Delight and Desires (Spurgeon’s Faith’s Checkbook)

From Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook”
Delight and Desires
November 6
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Delight in God has a transforming power and lifts a man above the gross desire of our fallen nature. Delight in Jehovah is not only sweet in itself, but it sweetens the whole soul, till the longings of the heart become such that the Lord can safely promise to fulfill them. Is not that a grand delight which molds our desires till they are like the desires of God?
Our foolish way is to desire and then set to work to compass what we desire. We do not go to work in God’s way, which is to seek Him first and then expect all things to be added unto us. If we will let our heart be filled with God till it runs over with delight, then the Lord Himself will take care that we shall not want any good thing. Instead of going abroad for joys let us stay at home with God and drink waters out of our own fountain. He can do for us far more than all our friends. It is better to be content with God alone than to go about fretting and pining for the paltry trifles of time and sense. For a while we may have disappointments; but if these bring us nearer to the Lord, they are things to be prized exceedingly, for they will in the end secure to us the fulfillment of all our right desires.

From the Faith’s Checkbook Mobile Devotional Android app – http://www.LookingUpwardApps.com/fcb

 

No Fear of Death (Spurgeon’s Faith’s Checkbook)

From Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook”
No Fear of Death
April 23
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:11)

The first death we must endure unless the Lord should suddenly come to His temple. For this let us abide in readiness, awaiting it without fear, since Jesus has transformed death from a dreary cavern into a passage leading to glory.
The thing to be feared is not the first but the second death, not the parting of the soul from the body but the final separation of the entire man from God. This is death indeed. This death kills all peace, joy, happiness, hope. When God is gone, all is gone. Such a death is far worse than ceasing to be: it is existence without the life which makes existence worth the having.
Now, if by God’s grace we fight on to the end and conquer in the glorious war, no second death can lay its chill finger upon us, We shall have no fear of death and hell, for we shall receive a crown of life which fadeth not away. How this nerves us for the fight! Eternal life is worth a life’s battle. To escape the hurt of the second death is a thing worth struggling for throughout a lifetime.
Lord, give us faith so that we may overcome, and then grant us grace to remain unharmed though sin and Satan dog our heels!

From the Faith’s Checkbook Mobile Devotional Android app – http://www.LookingUpwardApps.com/fcb

 

Sunshine Award

Today, after an overnight stay in our local hospital, I came home to two surprises…a book that I won from Goodreads.com in the mail, and finding out that Confessions of an Apple Junkie –http://originalapplejunkie.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/day-116-sunshine-award/  had nominated me for a Sunshine Award.  I have to tell you that this did a great deal to lift my spirits after a long night of being poked and prauded by medical personel.  So thank you Confessions of an Apple Junkie for the nomination and for brightening up a really hard day for me.  I love you, my sister in Christ!

Now the rules are as follows:

1. Include the logo award in your post.
2. Answer some questions about yourself (I think it’s 6 more random things about me).
3. Nominate some of the other bloggers that you love.
4. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.
5. Share the love and link the person who nominated you.

6 things about me…hmmm

1.  I have 2 natural daughters (my oldest and youngest who are 24 years apart), 3 adopted daughters of different races and love to surprise people with the fact that their mom, and siblings are all different races from them.  They like to see people’s faces when they doubt that it is the truth and then find out it really is true…lol.  I also have 2 stepsons whom I love as if they were my own.

2.  I have 4 grandsons and only 1 granddaughter, so far.  I love them all, but have to admit since my granddaughter is the only girl and lives across town from me, she gets more attention and spoiling than the boys do who live in other states.

3.  I am an avid crafter, crocheter and sewer, but a rebel about using patterns because I like to create on my own.

4.  I’m a military brat, sister, wife, sister-in-law, aunt, grandchild, and stepmom.

5.  I love reading and reviewing new books.

6.  I have a voracious interest in Bible Prophecy.

My Nominees…

1.  http://e1aine.wordpress.com/ …A really talented young lady who makes some beautiful handcrafted jewelry, but shares her excitement for life in her words.

2. http://iwu2012breanna.wordpress.com/ …An encouraging blog about the writer’s own transformation through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

3. http://doublebhomestead.wordpress.com/  …A wonderful blog about homesteading, with great pictures and wonderful lessons on what it is like to homestead.

4. http://ourdailydrink.wordpress.com/  …A wonderful Christian blog site with devotionals and posts on many Christian topics.

5. http://sharinhislove.wordpress.com/  …Another wonderful Christian blog site where you can feel the humble Spirit of Christ through each post.

6.  http://artbycamila.wordpress.com/  …I love the way this blogger uses her photography along with Bible Verses to show us God’s Creation Thru Her Eyes.

I know that these are all newer sites…even to me…but in the short time I’ve followed them I can’t wait to see the encouragement that each gives to me, so I decided that I wanted to highlight them for that reason.

 

I’ve Been Nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award!

Well, I’m honored and humbled at the same time!  Someone posted a comment to me this week, that blogging was such an odd word, and I kind of agree.  Blogging sounds like some symptom that we women have when we are suffering from P.M.S.  So being considered a blogger, really makes us sound like we just talk too much…lol…you know in a way that demands attention, much like a woman with P.M.S.   Well, I’ll accept that as a good thing, because so many in this world have trouble finding their voice, and I finally have.  So I will graciously accept this Versatile Blogger Award and would like to thank Sophia at http://inspirationallaround.wordpress.com/.   I’ve really come to enjoy Sophia’s blogs, and they have been an encouragement to me each day.

