COME AND DINE

[Invicta]

Spurgeon Morning and Evening

October 16 — Morning  {Daily Reading: #Mr 8:1-9:50 } {Quick Study: #Mr 14:1-16:20 } 

Jesus says to them, “Come and dine.” {#Joh 21:12 } 

In these words the believer is invited to a holy nearness to Jesus. “Come and dine,” implies the same table, the same food; indeed, and sometimes it means to sit side by side, and lean our head upon the   Saviour’s bosom. It is being brought into the banqueting house, where the banner of redeeming love is waving. “Come and dine,” gives us a vision of union with Jesus, because the only food that we can feast upon when we dine with Jesus is himself. Oh, what union is this! It is a depth which reason cannot fathom, that we thus feed upon Jesus. “He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, lives in me, and I in him.” It is also an invitation to enjoy fellowship with the saints. Christians may differ on a variety of points, but they have all one spiritual appetite; and if we cannot all feel alike, we can all feed alike on the bread of life sent down from heaven. At the table of fellowship with Jesus we are one bread and one cup. As the loving cup goes around we pledge each other heartily in it. Get nearer to Jesus, and you will find yourself linked more and more in spirit to all who are like yourself, supported by the same heavenly manna. If we were more near to Jesus we should be more near to each other. We likewise see in these words the source of strength for every Christian. To look at Christ is to live, but for strength to serve him you must “come and dine.” We labour under much unnecessary weakness on account of neglecting this precept of the Master. None of us needs to put ourselves on a strict diet; on the contrary, we should fatten on the marrow and fatness of the gospel so that we may be strengthened by it, and bring every power to bear in the Master’s service. Thus, then, if you wish to experience nearness to Jesus, union with Jesus, love for his people and strength from Jesus, “come and dine” with him by faith. 

Edited October 16, 2015 by Invicta

[John81]

I read that this morning. After my early morning Bible reading I read Spurgeon's devotional for that morning.

[Invicta]

 

October 17 — Morning  {Daily Reading: #Mr 10:1-11:33 } {Quick Study: #Lu 1:1-2: 52 } 

And David said in his heart, “I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.” {#1Sa 27:1 } 

The thought of David’s heart at this time was a false thought, because he certainly had no basis for thinking that God’s anointing him by Samuel was intended to be left as an empty meaningless act. On not one occasion had the Lord deserted his servant; he had been placed in perilous positions very often, but not one time had occurred in which divine intervention had not delivered him. The trials to which he had been exposed had been varied; they had not assumed one form only, but many — yet in every case he who sent the trial had also graciously ordained a way of escape. David could not put his finger upon any entry in his diary, and say of it, “Here is evidence that the Lord will forsake me,” for the entire tenor of his past life proved the very opposite. He should have argued from what God had done for him, that God would still be his defender. But is it not just in the same way that we doubt God’s help? Is it not doubting without a cause? Have we ever had the shadow of a reason to doubt our Father’s goodness? Have his lovingkindnesses not been marvellous? Has he once failed to justify our trust? Ah, no! our God has not left us at any time. We have had dark nights, but the star of love has shone forth amid the blackness; we have been in stern conflicts, but over our head he has held aloft the shield of our defence. We have gone through many trials, but never to our detriment, always to our advantage; and the conclusion from our past experience is, that he who has been with us in six troubles, will not forsake us in the seventh. What we have known of our faithful God, proves that he will keep us to the end. Let us not, then, reason contrary to evidence. How can we ever be so faithless as to doubt our God? Lord, throw down the Jezebel of our unbelief, and let the dogs devour it. 

Edited October 17, 2015 by Invicta

[Invicta]

