SPURGEON THOUGHTS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 07, 2015
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CHARLES SPURGEON MORNING AND EVENING:
A DEVOTIONAL FOR JANUARY 07
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Morning
"For me to live is Christ."
Philippians 1:21
The believer did not always live to Christ. He began to do so when God the Holy Spirit convinced him of sin, and when by grace he was brought to see the dying Saviour making a propitiation for his guilt. From the moment of the new and celestial birth the man begins to live to Christ. Jesus is to believers the one pearl of great price, for whom we are willing to part with all that we have. He has so completely won our love, that it beats alone for him; to his glory we would live, and in defence of his gospel we would die; he is the pattern of our life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character. Paul's words mean more than most men think; they imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ--nay, his life itself was Jesus. In the words of an ancient saint, he did eat, and drink, and sleep eternal life. Jesus was his very breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life. Can you say, as a professing Christian, that you live up to this idea? Can you honestly say that for you to live is Christ? Your business--are you doing it for Christ? Is it not done for self- aggrandizement and for family advantage? Do you ask, "Is that a mean reason?" For the Christian it is. He professes to live for Christ; how can he live for another object without committing a spiritual adultery? Many there are who carry out this principle in some measure; but who is there that dare say that he hath lived wholly for Christ as the apostle did? Yet, this alone is the true life of a Christian--its source, its sustenance, its fashion, its end, all gathered up in one word--Christ Jesus. Lord, accept me; I here present myself, praying to live only in thee and to thee. Let me be as the bullock which stands between the plough and the altar, to work or to be sacrificed; and let my motto be, "Ready for either."
-- By Charles Spurgeon
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Evening
"My sister, my spouse."
Song of Solomon 4:12
Observe the sweet titles with which the heavenly Solomon with intense affection addresses his bride the church. "My sister, one near to me by ties of nature, partaker of the same sympathies. My spouse, nearest and dearest, united to me by the tenderest bands of love; my sweet companion, part of my own self. My sister, by my Incarnation, which makes me bone of thy bone and flesh of thy flesh; my spouse, by heavenly betrothal, in which I have espoused thee unto myself in righteousness. My sister, whom I knew of old, and over whom I watched from her earliest infancy; my spouse, taken from among the daughters, embraced by arms of love, and affianced unto me forever. See how true it is that our royal Kinsman is not ashamed of us, for he dwells with manifest delight upon this two-fold relationship. We have the word "my" twice in our version; as if Christ dwelt with rapture on his possession of his Church. "His delights were with the sons of men," because those sons of men were his own chosen ones. He, the Shepherd, sought the sheep, because they were his sheep; he has gone about "to seek and to save that which was lost," because that which was lost was his long before it was lost to itself or lost to him. The church is the exclusive portion of her Lord; none else may claim a partnership, or pretend to share her love. Jesus, thy church delights to have it so! Let every believing soul drink solace out of these wells. Soul! Christ is near to thee in ties of relationship; Christ is dear to thee in bonds of marriage union, and thou art dear to him; behold he grasps both of thy hands with both his own, saying, "My sister, my spouse." Mark the two sacred holdfasts by which thy Lord gets such a double hold of thee that he neither can nor will ever let thee go. Be not, O beloved, slow to return the hallowed flame of his love.
-- By Charles Spurgeon
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Original source:
https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/
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THOUGHTS ON "MORNING" BY SPURGEON
858 a.m.
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QUESTIONS I ASK MYSELF
How am I living my life, all of it, for Jesus Christ?
How am I living this moment, and every moment, for Him?
Am I?
How can I live for Jesus Christ in this moment?
And the next?
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Now, I will answer them and ponder them.
~*~*~
NEWS
Death is all around.
My cat, Kara, has breast and lung cancer. And, she is also elderly.
My beagle, Zack, turns 15 in a couple of weeks.
I have a grandmother who is getting up there in years.
A blogger I read is dying from cancer.
Death is all around.
Our days are numbered.
We all could die--snap of my fingers--now.