Now to fulfill the standards of this award.  I don’t ever just quickly do things anymore so this is going to take some time.

7 things about myself…

1. I’m the 7th of 9 kids, born on the 7th day of the week, at 7…thus my love of the number 777.

2. I have 2 natural daughters, 3 adopted daughters, 2 stepsons, 4 grandsons and 1 spoiled granddaughter, whom I love with all my heart!

3. I love to draw, yet it is the one thing most people haven’t seen yet.

4. I’ve worked in many areas of theater (stage not movie), including being a theater tech and stage manager, but my love for it comes from the creation of the story through all areas of the production.

5.  I’m a simple person in that I don’t need a lot in my life to make me happy, just love and Jesus.

6.  I wish there were more hours in the day so I could enjoy everything that I enjoy!

7.  (I saved this for my favorite number on purpose…because it is my favorite thing about me)  I’m a Sinner saved by the Grace and Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yes…that means I’m a Christian.

8.  I have a degree in Music/Vocal Performance, and actually cut a demo cd years ago.

9.  I’m most in my element when singing for the Lord, but it doesn’t have to be in front of the masses, just out in the country or at home, singing to him!

Oops…lol…see…you got me started and I went past 7 things…lol.  Hey…I’m new at this!

Wow!  I have to list 15 to 20 bloggers I like…hmmm…well being new at this too, I confess I’ve been searching out blogs that I enjoy, so here goes…

1.  http://sharinhislove.wordpress.com/ …This blog is filled with the love of Jesus and you can feel it from the thoughtful words to the prayerful requests.  You can feel the heart of God in this blogger!

2.  http://twochicksfamily.wordpress.com/  …This one’s for Sophie, who has shared some wonderful posts about so many things on her different blogs.

3.  http://inspirationallaround.wordpress.com/  …Again one of Sophie’s blogs that I truly get inspiration from.

4.  http://homeschoolyear.wordpress.com/   …And another Sophie site, where as homeschool moms we have been able to really share ideas to make our homeschooling experience for our children better.

5.  http://ofdustandkings.com/  …If I had to have someone carry on a theological debate on my side…this is the guy!  I think his blogs have so much insight and really challenge me to dig further in the Bible!

6.  http://momentumofjoy.com/  …Love the simple humor  and the blogs filled with everyday life.  It’s like talking to your neighbor over the backyard fence.

7.  http://thelmac.wordpress.com/  …A young Maya Angelou, who has such a heart for Jesus!

8.  http://losingself.wordpress.com/  …Love the variety of music and thoughts put into this blog.  You can feel the praise flow!

9.  http://birdmartin.wordpress.com/  …Everybody Has A Story, and I can tell you Bird really does, and the heart to share it with everyone!  I wouldn’t miss a day without finding out what Bird is up to, and how she is feeling about life, love, and Jesus.

10. http://canadianmommytime.wordpress.com/ …If there was a blog that would bring you to the reality that no matter in the world we are, all moms are the same, with the same cares and concerns for those we love, this is the blogger who will help you realize that!

11.  http://hefirstloved.com/  …I always love to read fresh thoughts on God from young people who’s hearts are on fire for the Lord, and this young man has a great heart for Jesus.

12. http://creationscience4kids.com/ … Love, love, love this blog full of science for kids (and adults too)!  I find myself learning something new every single post!

13.   http://rantingchef.com/ …For a woman who never really liked to cook to list a blog about cooking means that it is really a good blog!  I have cooked for over 45 years and I’m learning new things everyday from this blogger!

14.  http://faithrises.com/ …Another encouraging Christian blog.  I love to start my day with the devotional thoughts on Faithrises.

15.  http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/  …Homeschooling mom blogger sharing her love for life, teaching, and her family.  It is more than a 3 star blog!

16.  http://barbarabazzocchi.wordpress.com/  …Great crafting blogger, and oh the ideas her blogs gives everyone!

17.  http://adifferenceforyourlovedones.wordpress.com/  …This is the blog from the heart of our mom and our grandma.  If you can’t feel her reaching out in love, then you are not opening your heart up.

18.  http://modernchristianwoman.wordpress.com/  …Yes…I said I don’t like to cook!  (I’m keeping it a secret from my family that I’m indeed a closet gourmet…lol)…I love this blog for her down home, back to basics cooking recipes!

19.  http://5gsandacupofjoe.net/  …Whether it is prepping, Jesus, or just everyday life, this is the blog to pull up a chair and have a cup of coffee with!  It’s like talking with your Uncle Joe while rocking on his front porch on a beautiful Spring day in the country!

20.  http://blogginghounds.wordpress.com/  …I’ve got to say I found myself really enjoying this blog that covers such a variety of topics.  The fact that they call themselves the blogging hounds makes me feel like I’m in some old English detective novel, searching out the many mysteries of life.

Okay…looking over my 5 page list of blogs I’m following I have to admit I’m addicted to this now!  Now that the easy part is done I’ve got to finish the last part and notify all of these bloggers.  Hey I’m new to this blogging thing and this is going to be a challenge for me!

Again thank you for nominating me Sophie, now back at you!