Author: Charles Spurgeon

Pray with Spurgeon: God gives peace to broken hearts

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

There are some Christians who are wounded, with broken hearts seeking peace—men and women, like Cornelius, who long to hear the words that God commands. Divine Physician, come and bind up every broken bone. Bring your sacred ointment, which you have compounded from the blood of your own heart, and apply it to the wounded conscience, that it may feel its healing power. Grant peace to those whose consciences are troubled like the restless sea.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.” (Ephesians 2:3)

You who now commune with God at the mercy-seat, you who are now his favored children, and have received power to become the sons of God, you were once heirs of wrath. Holy Scripture is not complimentary to unrenewed human nature. You may search it through and through to find a single flattering word to unregenerate men; but you will search in vain. This style of speech is left to those who reject divine inspiration. They draw their inspiration from another fount, from a desire to walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air. They can use flattering speeches in addressing the ungodly; but the Holy Spirit never does.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Free Gift for Children’s Ministry Leaders*

If we invest in the Christian formation of children, we are investing seeds that will (by grace) bear fruit for generations to come. The truths that we teach will be treasured for a lifetime (and passed on to the NEXT generation).

This is a big responsibility. It’s crucial that we strive for faithfulness in this work.

Thankfully, we don’t have to do it alone. God has blessed us with some incredible resources to strengthen the children’s ministry of YOUR church.

One great resource is the curricula from Truth78.

Truth78 has sought to create resources to help you teach children in your church “the whole counsel of God’s Word.” These are not just the most popular Bible stories — this is a robust unfolding of the grand story of Scripture.

Church leaders can even subscribe to Truth78+ to get unlimited access to Truth78’s digital library. (And if you use code SPURGEON, you can save 10% on your subscription.)

AND IT GETS EVEN BETTER!
Because this month, Truth78 wants to give YOUR church 23 weeks of FREE lessons. These are classroom and take-home resources ranging from kindergarten to seventh grade.

These resources will bless your church for generations to come!

Click here to download these 23 FREE LESSONS now.

Pray with Spurgeon: Jesus’ eyes blaze like fire

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

And now, most blessed Lord, look upon those who do not love you. O Redeemer, gaze upon them with your eyes that blaze like fire. Let them see how poorly they treat you. May they recognize the depths of their ingratitude, neglecting the blood of a savior, indifferent to the heart of a savior. Bring the careless and the godless to seek mercy. Let those who postpone matters of eternity realize that delaying the claims of Christ is treason against his majesty. O savior, send out your arrows and wound many, so that they may fall before you and cry out for mercy.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“… trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.” (Ephesians 2:1–2)

He makes them to be his forge. There he blows his coals, there he fabricates his instruments. Do you not hear the noise of the infernal bellows when “the children of disobedience” swear, and use unclean language? Ah, such were some of us; but we are cleansed! The evil spirit has been driven out, and he no more works in us.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

What does it really mean to be saved?

Salvation is not merely an escape from hell, but bringing us to the sweet reward of God himself. We trust God with all of our lives and all of ourselves.

What is Saving Faith? by John Piper is a wonderful display of the GOODNESS of God to give us himself in salvation. Piper argues biblically that the kind of faith that actually saves is a faith that treasures God above all things.

This book is so encouraging and I know it will encourage you.

Buy What is Saving Faith?:

*Get the audiobook for free – click here to learn more.

Pray with Spurgeon: I worship God with all of myself

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with all the powers of our being. We prostrate ourselves before the awe-inspiring yet glorious throne of the infinite majesty of heaven. Lord, accept us as we offer these praises in the name of Jesus.

Take these hearts completely and unite them with your own. Be our heart, soul, life, and everything, for whom do we have in heaven but you? There is no one on earth we desire besides you.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1)

Is it so? Could the apostle say that to you, and to me? Look back to what you used to be, to the hole of the pit whence you were trapped: “You he has quickened, were dead in trespasses and sins.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God Centered Family — PRINT EDITION Family Devotionals NOW AVAILABLE!

Two years ago, I launched God Centered Family with a mission to give parents everything they needed to teach the Bible in just ten minutes each day. Since then, I’ve been providing family devotionals that cover the whole Bible for all ages.

I’m really excited to share that the first PRINT EDITION of these family devotionals are finally available. Paul’s Letters: A God Centered Family Devotional is a 12-week study for parents and kids of all ages. You’ll read, discuss, and apply all of Paul’s New Testament letters (Romans–Philemon). And this devotional is full of bonus interactive material (because we long for our children to become active listeners — to ENJOY the Bible, not just sit through it).