This is news this morning... The headline reads:
"At least 12 dead in Islamist terror attack at satirical French publication | Fox News"
And the original source is:
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/07/shooting-reported-at-office-satirical-french-newspaper/
This is where Spurgeon this MORNING and Apostle Paul help. Death is all around. But, Jesus Christ is life.
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A LACK OF FOCUS
1011 a.m.
My one word for 2015 is "Focus." I frown. Shake my hear as I realize how small minded, unfocused, all-over-the-place I am in my mind. Already, I am proving how unfocused I am. It's Day 7 and I don't think I have made any improvement whatsoever.
How have I applied "Focus" to my life so far in 2015? I am not sure I have.
I am already thinking about focusing on this blog, not on my RYP Journaling blog. But, I will post a daily prompt and daily journaling thought. So, I stopped focusing on one thing to exchange it for another. Is this for God's glory? Is this His will and not mine? I am not sure at this point.
Lord, guide the small-minded, death deserving sinner that I am.
I read MORNING by Spurgeon today about living for Jesus Christ. I had to do some household chores, get ready, etc. I did them and just sat down to journal and focus on the Word of God and on Spurgeon when it hit me. I did not think of Jesus or the Bible once as I did all of that.
Sigh.
I do not like how shallow I am at times. Lord, forgive me and my small, unfocused mind. Teach me to focus on You alone and on Your Word.
Now that I have acknowledged my inadequacies, and how I did not focus on living for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, my Rock and Redeemer, my King and Friend, I am going to try again.
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HOW AM I (OR MIGHT I BE) FOCUSED?
1019 a.m.
I say how unfocused I have been in 2015, which is quite true. However, I also have had moments of absolute clarity of focus and a single minded focus. The problem is how those are short lived. (Lord, show me how to change this and to focus all the time on You and the Bible. Teach me. Guide me.)
The moments of clear focus have been how I have been led by You to read the Bible through, cover to cover, the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation in 2015. Also, with how I am to focus on Reverend Charles H. Spurgeon, particularly his MORNING AND EVENING devotional. Hence, I feel led to read nothing but the Bible and the writings of Spurgeon this year.
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MAYBE LEAD A SPURGEON BIBLE STUDY ONE DAY?
Then, as I did the household chores, something came to me: "Stacy, you're moving. You will look for a new church home when you do. You want to be fed, and need to be fed, but what about doing a study (or studies) on Spurgeon? What about taking a group of ladies through MORNING AND EVENING over the course of a year? And, what about his other writings? Do you know of any such study in the Church? In any church? Alas, I do not.
Questions that come to mind: How could it last a year and why would anyone want to do it for a year? And, is there enough material to do for a year?
Answers: The problem with the church today is I think we are either trying to do too much in Bible study, aren't doing nearly enough, aren't doing it at all, or it's extremely quick and shallow and dumbed down and watered down to the point there is little to no substance and then we wonder why people are leaving the churches and are not going to church.
Also, because of this Bible reading and study method, whatever it is we do nowadays, we are not left changed or transformed. We are not set apart as a church, or as Christians, form the rest of the world. We have succumbed to the world, afraid to rock the boat, or are too lazy to do so. Our Bible readings and studies reflect this. The fact our churches are not open from sun-up to a few hours past sundown prove this is the case. Our churches should be open, and a hub of activity from six in the morning or so to ten o'clock at night, with no lull in-between.
So, what about doing a Spurgeon study, who had over ten thousand go hear him speak on several occasions, from 1853 to 1892?
I think I'm in.
Bible reading cover to cover in a year + writings of Spurgeon = a recipe for a different kind of faith that will surely stand out in this 2015 world.
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MY WRITING
I keep trying to write and be published. Over and over. And, I haven't been successful. I have been all over the place and haven't been focused.
So, other than a daily journaling prompt and thought on my RYP Journaling blog, I think I'm going to stop writing. I think I will stop claiming to be a writer for a bit.
Stop. No. that's not it. Scratch that. Let me get more specific and straight to the point. Rather...
I am going to focus on the Bible and the writings of Spurgeon this year. This is my focus. This is how I want to live. This is what I want to write and journal. Period. End of story. The end. What comes from it, come what may. It will be all of God, not of me. To Him be the glory forever and ever.
