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Spurgeon's Morning Devotional Sept. 23, 2017


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#1 Candice

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 10:02 AM

"Accepted in the Beloved"  Ephesians 1:6

This is the mystery to me.  I just don't always "feel" acceptable.  If I'm not performing, working, pouring out, I am stuck between two worlds - Christ and flesh. Yet, this devotional cries a different tune.  Do we need this everyday???!!  Any thoughts and shared experiences?

 

Morning Thought:
What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God, but the term "acceptance" in the Greek means more than that. It signifies that we are the objects of divine complacence, nay, even of divine delight. How marvellous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of divine love! But it is only "in the beloved." Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension. When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could but see that all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do not really depress them in their Father's sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the beloved of God, always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would be, and how much more they would honour the Saviour! Rejoice then, believer, in this: thou art accepted "in the beloved." Thou lookest within, and thou sayest, "There is nothing acceptable here!" But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything acceptable there. Thy sins trouble thee; but God has cast thy sins behind his back, and thou art accepted in the Righteous One. Thou hast to fight with corruption, and to wrestle with temptation, but thou art already accepted in him who has overcome the powers of evil. The devil tempts thee; be of good cheer, he cannot destroy thee, for thou art accepted in him who has broken Satan's head. Know by full assurance thy glorious standing. Even glorified souls are not more accepted than thou art. They are only accepted in heaven "in the beloved," and thou art even now accepted in Christ after the same manner.


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#2 Tkulp

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 04:41 PM

Hey Candice, I will, if you do not mind! Hope you are doing well in walking the walk!!

 

Years ago, after reading some devotionals that were compiled by Mrs. Cowman, I became very impressed by what Mr. Spurgeon had written that I downloaded one of his books and began to read it. It was nothing like what I had read in the devotional. I believe that Mrs, Cowman had sanitized, by a partial quote, just giving that which was true.

 

Amazingly, and I did not know it at the time, my forum on Truth or Error was examining a devotional written by Mr. Spurgeon. The content was what I considered to be 99% of the best Biblical Truth. The other 1% was totally false, not my opinion, but according to the Bible! The more Truth and the less error makes the most powerful deception.

 

I do not believe what is written by Mr. Spurgeon to be an accurate understanding of what Paul was trying to say. The explanation is long so I will just deal with what Mr. Spurgeon has done, in my opinion. He takes a few words out of the Bible and sort of defines or redefines the meaning of those words and adds a doctrine that is supposed to be supported by those words.

 

In looking for Truth it is always important to read a number of translations to see what the verse says as well as the chapter is trying to say. Then ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you. The Net Bible is my pick for best translated. Add to that the Strong's definition of grace, put the verse in context with the chapter and you will have something a bit different than what Mr, Spurgeon got out of the verse.

 

KJ  Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
 

Net Bible Eph 1:6  to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son.

 

Amplified Eph 1:6  [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
 

Amplified uses a doctrinal correct Old Testament definition of grace so my understanding of the verse will be a bit different than what they have in parenthesis.

 

 

Eph 1:6 (My understanding of the verse) God is to be honored for what He has given us because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His dearly loved Son. God has given us, at no cost and totally undeserved, His Holy Spirit to be a divine influence upon us, living within our bodies and changing our lives as we obey His Spirit rather than the flesh or our old nature, which causes us to be grateful for all things.

 

My belief is that we either accept that grace, divine influence or we choose to go back to the influences of the world, presuming that we have the benefits of grace. In reality the person that goes back has rejected God's grace and is living in darkness while believing they are in the light. The Bible says that their darkness is very great! In Romans 12:2 I believe that Paul demonstrates that this is what he believes or would explain his letter to say also.

 

Mr, Spurgeon's belief, as I read it, says that it does not matter what you do after first accepting God's grace (Spurgeon most likely defines grace as 'divine favor') God, eternally, looks at you through Jesus and does not see your life, past, present or future. (This would be a foundation for the doctrine of 'eternal security'. I just posted my thoughts on 'eternal security' at <https://ecommunity.c...ge-7#entry19627>)

 

Amplified Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
 

 

 

Below are the 'sort-of' supporting details.

