Author: Charles Spurgeon

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, you know there are some people in my life who have not yet begun to live for you, and the prayer is now offered that they may today be born again. Others have been long in your ways, and are not weary of them. We sometimes wonder that you are not weary of us, but assuredly we delight ourselves in the ways of holiness more than ever we did. Oh, that our ways were directed to keep your statutes without slip or flaw. We wish we were perfectly obedient in thought, and word, and deed, entirely sanctified. We shall never be satisfied till we wake up in Christ’s likeness, the likeness of perfection itself.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“The precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart glad; the command of the LORD is radiant, making the eyes light up.” (Psalm 19:8)

Mark the progress; he who was converted was next made wise and is now made happy; that truth which makes the heart right then gives joy to the right heart. Free grace brings heart-joy. Earthborn mirth dwells on the lip, and flushes the bodily powers; but heavenly delights satisfy the inner nature, and fill the mental faculties to the brim. There is no cordial of comfort like that which is poured from the bottle of Scripture.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

My Bible Study for Husbands

If you’ve made any New Years Resolutions to grow as a husband, I have a resource that can help.

Husbands, we are called to lay down our lives in service for our wives — how can we grow to be the sacrificial leader that God has called us to be?

I’ve created a resource, The God Centered Husband Bible Study Workbook to help husbands understand God’s call on their lives and equip them to follow it. 

This is a simple, hands-on Bible study workbook for married guys. It will walk you through six passages of Scripture about being a husband and challenge you to serve your wife sacrificially, lead her consistently, and show her the character of God.

Perfect for individual, small group, or one-on-one Bible study, my prayer is that this Bible study will help you become the husband that God has called you to be.

Buy The God Centered Husband Bible Study Workbook on Amazon.

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)

Father, save any who will gather with our church this weekend who remain unreconciled to their God. Touch now, with your sacred finger, some careless heart that may be using even the house of God as a place for the gratification of curiosity, desiring no spiritual gift whatsoever; yet will you be pleased to lay your hand upon that heart, and make it feel that God is near; and may conscience say, “Be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near to you.” And, oh, that there might not be the power to put aside that kingdom; but may the conscience now be so touched, and girded with strength, that the will may submit, and the judgment yield, and the affections bow, that God may reign over many a heart which before now has been a rebellious province of his domain.

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)

Expected Proof of Professed Love

“Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you.” (2 Corinthians 8:24)

  Where there is true love in the heart it becomes a working principle. It does not lie dormant, but it works— works abundantly. It is a vital principle, and where there is life there is movement, and a measure of activity. It is a principle that grows, and out of its growth there comes fruit. For these reasons, and in these ways, true believers give sure proofs of the love that is in their hearts.

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

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

Digital Detox, Intentional Ignorance, and the Proximity Principle

This is a really practical article on how Christians can more faithfully engage with technology and social media. I hope it’s helpful to you!

Read the full article on For the Church

PREPARE FOR MINISTRY AT MIDWESTERN

What Jesus purchased is precious. We’ve made it our purpose. Midwestern Seminary exists for the Church, and we serve the church by biblically educating God-called men and women to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ. If you’re called to serve the church, train with us, for the Church.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, we have another mercy to ask which shall be the burden of our prayer. It is that you would help us to live such lives as pardoned men should live. We have but a little time to tarry here, for our life is but a vapor; soon it vanishes away; but we are most anxious that we may spend the time of our sojourning here in holy fear, that grace may be upon us from the commencement of our Christian life even to the earthly close of it.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“The instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.” (Psalm 19:7)

Humble, candid, teachable minds receive the word, and are made wise for salvation. Things hidden from the wise and prudent are revealed unto babes. It is not enough for us to be converts, we must continue to be disciples; and if we have felt the power of truth, we must go on to prove its certainty by experience.

The perfection of the gospel converts, but its sureness edifies; if we would be edified it becomes us not to stagger at the promise through unbelief, for a doubted gospel cannot make us wise, but truth of which we are assured will be our establishment.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

See Jesus with more clarity, and love him for it.

What does it mean for Jesus to be “the Son of God?” You may have heard this title applied to Jesus a lot, but do you know what it actually means? That’s the single question answered in Jesus the Son of God by D.A. Carson.

This is not the most exciting book you will read (the writing is pretty dry), but the journey is worth it. I walked away from this book with greater love and deeper amazement at the wonders of Christ, the Son of God.