I will journal and write about how I am trying to live a focused, set apart life that is different than this world and all of its standards (or lack thereof).
I will focus on being in Him and in the Word.
I will focus on living a faith like Spurgeon from that late 1800s in today's 2015 world.
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It's time for me to re-read MORNING by Spurgeon for January 07 (1054 a.m.). So, I will be right back.
Well, I didn't read any of the devotional yet, for I wanted to look at this verse first, in my more modern version of the Bible, and in an older version. And, far more importantly, in the version Spurgeon read. And, version that could help expand on understanding of the verse.
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Philippians 1:21 New Living Translation (NLT)
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Philippians 1:21 New King James Version (NKJV)
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Philippians 1:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
King James Version (KJV)
by Public Domain
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Philippians 1:21 Expanded Bible (EXB)
21 [For] To me ·the only important thing about living [to live] is Christ, and ·dying would be profit for me [to die is gain/profit].
Expanded Bible (EXB)
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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Spurgeon read from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Holy Bible. Sometimes it can be the most difficult to read and understand. After all the English then is not the English used today--and there is a big difference even today between the English's English and American English. Nevertheless, I think in this instance, the King James Version the best and easiest to grasp.
Life is Jesus Christ.
Living is living a life in Him, for Him, of Him, by Him, with Him, etc. This is life.
Death is gain, for I will then be with Him for eternity. That being said, I live for eternity today, through living Christ today--not tomorrow. It's living Him alone. I have eternal life in Him now and this is how I am to live today. This is living life at its best and fullest.
To live is Christ.
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WAITING
1240 p.m.
I have found that life is full of time in the waiting room--waiting for something to happen, for time to pass, for a certain date, and/or for an answer.
This is true with me right now as my husband and I wait for things to line up for us to purchase a house and move across the country to our final destination in Wyoming. We are waiting for those answers, for things to happen, and far more importantly for God's direction. After all, everything is in HIS timing. Thank God. For, His timing is perfect--just as His plans are also perfect.
As we are in this waiting room, we wait. But, it does not mean we are just passive. Although, there is room for that as well. All of life takes both being and doing--often times at the same time. This is the best spiritual life, the combination of being and doing at the same time, in tandem.
As we wait, interest rates keep dropping. For well over two months now, they have been lower than my dad has ever seen. And, today, it just dropped to a percentage we never thought we would see: three percent, with paying down some points. Three percent. to You be the glory, Lord!
If we would have proceeded in our timing, we would have paid around three point seven-five percent. The waiting room is always the best place to be. For, God is working in, around, and through everyone and everything regarding the situation. We are out of His way, if we are in the waiting room.
So, what so we do while we are in the waiting room and are waiting for something or someone? We cling to Jesus Christ and the Word of God, the Bible. Period. That's it. This is everything.
What do we do if we are not in the waiting room? The same thing.
We are to live Christ. Jesus Christ.
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COLD
117 p.m.
Hang on. I am practically shivering. Let me go grab some coffee and warm up.
126 p.m.
We are going through a cold snap here in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Brrr! The humid cold is a killer, if you ask me. I like the cold. But, I have discovered after moving here how there is a major difference between the dry Midwest cold the humid cold here. right now, the real feel temp is 20 degrees and it will reach you deep in your bones.
Now, let me focus on Jesus, not on the cold.
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MY NEW DEVOTIONAL
128 p.m.
On January 01, in the morning, I started reading Charles Spurgeon's MORNING AND EVENING in an email sent to me and I even purchased the e-book and an audiobook therefore. Then, I decided to buy myself a copy I could hold in my hands--as I go through this monumental year (with moving, buying our first and last home as a married couple and the house we want to die in, and my husband starts his new job). So, I bought one online and had it sent to my house.
I finally got it yesterday in the late afternoon--and it's beautiful. It's a medium brown leatherette and isn't too big or too small. The same goes with the font.
So far, I've highlighted and taken notes on three pages (both of yesterday's and this morning's devotionals) and am finding the size perfect and am finding it rewarding to be able to look at it throughout the day and hold it in my hand. It makes it more real, meaningful, and delightful to read and apply to my life.
