Author: Charles Spurgeon

Pray with Spurgeon: Sin is our greatest curse — save me God!

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We do bless you this morning that we can pray in this fashion, for there was a time when it never struck us that there was much wrong with us, when sin was no plague to us; when we lived even in outward sin with but slight accusation of conscience, and certainly without any pain at heart.

You know, Lord, that sin is our greatest curse; we would sooner suffer anything than sin, at least when we are in our right mind we feel so. O God, deliver us from sin! At the very thought of its coming near to us we cry, “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me;” and we only find comfort in the blessed truth that you give us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let that victory be very apparent, may it be very clear to our own consciousness, very much displayed in our lives.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him,” (Colossians 2:6)

Whatever else you have done or have not done, you have received Christ. The act of faith was the putting out of your empty hands to receive all the fullness of the Godhead in receiving Christ. There are some precious experiences to which you have not yet attained, some lofty heights to which you have not yet climbed, but you “have received Christ Jesus as Lord.” That is the distinguishing mark of all true Christians. Whether you are old or young, whether you are well instructed or ill taught, whether you are full of faith or are troubled with many doubts and fears, you “have received Christ Jesus as Lord.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Study (the entire Bible) with Spurgeon*

Good study Bibles have been an incredible blessing to me throughout my Christian life. They are incredible tools for understanding and applying the Bible.

One of my favorite study Bibles is The Spurgeon Study Bible. This is a great tool for deepening your understanding of Scripture.

Two great features: there are hundreds of study notes taken from Spurgeon’s sermons throughout the Bible, and there are short introductions by Spurgeon on every book of the Bible. This is a great way to get a board overview or detailed reflection, right from Spurgeon, on any section of Scripture.

The Spurgeon Study Bible is a great resource for Scripture study. And this month only, you can save $10 when you spend $40 or more on the Spurgeon Study Bible when you use the code 10OFF40. I hope you’ll grab one today.

Buy the Spurgeon Study Bible on LifeWay.com (Use promo code 10OFF40 to save $10)

Pray with Spurgeon: My whole heart belongs to Jesus

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We must sorrowfully also lament our hearts, how they wander. If you give us a blessing we begin to idolize it. How often do we set our hearts upon children, upon some beloved object, or upon wealth or upon honor. Somehow or other, this spiritual adultery too often comes upon us, and the chastity of our hearts towards our God is violated. Be pleased to forgive us in this thing also.

“Take this poor heart and let it be,
For ever closed to all but Thee”— a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Let the whole heart be Christ’s alone, and never stray again.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“But you say, ‘Whoever tells his father or mother, “Whatever benefit you might have received from me is a gift committed to the temple,” he does not have to honor his father.’ In this way, you have nullified the word of God because of your tradition.” (Matthew 15:5–6)

The Jewish leaders actually taught that a person might escape the happy duty of caring for his father and mother, surely the first duty of a child, by saying, “I have dedicated so much of my goods to the temple and the worship of God that I cannot afford it.” There are not many these days that talk that way—they generally cannot afford to dedicate anything to the temple because they are keeping their father and mother! But in both situations people will seek to escape from moral or religious duty. Now God loves not that we should bring one duty to him smeared with the blood of another, and for someone to give his money to the temple that he ought to have given to his father and mother was a violation of the strict law of God and could not possibly be acceptable to him. Thus their traditions voided God’s Word.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

It’s back! Save on the Spurgeon Study Bible this month.*

I haven’t kept it a secret that I love the Spurgeon Study Bible. This is such a valuable resource for bringing Spurgeon’s insights into your personal Bible study. The study Bible is filled to the brim with hundreds of notes taken from Spurgeon’s sermons. Reading it feels like sitting down with Spurgeon and asking him what a verse means.

The great team at the Christian Standard Bible have decided to offer a special discount on the Spurgeon Study Bible for “Pray with Spurgeon” subscribers. This month only you can save $10 when you spend $40 or more on the Spurgeon Study Bible when you use the code 10OFF40.

