Category: Pray with Spurgeon

Pray with Spurgeon: May God draw near to us

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, we humbly approach you, yet we earnestly ask you to draw near to us. Pull us close, and we shall eagerly follow you. Blessed Spirit, assist our weaknesses, for we confess our uncertainty in knowing how to pray as we should. Holy Spirit, we implore your presence to guide our thoughts and words rightly, so that in our communal prayers, each of us may feel a personal connection. We are grateful, remembering that if the minister in the sanctuary cannot intercede for any one of us, there is one who carries the names of all his redeemed upon his breast and shoulder. He will lovingly safeguard the interests of his own.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—” (Ephesians 2:8)

We have this expression, “by grace are you saved,” twice over in this chapter. Paul knew that he needed to repeat himself, or people would forget what he taught. At bottom, all the wanderings from the faith at the present day amount to this, salvation by works instead of salvation by grace. The battle of the Reformation has to be fought over again. Men are justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. All the enmity of natural men is against that truth. They want to be saved by their own morality, and all sorts of things that they put instead of salvation by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Reflecting on the promises of God with your kids

Lately, I’ve been posting a lot about the family devotionals that I am writing to walk kids through the entire Bible. While NOTHING can replace reading the actual text of Scripture to your kids, Bible storybooks can also be incredibly helpful resources. And I’m really excited about a new Bible storybook.

God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook by Carl Laferton is a new Bible storybook available for pre-order right now. 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.

Pre-Order God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook:

Pray with Spurgeon: Bring an end to every idol; Jesus alone is king

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Prosper all the churches of Jesus Christ. May what we seek for ourselves also be realized among them. Strengthen missionaries through your Spirit, and may there come a day when people’s hearts are better prepared to receive the gospel. May the Kingdom of Messiah come, leading to the downfall of her who sits on the seven hills (Revelation 17:9) and the fading away of Mohammed’s moon, bringing the end to every idol, so that Christ alone may reign. Our whole heart joins in this prayer. Reign, Immanuel, reign! Sit upon your lofty throne, ride on your white horse, and let the armies of heaven follow you, conquering and to conquer. Come, Lord Jesus; even so, come quickly.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6–7)

See how Paul’s language grows and swells and rises as he proceeds! Just now, we read of “God, who is rich in mercy;” now the apostle speaks of “the exceeding riches of his grace,” exceeding expression, exceeding comprehension, exceeding even sin itself, though that is all but infinite. “The exceeding riches of his grace” are infinity itself; but they all come to us “through Christ Jesus.” Paul will speak of nothing good except that which comes “through Christ Jesus.” This is the one conduit-pipe through which the streams of living water flow to the dead in sin; God’s grace comes to us “through Christ Jesus,” and through him alone.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

How to (actually) have daily family devotions this school year

As our kids go back to school, we should be reflecting a lot on what we are teaching them (not just what others might be teaching them). This school year, imagine how great it would be for your family if you made a commitment to read the Bible together EVERY DAY?

Here are FIVE SIMPLE TIPS to (actually) make family devotions a daily habit this school year:

  • Keep It Simple — If family devotions have a lot of extra elements, they will be too difficult to plan and too long to practice every day.
  • Plan a Rhythm — Pick a time and place and STICK with it. Don’t expect family devotions to just happen — plan WHEN they will happen.
  • Habit Stacking — Attach family devotions to a daily habit that your family already has. This makes it harder to forget and easier to actually do.
  • Prioritize It — Make the commitment that you WILL have family devotions, even if it interrupts other activities (like bedtime routines).
  • Get a Guide — You don’t need to plan your family devotions from scratch every day.

Family devotionals from God Centered Family give you everything you need to teach your kids the Bible in TEN MINUTES each day.

There are two ways to get started:

NEW: Buy the new PAPERBACK devotional — 12-week devotional on Paul’s Letters available now — more coming soon.

Pray with Spurgeon: Keep us safe from anger and all sins

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, keep us from sin. Teach us to walk circumspectly. Help us guard our minds against doctrinal errors, our hearts against wrong feelings, and our lives against evil actions. May we never speak rashly or give in to anger. Above all, keep us from covetousness, which is idolatry, and from malice, which is of the devil. Grant us to be full of sweetness and light. May love dwell within us and reign over us. May we not focus solely on our own interests but also consider the needs of others. Help us live for Jesus, for there is no life like it. Assist us in becoming men and women of Christ, wholly belonging to him. May every aspect of our lives reflect the light we receive from him.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

God “made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” (Ephesians 2:5)

This accounts for everything: “together with Christ.” When we get “together with Christ,” then are we made alive, then are we saved. Are you, my dear hearers, “quickened together with Christ?”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teaching kids to handle anger with Jesus’ help

Today, we prayed that we would “never speak rashly or give in to anger.” Anger is a particularly painful sin (for us and those around us) but it can also be extremely difficult to actually address. We need to have solid, biblical strategies for putting off anger.

But we also need to teach our kids how to handle their anger (and other “big feelings”). For that, I was really thankful to receive a review copy of a new kids book, Count Yourself Calm: Taking Big Feelings to a Big God by Eliza Huie. This book is unique because it tells children the truth about anger AND gives them some practical steps to not be controlled by it.

This book will really grow with your kids. The youngest toddlers can enjoy the illustrations, younger kids (kindergarten–early elementary) can start to apply some of the simpler steps outlined for addressing anger (e.g., taking a deep breath and counting to five), while older kids (later elementary–middle school) can use more detailed tools for putting off anger.

Count Yourself Calm is a great resource for discussing and addressing anger from a biblical perspective in your home. I hope you’ll add a copy to your family’s library today.

Buy Count Yourself Calm:

Pray with Spurgeon: God saves sinners

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

O God, our God, do not let the efforts of our church, the preaching of evangelists, or our own personal sharing be in vain. Bring forth conversions. We cry out this prayer from the depths of our hearts, and yet we also sing it, for you have already heard us abundantly, and our hearts rejoice in God the savior, who works so graciously among the children of men.

We are astonished as we witness the Holy Spirit falling even upon the chief of sinners, bringing those who were far from God into his embrace. But, Lord, do even more of this among us. Let us see greater things than these. Where we have witnessed one person saved, may we see a hundred, all to the praise of your glorious name and the Beloved.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us,” (Ephesians 2:4)

God loved us even when wo were dead in sins. His love does not depend upon what we are; it flows from his own heart. It is not love of something good in us; it is love of us because of everything good in him. Here you see the greatness of his grace, in that “he loved us, even when we were dead in sins.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teach your kids the BIBLE this school year

We do A LOT to help our children learn and thrive each school year. What are you doing to help your kids grow spiritually this year? Are you more invested in your kids’ education than their discipleship?

This school year, let’s all commit together to making FAMILY DEVOTIONS a daily habit.

No matter how old your kids are, whether they’re in public school, private school, or homeschool, they ALL need God’s Word.

At God Centered Family, I’ve written family devotions for 40 books of the Bible, and I have three convictions:

  1. Kids need God.
  2. God is revealed in his Word.
  3. Parents, YOU are better equipped than ANYONE to teach your kids the Bible.

You CAN do this — and your kids need it! They are eager for you to lead them on a Bible-saturated journey to discover who God is and what he has done.

I write family devotionals to HELP YOU do what God has already called and equipped you to do. These resources are just to help you be confident as you teach your kids the Word.

These devotionals give you EVERYTHING YOU NEED to teach your kids the Bible in just ten minutes each day.

There are two ways to get started:

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:

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.