This morning's devotional has been speaking a great deal to me and I am glad to have time to think on it and start to implement it in my life.
I am noticing a trend with Spurgeon's writings, though, and it isn't just in the MORNING AND EVENING devotional. The trend is this: I might as well underline and highlight every word he writes. Every words he wrote and/or uttered packs a powerful punch and are surely meant to get your attention--in a very good way.
I will read the evening version in a few minutes. First, I want to tell you about the other thing I am expecting to receive today that I ordered online.
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WAITING TO RECEIVE MY NEW BIBLE
138 p.m.
I decided I also want a Bible to hold in my hands, interact with, and enjoy each day, like the MORNING AND EVENING devotional by Spurgeon. After all, I want to read the Bible all the way through this year, cover to cover, Genesis to Revelation. It's in an effort, like with MORNING AND EVENING, to mark this monumental year. It's meant to make a memory and make me live as intentionally as possible.
So, like yesterday, I play the waiting game as I twiddle my thumbs and grow antsy waiting--wondering when I will hear the doorbell ring so I can go running to the door, peak out the door, see if the truck is there. If it is, I open the door, view the package, open the storm door, holler "Thank you," to the back running away from me, heading to the truck, getting a wave in response, and then I grab the package. I will then carry it to the counter to open, and Sinan Orange Maine Coon cat will appear and will undoubtedly help me open the package as he grows excited for the empty box, which he thinks I bought just for him, after he offers the new item a good sniff, mind you. I ask him if it meets with his approval and know it does when he turns to the box, which I set on the floor at that point. I give him until the next morning to play with the empty box. If it is a better size, or is in better shape than his last box, I get rid of the old box. If not, I get rid of the new box.
I then open the new book and put my name and the date on the front page and then look at the rest of the book.
This is my habit and tradition, along with the cat's. It's been years in the making. When we move, the tradition will continue, just in a new house, and in a new kitchen. In which, he will try to tell me he has a new massive basement we could fill with boxes, for he wouldn't mind, he would say. (Uh-no.)
So, here I sit, imagining the moment with the new Bible.
Silly, maybe?
No. It isn't.
I want to wear out this Bible I use it so much. I want to do the same with the MORNING AND EVENING. I want to be forced to put it on the shelf before either one completely fall apart.
I want my Spurgeon 2015 journal to turn into a Spurgeon 2015, 2016, 2017, etc. blog journal.
Want to live a late 1800's faith. Pure. Simple. Not of this modern world. After all, Spurgeon, to me, is like the Christian equivalent of Shakespeare. His writing is beautiful and carries deep meaning. Moreover, I am forced to think as I read his writing.
So, couple my daily Bible reading with the writings of Spurgeon and this year should be a year to remember. That is a guarantee, provided I focus.
Now, I will start my going to the front door, opening it, looking down to see if they just didn't ring the door, stare at the empty front porch with disappointment, head back to the study and wait routine.
Sigh.
Can't wait!
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MY NEW BIBLE
225 p.m.
My Bible just got here! Let me check it out for a few minutes.
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SO FAR WITH MY NEW BIBLE
255 p.m.
It's the "WOMEN'S SANCTUARY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE NLT."
It's purdy (pretty) with its teal and brown ink.
The daily devotional readings to read the Bible in a year are set up in days, not dates or numbers. So, it's taken me a bit to figure out how or where to start. I decided that since today is Wednesday, I will start with the second Wednesday of the Bible and of the reading year. And, I have read up to here this year anyway.
I've read the first devotional reading and I need to admit my mouth gaped open when I read it.
It's about waiting.
Hah! That's already what I wrote about earlier today! God is so good.
God's waiting room is part of His plan in my life at times. This includes right now as we wait to buy a house, close up the chapter here in Virginia, move to Wyoming, and start life anew there.
The devotional Bible then reminds me of something very important for me to remember and live: The Bible is full of direction to help me live a life of Christ today.
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Today's Bible Reading: Genesis 14:17-Genesis 18:28.
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I will write more about today's subjects in the next blog post.
