Author: Charles Spurgeon

Pray with Spurgeon: Praise the God of all grace

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Great God, there was a time when we dreaded the thought of coming near to you, for we were guilty, and you were angry with us. But now, we will praise you because your anger is turned away, and you comfort us. Indeed, the very throne that once filled us with dread has become a place of shelter. We seek refuge in you.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.” (James 4:11–12)

Refrain from speaking ill of your fellow believers. When you slander or judge a brother or sister, you are not only speaking against them but also against God’s law. By doing so, you act as a judge of the law rather than a doer of it, and this is a grave wrongdoing in God’s sight.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Parenting in a Sexually-Confused World*

As we raise children in a confusing cultural moment, our hope is not in our power or ability as parents — but in Christ’s grace and power to save. He is able to help our children, no matter what sins tempt them.

One of the most difficult things that parents will face today is the cultural confusion around sexuality and gender. Our kids hear a lot of confusing messages about homosexuality and transgenderism.

While there are a lot of great resources to help parents understand the current cultural pressures our kids face, there aren’t many tools to help parents process when a child actually comes to identify as LGBTQ+.

And that’s why I’m so thankful for Shattered Dreams, New Hopes — a FREE Bible study curriculum from Harvest USA.

This resource is an invaluable tool for parents walking through one of the most difficult seasons as their child has made sin and confusion a central part of their identity.

This book is NOT “five steps to fix your child,” because only God can save our children.

Rather, this is a biblical exploration of what God is graciously doing in your heart through this trial.

Here’s what to look forward to…

  • Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
  • Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
  • Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
  • Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
  • Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days

This curriculum really is an invaluable, faithful resource. If you have a child struggling with an LGBT identity (or someone you know has a child like this), then PLEASE check out this resource.

Download Shattered Dreams, New Hope from Harvest USA (FREE)

Pray with Spurgeon: Send the Holy Spirit with greater power

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our hearts long for your glory, Lord, and we plead for it. Come quickly, or if you do not come in person, send forth the Holy Spirit with greater power. May we witness miracles of mercy, and may Jesus see the results of his sacrifice and be satisfied.

Father, glorify your Son. Our prayers invariably return to this request: “Father, glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” Let it be so, and let us always be drawn to glorify you. May our love for you deepen and endure, regardless of our circumstances. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10)

If you exalt yourself, God will humble you. But if you humble yourself in his presence, he will exalt you. This is the consistent way in which God operates. As Mary’s song declares, “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Who is the Holy Spirit, anyway?

Today we prayed that God the Holy Spirit would come into our lives with more power. We love God and are confident that he is Trinity. But sometimes we aren’t as comfortable understanding God the Holy Spirit.

This can be a confusing topic for many Christians, because we often aren’t so sure we know who the Holy Spirit is. He’s not a positive energy or divine force — he is God himself.

A great book to understand and apply the Bible’s teaching on who the Holy Spirit is (and what he does) is Rediscovering the Holy Spirit: God’s Perfecting Presence in Creation, Redemption, and Everyday Life by Michael Horton.

This book unpacks the Holy Spirit’s work throughout the Bible and in our lives today. It is thoroughly biblical and practical.

Knowing and loving the Holy Spirit is a crucial part of the Christian life. I know this book will be a helpful tool as you worship God the Holy Spirit — I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy Rediscovering the Holy Spirit:

Pray with Spurgeon: Because we love God, we say no to sin

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Help us, Lord, to overcome sin out of our love for you. Strengthen those who struggle against sin, especially when they are tempted to compromise. Give them victory, firmness, and unwavering hope in Jesus, resolving to stand with him even in the face of adversity.

For the sake of truth and righteousness, we beseech you to intervene mightily in these last days. O Shepherd of Israel, strike a mighty blow against the wolves and protect your sheep from the poisonous pastures of error. Revive your work among the masses, turn their hearts to hear your Word, and convert them when they hear it, preaching with the Holy Spirit’s anointing.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.” (James 4:8–9)

If you are double-minded, both your actions and your inner being need cleansing. The apostle does not say, “Concentrate your thoughts,” but he emphasizes cleansing your hearts. Having conflicting priorities in life is a form of spiritual unfaithfulness that requires purification. Thus, the command is to “purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

If the preceding verses have convicted you of sin, then confess your guilt with deep remorse and sorrow. Turn to Christ, imploring his forgiveness.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Finding peace in the Prince of Peace

We have no fear that God is not able to put to rest. We believe this in our heads, but sometimes this kind of bold faith can be difficult to apply and live out in the midst of our broken, sin-cursed, fallen world. We desperately need the Prince of Peace to come and redeem us, to make his blessing known as far as the curse is found.