Parents, as you get ready to start the new school year, I hope you’ll grab this family devotional and make God and his Word the center of your home.

Buy Paul’s Letters: A God Centered Family Devotional:

Pastor, fill your week with prayer and your sermons will show it

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

I prefer a sermon in which there may be no vast talent, and no great depth of thought, but what there is has come fresh from the crucible, and like molten metal burns its way. I once knew a lad who, when he used to go home from the smithy where he worked, was roughly handled by the boys of the village until his master suggested to him a plan of defense that was wonderfully efficacious. He took a rod of iron, and just before he went home he blew up the fire and made the iron hot. When the boys came around him he warned them not to touch his stick. After one trial of it they obeyed the admonition and reverently kept their distance.

I do not quote the example with any commendation of the actual fact, but with this moral in view—heat your sermon red hot, and it will be likely to be remembered by all who come into contact with it. Everything gives way before fire.

RESOURCE 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 importance of growing as a Christian.

If you go into a forest at a certain time of the year, you may see a great number of trees that have no leaves on them. How are you to know which are alive and which are not? Well, you would soon know if you could look at their roots. If a tree has been growing, if its roots have taken hold on the soil, you may pull it, but you will not stir it. There it stands.

Similarly, growth in grace brings stability in grace. You who have faith, ask God that you may have growing faith. A living faith is a growing faith, and a growing faith is a living faith. Pray, therefore, that you may “grow in grace” (2 Peter 3:18).

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: No one can compare to God

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Oh, we can declare that we love you, though we wish to love you even more. You are exceedingly precious to us. There is nothing on earth like you. For the love of you name, we will live and die. If we believe we love you more than we actually do, we pray that our love for you may truly surpass our perception. Take these hearts completely and unite them with your own. Be our heart, soul, life, and everything, for whom do we have in heaven but you? There is no one on earth we desire besides you.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“The LORD of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Psalm 46:11)

This is a truth that never grows tiresome for believers. It is a fact too often forgotten, and a precious privilege that cannot be contemplated enough. Reader, is the Lord on your side? Is Emmanuel, God with us, your Redeemer? Is there a covenant between you and God, as there was between God and Jacob? If so, you are thrice blessed. Express your joy through sacred songs, and in times of trouble, take courage and continue making music for your God.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Robust Bible Teaching (for the KIDS in your church!)*

Kids need to hear the FULL truth of God’s Word. They need to know the love of God AND the justice of God. They need to know the Old Testament AND the New. They need to know that Christ is fully man AND fully God.

Thankfully, my friends at Truth78 have put together some really incredible resources to help teachers and church leaders teach the Bible to kids.

Truth78 curricula present children with a glorious view of God. These resources present robust theology in an engaging, relevant, and fun way for kids of all ages. We pray that your kids will leave their Sunday school or children’s ministry time AMAZED at God and the wonders of his grace.

If you are involved in children’s ministry in any capacity, Truth78 has a FREE GIFT for you! They are giving away 23 free lessons for kindergarten through seventh grade.

This is a great way to preview their robust, Bible-saturated curricula (and it will also give you some great resources to use in your classrooms right away!)

Click here to download these 23 FREE LESSONS now.

Pray with Spurgeon: God hears our prayers and loves our praise

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

O Savior, accept humble praises from your beloved ones. They come from those you love, and just as we value even the smallest things that come from those we love, we believe that you will accept our thanksgiving and reverent homage. We are redeemed people, a people near to you, whose names are engraved on the palms of your hands, for you are the active head of the body, and your heart beats with love for us even now.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Though they forget God and worship idols, the Lord will yet be honored by all nations. Reader, the prospects of missions are bright—bright as the promises of God. Let no one’s heart grow faint. The solemn declarations of this verse will undoubtedly be fulfilled. “I will be exalted on the earth,” among all peoples, no matter their wickedness or degradation. Through either terror or love, God will subdue all hearts to himself. The entire earth will ultimately reflect the brilliance of his majesty. All the more, in the face of sin, obstinacy, and pride, God will be glorified when grace reigns unto eternal life in every corner of the world.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teaching kids that God is always at work, even in scary circumstances

Our hope is that God would preserve us — and even grow us — through any fiery trials that we might face. This is an important lesson for us all, including our kids. We should teach our kids that God is big enough to protect them through any scary thing they might face.

