Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 22nd) Plead His Own Promise Thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever — 2 Samuel 7:29 This is a promise pleaded, and so it yields double instruction to us. Anything which the Lord God has spoken we should receive as surely true, and then plead it at the throne. Oh, how sweet to quote what our own God has spoken! How precious to use a "therefore" which the promise suggests, as David does in this verse! We do not pray because we doubt, but because we believe. To pray unbelievingly is unbecoming in the Lord's children. No, Lord, we cannot doubt thee: we are persuaded that every word of thine is a sure foundation for the boldest expectation. We come to thee and say, "Do as thou hast said." Bless thy servants house. Heal our sick; save our hesitating ones; restore those who wander; confirm those who live in thy fear. Lord, give us food and raiment according to thy word. Prosper our undertakings; especially succeed our endeavors to make known thy gospel in our neighborhood. Make our servants thy servants, our children thy children. Let the blessing flow on to future generations, and as long as any of our race remains on earth may they remain true to thee. O Lord God "let the house of thy servant be blessed." #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 21st) God's Multiplication Table A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time — Isaiah 60:22 Works for the Lord often begin on a small scale, and they are none the worse for this. Feebleness educates faith, brings God near, and wins glory for His name. Prize promises of increase! Mustard seed is the smallest among seeds, and yet it becomes a tree-like plant, with branches which lodge the birds of Heaven. We may begin with one, and that "a little one," and yet it will "become a thousand." The Lord is great at the multiplication table. How often did He say to His lone servant, "I will multiply thee!" Trust in the Lord, ye ones and twos; for He will be in the midst of you if you are gathered in His name. "A small one." What can be more despicable in the eyes of those who count heads and weigh forces! Yet this is the nucleus of a great nation. Only one star shines out at first in the evening, but soon the sky is crowded with countless lights. Nor need we think the prospect of increase to be remote, for the promise is, "I Jehovah will hasten it in his time." There will be no premature haste, like that which we see at excited meetings; it will be all in due time; but yet there will be no delay. When the Lord hastens, His speed is glorious. #faith #bible #christian

“…no Government can expect to prosper which refuses to recognise religion, which deals with its subjects as if they had no souls, and cares not whether they serve God, or Baal, or no God at all.” ~ J.C. Ryle #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 20th) From Every Sin He shall save his people from their sins — Matthew 1:21 Lord, save me from my sins. By thy name of Jesus I am encouraged thus to pray. Save me from my past sins, that the habit of them may not hold me captive. Save me from my constitutional sins, that I may not be the slave of my own weaknesses. Save me from the sins which are continually under my eye that I may not lose my horror of them. Save me from secret sins; sins unperceived by me from my want of light. Save me from sudden and surprising sins: let me not be carried off my feet by a rush of temptation. Save me, Lord, from every sin. Let not any iniquity have dominion over me." Thou alone canst do this. I cannot snap my own chains or slay my own enemies. Thou knowest temptation, for thou wast tempted. Thou knowest sin, for thou didst bear the weight of it. Thou knowest how to succor me in my hour of conflict; thou canst save me from sinning, and save me when I have sinned. It is promised in thy very name that thou wilt do this, and I pray thee let me this day verify the prophecy. Let me not give way to temper, or pride, or despondency, or any form of evil; but do thou save me unto holiness of life, that thy name of Jesus may be glorified in me abundantly. #faith #bible #christian

“Homosexuality is thus very clearly presented as that sexual practice which culminates apostasy in hostility towards God, it is war against God. It is a denial of God’s natural order and law in the ultimate form.” R.J. Rushdoony #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 19th) Regulated Chastisement I will correct thee in measure — Jeremiah 30:11 To be left uncorrected would be a fatal sign: it would prove that the Lord had said, "He is given unto idols, let him alone." God grant that such may never be our portion! Uninterrupted prosperity is a thing to cause fear and trembling. As many as God tenderly loves He rebukes and chastens: those for whom He has no esteem He allows to fatten themselves without fear, like bullocks for the slaughter. It is in love that our heavenly Father uses the rod upon His children. Yet see, the correction is "in measure": He gives us love without measure, but chastisement "in measure." As under the old law no Israelite could receive more than the "forty stripes save one, which ensured careful counting and limited suffering, so is it with each afflicted member of the household of faith-every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy, the measure of love, by which our chastisement is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine. Lord, if thou standest by to measure the bitter drops into my cup, it is for me cheerfully to take that cup from thy hand, and drink according to thy directions, saying "Thy will be done." #faith #bible #christian