 

If you look up the Strong's definition of the Greek words that is translated "he hath made us accepted" are G5487 G2248. Anyone can look up their definitions.

 

Strong's says that G2248 means "us".

 

G5487 "charitoo?" Came from another word "G5485"; "to grace, that is, indue with special honor:"

 

Just to see what another Greek dictionary says I looked it up in Thayer's Dictionary.

Thayer Definition of G5487 "charitoo?":
1) to make graceful
      1a) charming, lovely, agreeable
2) to peruse with grace, compass with favour
3) to honour with blessings

 

I looked up a couple of unfamiliar words in Noah Webster's Dictionary.

 

Peruse PERU'SE, v.t. s as z. [Some of the senses of this word would lead to the inference that it is from the Latin perviso. If not, I know not its origin.]

1. To read, or to read with attention.
2. To observe; to examine with careful survey.

....and  COMPASS, v.t. (I only included the applicable definition, there were quite a number)

 

2. To surround; to environ; to inclose on all sides; sometimes followed by around, round or about.

Now all the blessings of a glad father compass thee about.

With favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psa 5.

The willows of the brook compass him about. Job 40.

 

I hope that I did not loose your attention or bore you yet, but we need one more of Strong's Greek definitions, the definition of "grace". It is the Greek word that would be considered the 'root' word for G5487 "charitoo?" to grace....

 

G5485 graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)

 

Mr. Spurgeon's statement with definitions;  It signifies that we are the objects of divine complacence, nay, even of divine delight.
 

Old

Noah Webster;  complacence - Pleasure; satisfaction; gratification. It is more than approbation, and less than delight or joy.

 

Modern

Word Web; complacence - The feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself.



#3 Candice

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 07:18 PM

TKULP ok thank you

#4 Phil

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Posted 24 September 2017 - 08:48 PM

Candice, 

 

Hi. That was a really nice devotional. Thank you for sharing.

 

God bless you! 

 

Phil


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#5 Tkulp

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Posted 25 September 2017 - 05:47 AM

Candice,

 

Found some of today's devotionals on hope. As I shared with you on Spurgeon's writtings being in Mrs. Cowman's devotional's, here is one.

 

Streams In The Desert
September 25 After The Frost

I will pray to God, my high ridge: “Why do you ignore me? Why must I walk around mourning because my enemies oppress me?”—Ps 42:9 NET

Canst thou answer this, believer? Canst thou find any reason why thou art so often mourning instead of rejoicing? Why yield to gloomy anticipations? Who told thee that the night would never end in day? Who told thee that the winter of thy discontent would proceed from frost to frost, from snow and ice, and hail, to deeper snow, and yet more heavy tempest of despair? Knowest thou not that day follows night, that flood comes after ebb, that spring and summer succeed winter? Hope thou then! Hope thou ever! for God fails thee not. —C. H. Spurgeon

“He was better to me than all my hopes;
He was better than all my fears;
He made a bridge of my broken works,
And a rainbow of my tears.

“The billows that guarded my sea-girt path,
But carried my Lord on their crest;
When I dwell on the days of my wilderness march
I can lean on His love for the rest.

“He emptied my hands of my treasured store,
And His covenant love revealed,
There was not a wound in my aching heart,
But the balm of His breath hath healed.
Oh, tender and true was the chastening sore,
In wisdom, that taught and tried,
Till the soul that He sought was trusting in Him,
And nothing on earth beside.

“He guided by paths that I could not see,
By ways that I have not known;
The crooked was straight, and the rough was plain
As I followed the Lord alone.
I praise Him still for the pleasant palms,
And the water-springs by the way,
For the glowing pillar of flame by night,
And the sheltering cloud by day.