Buy the Spurgeon Study Bible on LifeWay.com (Use promo code 10OFF40 to save)

Pastor, give the church your everything

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

The solemn work with which the Christian ministry concerns itself demands a man’s all, and that all at its best. To engage in it half-heartedly is an insult to God and man. Slumber must forsake our eyelids sooner than men shall be allowed to perish. Yet we are all prone to sleep as do others, and students, among the rest, are apt to act the part of the foolish virgins; therefore have I sought to speak out my whole soul, in the hope that I might not create or foster dulness in others. May he in whose hand are the churches and their pastors bless these words to younger brethren in the ministry, and if so I shall count it more than a full reward, and shall gratefully praise the Lord.

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe using the Bible to interpret the Bible.

The only way to cut a diamond is by a diamond: diamond dust must be used if the gem is to be cut. In like manner, the best way to understand Scripture is by Scripture itself. One of the best commentaries in the world is that which is “wholly biblical.” Students of the Word, I pray you, study the Bible by the Bible; cut the diamond with the diamond; use the light of God in God’s light: “In Thy light shall we see light.”

THANKS FOR READING

Brothers,

Whether you are comfortable with “success,” or complacent with the current state of your church, it’s extremely tempting to coast in ministry. We have to discipline ourselves to think creatively, biblically, and robustly about how to advance the mission, build up our people, train leaders, and reach the lost.

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

Pray with Spurgeon: Put an end to all doubt — Jesus is alive!

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We ask you would forgive all the vices of our nature; but at the same time kill them, for we hate ourselves to think we should fall into such evils. Especially have mercy upon us for our unbelief. You have given us proof of your existence, and of your love to us, and of your care over us: especially you have given us your only begotten Son, best pledge of love.

And yet we acknowledge that we do doubt. Unbelief comes into the soul. We are quite ashamed of this. We could lie in the very dust to think it should be so. Lord, have mercy upon us; but also help us to be strong in faith in the future, giving glory to God.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:29–31)

No sooner does Peter begin to sink and cry out for deliverance than there is manifest goodwill and quick help in the Savior’s movement. Our Lord did not pause for debate. He did not upbraid Peter or say to him, “You have dishonored me by your unbelief.” Jesus did not accuse him harshly, rebuke him sternly, or punish him severely, leaving him to go down twice and then pulling him up the third time—thus inflicting on him the pangs of death without its extreme penalty. No! The prompt help of the Savior was ready for the pressing emergency of the one in need.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Fight unbelief with the truths of faith

Today we prayed for an end to our unbelief and doubt. Asking questions is not a bad thing — we just need to labor to answer our questions in a faith-filled, biblical way. There ARE answers available for even the toughest questions about the Bible — do you know those answers?

A great resource for being equipped to defend your faith is Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin. This book gives practical, biblical, and winsome answers to some of the world’s most pressing objections to the gospel.

Be equipped to answer questions like “Isn’t Christianity homophobic?” and “How can you say there’s only one true faith?” with Bible-centered wisdom and Christ-centered hope.

Confronting Christianity will bolster your own faith and equip you to be a bold witness for Christ. I hope you’ll buy a copy today and read it this summer.

Buy Confronting Christianity:

Pray with Spurgeon: We rise up above doubt and worry

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

At this hour, which is an hour of grace, we would ask you to help any of your children who are under bondage. If they have lost their hope, if their faith has become weak, if their love burns low—Lord renew the youth of your people, like that of the eagles’ (Psalm 103:5); and let them mount up with eagles, and rise above their doubts, their deadness, and their care.

Should any of your servants be in deep trouble, will you grant them grace to glory in tribulation also, because it works patience, experience, and hope. And may the Lord grant to all his tried and troubled ones, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“He satisfies you with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle.” (Psalm 103:5)

Renewal of strength, amounting to a grant of a new lease of life, was granted to the Psalmist; he was so restored to his former self that he grew young again, and looked as vigorous as an eagle, whose eye can gaze upon the sun, and whose wing can mount above the storm, most fearless, most majestic, and most soaring.

Thus is the endless chain of grace complete. Sin is forgiven, its power subdued, and its penalty averted, then we are honored, supplied, and our very nature renovated, till we are as new-born children in the household of God.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Real Hope for All Your Fears and Anxiety

Today’s prayer featured a stunning image — God renewing his people so that we can soar, like an eagle, above all of our doubts and worries. Unfortunately, dealing with our fears isn’t always so easy, is it? We won’t grow past our fears unless we address them with solid biblical truth.