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~*~*~
CHARLES SPURGEON MORNING AND EVENING:
A DEVOTIONAL FOR JANUARY 07
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Morning
"For me to live is Christ."
Philippians 1:21
The believer did not always live to Christ. He began to do so when God the Holy Spirit convinced him of sin, and when by grace he was brought to see the dying Saviour making a propitiation for his guilt. From the moment of the new and celestial birth the man begins to live to Christ. Jesus is to believers the one pearl of great price, for whom we are willing to part with all that we have. He has so completely won our love, that it beats alone for him; to his glory we would live, and in defence of his gospel we would die; he is the pattern of our life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character. Paul's words mean more than most men think; they imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ--nay, his life itself was Jesus. In the words of an ancient saint, he did eat, and drink, and sleep eternal life. Jesus was his very breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life. Can you say, as a professing Christian, that you live up to this idea? Can you honestly say that for you to live is Christ? Your business--are you doing it for Christ? Is it not done for self- aggrandizement and for family advantage? Do you ask, "Is that a mean reason?" For the Christian it is. He professes to live for Christ; how can he live for another object without committing a spiritual adultery? Many there are who carry out this principle in some measure; but who is there that dare say that he hath lived wholly for Christ as the apostle did? Yet, this alone is the true life of a Christian--its source, its sustenance, its fashion, its end, all gathered up in one word--Christ Jesus. Lord, accept me; I here present myself, praying to live only in thee and to thee. Let me be as the bullock which stands between the plough and the altar, to work or to be sacrificed; and let my motto be, "Ready for either."
-- By Charles Spurgeon
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Evening
"My sister, my spouse."
Song of Solomon 4:12
Observe the sweet titles with which the heavenly Solomon with intense affection addresses his bride the church. "My sister, one near to me by ties of nature, partaker of the same sympathies. My spouse, nearest and dearest, united to me by the tenderest bands of love; my sweet companion, part of my own self. My sister, by my Incarnation, which makes me bone of thy bone and flesh of thy flesh; my spouse, by heavenly betrothal, in which I have espoused thee unto myself in righteousness. My sister, whom I knew of old, and over whom I watched from her earliest infancy; my spouse, taken from among the daughters, embraced by arms of love, and affianced unto me forever. See how true it is that our royal Kinsman is not ashamed of us, for he dwells with manifest delight upon this two-fold relationship. We have the word "my" twice in our version; as if Christ dwelt with rapture on his possession of his Church. "His delights were with the sons of men," because those sons of men were his own chosen ones. He, the Shepherd, sought the sheep, because they were his sheep; he has gone about "to seek and to save that which was lost," because that which was lost was his long before it was lost to itself or lost to him. The church is the exclusive portion of her Lord; none else may claim a partnership, or pretend to share her love. Jesus, thy church delights to have it so! Let every believing soul drink solace out of these wells. Soul! Christ is near to thee in ties of relationship; Christ is dear to thee in bonds of marriage union, and thou art dear to him; behold he grasps both of thy hands with both his own, saying, "My sister, my spouse." Mark the two sacred holdfasts by which thy Lord gets such a double hold of thee that he neither can nor will ever let thee go. Be not, O beloved, slow to return the hallowed flame of his love.
-- By Charles Spurgeon
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Original source:
https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/
~*~*~
THOUGHTS ON "MORNING" BY SPURGEON
858 a.m.
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QUESTIONS I ASK MYSELF
How am I living my life, all of it, for Jesus Christ?
How am I living this moment, and every moment, for Him?
Am I?
How can I live for Jesus Christ in this moment?
And the next?
---
Now, I will answer them and ponder them.
~*~*~
NEWS
Death is all around.
My cat, Kara, has breast and lung cancer. And, she is also elderly.
My beagle, Zack, turns 15 in a couple of weeks.
I have a grandmother who is getting up there in years.
A blogger I read is dying from cancer.
Death is all around.
Our days are numbered.
We all could die--snap of my fingers--now.
