Jesus' tender compassion

 I am of the "timid, trembling race," a frightened starling.  Thank You, Jesus, for your tender touch.

Another Spurgeon

"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench." --Matthew 12:20

What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck light upon it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wind that flits across the river moves it to and fro. You can conceive of nothing more frail or brittle, or whose existence is more in jeopardy, than a bruised reed. Then look at the smoking flax-- what is it? It has a spark within it, it is true, but it is almost smothered; an infant's breath might blow it out; nothing has a more precarious existence than its flame. Weak things are here described, yet Jesus says of them, "The smoking flax I will not quench; the bruised reed I will not break." Some of God's children are made strong to do mighty works for Him; God has His Samsons here and there who can pull up Gaza's gates, and carry them to the top of the hill; He has a few mighties who are lion-like men, but the majority of His people are a timid, trembling race. They are like starlings, frightened at every passer by; a little fearful flock. If temptation comes, they are taken like birds in a snare; if trial threatens, they are ready to faint; their frail skiff is tossed up and down by every wave, they are drifted along like a sea bird on the crest of the billows--weak things, without strength, without wisdom, without foresight. Yet, weak as they are, and because they are so weak, they have this promise made specially to them. Herein is grace and graciousness! Herein is love and lovingkindness! How it opens to us the compassion of Jesus--so gentle, tender, considerate! We need never shrink back from His touch. We need never fear a harsh word from Him; though He might well chide us for our weakness, He rebuketh not. Bruised reeds shall have no blows from Him, and the smoking flax no damping frowns.

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions is one of my favorite books to read for a daily devotion. 
"Sanctified by God the Father." --Jude 1 "Sanctified in Christ Jesus." --1 Corinthians 1:2 "Through sanctification of the Spirit." --1 Peter 1:2

Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts. How unwisely do those believers talk who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if He were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just, but destitute of kindness. Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son, so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit. In deeds of grace none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest. They are as united in their deeds as in their essence. In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source they are still undivided. Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification. While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit, yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit. Still doth Jehovah say, "Let us make man in our own image after our likeness," and thus we are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." See the value which God sets upon real holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce a Church without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness--upon purity of life and godliness of conversation. Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope, but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is your meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. This day let us so live as to manifest the work of the Triune God in us.

Encouragement

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ..." Philippians 2:1

This is a factual conditional clause.  In other words, "If you have any encouragement, AND YOU DO..."  So what encouragement do we have since we are united with Christ?  The first encouragement is our salvation, that we have been rescued from slavery to sin and have been brought into glorious union with God.  We need have no fear of death because we know we will live forever with Christ in His kingdom. We will be united with all those who love Him and whom we love. I am looking forward so much to seeing Grandpa again!

There are many encouragements, but one that is important to me is that I am not alone.  Jesus promised that He would never forsake His children.  Earthly parents cannot be with us forever, but we will have Jesus with us always.

Our Teacher

This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:  "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea."  Isaiah 48:17,18

Being a teacher, it helps me to know that God is a teacher, too.  I know how much I want my students to learn, and God wants me to learn even more. The result is peace and righteousness.  I know  that to learn I must be in His Word, not just reading it, but meditating on it throughout the day.  It's not easy, but I want to be not just a student, but a good student.  Good students are not necessarily the smartest, but try hard and want to do well, both to learn and to please their teacher.  May I do that same.

A Mother's Day Prayer

Father, We have always prayed that they would grow up to be strong men of God.  I thank you that they continue to grow in that direction.  I pray today that they will know fully the joy of loving and being loved by you.  I pray they will always look to You for guidance. I thank You that You are the source of all truth.  May they ever seek to know that truth and to live their lives in that truth.  May they feed on your Word to get strength and wisdom for the difficult days that will come in their lives. May they follow the example of Jesus and love those around them, even those who are undeserving and unloving toward them. May they have generous hearts towards the weak and the poor. May they have courage to stand up for what is right. May they find their deepest satisfaction in knowing and loving you.  Thank you for the privilege of being their mother.  In the name of Him who died, rose and now ever lives to intercede for us. Amen

God's children

"From now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view..."  II Corinthians 5:6

I have read this verse many times before, but today its truth really reached my heart.  I have purposed to remind myself of this truth every day, throughout the day.  From now on, I will regard no one from a worldly point of view.  Everyone I meet, everyone I interact with is either a child of God or someone whom God desires to become His child.  I will regard each person from a spiritual, godly point of view, as a person beloved by His Creator.  May it be so.

The Fool

"The fool is the person who has no reverence for God, and when you have no reverence for God, inevitably your life will show it." --R.C. Sproul