October 17 — Evening 

He shall gather the lambs with his arm. {#Isa 40:11 } 

Our good Shepherd has in his flock a variety of experiences, some are strong in the Lord, and others are weak in faith, but he is impartial in his care for all his sheep, and the weakest lamb is as dear to him as the most advanced of the flock. Lambs are accustomed to lag behind, prone to wander, and apt to grow weary, but from all the danger of these infirmities the Shepherd protects them with his arm of power. He finds new-born souls, like young lambs, ready to perish — he nourishes them until life becomes vigorous; he finds weak minds ready to faint and die — he consoles them and renews their strength. He gathers all the little ones, for it is not the will of our heavenly Father that anyone of them should perish. What a quick eye he must have to see them all! What a tender heart to care for them all! What a far-reaching and potent arm, to gather them all! In his lifetime on earth he was a great gatherer of the weak, and now that he dwells in heaven, his loving heart yearns towards the meek and contrite, the timid and feeble, the fearful and fainting here below. How gently he gathered me to himself, to his truth, to his blood, to his love, to his church! With what effectual grace he compelled me to come to himself! Since my first conversion, how frequently has he restored me from my wanderings, and once again folded me within the circle of his everlasting arm! The best of all is, that he does it all himself personally, not delegating the task of love, but condescending himself to rescue and preserve his most unworthy servant. How shall I love him enough or serve him worthily? I would gladly make his name great to the ends of the earth, but what can my feebleness do for him? Great Shepherd, add to your mercies this one other, a heart to love you more truly as I ought. 

[Invicta]

October 18 — Morning  {Daily Reading: #Mr 12:1-13:37 } {Quick Study: #Lu 3:1-4:44 } 

Your paths drop fatness. {#Ps 65:11 } 

Many are “the paths of the Lord” which “drop fatness,” but a special one is the path of prayer. No believer, who is much in the prayer closet, will have need to cry, “My leanness, my leanness; woe to me.” Starving souls live at a distance from the mercy seat, and become like the parched fields in times of drought. Prevalence with God in wrestling prayer is sure to make the believer strong — if not happy. The nearest place to the gate of heaven is the throne of the heavenly grace. Much alone, and you will have much assurance; little alone with Jesus, your religion will be shallow, polluted with many doubts and fears, and not sparkling with the joy of the Lord. Since the soul-enriching path of prayer is open to the very weakest saint; since no high attainments are required; since you are not bidden to come because you are an advanced saint, but freely invited if you are a saint at all; see to it, dear reader, that you are often in the way of private devotion. Be much on your knees, for so Elijah drew the rain upon famished Israel’s fields. 

There is another special path dropping with fatness to those who walk in it, it is the secret walk of communion. Oh! the delights of fellowship with Jesus! Earth has no words which can describe the holy calm of a soul leaning on the bosom of Jesus. Few Christians understand it, they live in the lowlands and seldom climb to the top of Nebo: they live in the outer court, they do not enter the holy place, they do not take up the privilege of priesthood. At a distance they see the sacrifice, but they do not sit down with the priest to eat it, and to enjoy the fat of the burnt offering. But, reader, always sit under the shadow of Jesus; come up to that palm tree, and take hold of its branches; let your Beloved be to you as the apple tree among the trees of the forest, and you shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. Oh Jesus, visit us with your salvation! 

[Invicta]

October 19 — Morning  {Daily Reading: #Mr 14:1-16:20 } {Quick Study: #Lu 5:1-7:50 } 

Babes in Christ. {#1Co 3:1 } 

Are you mourning, believer, because you are so weak in the divine life: because your faith is so little, your love so feeble? Cheer up, for you have cause for gratitude. Remember that in some things you are equal to the greatest and most full-grown Christian. You are as much bought with blood as he is. You are as much an adopted child of God as any other believer. An infant is as truly a child of his parents as is the fully grown man. You are as completely justified, for your justification is not a thing of degrees: your little faith has made you completely clean. You have as much right to the precious things of the covenant as the most advanced believers, for your right to covenant mercies lies not in your growth, but in the covenant itself; and your faith in Jesus is not the measure, but the token of your inheritance in him. You are as rich as the richest, if not in enjoyment, yet in real possession. The smallest star that gleams is set in heaven; the faintest ray of light has affinity with the great orb of day. In the family register of glory the small and the great are written with the same pen. You are as dear to your Father’s heart as the greatest in the family. Jesus is very tender over you. You are like the smoking flax; a rougher spirit would say, “Put out that smoking flax, it fills the room with an offensive odour!” but he will not quench the smoking flax. You are like a bruised reed; and any less tender hand than that of the Chief Musician would tread upon you or throw you away, but he will never break the bruised reed. Instead of being downcast by reason of what you are, you should triumph in Christ. Am I very little in Israel? Yet in Christ I am made to sit in heavenly places. Am I poor in faith? Still in Jesus I am heir of all things. Though “less than nothing I can boast, and vanity confess.” Yet, if the root of the matter is in me I will rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the God of my salvation. 