This is news this morning... The headline reads:
"At least 12 dead in Islamist terror attack at satirical French publication | Fox News"
And the original source is:
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/07/shooting-reported-at-office-satirical-french-newspaper/
This is where Spurgeon this MORNING and Apostle Paul help. Death is all around. But, Jesus Christ is life.
~*~*~
A LACK OF FOCUS
1011 a.m.
My one word for 2015 is "Focus." I frown. Shake my hear as I realize how small minded, unfocused, all-over-the-place I am in my mind. Already, I am proving how unfocused I am. It's Day 7 and I don't think I have made any improvement whatsoever.
How have I applied "Focus" to my life so far in 2015? I am not sure I have.
I am already thinking about focusing on this blog, not on my RYP Journaling blog. But, I will post a daily prompt and daily journaling thought. So, I stopped focusing on one thing to exchange it for another. Is this for God's glory? Is this His will and not mine? I am not sure at this point.
Lord, guide the small-minded, death deserving sinner that I am.
I read MORNING by Spurgeon today about living for Jesus Christ. I had to do some household chores, get ready, etc. I did them and just sat down to journal and focus on the Word of God and on Spurgeon when it hit me. I did not think of Jesus or the Bible once as I did all of that.
Sigh.
I do not like how shallow I am at times. Lord, forgive me and my small, unfocused mind. Teach me to focus on You alone and on Your Word.
Now that I have acknowledged my inadequacies, and how I did not focus on living for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, my Rock and Redeemer, my King and Friend, I am going to try again.
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HOW AM I (OR MIGHT I BE) FOCUSED?
1019 a.m.
I say how unfocused I have been in 2015, which is quite true. However, I also have had moments of absolute clarity of focus and a single minded focus. The problem is how those are short lived. (Lord, show me how to change this and to focus all the time on You and the Bible. Teach me. Guide me.)
The moments of clear focus have been how I have been led by You to read the Bible through, cover to cover, the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation in 2015. Also, with how I am to focus on Reverend Charles H. Spurgeon, particularly his MORNING AND EVENING devotional. Hence, I feel led to read nothing but the Bible and the writings of Spurgeon this year.
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MAYBE LEAD A SPURGEON BIBLE STUDY ONE DAY?
Then, as I did the household chores, something came to me: "Stacy, you're moving. You will look for a new church home when you do. You want to be fed, and need to be fed, but what about doing a study (or studies) on Spurgeon? What about taking a group of ladies through MORNING AND EVENING over the course of a year? And, what about his other writings? Do you know of any such study in the Church? In any church? Alas, I do not.
Questions that come to mind: How could it last a year and why would anyone want to do it for a year? And, is there enough material to do for a year?
Answers: The problem with the church today is I think we are either trying to do too much in Bible study, aren't doing nearly enough, aren't doing it at all, or it's extremely quick and shallow and dumbed down and watered down to the point there is little to no substance and then we wonder why people are leaving the churches and are not going to church.
Also, because of this Bible reading and study method, whatever it is we do nowadays, we are not left changed or transformed. We are not set apart as a church, or as Christians, form the rest of the world. We have succumbed to the world, afraid to rock the boat, or are too lazy to do so. Our Bible readings and studies reflect this. The fact our churches are not open from sun-up to a few hours past sundown prove this is the case. Our churches should be open, and a hub of activity from six in the morning or so to ten o'clock at night, with no lull in-between.
So, what about doing a Spurgeon study, who had over ten thousand go hear him speak on several occasions, from 1853 to 1892?
I think I'm in.
Bible reading cover to cover in a year + writings of Spurgeon = a recipe for a different kind of faith that will surely stand out in this 2015 world.
---
MY WRITING
I keep trying to write and be published. Over and over. And, I haven't been successful. I have been all over the place and haven't been focused.
So, other than a daily journaling prompt and thought on my RYP Journaling blog, I think I'm going to stop writing. I think I will stop claiming to be a writer for a bit.
Stop. No. that's not it. Scratch that. Let me get more specific and straight to the point. Rather...
I am going to focus on the Bible and the writings of Spurgeon this year. This is my focus. This is how I want to live. This is what I want to write and journal. Period. End of story. The end. What comes from it, come what may. It will be all of God, not of me. To Him be the glory forever and ever.
