoward and wicked wills of men, till it shall be said, “Christ is willing to gather you, and ye are willing to be gathered.” When those two things come together, great blessing must result. 

Read the full sermon from the Spurgeon Center for Biblical Preaching at Midwestern Seminary.

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

Jesus’ Call Was to Plant Churches by Tim Keller

Yesterday, Tim Keller passed away. As his faith became sight, those of us who have been impacted by his ministry should take time to thank God for his faithfulness through Tim.

PREPARE FOR MINISTRY AT MIDWESTERN

With all the hardships and headwinds Christian ministers face in a post-Christian world, along with the growing reality of ministry burnout, this year’s For The Church National Conference seeks to remind ministry leaders and saints alike of the glorious calling of everyday ministry. There may be days filled with difficulties and loss, yet being a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ is worth every pain, every worry, and every tear.

Join us in Kansas City on September 11-12 to remember why everyday ministry matters for the glory of God and the good of the Church.

Pray with Spurgeon: Make us like Jesus — whatever it takes

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Blessed Lord, we trust there are beginnings and outlines of your own character in us, through your Holy Spirit; but let that work be carried on, putting more of the contents of beauty, more of the sweetness, the gentleness, the tenderness, that is in yourself. O divine sculptor, the divine Spirit; go on to fashion us, until, as Jesus was, so we may be.

We will not ask to be spared pain or sorrow, if we might only grow in grace and in the likeness of our savior, Jesus Christ. Oh make us such, that even you yourself can look upon us in Christ, and see with delight the work of your own hands.

Some of us have a hard struggle against inward corruption and hindering circumstances, and impetuous passions. Oh subdue us, Lord. Bring every thought into captivity to the law of Christ. Lead us as captives, triumphing over us in every place, and making even devils to see how sin is conquered in us, and that Christ reigns. 

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

These seem worse off than the merely poor in spirit, for “they mourn.” They are a stage higher, though they seem to be a stage lower. The way to rise in the kingdom is to sink in ourselves. These men are grieved by sin, and tried by the evils of the times; but for them a future of rest and rejoicing is provided. Those who laugh shall lament, but those who sorrow shall sing. How great a blessing is sorrow, since it gives room for the Lord to administer comfort! Our griefs are blessed, for they are our points of contact with the divine Comforter. The beatitude reads like a paradox, but it is true, as some of us know full well. Our mourning hours have brought us more comfort than our days of mirth.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Another great biography for kids

I’ve written several times about how much I love the new Do Great Things for God series from the Good Book Company. Each of these books tells the story of a bold Christian woman who lived for God’s glory around the world.

The latest book in this series is a really great one, and The Good Book Company sent me an early copy. Amy Carmichael, by my friend Hunter Beless, tells the story of the famous missionary to India in a way that will encourage your kids to pray.

The story is so clear, the illustrations are fun, and your kids will walk away from this book with a grander vision of God’s worth.

This latest book is being released on May 31, but if you pre-order it, you can receive some fun bonuses (including a beautiful printable Amy Carmichael quote/Scripture passages, bonus audio, and some worksheets for your kids to fill out).

I hope you’ll pre-order a copy today! This will be a great addition to your family’s library.

Buy Amy Carmichael:

Pastor, preach the wrath of God.

Get wisdom encouragement for Spurgeon in your inbox every week. Subscribe to the The Pastor’s Note newsletter for free.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

Beloved, we know by observation in our pastoral work that while the mercy of God draws many to him, there are some who are more affected at first by the terrors of the Lord. We have many now, who are members of this church, walking in holiness and in the fear of God, who listened to sermons upon the softer and more tender topics, and were not affected, but who came under the heavy blows of the hammer of God’s law, and their flinty hearts were broken into shivers, and ere long they turned unto the hand which smote them.

God has ordained both the terrors of the law and the tenderness of the gospel, that by means of both men may be saved. Gospel husbandry employs many implements, and there are some lands which will never yield a harvest without much more exercising with the plough than others may require.

FREE BIBLES FOR PASTORS

Special thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring the Pastor’s Note newsletter. If you’re interested in exploring how the CSB can bless your church, click here to request a free CSB Starter Kit — packed with information and resources to help you learn more.

Click here to learn more about the CSB (and request a free CSB Bible).

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe the terrors of judgment and the joy of forgiveness.

You may have seen a well-painted picture called “Waiting for the Verdict.” What interest is displayed on every face! What fear and trembling upon the countenance of the prisoner! In his wife and the friends around him what anxiety is seen! “Waiting for the Verdict” is a sad picture, but what another might be drawn of The Favorable Verdict Received. The prisoner is acquitted! Oh what joy! It is not possible to bring in a verdict of “Not Guilty” for you and for me, for we are undoubtedly guilty. But still it is possible by the processes of substitution and divine grace to bring in a just verdict by which it is witnessed that “There is now no condemnation.”