A great resource for teaching this crucial truth to kids is Esther and the Very Brave Plan by Tim Thornborough. I’m so thankful for this faithful, fun retelling of Esther.

The book focuses on how, even when it looked like he wasn’t going to save his people, God was “working, working, working” out his incredible plan to save Esther. This will give your kids the framework they need to trust God in the midst of whatever trials might come their way in the future.

My family has been loving Esther and the Very Brave Plan and I hope your family will love it too!

Buy Esther and the Very Brave Plan:

Pray with Spurgeon: We bow down before Jesus

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

You look beyond all of the angels surrounding you to behold us, and you hear the praises—and even the groans—of your beloved, for we are near to you, your flesh and your bones. We know this to be true. We feel the bonds of kinship within us. We belong to you, our Best Beloved, and you are ours. We yearn to push through the crowd that surrounds you and reach the forefront, where we can bow down in complete adoration at the dear feet that were nailed to the tree for us. We desire to worship the Lamb who lives forever and ever, who has triumphed and is worthy to open the seals of the book. To you be glory for all eternity. Hallelujah!

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Cease your efforts, O enemies! Sit down and patiently wait, O believers! Recognize that the Lord is God, you who tremble under his wrath! Worship him, and him alone, you who find refuge in his grace. Since none can adequately express his nature, let “expressive silence muse his praise.” The boasts of the wicked and the anxious apprehensions of the saints should surely be silenced in the presence of what the Lord has accomplished in past ages.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

FREE Children’s Ministry Resources for Your Church*

Children’s ministry is not “childcare.” In many of our churches, the children’s ministry is the highest concentration of lost people in the entire church! We believe that God is going to work in the lives of these children for his glory.

If you’re involved in children’s ministry (in any capacity), you should be familiar with the curricula from Truth78 (formerly Children Desiring God).

Here are a few of the things that make Truth78 curricula unique:

  • Lessons are available for all ages (nursery through high school)
  • Places God at the center of every lesson
  • Explores Scripture passages and teaches Bible study skills
  • Relates a comprehensive view of the gospel, showing the extent of the problem of sin and glorious grace of God in sending Jesus to redeem us
  • Encourages personal application

Truth78 has also recently released Truth78+, where church leaders can subscribe to get unlimited access to their full library of discipleship resources. (And if you use code SPURGEON, you can save 10% on your subscription.)

And here’s some REALLY great news!

Truth78 is offering 23 lessons from their incredible curriculum FOR FREE.

This is 23 FULL lessons (including lesson plans, activities, crafts, games, object lessons, and more) for kindergarten–7th grade.

If you’re a pastor or ministry leader, I really recommend you grab these free lessons. They WILL be a blessing to your church!

Click here to download these 23 FREE LESSONS now.

Pray with Spurgeon: Jesus is worthy of all praise

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

You are not physically present with us, for you have risen. Our souls long to trace the shining path by which you ascended through the pearly gates to your Father’s throne. We envision you sitting there, fully God and fully man, reigning over all things for your people. Our ears almost catch the harmonious sounds of the everlasting song that rises up at your feet: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive honor, power, glory, and dominion forever and ever.” Lord, we say, “Amen.” Even from the outskirts of the multitude surrounding your throne, we lift our feeble voices in earnest “Amens.” For you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood, making us kings and priests unto God. We shall reign with you, for though we may be far away in physical distance, we know that we are intimately close to your heart.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; he sets wagons ablaze.” (Psalm 46:9)

His voice quiets the clamor of war and calls for the tranquility of peace. No matter how remote or barbarous the tribe, he subdues the people into rest. He crushes the great powers until they can no longer incite strife; he grants his people profound repose. “He breaks the bow,” rendering useless the instrument of swift-winged death. “He shatters the spear”—the lance of the mighty warrior—into pieces. “He burns the chariot with fire,” consigning the proud war chariot with its death-dealing scythes to the flames. All manner of weapons he heaps in piles and utterly destroys them. Such was the case in ancient Judea, and so it shall be in all lands in future eras.