I will journal and write about how I am trying to live a focused, set apart life that is different than this world and all of its standards (or lack thereof).
I will focus on being in Him and in the Word.
I will focus on living a faith like Spurgeon from that late 1800s in today's 2015 world.
---
It's time for me to re-read MORNING by Spurgeon for January 07 (1054 a.m.). So, I will be right back.
Well, I didn't read any of the devotional yet, for I wanted to look at this verse first, in my more modern version of the Bible, and in an older version. And, far more importantly, in the version Spurgeon read. And, version that could help expand on understanding of the verse.
---
Philippians 1:21 New Living Translation (NLT)
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Philippians 1:21 New King James Version (NKJV)
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Philippians 1:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
King James Version (KJV)
by Public Domain
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Philippians 1:21 Expanded Bible (EXB)
21 [For] To me ·the only important thing about living [to live] is Christ, and ·dying would be profit for me [to die is gain/profit].
Expanded Bible (EXB)
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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Spurgeon read from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Holy Bible. Sometimes it can be the most difficult to read and understand. After all the English then is not the English used today--and there is a big difference even today between the English's English and American English. Nevertheless, I think in this instance, the King James Version the best and easiest to grasp.
Life is Jesus Christ.
Living is living a life in Him, for Him, of Him, by Him, with Him, etc. This is life.
Death is gain, for I will then be with Him for eternity. That being said, I live for eternity today, through living Christ today--not tomorrow. It's living Him alone. I have eternal life in Him now and this is how I am to live today. This is living life at its best and fullest.
To live is Christ.
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WAITING
1240 p.m.
I have found that life is full of time in the waiting room--waiting for something to happen, for time to pass, for a certain date, and/or for an answer.
This is true with me right now as my husband and I wait for things to line up for us to purchase a house and move across the country to our final destination in Wyoming. We are waiting for those answers, for things to happen, and far more importantly for God's direction. After all, everything is in HIS timing. Thank God. For, His timing is perfect--just as His plans are also perfect.
As we are in this waiting room, we wait. But, it does not mean we are just passive. Although, there is room for that as well. All of life takes both being and doing--often times at the same time. This is the best spiritual life, the combination of being and doing at the same time, in tandem.
As we wait, interest rates keep dropping. For well over two months now, they have been lower than my dad has ever seen. And, today, it just dropped to a percentage we never thought we would see: three percent, with paying down some points. Three percent. to You be the glory, Lord!
If we would have proceeded in our timing, we would have paid around three point seven-five percent. The waiting room is always the best place to be. For, God is working in, around, and through everyone and everything regarding the situation. We are out of His way, if we are in the waiting room.
So, what so we do while we are in the waiting room and are waiting for something or someone? We cling to Jesus Christ and the Word of God, the Bible. Period. That's it. This is everything.
What do we do if we are not in the waiting room? The same thing.
We are to live Christ. Jesus Christ.
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COLD
117 p.m.
Hang on. I am practically shivering. Let me go grab some coffee and warm up.
126 p.m.
We are going through a cold snap here in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Brrr! The humid cold is a killer, if you ask me. I like the cold. But, I have discovered after moving here how there is a major difference between the dry Midwest cold the humid cold here. right now, the real feel temp is 20 degrees and it will reach you deep in your bones.
Now, let me focus on Jesus, not on the cold.
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MY NEW DEVOTIONAL
128 p.m.
On January 01, in the morning, I started reading Charles Spurgeon's MORNING AND EVENING in an email sent to me and I even purchased the e-book and an audiobook therefore. Then, I decided to buy myself a copy I could hold in my hands--as I go through this monumental year (with moving, buying our first and last home as a married couple and the house we want to die in, and my husband starts his new job). So, I bought one online and had it sent to my house.
I finally got it yesterday in the late afternoon--and it's beautiful. It's a medium brown leatherette and isn't too big or too small. The same goes with the font.
So far, I've highlighted and taken notes on three pages (both of yesterday's and this morning's devotionals) and am finding the size perfect and am finding it rewarding to be able to look at it throughout the day and hold it in my hand. It makes it more real, meaningful, and delightful to read and apply to my life.