New article in the local paper by my pastor: Bible teaches peace is better. "Do humans have an inherent right to self-defense, including the use of violence? What about Christ’s consistent ethic of non-violent resistance toward evil? The Bible mostly assumes that people have the right to defend themselves. There are places, though, where this right becomes plain and is dealt with openly. At the beginning of the Bible, God pronounces a death-penalty on murderers. Since humans are made in his image, to commit murder is to strike out at God and is rewarded with death. It would seem logical that, if human life is worth the payment of death after the fact, then defending that life from loss in the first place would also be appropriate. When we get to the law of God, delivered by Moses, we find this becoming explicit, as that document allows for violence in defense of human life. It contains sophisticated procedures for deciding cases of homicide, whether they amount to murder or to something like what we would call manslaughter, and then between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. The possibility of killing an attacker in self-defense is in the latter category: not murder but manslaughter, and not considered worthy of capital punishment. Later, there are many times the men of Israel are called upon to act as soldiers in defense of their families and communities against invaders. It’s clear that violence may be used to defend human life from attack. There is no place where defending your own life is considered an exception to that idea. In fact, coming to the Gospels of the New Testament, we see Jesus admitting at one point that he had the capacity to deliver himself by force from the hands of those who sought to kill him. As the son of God, he could summon a heavenly army to his defense if that had been what he was seeking. This amounts to confirmation of the appropriateness of self-defense, though he chose not to pursue that. In fact, Jesus did consistently preach an ethic of peaceful non-compliance toward evil. He didn’t strictly take self-defense off the table for his followers (two swords among the 12 of them was “enough”) but he urged more peaceful means, like running away, to preserve their lives. I believe it’s still righteous to defend those weaker than oneself, as in a parent defending children from attack, or a man rescuing a woman from the evil actions of bad men. When Jesus instructs his disciples to flee and not fight, or to turn the other cheek, he’s not suddenly overturning the justice of self-defense. He’s not taking away their right to defend themselves. But, rather, he’s urging them to set their rights aside, for the sake of something higher. In that case, it was the kingdom of God, with its Gospel message of mercy even toward those whose actions frankly deserve vengeance. He practiced what he preached, voluntarily giving up his life, and seeking forgiveness for his murderers. If we practiced an ethic like that, it just might change the world. To do so, we have to decide that the legal, and even acceptable, use of our rights may not always serve the highest purposes. There may be a better way, as the prince of peace demonstrated." Gordan Runyan is pastor of Tucumcari’s Immanuel Baptist Church and author of “Radical Moses: The Amazing Civil Freedom Built into Ancient Israel.” Contact him at: reformnm@yahoo.com #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 18th) Tears, Then Joyful Harvest They that sow in tears shall reap in joy — Psalm 126:5 Weeping times are suitable for sowing: we do not want the ground to be too dry. Seed steeped in the tears of earnest anxiety will come up all the sooner. The salt of prayerful tears will give the good seed a flavor which will preserve it from the worm: truth spoken in awful earnestness has a double life about it. Instead of stopping our sowing because of our weeping, let us redouble our efforts because the season is so propitious. Our heavenly seed could not fitly be sown laughing. Deep sorrow and concern for the souls of others are a far more fit accompaniment of godly teaching than anything like levity. We have heard of men who went to war with a light heart, but they were beaten; and it is mostly so with those who sow in the same style. Come, then, my heart, sow on in thy weeping, for thou hast the promise of a joyful harvest. Thou shalt reap. Thou, thyself, shalt see some result of thy labor. This shall come to thee in so large a measure as to give thee joy, which a poor, withered, and scanty harvest would not do. When thine eyes are dim with silver tears, think of the golden corn. Bear cheerfully the present toil and disappointment; for the harvest day will fully recompense thee. #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 17th) Holy Fear He that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded — Proverb 13:13 Holy awe of God's Word is at a great discount. Men think themselves wiser than the Word of the Lord, and sit in judgment upon it. "So did not I, because of the fear of God." We accept the inspired Book as infallible, and prove our esteem by our obedience. We have no terror of the Word, but we have a filial awe of it. We are not in fear of its penalties, because we have a fear of its commands. This holy fear of the commandment produces the restfulness of humility, which is far sweeter than the recklessness of pride. It becomes a guide to us in our movements; a drag when we are going down-hill, and a stimulus when we are climbing it. Preserved from evil and led into righteousness by our reverence of the command, we gain a quiet conscience, which is a well of wine; a sense of freedom from responsibility, which is as life from the dead; and a confidence of pleasing God, which is Heaven below. The ungodly may ridicule our deep reverence for the Word of the Lord; but what of that? The prize of our high calling is a sufficient consolation for us. The rewards of obedience make us scorn the scorning of the scorner. #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 16th) One with Christ Jesus Because I live, ye shall live also — John 14:19 Jesus has made the life of believers in Him as certain as His own. As sure as the Head lives the members live also. If Jesus has not risen from the dead, then are we dead in our sins; but since He has risen, all believers are risen in Him. His death has put away our transgressions, and loosed the bonds which held us under the death sentence. His resurrection proves our justification: we are absolved, and mercy saith, "The Lord hath put away thy sin, thou shalt not die." Jesus has made the life of His people as eternal as His own. How can they die as long as He lives, seeing they are one with Him? Because He dieth no more, and death hath no more dominion over Him, so they shall no more return to the graves of their old sins, but shall live unto the Lord in newness of life. O believer, when, under great temptation, thou fearest that thou shalt one day fall by the hand of the enemy, let this reassure thee. Thou shalt never lose thy spiritual life, for it is hid with Christ in God. Thou dost not doubt the immortality of thy Lord; therefore, do not think that He will let thee die, since thou art one with Him. The argument for thy life is His life, and of that thou canst have no fear; wherefore rest in thy living Lord. #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 13th) If, and a Triple Promise If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land — 2 Chronicles 7:14 Called by the name of the Lord, we are nevertheless erring men and women. What a mercy it is that our God is ready to forgive! Whenever we sin let us hasten to the mercy-seat of our God, seeking pardon. We are to humble ourselves. Should we not be humbled by the fact that after receiving so much love we yet transgress? O Lord, we bow before thee in the dust, and own our grievous ingratitude. Oh, the infamy of sin! Oh, the sevenfold infamy of it in persons so favored as we have been! Next, we are to pray for mercy, for cleansing, for deliverance from the power of sin. O Lord, hear us even now, and shut not out our cry. In this prayer we are to seek the Lord's face. He has left us because of our faults, and we must entreat Him to return. O Lord, look on us in thy Son Jesus, and smile upon thy servants. With this must go our own turning from evil, God cannot turn to us unless we turn from sin. Then comes the triple promise of hearing, pardon, and healing. Our Father, grant us these at once for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake. #faith #bible #christian

