-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING
http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, July 14, 2008
MORNING:
"If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it."
-- Exodus 20:25
God's altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human
skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim
and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial
and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead,
however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it
becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All
alterations and amendments of the Lord's own Word are defilements and
pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in
the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are
dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are
cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt
is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if
sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour's work,
their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonour it. The Lord alone
must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of
man's chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy
in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to
be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect
satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy
knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar
of thine atonement, and rest in him alone.
Many professors may take warning from this morning's text as to the
doctrines which they believe. There is among Christians far too much
inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a
form of irreverence and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive
truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are
unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the
Lord.
EVENING:
"As it began to dawn, came Magdalene, to see the sepulchre."
-- Matthew 28:1
Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord
Jesus. Notice how she sought. She sought the Saviour very early in the
morning. If thou canst wait for Christ, and be patient in the hope of
having fellowship with him at some distant season, thou wilt never have
fellowship at all; for the heart that is fitted for communion is a
hungering and a thirsting heart. She sought him also with very great
boldness. Other disciples fled from the sepulchre, for they trembled
and were amazed; but Mary, it is said, "stood" at the sepulchre. If you
would have Christ with you, seek him boldly. Let nothing hold you back.
Defy the world. Press on where others flee. She sought Christ
faithfully-she stood at the sepulchre. Some find it hard to stand by a
living Saviour, but she stood by a dead one. Let us seek Christ after
this mode, cleaving to the very least thing that has to do with him,
remaining faithful though all others should forsake him. Note further,
she sought Jesus earnestly-she stood "weeping". Those tear-droppings
were as spells that led the Saviour captive, and made him come forth
and show himself to her. If you desire Jesus' presence, weep after it!
If you cannot be happy unless he come and say to you, "Thou art my
beloved," you will soon hear his voice. Lastly, she sought the Saviour
only. What cared she for angels, she turned herself back from them; her
search was only for her Lord. If Christ be your one and only love, if
your heart has cast out all rivals, you will not long lack the comfort
of his presence. Mary Magdalene sought thus because she loved much. Let
us arouse ourselves to the same intensity of affection; let our heart,
like Mary's, be full of Christ, and our love, like hers, will be
satisfied with nothing short of himself. O Lord, reveal thyself to us
this evening!
/--- Sponsor a Child with Compassion -----------------------\
For less than a dollar a day, you can make a powerful
difference in the life of a needy child. Click on the
following link to learn more about sponsoring a child
through Compassion!
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/92/ -------------------/
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
WILD AT HEART, by John Eldredge
Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, this is a guide to
understanding Christian manhood and Christian men.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?153
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
MORNING & EVENING from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/spurgeon
\/
Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
and preacher Charles Spurgeon. It's part of HEARTLIGHT Magazine,
the leading Christian living e-zine on the Web. Visit HEARTLIGHT
on the web for even more devotionals, plus music, articles and more
for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are needed and welcome (and tax-deductible)! Find out how
to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-spurgeon@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
Send a blank email to the unsubscribe address:
spurgeon-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
OTHER QUESTIONS?
Find answers to your frequently asked questions:
http://www.heartlight.org/help/faq/spurgeon.html
======================================================================