THANKS FOR READING

Brothers,

Thanks for reading the newsletter this week.

If this newsletter is encouraging, please share it with another pastor. You can forward this email to a pastor you know.

If someone forwarded this email to you, sign up to get another one every week. Click here to subscribe.

Blessings to your ministry,

Doug H.
Creator of SpurgeonBooks
Preaching Pastor of Pillar Church of Washington DC

Pray with Spurgeon: New life from Jesus; new life with Jesus

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We ask for newness of life! Have you not said, “Behold, I make all things new?” Lord, let everything be new in us, and everything living, vividly living, quickened into fullness of life, life more abundantly. Grant us this, we pray, and then give us fellowship with you, even in your resurrection, until we are raised up together and made to sit together in the heavenly places with Christ, reigning with him as he reigns, exercising a hallowed priesthood, even as he exercises it, being made kings and priests unto God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3)

Spiritual poverty is both commanded and commended. It is the basis of Christian experience. No one begins rightly who has not felt poverty of spirit. Yet even to this first sign of grace is the kingdom given in present possession: “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The question in heaven’s kingdom is not, “Are you a peer?” but, “Are you poor in spirit?” Those who are of no account in their own eyes are of the blood royal of the universe. These alone have the principles and the qualifications for a heavenly kingdom. May I be such!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Help 18–25 year-olds live for Jesus.*

If you’re 18–25 years-old, I want to tell you about CROSS CON24. This is an incredible event that will deepen your knowledge of God’s Word, increase your love for Jesus, and give you practical guidance on giving your life for his purposes. You don’t want to miss it. Register now.

If you’re not 18–25 years-old, I want you to tell someone else about CROSS CON24! Invite 18–25 year-olds in your church to this incredible event, where they will learn from teachers you know and trust (like John Piper, David Platt, Kevin DeYoung, and Mark Dever).

Even better — go with them! Get a group of 18–25 year-olds together and register as a group.

CROSS has had a huge impact on my life and I know it will be an incredible event again. I can’t wait to hear about all the ways God works in your life this January.

Prices increase on May 31, so register now to save.

Pray with Spurgeon: Raised to life in Jesus

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, help us to know the power of your resurrection. This day, may we rise from all our natural apathy, and sluggishness, and insensibility, to have a tender, fleshy heart that shall feel deep contrition on account of sin, and a profound sympathy with Christ in his griefs on account of sin.

Lord, give us to leave the world behind us, reckoning it to be a grave in which we must not rest; for he has raised us, though we were dead in trespasses and sin. May we rise into newness of life, and as we have been buried with him in the likeness of his death, let us rise with him in the likeness of his resurrection.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For his faithful love to us is great; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 117:2)

He has kept his covenant promise that in the seed of Abraham should all nations of the earth be blessed, and he will eternally keep every single promise of that covenant to all those who put their trust in him. This should be a cause of constant and grateful praise, wherefore the Psalm concludes as it began, with another Hallelujah, “Praise ye the Lord.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Real Hope for All Your Fears and Anxiety
Real Help to Trust God More

We know that we can leave EVERYTHING in God’s hands. He invites us to cast all of our worries and burdens onto him. He is gracious and powerful enough to take care of all of our needs.

Unfortunately, dealing with our anxiety isn’t always so easy, is it? We won’t grow past our worries unless we address them with solid biblical truth.

A great book on growing your faith in God is Trusting God by Jerry Bridges. This book focuses on God’s sovereignty, his good control over all things, and shows that we really can trust God in any circumstance. This book is full of reasons to trust God and applies those reasons to specific trials in our lives that make it particularly hard to trust God.

This book will strengthen your faith and confidence in our great God — I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy Trusting God:

*Get the audiobook for free

Pray with Spurgeon: God can meet all of our needs

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, you know us. Will you not look upon your children with that sweetly-searching eye of yours which will see our wants to fulfill them; our desires, to grant them; our sins, to pardon them; our weaknesses, to give us strength equal to our day?

Father, we, being evil, speak to our fathers, and they give us, as their children, what we need. And now we speak to you, and you are not evil, and you will surely give us exceeding abundantly above what we ask or think. You will leave no one without supplies, no grief unassuaged. In fact, we feel perfectly happy when we feel perfectly in the presence of God. We have all we want when we come to you. How am I rich when Christ is mine! To him be the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Praise the Lord… For his faithful love to us is great.” (Psalm 117:1, 2)

The Lord is kind to us as his creatures, and merciful to us as sinners. This mercy has been very great, or powerful. The mighty grace of God has prevailed even as the waters of the flood prevailed over the earth: breaking over all bounds, it has flowed towards all portions of the multiplied race of man. In Christ Jesus, God has shown mercy mixed with kindness, and that to the very highest degree. We can all join in this grateful acknowledgment, and in the praise which is therefore due.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Enjoy the love of God this summer

In a world full of hatred, selfishness, and anger, it’s easy to forget that God is love. And so we need to always be reminded of this crucial reality from the truth of Scripture.