This article is worth a read.

Recon Tavern

Biblical Law for Women: Blessing or Curse? - Recon Tavern

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"Is Deuteronomy 22:13-29 pro-women? After considering Israel’s cultural setting, examining the original Hebrew terms, and placing these laws in context, the Deuteronomic law pertaining to sexual crimes provided protection for women that the surrounding nations did not match, and arguably, neither does today’s legal system. It protected females from sexual assault, public humiliation, and economic instability. The modern world would do well to investigate the wisdom of Israel’s civil code. There is much work to be done on its application. What is perhaps the largest challenge is extracting the general equity of the law from Israel’s unique culture and temporal covenant administration." #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 12th) Mark of Covenant Grace And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live — Deuteronomy 30:6 Here we read of the true circumcision. Note the author of it: "The Lord thy God." He alone can deal effectually with our heart, and take away its carnality and pollution. To make us love God with all our heart and soul is a miracle of grace which only the Holy Ghost can work. We must look to the Lord alone for this and never be satisfied with anything short of it. Note where this circumcision is wrought. It is not of the flesh, but of the spirit. It is the essential mark of the covenant of grace. Love to God is the indelible token of the chosen seed; by this secret seal the election of grace is certified to the believer. We must see to it that we trust in no outward ritual, but are sealed in heart by the operation of the Holy Ghost. Note what the result is - "that thou mayest live." To be carnally minded is death. In the overcoming of the flesh we find life and peace. If we mind the things of the Spirit, we shall live. Oh, that Jehovah, our God, may complete His gracious work upon our inner natures, that in the fullest and highest sense we may live unto the Lord. #faith #bible #christian

The Ultimate King in civil government is Christ, and all rulers of the nations derive their authority from Him; hence all magistrates are subject to Christ’s word, even Christ’s confirmation of every bit of the law (Matt. 5:17 f.). National leaders have no exemption from the law of God just as they have no escape from the universal Lordship of Christ… If the Kings in the Older Testament Israel were responsible to God’s law because of the “Theocracy,” then also magistrates today are responsible to God’s law because of the “Christocracy.”--Greg Bahnsen #faith #bible #christian #Reformed