Blessed is the work of the Prince of Peace! When will it be fully accomplished? Already, the spiritual foes of his people have been stripped of their power to destroy. But when will the universal triumph of peace be celebrated, and instruments of mass slaughter be forever abolished? How glorious will Jesus’ final victory be on the day of his return, when every enemy will be humbled in submission!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A Short Book to Help You Embrace and Defend God’s Design for Sex

From homosexuality, sexual abuse, co-habitation, pornography, and more, it’s clear that our culture is extremely confused about God’s design for sex. Sexual ethics is one of the most urgent and difficult issues we’ll tackle in our day.

But it’s important that we address these issues in a way that is consistently biblical — defending God’s design and calling people to purity, while also making clear God’s grace for sinners.

Recently, I’ve been reading Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With? by Sam Allberry. This book is a simple and phenomenal read on the Bible’s teaching on sex. It is extremely accessible (clearly written, with Scripture passages faithfully explained), winsome in tone (I would happily recommend this to a non-Christian), thoroughly biblical, and gentle in tone.

One of the things I most appreciate this book is that it doesn’t just list out a bunch of Do’s and Do-Not’s with Bible verses attached — it really unpacks God’s design for sexuality and works out from there. It shows that none of our beliefs about sexuality are arbitrary.

This book is great for Christians struggling to live faithfully in our cultural moment. It will help you hold fast to the truth and more confidently answer questions from non-Christian friends.

I hope you will buy a copy and read it this summer.

Buy Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?:

*Get the audiobook for free with a free trial of Audible. (The audiobook will be yours to keep!)

Weekend Edition: God can turn the hearts of sinners

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, save the unconverted and bring out from among them those who are converted but have not yet confessed Christ. May the church be built up through the addition of many who have believed and are baptized into the sacred name. Continue to multiply the faithful in the land. Oh, that you would turn the hearts of people back to the gospel once more.

Amen.

GET A FREE BOOK

Thanks to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College for sponsoring the Weekend Edition.

This month, its #MBTSBooks Month. Midwestern is giving away a book written by their faculty EVERY DAY. They’re also giving away one complete set of the Lost Sermons of C.H. Spurgeon (7 incredible volumes).

Learn everything you need to know right here.

WEEKEND LONG READ (SERMON BY SPURGEON)

Shining Christians

A shining church will be a happy church; if we do not shine, we shall be miserable. But if we will shine for Christ, we shall see great prosperity for the Church of the living God.

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

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

Ten Reasons the Old Testament Matters for Christians

To understand the Old Testament fully, we must read it as believers in Jesus, with God having awakened our spiritual senses to see and hear rightly. That is, we read through Christ. Then, as Christians, biblical interpretation reaches its end only after we have found Jesus and experienced him transforming us into his image. We, thus, read for Christ.

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: We love Jesus more than anything

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Precious Lord Jesus Christ, we adore you with all our hearts. You are the Lord of all. We praise you for becoming human, for being our closest relative. Through this kinship, we thank you for uniting us in a marriage union with yourself. You have redeemed us and our inheritance from the captivity into which we were sold. You have paid with your life for your people; you have ransomed your own with the blood of your heart. Therefore, be forever beloved and adored.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Come, see the works of the Lord, who brings devastation on the earth.” (Psalm 46:8)

He destroys those who destroy, and he devastates those who lay waste. This verse carries great weight even today! The ruined cities of Assyria, Babylon, Petra, Bashan, Canaan, serve as our teachers, inscribing on stone tablets the acts of the Lord. Whenever his cause and kingdom have been disregarded, ruin has inevitably followed. Sin has been a blight on nations, reducing their palaces to heaps of rubble.

In the days of the psalmist, there may have been a notable intervention by God against Israel’s enemies. Witnessing their downfall, he calls upon his fellow citizens to come forth and contemplate the righteous acts performed on their behalf. In our own land, dismantled castles and ruined abbeys stand as memorials of the Lord’s triumphs over oppression and superstition. May there be more of such desolations in the near future.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Discover freedom from guilt and deeper joy in Christ

Today we prayed, asking Christ to help us love him more. As we think about who we were before we knew Christ, it can be easy for many of us to feel a constant sense of guilt from our past sins. And while it’s good to feel remorse over our sin, God has called us to live in freedom and joy with a clear conscience.

A great (and very short!) book to help you understand your conscience, repentance, and freedom from guilt and shame is The Art of Turning by Kevin DeYoung. This short book unpacks the “conscience” and encourages you to turn from Christ sin every day.

This book is so incredibly life-giving. If you read it, you will find freedom from guilt and increased desire to know Christ. I hope you’ll pick up a copy today.

Buy The Art of Turning on Amazon.