Life in this fallen world is full of many things to be afraid of, but recognizing the good presence of Christ with us gives us the power to choose faith over fear.

That’s the message of Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves by Trillia Newbell. In this book, Newbell addresses a variety of common fears, and shows how the truth of God’s Word and the power of the gospel can help us overcome those fears with faith.

This book will encourage you, boost your confidence in God, and help you walk with faith every day. I hope you’ll grab a copy today and read it today.

Buy Fear and Faith:

Pray with Spurgeon: The name of Jesus, music to my ears

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We come and lay ourselves at your feet, obeying your call, “Come to me, all you who labor and I will give you rest.” Let us experience the sweet rest that comes from responding to your call. May some come to you for the first time today, while others who have been coming for many years continue to come, building their eternal hopes upon you, the living stone chosen by God.

Lord, now that we draw near to you on right terms, we ask that our love for you may increase. Your name is music to our ears, and there are times when your love fills us so deeply that we would gladly sacrifice everything for your glory. We willingly suffer for you if it would lift you higher. But we confess that we do not always feel this intense love. At times, our love wanes, and we become dependent on feelings. Grant us a love that endures even when your presence is not felt, a love that clings to you in both light and darkness. We want to love you wholeheartedly, regardless of our circumstances.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:7–8)

When the devil seeks to incite rebellion within you, resist him steadfastly. Do not give him any ground. Resist the devil. Heed these commands and put it into practice. Draw close to God through Jesus Christ, and you will find that he comes to your aid in every hour of need.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s Care for Parents of LGBT-Identifying Children*

Suffering parents of sinful children (which is ALL parents) can confidently pray to God through Christ, who gives mercy and grace to help in times of need. As parents, the mercy and truth of Jesus Christ is essential to sustain us through every trial we face.

Whatever we face as parents, we always need to pray.

And, what incredible mercy, God always hears our prayers!

One challenge that countless parents are facing today is a child adopting an LGBT identity. Many Christians aren’t equipped to think biblically about this, and so parents are tempted to despair.

But we do not need to despair when we worship a God who hears prayers.

A great resource to help you navigate your child’s adopting an LGBT identity is Shattered Dreams, New Hopes — a FREE Bible study curriculum from Harvest USA.

This study will remind you of the comfort of God and the mercy to be found in Jesus.

Here’s what to look forward to…

  • Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
  • Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
  • Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
  • Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
  • Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days

If you are struggling with your child’s LGBT identity, don’t struggle alone! Remember the mercy of God with Shattered Dreams, New Hope.

Download Shattered Dreams, New Hope from Harvest USA (FREE)

Pray with Spurgeon: Sick with sin, we need Jesus

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Dear Savior, we come to you, mindful of our state, knowing we are like beggars dependent on your heavenly charity. You are a savior seeking those who need salvation, and here we are, the very ones in need. We bring our wounds, bruises, and festering sores to you. The more we realize our depravity and the deep-seated corruption within us, the more we recognize that we are the ones you seek. We are sick and need a physician.

Glorious Benefactor, we meet you on humble terms, for we are impoverished and completely dependent on your grace. We come before you empty, knowing that we cannot save ourselves. If you do not magnify your grace in us, we are lost, for we are undeserving, ill-deserving, and deserving of condemnation. We are grateful that you receive us, our wounds, our sins, and even our deaths, for you are the One who lives, was dead, and is alive forevermore.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Therefore, as Scripture tells us, God opposes the proud but extends his favor to the humble. So, humble yourselves before God, renounce the urge to elevate yourselves at the expense of others, and fully surrender to his divine will. This is the path to both peace and joy.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Reflecting on the promises of God with your kids

God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook by Carl Laferton is a new Bible storybook — just released this month. I was thankful to receive a review copy, and I am BLOWN away by the quality of this book. Over 400+ pages, the book re-tells 92 foundational Bible stories to show kids (ages 2–8) the big story of the Bible.