“Never a watch on the dreariest halt,
But some promise of love endears;
I read from the past, that my future shall be
Far better than all my fears.
Like the golden pot, of the wilderness bread,
Laid up with the blossoming rod,
All safe in the ark, with the law of the Lord,
Is the covenant care of my God.”

 

Tozer spoke of a misplaced hope in his devotional.

 

 



#6 Candice

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Posted 25 September 2017 - 07:37 AM

Tkulp, that devotional response could just be your own new thread!

Tozer was really clever in his use of dichotomy in pointing out how others (without Christ) have no hope, like his own reference to Hindu belief:
“Surely for the fallen sons of men, the Hindu proverb is true: "There is no disease like hope." Hope that has no guarantee of fulfillment is a false friend that comforts us a while with flattery and leaves us to our enemies.” I guess he often accepted other beliefs as true; at least, for himself. Or he just uses this to make a point. Probably the latter!

Thankfully, we have a God (not little “g”) Who is able to fulfill all our hopes in His Son as a believer and follower.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick”

I’d like followers of this thread to please go back to “Accepted in the Beloved”.

#7 Candice

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Posted 25 September 2017 - 08:09 AM

I’d like followers of this thread to please go back to “Accepted in the Beloved”.

I love that John refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved!!! I think John knew the real meaning of “accepted in the beloved.”
This alone is encouragement

#8 robo328

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Posted 25 September 2017 - 09:28 AM

Do we need this every day? Yes! We do!

'"There is nothing acceptable here!" But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything acceptable there.' This is true. "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing" (Rom 7:18). Many times even my noblest deeds if I check my motivation, are for attention, pride, etc., and if not for "the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7) I couldn't make it.

Our work-reward upbringing, while useful for earning a living, IMO, makes it difficult for many of us to accept being "chosen in Him" (Eph 1:4)

Praise be unto God for His Grace!
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" -Isaiah 30:15

#9 DonaldN

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Posted 29 September 2017 - 08:00 AM

Faith is the issue here. But faith in what? When we ground our faith on our feelings we have built our house upon the sand. When we ground our faith on the rock of God's Word we have a foundation that our feelings will then be able to follow. The original Greek word for accepted is used only one other place in the Bible.
Luk 1:28: And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Highly favored/accepted is a condition that God attributes to us. We must accept it by faith, and when we do our feelings will be able to follow after and we can rejoice in what we know to be true regardless of our current circumstances.
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#10 Big John

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Posted 30 September 2017 - 12:59 PM

I have to say that I appreciated this discussion as it stimulated a lot of thought, in me.  As I thought about the fact that God loves me no matter what and having faith in that love, the other side of this thought also occurred to me.  I am so aware of my own depravity and corruption that sometimes it is hard to accept that God would love me.  But then I thought, "what do I have more faith in?  God's love and mercy or my carnal flesh?"  Some of you may be saying Duhh! but it was a bit of a revelation to me!  Of course!!!  When comparing God's love, grace and mercy to my flesh, there is no contest!  Wow!  Its always been easy to believe in Gods attributes but then when I brought in the Compared to what it became a no brainer.  Hope y'all get what I'm saying.  


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#11 Candice

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Posted 30 September 2017 - 08:04 PM

Donald and John, thanks so much.  The "feelings" of God's love is really defined by what He says in the word.  He is love and must adhere to His own definition.  Love is not a feeling.  That's often a selfish thing like lust or possessiveness. 

 

God is love = Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

 

All of the above sort of defy our "feelings" of love that mean little. 

 

Thank you both.  I'm always having to go back to this confirmation as I was raised Catholic and that has lead to doubt that as Catholicism teaches that you cannot be sure you're going to heaven, etc.  due to its doctrines. 



#12 Jesus_Lolly

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Posted 14 October 2017 - 05:03 AM

It's so simple and so wonderful. The apostle whom Jesus loved quoted the Lord and stated it this way: 

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The goal is seen back in Isaiah 53:10:

"But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand."

