First Love!

Charles Spurgeon


"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord." — Lam 3:40

The spouse who fondly loves her absent husband longs for his return; a long protracted separation from her lord is a semi-death to her spirit: and so with souls who love the Saviour much, they must see his face, they cannot bear that he should be away upon the mountains of Bether, and no more hold communion with them. A reproaching glance, an uplifted finger will be grievous to loving children, who fear to offend their tender father, and are only happy in his smile. Beloved, it was so once with you. A text of Scripture, a threatening, a touch of the rod of affliction, and you went to your Father's feet, crying, "Show me wherefore thou contendest with me?" Is it so now? Are you content to follow Jesus afar off? Can you contemplate suspended communion with Christ without alarm? Can you bear to have your Beloved walking contrary to you, because you walk contrary to him? Have your sins separated between you and your God, and is your heart at rest? O let me affectionately warn you, for it is a grievous thing when we can live contentedly without the present enjoyment of the Saviour's face. Let us labour to feel what an evil thing this is-little love to our own dying Saviour, little joy in our precious Jesus, little fellowship with the Beloved! Hold a true Lent in your souls, while you sorrow over your hardness of heart. Do not stop at sorrow! Remember where you first received salvation. Go at once to the cross. There, and there only, can you get your spirit quickened. No matter how hard, how insensible, how dead we may have become, let us go again in all the rags and poverty, and defilement of our natural condition. Let us clasp that cross, let us look into those languid eyes, let us bathe in that fountain filled with blood-this will bring back to us our first love; this will restore the simplicity of our faith, and the tenderness of our heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LOVE!

Today my wife turns 29, OK maybe not, but she's still 29 to me. I'm so blessed to have her as my love. God knew what He was doing when He put us together. I've heard about matches made in heaven, some might doubt if that is possible, but I can testify to you that it is not only possible it is true. Tori and I are a match made in heaven. There is no one else that I rather grow old together with. One day we may be older than 29, and I can picture us grey headed, no teeth, sitting in rocking chairs still in love then just as much as now. I guarantee you she'll still look 29 to me.

I thank God for her! Happy Birthday sweetheart I love you and wanted you to know that you are only 29 to me!

Spiritual growth

As a preacher one of the most exciting things to experience is the spiritual growth of people. Our little church in Varaždin, Croatia is growing, slowly but growing. I'm so excited to see people learning of God and desiring to be faithful to him. To see them want to bring people to Christ is a joy to this preacher. Europe has proven to be a hard place, but the Spirit of God still works and grows people in their walk with God. I'm longing to see God do something big in the country of Croatia!

Location:Varaždin, Croatia

Learning to pray!

Charles Spurgeon

"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed." — Mat 26:39

There are several instructive features in our Saviour's prayer in his hour of trial. It was lonely prayer. He withdrew even from his three favoured disciples. Believer, be much in solitary prayer, especially in times of trial. Family prayer, social prayer, prayer in the Church, will not suffice, these are very precious, but the best beaten spice will smoke in your censer in your private devotions, where no ear hears but God's.

It was humble prayer. Luke says he knelt, but another evangelist says he "fell on his face." Where, then, must be THY place, thou humble servant of the great Master? What dust and ashes should cover thy head! Humility gives us good foot-hold in prayer. There is no hope of prevalence with God unless we abase ourselves that he may exalt us in due time.

It was filial prayer. "Abba, Father." You will find it a stronghold in the day of trial to plead your adoption. You have no rights as a subject, you have forfeited them by your treason; but nothing can forfeit a child's right to a father's protection. Be not afraid to say, "My Father, hear my cry."

Observe that it was persevering prayer. He prayed three times. Cease not until you prevail. Be as the importunate widow, whose continual coming earned what her first supplication could not win. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

Lastly, it was the prayer of resignation. "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." Yield, and God yields. Let it be as God wills, and God will determine for the best. Be thou content to leave thy prayer in his hands, who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give, and what to withhold. So pleading, earnestly, importunately, yet with humility and resignation, thou shalt surely prevail.

Longing to be like Him!

The longer I serve my Savior the more I long to be like Him. I long to see this world through His eyes. His eyes were full of compassion, love and genuine concern for others. As I minister in the country of Croatia I pray that I can be more like Jesus in my service, compassion and boldness to preach the Gospel to every man, woman, boy and girl! I realize and confess that without Him I can do nothing. I need Him, and desire to be close to Him. 

As I look back on several years of service I can honestly confess that I'm not what I used to be. However, I also must confess I'm not yet all that I should be! As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15)

May the Lord help me to be more like Jesus as I long to be like Him!