As the title suggests, the book focuses on tracing God’s promises through all of Scripture. The book has special, bright colored icons that mark every time God makes a promise AND whenever he keeps that promise — its a tangible illustration to your kids that God is trustworthy and faithful.

I’m REALLY thankful for this resource. I know that my family will read it often for YEARS to come and I hope you’ll buy a copy for your family as well.

Buy God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook:

Pastor, don’t get distracted in your own preaching

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

It is infamous to ascend your pulpit and pour over your people rivers of language, cataracts of words, in which mere platitudes are held in solution like infinitesimal grains of medicine in an Atlantic of utterance. Better far give the people masses of unprepared truth in the rough, like pieces of meat from a butcher’s block, chopped off anyhow, bone and all, and even dropped down in the sawdust, than ostentatiously and delicately hand them out upon a china dish a delicious slice of nothing at all, decorated with the parsley of poetry, and flavored with the sauce of affectation.

RESOURCE FOR PASTORS

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Special thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this newsletter.

The CSB was created using optimal equivalence, a translation philosophy that pursues both linguistic precision to the original languages and readability in contemporary English. It’s a faithful translation that you (and your church) won’t be able to put down!

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 believer’s desire to be with Christ.

We are necessarily abroad through the day, looking after this or that work which needs attention, but the moment we are at liberty, we know where our nest is. It is with the hearts of many of us as it is with the needle in the mariner’s compass. Do you see it? It is pointing to the pole. If you will, you may put your finger on that needle, and turn it round. It points east now; yes, you turn it round till it points south; but take your finger off, it is back at once to its true pole; so is it with our hearts. Our hearts are with Christ on his throne, always magnetized and polarized for Christ, and we shall never rest until we get back to him. He is in our first thoughts in the morning, and our last meditations at night.

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: Worship God with inexpressible joy

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Let us begin with adoration. We worship the three in one, the infinitely glorious God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Though we have not yet ascended to the place where pure spirits behold your face, we desire to worship you in spirit, casting our crowns before your throne. We ascribe glory, honor, power, praise, dominion, and might to you who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb forever.

The entire church worships you, O God. Every heart renewed by your grace delights in adoration, and we, though the least and humblest, bow wholeheartedly in worship. Our joy in you is inexpressible.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely? But he gives greater grace.” (James 3:5–6)

There is a spirit within the natural human disposition that tends toward hatred and envy, always seeking to acquire what others have and feeling discontent when others appear to have more. How can this spirit be overcome? The answer lies in the following verse: God provides more grace. “More grace” is the remedy for hate and envy, the balm for sorrow, and the solution to all difficulties. It is the universal prescription for all our needs: “He gives us more grace.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Hope for Parents of Children Wrestling with LGBT identities*

Parents, our response to our children’s sin can teach us a lot about our own hearts. And we can have a lot of confidence that God is at work for our good through these struggles. This includes our children adopting LGBT identities.

Yes, God is at work is US when our children struggle with LGBT sins.

And we need biblical guidance to explore these things, always remembering God’s mercy to us during this uniquely challenging season.

And a great resource to help parents see this is Shattered Dreams, New Hopes from Harvest USA, a free Bible study curriculum.

This resource offers grace-saturated comfort from God’s Word for parents walking through the trial of a child identifying with the LGBT community.

Here’s what to look forward to…

  • Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
  • Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
  • Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
  • Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
  • Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days

If you have a child struggling with an LGBT identity (or someone you know has a child like this), then PLEASE check out this free resource.

Download Shattered Dreams, New Hope from Harvest USA (FREE)

Pray with Spurgeon: Help us not be distracted

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our God and Father, draw us closer to you through your Spirit. May these few moments of prayer be filled with genuine supplication. Help us to close our eyes to the distractions of the world and focus our hearts on what is spiritual and divine. May we find communion with you in the depths of our souls, experiencing your presence as a sanctuary.