That’s the point of Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest by Ed Welch. This book offers a biblical perspective on fear and worry in general, and then zooms in to offer biblical hope for some of the most common fears (e.g., fear of money, fear of people, fear of death, etc.).

I’m preaching this weekend on worry and have been so thankful to re-visit Running Scared as I’ve prepared.

Reading Running Scared will give you more confidence in God and his Word that will help you deal with your own fears and to share the hope of the Bible with others too.

Buy Running Scared:

Pray with Spurgeon: Walk like Jesus walked

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

O God, deliver us we pray from the invasion of sin, as well as from the dominion of it. Grant us to walk as Christ walked; in his newness of life may we live—may the life in the flesh be a life of faith upon the Son of God who loved us, and gave himself for us; and may it be a life of love, and consecration of burning zeal for God; a life of pure holiness; such a life as the incarnate God himself has lived among the sons of men.

We lament that in the body of this death there is much that we abhor. We are tempted to laziness at times, and though busy in the world we become spiritually idle. Also, we are tempted to envy others, because they excel us, and we mourn to confess the meanness of our spirit in this matter; and also we have to lament our pride. We have nothing to be proud of; the lowest place is ours; but Lord, we often conceive ourselves to be something when we are nothing.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…” (Ephesians 4:1–2)

It is a loving call. Walk lovingly. It is the condescension of God that called you. Be, therefore, lowly. It is God in tenderness who has loved you. Be, therefore, meek, “forbearing one another in love.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

How to live as a peacemaker

Today we prayed that we would be holy and that we would love others as Christ has loved us. Scripture is clear that God calls his people to be peacemakers, but in an increasingly divided world, it is hard for prideful sinners like us to resolve and avoid conflict. 

That’s why The Peacemaker by Ken Sande is such a valuable resource. This book is a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing conflict in a biblical way.

The Bible has all the wisdom we need to prevent and resolve conflict — in our marriages, in our homes, in our workplaces, in our churches — and The Peacemaker is a great guide to the Bible’s teaching on this important topic.

I hope you’ll pick up a copy today — it’s an intensely practical guide that will help you walk in wisdom in all of your relationships.

Buy The Peacemaker:

Pastor, it’s okay to repeat yourself while preaching

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon said this while introducing a sermon…

Having preached another text of a very similar character a short time ago, I have felt somewhat embarrassed in preparation; but I will take courage, and say with the apostle, “To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1).

If I should bring forth old things on this occasion, do not be unmindful that even the wise householder does this at times. For oft-recurring sickness the same wine may be prescribed by the most skillful physician without blame; no one scolds the contractor for mending rough roads again and again with stones from the same quarry; the wind which has borne us once into the haven, is not despised for blowing often from the same quarter, for it may do us good service yet again; and therefore, I am assured that you will endure my repetitions of the same truths, since they may assist you to suffer with patience the same trials.

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe God’s use of our trials to increase our faith.

Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart—he finds it full—he begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; than there is more room for grace.

THANKS FOR READING

Brothers,

Many of us struggle with the desire to be “original” in our preaching. We must not shrink back from declaring the biggest themes of Scripture over-and-over again. Our people still need to hear the old, old story — so let’s stand and share it with them 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

Pray with Spurgeon: God, rid me of all my sin!

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our Father, for that is the sweetest title by which we can address you, we pray that you would save us entirely from sin. There are many in your presence who are resting in the peace which comes of justification by faith. We know that we are righteous through the righteousness of another, even Jesus Christ; but we pant and pine for personal likeness to you.

If you are our Father, then upon every child of yours should be the Father’s image impressed: so let it be. We beseech you, Lord, to enable us to recognize our death to sin; and when it tempts us may we be deaf to the voice of the charmer with the deafness of death; and when it would use our members as instruments of unrighteousness, may we be quite incapable thereof with the incapacity of death.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Who is like the LORD our God— the one enthroned on high,” (Psalm 113:5)

The challenge will never be answered. None can be compared with him for an instant; Israel’s God is without parallel; our own God in covenant stands alone, and none can be likened unto him. Even those whom he has made like himself in some respects are not like him in godhead, for his divine attributes are many of them incommunicable and inimitable. None of the metaphors and figures by which the Lord is set forth in the Scriptures can give us a complete idea of him: his full resemblance is borne by nothing in earth or in heaven. Only in Jesus is the Godhead seen, but he unhesitatingly declared, “he who has seen me has seen the Father.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Finding Scripture-saturated hope in the midst of doubt and suffering

For Christians, doubt is often associated with our own experiences of suffering. It is hard to believe in a good and powerful God when we feel so much pain in this broken world.