And Spurgeon is one of the greatest guides there is to understanding and enjoying God’s love.

That’s why I put together a new book, Spurgeon on God’s Love. This book compiles twelve sermons by Spurgeon, all reflecting on the glorious reality of God’s unchanging love.

These sermons have really encouraged me over the last few months and I know that they will encourage you! Plus, buying a copy is a great way to support this ministry, so I can continue to send this newsletter every day.

I hope you’ll grab a copy for yourself (and another one for a friend!) and reflect on God’s love in your summer reading.

Buy Spurgeon on God’s Love:

Weekend Edition: May God’s Word work with power and save the lost

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (BY SPURGEON)

Now, Father, save any in this house of worship that remain unconverted. May this day be the day of their salvation. We would most earnestly ask that some word may drop into the most careless heart; and this prayer especially, convert this day in this house of prayer, if it may please you, some who shall be very earnest Christians in years to come.

Take hold today of some whom you have ordained to be like Paul, who shall be missionaries to the ends of the earth! Take hold of some who are especially set against you, some who are very bold spirits even in sin, thorough-hearted in their wickedness—convert such now!

Amen.

GET A FREE SEMINARY COURSE

Thanks to Midwestern Seminary for sponsoring the Weekend Edition of this newsletter.

My friends at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have put together a GREAT video class from Jared Wilson that unpacks exactly how God’s story really can impact every part of your life.

It’s called “The Story of Everything” and it’s available FOR FREE right now.

Click here to get started with this FREE seminary-level course.

WEEKEND LONG READ (SERMON BY SPURGEON)

The Stronghold

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7)

There are three things here to be thought about. First, let us think of God himself: “The Lord is good.” Then let our minds ponder a little upon what God is to us: “a strong hold in the day of trouble.” And then we will change the theme a little, and speak of God with us: “He knoweth them that trust in him.”

Read the full sermon from the Spurgeon Center for Biblical Preaching at Midwestern Seminary.

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

Jonah’s Audience Unlocks our Preaching

Will we let the message of grace and mercy come into our hearts even when it is extended where it is not expected? Will we find be amazed by grace or offended by it? God’s grace is truly amazing in that it comes to all who will trust in Christ. A different prophet who sat outside a different city and was in anguish enough to die. His anguish was not anger; it was grief and it was for us. So, let’s love God’s character and be amazed at the grace given to rebels and enemies like you and me.

PREPARE FOR MINISTRY AT MIDWESTERN

We’re thankful for our friends at Midwestern Seminary who are sponsoring the weekend edition of the Pray with Spurgeon. You can learn more about Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College at their Online Preview Day on May 18.

At this Online Preview Day, you will hear from their faculty and leadership, and get all of your questions answered about academic programs and more. Join this one-hour event to learn more about Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College.

Register Now

Pray with Spurgeon: We are citizens of heaven

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We are at the Father’s right hand because you are there, representing our humanity. We are accepted in the beloved, raised up together, and seated together in the heavenly places in Christ. Help us to realize our privilege and not live as if we were only earthly beings, for we are born from heaven. Let us not live as if our portion were beneath the moon, for our best portion lies on the other side of Jordan, in the good land that Christ has gone to take possession of in our name.

As you are with the Father, let us feel that we are with the Father. Let us forget the noise and turmoil of this week and all the cares and anxieties of family and business, and steal away to Jesus, feeling that we have stolen away towards God, and are now speaking with our Father face to face.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things and consider the LORD’s acts of faithful love.” (Psalm 107:43)

Those who notice providences shall never be long without a providence to notice. It is wise to observe what the Lord does, for he is wonderful in counsel; has given us eyes to see with, and it is foolish to close them when there is most to observe; but we must observe wisely, otherwise we may soon confuse ourselves and others with hasty reflections upon the dealings of the Lord.

In a thousand ways the lovingkindness of the Lord is shown, and if we will but prudently watch, we shall come to a better understanding of it. To understand the delightful attribute of lovingkindness is an attainment as pleasant as it is profitable: those who are proficient scholars in this art will be among the sweetest singers to the glory of the Lord.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Undefeated.*

That’s the theme of CROSS CON24 (a conference for 18–25 year-olds, with speakers like John Piper, David Platt, and more).

Here’s what that theme means:

“God’s people have always been opposed—opposed by earthly enemies, by spiritual foes, by worldly governments, and even at times by supposed friends. And yet, God’s people press on in hope. We can be assured that God will prove victorious in the end, having already triumphed over his foes on the cross.

“Join us as we exult in the God who brings life out of death and joy out of sorrow. Together we are called to worship and to bear witness, that our coming and conquering King might be known and adored by the nations.”

Prices increase on May 31. So register NOW to save.
(Plus, save even more when you bring a group — so invite your friends to go with you!)