Lord, we struggle to quiet our minds and cast away distracting thoughts. As Abraham drove away the birds from his sacrifice, we too seek to drive away all cares, thoughts of pleasure, and anything else that hinders us from true fellowship with you and your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

Instead of loving God with purity of heart, you lust after worldly desires, which is the essence of spiritual adultery. You should dedicate your entire being to God, but instead, you allow your affections to stray to worldly pursuits. Thus, you are rightly called an “adulterous people” by the Holy Spirit. While these words may seem harsh, they are true. May they awaken you to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

In one sense, Christians seek the good of all and the salvation of others, making them friends of the world. However, in another sense, viewing the world as a source of sin and corruption, they cannot be friends with the world. Some advocate for blurring the line between the church and the world, but this teaching is false and should be rejected.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s love is an ocean. Dive in with Spurgeon.

A major theme in Spurgeon’s preaching (and all of Scripture!) is the incomparable love of God. God’s love provides for us, serves us, helps us, forgives us. God’s love, seen supremely at the cross of Christ, is our only hope in life and death. It’s important that we continually remember and reflect on the greatness of God’s love.

To help you continue to enjoy God’s love, 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:

Pray with Spurgeon: We yearn for Jesus to come back

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We await you. Waste no time, O Jesus! May your feet soon grace Olivet again! No need for the sweat of great drops of blood; rather, come to declare the year of vengeance upon your enemies and the year of acceptance for your people.

“When will you rend the heavens, and majestically descend?” Earth yearns for your coming. Creation groans in anticipation. Your own await you. We long until weariness for your return. Come swiftly, Lord Jesus, come swiftly. Amen and Amen.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)

Even when you do pray, your requests often go unanswered because your motivations are selfish. You seek to use what you receive to indulge your own pleasures, and God does not grant such requests.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Discover the joy and freedom of humility

Pride is a particular dangerous (and common!) sin among Christians today. We are quick to believe our own praise and believe the worst about others. This is the opposite of the Lord Jesus, who was supremely humble.

A fantastic read for helping you cultivate humility is Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness by Gavin Ortlund. This short book describes humility from a biblical viewpoint (not just a cultural one). Ortlund shows how pride robs us of joy and true peace is found in humility. The book is also full of practical advice to kill pride and cultivate humility.

If you have pride in your life (and you probably do!), then you need to grab a copy of this book to find a fuller life and truer joy in Jesus. I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy Humility:

*Get the audiobook for FREE with a free trial of Audible.

Pray with Spurgeon: God, provide for our nation

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Remember our nation in its time of need. Provide relief for the prevailing distress. Revive commerce’s wheels, that those without work in this city may no longer cry out for bread. May wars cease worldwide, and even if they erupt, may they bring about the liberation of slaves, however desperate the evil. May Satan’s kingdom be divided and crumble.

Above all, long-awaited Messiah, come! Your ancient people, who once rejected you, anticipate your second coming. We, the Gentiles, who once knew you not, await you. Waste no time, O Jesus!

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)

This is nature’s way of trying to get by contention what it desires to possess—fighting, and warring, and killing, yet the result of all this is nil. After all is done, “yet you do not have.” There is a simpler and a surer way which men forget; they leave that divine path untrodden: “You do not have, because you do not ask.”

With all your efforts you do not succeed, because you omit to pray to God. Prayer would have brought you every blessing that you need; but, instead of going to God, and asking at his hands, you rush upon your neighbor, and seek to take what you desire as spoil from him.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s Care for Parents of Children Identifying as LGBT*

God hears the prayers of suffering parents. He is not distant from your desperate cries. He loves to comfort the weary and he will comfort you.

Christians often underestimate the tremendous amount of suffering that parents face when a child adopts an LGBT identity. And as with any trial that we face, God’s comfort is real and present.

A great resource to help you remember God’s care in the midst of this unique suffering is Shattered Dreams, New Hopes, a free Bible study curriculum from Harvest USA.

This study has a lot of practical counsel about continuing conversations with your child — but, primarily it is an exploration of what God is doing in YOU during this season.

Here’s what to look forward to…

  • Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
  • Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
  • Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
  • Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
  • Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days

If you are struggling with your child’s LGBT identity, don’t struggle alone! Remember the mercy of God with Shattered Dreams, New Hope.

Download Shattered Dreams, New Hope from Harvest USA (FREE)