If you’ve ever had questions about what it means for Jesus to be the Son of God, or if you need some solidly biblical fuel for your love for Christ, this book will be a blessing to you. I hope you’ll buy a copy today.

Buy Jesus the Son of God:

• Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, or audiobook editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Paperback, ebook, or audiobook editions)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We come to you and pray that, for Jesus’ sake, and through the virtue of the blood once shed for many for the remission of sins, you would give us perfect pardon of every transgression of the past. Blot out, O God, all our sins like a cloud, and let them never be seen again.

Grant us also the peace-speaking word of promise applied by the Holy Spirit, that being justified by faith we may have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us be forgiven and know it, and may there remain no lingering question in our heart about our reconciliation with God, but by a firm, full assurance based upon faith in the finished work of Christ, may we stand as forgiven men and women against whom transgression shall be mentioned never again forever.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“It [the sun] rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat.” (Psalm 19:6)

Jesus, like a sun, dwells in the midst of revelation, tabernacling among men in all his brightness; rejoicing, as the bridegroom of his church, to reveal himself to men; and, like a champion, to win renown for himself. He makes a circuit of mercy, blessing the remotest corners of the earth; and there are no seeking souls, however degraded and depraved, who shall be denied the comfortable warmth and benediction of his love—even death shall feel the power of his presence, and resign the bodies of the saints, and this fallen earth shall be restored to its pristine glory.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Are you really saved? (You CAN know for sure)

Today’s prayer asked God to help have assurance — to be forgiven and to know it. Scripture invites us to examine ourselves to see if we really are saved. Here’s a resource to help you examine yourself: Am I Really a Christian? by Mike McKinley.

This book is a short Bible study on seven ways that the New Testament describes all Christians. If these things are true of you, then praise God, you can have assurance that you are born again. If these things are not true of you, then come to the cross in faith and find life in Jesus’ resurrection.

This book is a great resource for any Christian struggling with assurance. It is also a great book to read with a non-believer who claims to be a Christian — buy two and read it with a nominal Christian you know this year.

I hope you’ll take seriously the call to examine yourself, and I know that this book will be a helpful tool in the process.

Buy Am I Really a Christian?:

• Amazon (Paperback or Kindle editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Paperback or ebook editions)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We do bless you, Lord, for instituting the blessed ordinance of prayer. What could we do without it, and we take great shame to ourselves that we should use it so little. We pray that we may be men of prayer, taken up with it, that it may take us up and bear us as on its wings towards heaven.

And now at this hour will you hear the voice of our request. First, we ask at your hands, great Father, complete forgiveness for all our trespasses and shortcomings. We hope we can say with truthfulness that we do from our heart forgive all those who have in any way trespassed against us. There lies not in our heart, we hope, a thought of enmity towards any man. However we have been slandered or wronged, we would, with our inmost heart, forgive and forget it all.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“It [the sun] is like a bridegroom coming from his home; it rejoices like an athlete running a course.” (Psalm 19:5)

No other creature yields such joy to the earth as her bridegroom the sun; and none, whether they be horse or eagle, can for an instant compare in swiftness with that heavenly champion. But all his glory is but the glory of God; even the sun shines in light borrowed from the Great Father of Lights.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A devotional to help you run from sin and cling to Christ

Much of the United States is blanketed in snow this week, which Scripture puts forward as a picture of our forgiveness.

One resource that’s been helpful as I’ve studied God’s Word and his enjoy the wonder of his grace is Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy by Paul Tripp. This book features 52 short devotionals (one for every week of the year) on Psalm 51. This is an incredible resource to help you remember the horrors of your sin and the wonders of God’s amazing grace.

You could read the book over the next few months with just five minutes a day, or read one devotional each week for the next year. I can’t think of a better way to spend your time than reflecting on God’s mercy towards broken sinners like us.

I hope you’ll buy a copy and enjoy mediating on God’s unending mercy with me.

Buy Whiter Than Snow:

• Amazon (Paperback or Kindle editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Paperback or ebook editions)

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We do bless you, Lord, for creating the blessed ordinance of prayer. 

We thank you, Lord, that we have not only found benefit in prayer, but in the answers to it we have been greatly enriched. You have opened your hidden treasures to the voice of prayer; you have supplied our necessities as soon as we have cried out to you; yes, we have found it true: “Before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.”

