A paradox

Commenting on Mark 8:5-9 (and the feeding of the 4,000), Spurgeon writes:

Expect, beloved, to be enriched by your losses, to grow by that which looks as if it would crush you, and to become greater by that which threatens to annihilate you. Only put yourself into Christ’s hands, and he will make good use of you, and leave you better than you were before he used you as the means of helping and blessing others.

The tenderness of God

"Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee" (Mark 5:19)

What a challenge from the lips of Christ — tell your friends and testify to the great things God has done in your life! And, tell with confidence, as such a God who has had compassion on us (and we know our sin, and the many ways in which God has been so kind), will he also not have compassion on others who come to him in their need? Tell of the tenderness, the undeserved kindness, the love, that God has shown to you, that it might woo others to him as well.

Says C.H. Spurgeon: "That is one of the chief points on which we ought always to speak, not only to tell of the greatness of the change which the grace of God has wrought in us, but especially to testify to the tenderness of God to us. Oh, how gently did he handle our broken bones! That good Physician of ours has a lion’s heart, but he has a lady’s hand; he does not spare us needful pain, but he never inflicts even a twinge that is unnecessary. And, oh! the pity of his heart toward us when he sees the sorrow which our sin has brought upon us."

And Bartholomew…

Just working on a Spurgeon devotional on the Gospels at the moment and came across this helpful section on Bartholomew:

I think that, as a rule, God’s servants work best in pairs. In other senses than the matrimonial one, it is not good that man should be alone. Moses needs Aaron; Peter needs Andrew; James needs John. It is well to be of such a temperament and disposition that you can work harmoniously with another of your Lord’s servants. If ye cannot, pray God to alter you. Notice that expression, in [Matthew 10:3], ‘and Bartholomew’. I think there is not a single instance in the New Testament where Bartholomew is mentioned without the word ‘and’ before or after his name — ‘and Bartholomew’ or ‘Bartholomew and’ someone else. Perhaps he was not a man who ever began any work by himself, but he was a grand man to join in and help it on when somebody else had started it. So, dear friend, if you are not qualified to be a leader in the church of Christ, be willing to be number two; but do serve the Master, in some capacity or other, with all your might. Be a brother who carries an ‘and’ with him wherever he goes; be like a horse, that has his harness on, and is ready to be hooked into the team.

What a helpful word! We are not 'islands' in God's work. He calls us to work alongside others, joined to the harness with them, in willing and eager service to our God. How much we need to cultivate that bond of fellowship and joint ministry in his kingdom! And what a blessing it is to find others to work alongside and be their 'and' to complement the work that God has given them to do, truly fellow workers in God's cause.

Friendship…published at last!

My friend Hilary and I have been trying to get a book on Friendship by Hugh Black into print for a while now. I came across this title many years ago and found it so helpful. So, after much planning, and me redesigning it and getting it ready for press, it's finally done! Praise God!

I'll give you the summary from the back blurb:

 The high ideal to which friendship was held by the ancient writers, like Plato and Aristotle, seems to be an obsolete sentiment today. Western society, with its busyness and self-centredness, to many people, feels like a cold and lonely place. In this culture of cynicism and malaise Hugh Black directs our attention to the importance of friendship and the blessing that it can be. With elegantly poignant prose, Black draws on ancient writings, poetry and the Scriptures, helping us to rediscover the miracle of genuine friendship and to understand the care and keeping of such treasure.

Along the way, Black addresses the challenges and responsibilities associated with friendship including the tragic consequences of eclipsed or wrecked friendships. He defines the limitations of friendship but also highlights the blessings it can bring. In true friendship, accountability and love inspire us to live with more honour, integrity and grace. Ultimately, we see that in Jesus Christ we can have that “higher friendship”—friendship with God himself—which revolutionizes the way we live, the way we think and the things we value. 

It is available in both hardcover (isbn 9781894400282) and softcover (isbn 9781894400275)

If you are interested in ordering a copy, contact Sola Scriptura Ministries International or call them toll free at 1-800-563-3529