In the midst of suffering, it is easy to doubt God’s love for us and feel as if he has deserted us. An excellent book to help you find hope and faith through that kind of suffering is Deserted by God? by Sinclair Ferguson.

This book offers several reflections on the Psalms of lament in the Bible, where divinely-inspired authors cried out to God in the midst of their pain.

No matter what trials you are currently going through (or will go through in the future), Deserted by God? will give you the kind of Bible-saturated firm faith you need to endure. I hope you will grab a copy today.

Buy Deserted by God?:

Pray with Spurgeon: Our great God has loved us — praise him!

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Glorious Lord God, our inmost hearts worship you; for you are high above the heavens, and yet you humble yourself to behold the things that are in heaven and that are on earth. And in your condescension you have regard to the very lowest of mankind. Many of us can sing “He has regarded my low estate,” for you raise the poor out of the dust, and the needy out of the dunghill, that you might set them among princes, even the princes of the people.

Who is a God like you? Hallelujah! Our praises shall never cease: from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, and all through the night watches, the Lord’s name is to be praised.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“From the rising of the sun to its setting, let the name of the LORD be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)

It is a marvel of mercy that the sun should rise on the rebellious sons of men, and prepare for the undeserving fruitful seasons and days of pleasantness; let us for this prodigy of goodness praise the Lord of all. From hour to hour let us renew the strain, for each moment brings its mercy; and when the sun sinks to his rest, let us not cease our music.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Prayer is amazing! (A resource to teach your kids)

Today we prayed, marveling at the goodness of God who so graciously hears our prayers. Prayer is absolutely astounding — this incredible God has humbled himself to hear us. Wow!

Yesterday, I recommended a sermon on the Lord’s Prayer, today I want to recommend a book for your kids about this prayer — to help show your kids the wonder of prayer.

Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer by Laura Wifler and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri is a great book that walks through the story of Scripture, showing how our sin separates us from God, how Jesus came to bring us back, and how we can communicate with this holy God through prayer all along the way.

The book will fill pre-school/early-elementary-aged kids with wonder as we think about the grace of God to allow us to pray.

I hope you’ll add it to your family’s library today and grab a copy for a friend as well!

Buy Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer:

Pray with Spurgeon: Jesus is the King of Peace — Your Kingdom Come!

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

May the laws of the King of Peace be universally proclaimed, and obeyed even by those who perhaps yield not their hearts to his sway; for we do know, great King, that while you have a special kingdom in your people, yet the Lord has given you power over all flesh; and we pray this may be recognized, and we may see it. Your kingdom come, O Jesus; may your kingdom come—your Father’s kingdom; and let his will be done on earth as it is in heaven; for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

Men have thrown off their allegiance to our Father, God; and we pray with all our might that he may, by his almighty grace, subdue them to loyal obedience. We long for the coming of King Jesus; but meanwhile we cry to our Father, “your kingdom come.” We desire for the supreme will to be done in earth, with a cheerful, constant, universal obedience like that of “heaven.”

We would have the Lord’s will carried out, not only by the great physical forces which never fail to be obedient to God, but by lovingly active spirits; by men, once rebellious, but graciously renewed. Oh, that all who say this prayer may display on earth the holy alacrity of obedience which is seen in the happy, hearty, united, and unquestioning service of perfect saints and angels before the throne. Our heart’s highest wish is for God’s honor, dominion, and glory.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

The true disciple prays that God would be glorified

In today’s prayer, Spurgeon referenced the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer — “your kingdom come, your will be done.” Last weekend, I preached on the Lord’s Prayer at my church.

You can listen to it here. I hope it encourages you to pray boldly for God to be glorified in your life.

(And if you or someone you know is moving to DC this summer, I hope you’ll visit our church at 10:30 a.m. on a Sunday!)