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun.” (Psalm 19:4)

Although the heavenly bodies move in solemn silence, yet in reason’s ear they utter precious teachings. They give forth no literal words, but yet their instruction is clear enough to be so described. Nature’s words are like those of the deaf and dumb, but grace tells us plainly of the Father.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A kid’s book to teach the importance of evangelism

Evangelism is a crucial topic in the Christian life that we need to teach others, including our children.

A favorite read at our house is a book that focuses on “How God uses people to save people.” It’s called The Prisoners, the Earthquake, and the Midnight Song by Bob Hartman, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri. This book tells the story of Paul and Silas while they were in prison in Philippi for proclaiming Christ, and encourages children to proclaim Christ with the same kind of boldness.

The book is incredibly creative (without sacrificing faithfulness to the biblical text) and the illustrations are stunning. It’s a ton of fun and children under ten will love it. Your kids will be amazed at the story of Paul, Silas, and the incredible work that God did in Philippi.

This isn’t just a cheap Bible story — this is a great book full of rich theology, an incredible (true!) story, and an important message. It will encourage kids of all ages to boldly proclaim Christ, no matter the cost.

I hope you’ll add this book to your family’s library!

Buy The Prisoners, the Earthquake, and the Midnight Song:

• Amazon
• ChristianBook.com

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)

God, as we gather be pleased to reveal yourself to your servants. Oh, for the uplifting of the veil, for the drawing near of the people that are made glad by the blood, for the speaking of God unto the soul, and the speaking of our soul unto God.

Oh, for communication with the Eternal, for such fellowship as they may have who are raised up together with Christ, and made to sit in the heavenly places with him. Oh, Savior, grant us a glimpse of your great love. One flash of your eye is brighter than the noonday. One word from your lips will be sweeter to us and more full of music, than the harps of angels.

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)

The Tender Pity of the Lord

Remembering how feeble and how frail we are, the Lord bears and forbears with his weak and sinful children, and is gentle towards them as a nurse with her child. With a text from the Old Testament, I purpose to take you straight away to the New, and the tenderness and pitifulness of the Father shall be illustrated by the meekness and lowliness of the Son towards his immediate disciples, the apostles. While the Holy Spirit shows you thus the pity of Jesus Christ towards his own personal attendants, you will see as in a glass his pity towards you. 

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

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

Through Agony, Comes Forth Life: How Childbirth Points Us To The Hope Found in Christ’s Death

Birth is merely a picture of Christ’s death—it cannot secure all that Jesus did, but it can point us to the greater reality of the suffering that took place for our own lives. Maybe, with this perspective in mind, we will have joy in the agony of bringing forth life because Jesus submitted himself to the will of the Father for the bringing forth of our very lives.

Read the full article on For the Church

PREPARE FOR MINISTRY AT MIDWESTERN

What Jesus purchased is precious. We’ve made it our purpose. Midwestern Seminary exists for the Church, and we serve the church by biblically educating God-called men and women to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ. If you’re called to serve the church, train with us, for the Church.

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our Father, your children who know you delight themselves in your presence. We are never happier than when we are near you. We have found a little heaven in prayer. It has eased our load to tell you of its weight; it has relieved our wound to tell you of its pain; it has restored our spirit to confess to you its wanderings. There is no place like the mercy seat for us.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:3)

Every man may hear the voices of the stars. Many are the languages of people on the earth, to stars there is but one, and that one may be understood by every willing mind. The lowest heathen are without excuse if they do not discover the invisible things of God in the works which he has made. Sun, moon, and stars are God’s traveling preachers; they are apostles upon their journey confirming those who regard the Lord, and judges on circuit condemning those who worship idols.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Read Spurgeon’s hope-filled final message

Shortly before his death, Spurgeon delivered a message titled The Greatest Fight in the World, in which he expressed his confidence in God’s Word alone for the Christian life and the Christian ministry.

I read The Greatest Fight for the first time last year and was so encouraged by Spurgeon’s confidence in God — the kind of confidence that perseveres, even in the face of death.

Today, more than 100 years after his death, Spurgeon’s final message can encourage us to stay faithful to God’s Word as we trust in Christ alone to keep us to the end. I know that it will encourage you, so I hope you’ll grab a copy.

Buy The Greatest Fight in the World:

• Amazon (Paperback or Kindle editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Paperback or ebook edition)