This morning's devotional has been speaking a great deal to me and I am glad to have time to think on it and start to implement it in my life.
I am noticing a trend with Spurgeon's writings, though, and it isn't just in the MORNING AND EVENING devotional. The trend is this: I might as well underline and highlight every word he writes. Every words he wrote and/or uttered packs a powerful punch and are surely meant to get your attention--in a very good way.
I will read the evening version in a few minutes. First, I want to tell you about the other thing I am expecting to receive today that I ordered online.
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WAITING TO RECEIVE MY NEW BIBLE
138 p.m.
I decided I also want a Bible to hold in my hands, interact with, and enjoy each day, like the MORNING AND EVENING devotional by Spurgeon. After all, I want to read the Bible all the way through this year, cover to cover, Genesis to Revelation. It's in an effort, like with MORNING AND EVENING, to mark this monumental year. It's meant to make a memory and make me live as intentionally as possible.
So, like yesterday, I play the waiting game as I twiddle my thumbs and grow antsy waiting--wondering when I will hear the doorbell ring so I can go running to the door, peak out the door, see if the truck is there. If it is, I open the door, view the package, open the storm door, holler "Thank you," to the back running away from me, heading to the truck, getting a wave in response, and then I grab the package. I will then carry it to the counter to open, and Sinan Orange Maine Coon cat will appear and will undoubtedly help me open the package as he grows excited for the empty box, which he thinks I bought just for him, after he offers the new item a good sniff, mind you. I ask him if it meets with his approval and know it does when he turns to the box, which I set on the floor at that point. I give him until the next morning to play with the empty box. If it is a better size, or is in better shape than his last box, I get rid of the old box. If not, I get rid of the new box.
I then open the new book and put my name and the date on the front page and then look at the rest of the book.
This is my habit and tradition, along with the cat's. It's been years in the making. When we move, the tradition will continue, just in a new house, and in a new kitchen. In which, he will try to tell me he has a new massive basement we could fill with boxes, for he wouldn't mind, he would say. (Uh-no.)
So, here I sit, imagining the moment with the new Bible.
Silly, maybe?
No. It isn't.
I want to wear out this Bible I use it so much. I want to do the same with the MORNING AND EVENING. I want to be forced to put it on the shelf before either one completely fall apart.
I want my Spurgeon 2015 journal to turn into a Spurgeon 2015, 2016, 2017, etc. blog journal.
Want to live a late 1800's faith. Pure. Simple. Not of this modern world. After all, Spurgeon, to me, is like the Christian equivalent of Shakespeare. His writing is beautiful and carries deep meaning. Moreover, I am forced to think as I read his writing.
So, couple my daily Bible reading with the writings of Spurgeon and this year should be a year to remember. That is a guarantee, provided I focus.
Now, I will start my going to the front door, opening it, looking down to see if they just didn't ring the door, stare at the empty front porch with disappointment, head back to the study and wait routine.
Sigh.
Can't wait!
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MY NEW BIBLE
225 p.m.
My Bible just got here! Let me check it out for a few minutes.
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SO FAR WITH MY NEW BIBLE
255 p.m.
It's the "WOMEN'S SANCTUARY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE NLT."
It's purdy (pretty) with its teal and brown ink.
The daily devotional readings to read the Bible in a year are set up in days, not dates or numbers. So, it's taken me a bit to figure out how or where to start. I decided that since today is Wednesday, I will start with the second Wednesday of the Bible and of the reading year. And, I have read up to here this year anyway.
I've read the first devotional reading and I need to admit my mouth gaped open when I read it.
It's about waiting.
Hah! That's already what I wrote about earlier today! God is so good.
God's waiting room is part of His plan in my life at times. This includes right now as we wait to buy a house, close up the chapter here in Virginia, move to Wyoming, and start life anew there.
The devotional Bible then reminds me of something very important for me to remember and live: The Bible is full of direction to help me live a life of Christ today.
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Today's Bible Reading: Genesis 14:17-Genesis 18:28.
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I will write more about today's subjects in the next blog post.
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