 

We, who repent and a place the entirety of our faith in Christ, reap what Jesus accomplished through

His divine death. It pleased the Father, Son, and Spirit to make us complete in Christ. Our own works

pale in comparison! How can we add to what our Lord has done for us?

Nothing--we simply honor him with our humility and gratitude. In addition, we consecrate ourselves joyfully--

knowing that our reward, who is God Himself, awaits us in glory. Then, we will praise Him forever and ever!

 

Certainly, I cringe and I cry out when I feel that I have failed Him! I cannot bear it. But, God is always good.

When I repent, He forgives---running to me with a robe and shoes. I am so glad that we have a God who

inspires us to love Him with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength (see Mark 12:30).


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#13 Candice

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Posted 16 October 2017 - 07:20 PM

It's so simple and so wonderful. The apostle whom Jesus loved quoted the Lord and stated it this way: 

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The goal is seen back in Isaiah 53:10:

"But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand."

 

We, who repent and a place the entirety of our faith in Christ, reap what Jesus accomplished through

His divine death. It pleased the Father, Son, and Spirit to make us complete in Christ. Our own works

pale in comparison! How can we add to what our Lord has done for us?

Nothing--we simply honor him with our humility and gratitude. In addition, we consecrate ourselves joyfully--

knowing that our reward, who is God Himself, awaits us in glory. Then, we will praise Him forever and ever!

 

Certainly, I cringe and I cry out when I feel that I have failed Him! I cannot bear it. But, God is always good.

When I repent, He forgives---running to me with a robe and shoes. I am so glad that we have a God who

inspires us to love Him with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength (see Mark 12:30).

Yes!!


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#14 Meema

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Posted 17 October 2017 - 04:10 AM

When I find I am overthinking, stewing over my lack of worthiness I recall this hypothetical conversation:

 

God - If you knew, for a fact, you would be cast away in the end, would you still serve me now?

 

Me - Yes, Lord

 

God - Why?

 

Me - Because You are worthy to be served

 

God - Well done, good and faithful servant.

 

And once again I am brought back to gold as I realize everything other than simple faithfulness is just glitter. 


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#15 Jesus_Lolly

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Posted 17 October 2017 - 04:50 AM

When I find I am overthinking, stewing over my lack of worthiness I recall this hypothetical conversation:

 

God - If you knew, for a fact, you would be cast away in the end, would you still serve me now?

 

Me - Yes, Lord

 

God - Why?

 

Me - Because You are worthy to be served

 

God - Well done, good and faithful servant.

 

And once again I am brought back to gold as I realize everything other than simple faithfulness is just glitter. 

 

There is a similar scene that plays in my mind--when the devil whispers to me that I am not "good enough" to approach God.

        I reply--no, I am not good, but HE is good.

 

For that reason, it is always right to recognize the LORD's goodness!

One of my favorite Scriptures is when Moses asks God to show him his glory.

The LORD's response is to reveal his goodness.

 

Exodus 33:19

19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

 

And, we can worship Him in all of His goodness and glory!

On top of that, through Jesus, He makes us good.


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#16 ADVRider

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Posted 17 October 2017 - 08:11 PM

One person said that when the Devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future! 


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#17 Tkulp

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Posted 26 May 2018 - 11:33 AM

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 

The helmet of "defence" and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (According to Strong's)

 

The helmet defends the mind. Knowing and understanding the word of God, as taught by the Holy Spirit is the sword that allows you to resist and defeat the wrong thoughts that will attack our minds.

 

Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against they! Psalms 119:11

 

The Word is not only the defense against the thought attacks on the mind and a weapon as Jesus used to counter and defeat Satan's lies and miss-use of the Word of God, but it keep us from missing the mark when we aim at the goals set for each of us in the Scriptures.

 

Our's should, and can be the mind of Christ.