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 11th) Free to Travel And I will strengthen them in the Lord: and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord — Zechariah 10:12 A solace for sick saints. They have grown faint, and they fear that they shall never rise from the bed of doubt and fear; but the great Physician can both remove the disease, and take away the weakness which has come of it. He will strengthen the feeble. This He will do in the best possible way, for it shall be "in Jehovah." Our strength is far better in God than in self. In the Lord it causes fellowship, in ourselves it would create pride. In ourselves it would be sadly limited, but in God it knows no bound. When strength is given, the believer uses it. He walks up and down in the name of the Lord. What an enjoyment it is to walk abroad after illness, and what a delight to be strong in the Lord after a season of prostration! The Lord gives His people liberty to walk up and down, and an inward leisure to exercise that liberty. He makes gentlemen of us: we are not slaves who know no rest, and see no sights, but we are free to travel at our ease throughout Immanuel's land. Come, my heart, be thou no more sick and sorry, Jesus bids thee be strong, and walk with God in holy contemplation. Obey His word of love. #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 10th) Open Door of Communion I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it — Revelation 3:8 Saints who remain faithful to the truth of God have an open door before them. My soul, thou hast resolved to live and die by that which the Lord has revealed in His Word, and therefore before thee stands this open door. I will enter in by the open door of communion with God. Who shall say me nay? Jesus has removed my sin, and given me His righteousness, therefore I may freely enter. Lord, I do so by thy grace. I have also before me an open door into the mysteries of the Word. I may enter into the deep things of God. Election, Union to Christ, the Second Advent - all these are before me, and I may enjoy them. No promise and no doctrine are now locked up against me. An open door of access is before me in private, and an open door of usefulness in public. God will hear me; God will use me. A door is opened for my onward march to the church above, and for my daily fellowship with saints below. Some may try to shut me up or shut me out, but all in vain. Soon shall I see an open door into Heaven: the pearl gate will be my way of entrance, and then I shall go in unto my Lord and King, and be with God eternally shut in. #faith #bible #christian

"Daily reminder that the idea of the "rapture" and the rest of the eschatological nuttiness involving Israel is a theological novelty from the 1830s that would have been news to Augustine, St. Thomas, Luther, Melanchthon, Zwingli, and Calvin, so how about we just chuck it already" --Tom Woods #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 9th) What Sanctifies Our Offerings? And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord — Leviticus 4:7 The altar of incense is the place where saints present their prayers and praises; and it is delightful to think of it as sprinkled with the blood of the great sacrifice. This it is which makes all our worship acceptable with Jehovah: He sees the blood of His own Son, and therefore accepts our homage. It is well for us to fix our eyes upon the blood of the one offering for sin. Sin mingles even with our holy things, and our best repentance, faith, prayer, and thanksgiving could not be received of God were it not for the merit of the atoning sacrifice. Many sneer at "the blood"; but to us it is the foundation of comfort and hope. That which is on the horns of the altar is meant to be prominently before our eyes when we draw near to God. The blood gives strength to prayer, and hence it is on the altar's horns. It is "before the Lord," and therefore it ought to be before us. It is on the altar before we bring the incense; it is there to sanctify our offerings and gifts. Come, let us pray with confidence, since the Victim is offered, the merit has been pleaded, the blood is within the veil, and the prayers of believers must be sweet unto the Lord. #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 8th) Never Alone Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken — Isaiah 62:4 "Forsaken" is a dreary word. It sounds like a knell. It is the record of sharpest sorrows, and the prophecy of direst ills. An abyss of misery yawns in that word "Forsaken." Forsaken by one who pledged his honor! Forsaken by a friend so long tried and trusted! Forsaken by a dear relative! Forsaken by father and mother! Forsaken by all! This is woe indeed, and yet it may be patiently borne if the Lord will take us up. But what must it be to feel forsaken of God? Think of that bitterest of cries, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Have we ever in any degree tasted the wormwood and the gall of "Forsaken," in that sense? If so, let us beseech our Lord to save us from any repetition of so unspeakable a sorrow. Oh, that such darkness may never return! Men in malice said of a saint, "God hath forsaken him; persecute and take him." But it was always false. The Lord's loving favor shall compel our cruel foes to eat their own words, or, at least, to hold their tongues. The reverse of all this is that superlative word, Hephzibah - "the Lord delighteth in thee." This turns weeping into dancing. Let those who dreamed that they were forsaken hear the Lord say, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' #faith #bible #christian

Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook (October 7th) Always First in Fellowship He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. — Mark 16:7 Where He appointed to meet His disciples, there He would be in due time. Jesus keeps His tryst. If He promises to meet us at the mercy-seat, or in public worship, or in the ordinances, we may depend upon it that He will be there. We may wickedly stay away from the appointed meeting-place, but He never does. He says, "Where two or three are met together in my name, there am I"; he says not "There will I be," but, "I am there already." Jesus is always first in fellowship: "He goeth before you." His heart is with His people, His delight is in them, He is never slow to meet them. In all fellowship, He goeth before us. But he reveals Himself to those who come after Him: "There shall ye see him." Joyful sight! We care not to see the greatest of mere men, but to see HIM is to be filled with joy and peace. And we shall see Him, for He promises to come to those who believe in Him, and to manifest Himself to them. Rest assured that it will be so, for He does everything according to His word of promise: "As he said unto you." Catch at those last words, and be assured that to the end He will do for you "as he said unto you." #faith #bible #christian