[Invicta]

October 20 — Morning  {Daily Reading: #Lu 1:1-1:80 } {Quick Study: #Lu 8:1-9:62 } 

Grow up into him in all things. {#Eph 4:15 } 

Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so as to present the same appearance year after year. No growth of advanced and refined feeling is revealed in them. They exist but do not “grow up into him in all things.” But should we rest content with being in the “green blade,” when we might advance to “the ear,” and eventually ripen into the “full grain in the ear”? Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, and to say, “I am safe,” without wishing to know in our own experience more of the fulness which is to be found in him? It should not be so; we should, as good traders in heaven’s market, covet to be enriched in the knowledge of Jesus. It is all very well to keep other men’s vineyards, but we must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening. Why should it always be winter-time in our hearts? We must have our seedtime, it is true, but oh for a spring-time — yes, a summer season, which shall give promise of an early harvest. If we wish to ripen in grace, we must live near to Jesus — in his presence — ripened by the sunshine of his smiles. We must hold sweet communion with him. We must leave the distant view of his face and come near, as John did, and pillow our head on his heart; then we shall find ourselves advancing in holiness, in love, in faith, in hope — yes, in every precious gift. Just as the sun rises first on mountain tops and gilds them with its light, and presents one of the most charming sights to the eye of the traveller; so it is one of the most delightful contemplations in the world to see the glow of the Spirit’s light on the head of some saint, who has risen up in spiritual stature, like Saul, above his companions, until, like a mighty snowcapped Alp, he reflects first among the chosen, the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and bears the sheen of his effulgence high aloft for all to see, and seeing it, to glorify his Father who is in heaven. 

[Invicta]

October 20 — Evening 

Do not hold back. {#Isa 43:6 } 

Although this message was sent to the south, and referred to the seed of Israel, it may profitably be a summons to ourselves. We are naturally backward in all good things, and it is a lesson of grace to learn to go forward in the ways of God. Reader, are you unconverted, but do you desire to trust in the Lord Jesus? Then do not hold back. Love invites you, the promises secure your success, the precious blood prepares the way. Do not let sins or fears hinder you, but come to Jesus just as you are. Do you long to pray? Do you wish to pour out your heart before the Lord? Do not hold back. The mercy seat is prepared for those who need mercy; a sinner’s cries will prevail with God. You are invited, indeed, you are commanded to pray, therefore come with boldness to the throne of grace. 

Dear friend, are you already saved? Then do not hold back from union with the Lord’s people. Do not neglect the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. You may be of a timid disposition, but you must strive against it, lest it lead you into disobedience. There is a sweet promise made to those who confess Christ — by no means miss it, lest you come under the condemnation of those who deny him. If you have talents do not hold back from using them. Do not hoard your wealth, do not waste your time; do not let your abilities rust or your influence be unused. Jesus did not hold back; imitate him by being foremost in self-denials and self-sacrifices. Do not hold back from close communion with God, from boldly appropriating covenant blessings, from advancing in the divine life, from prying into the precious mysteries of the love of Christ. Neither, beloved friend, be guilty of keeping others back by your coldness, harshness, or suspicions. For Jesus’ sake go forward yourself, and encourage others to do the same. Hell and the beleaguered bands of superstition and infidelity are forward for the fight. Oh soldiers of the cross, do not hold back. 

[Invicta]

I couldn't post today's as my bible software has reported an error.  I will try to reinstall it tomorrow,

 

[Invicta]

October 22 — Morning  {Daily Reading: #Lu 4:1-5:39 } {Quick Study: #Lu 12:1-13:35 } 

I will love them freely. {#Ho 14:4 } 

This sentence is a body of divinity in miniature. He who understands its meaning is a theologian, and he who can dive into its fulness is a true master in Israel. It is a condensation of the glorious message of salvation which was delivered to us in Christ Jesus our Redeemer. The sense hinges upon the word “freely.” This is the glorious, the suitable, the divine way by which love streams from heaven to earth, a spontaneous love flowing forth to those who neither deserved it, purchased it, nor sought after it. It is, indeed, the only way in which God can love such as we are. The text is a death-blow to all sorts of fitness: “I will love them freely.” Now, if there were any fitness necessary in us, then he would not love us freely, at least, this would be a mitigation and a drawback to the freeness of it. But it stands, “I will love you freely.” We complain, “Lord, my heart is so hard.” “I will love you freely.” “But I do not feel my need of Christ as I could wish.” “I will not love you because you feel your need; I will love you freely.” “But I do not feel that softening of spirit which I could desire.” Remember, the softening of spirit is not a condition, for there are no conditions; the covenant of grace has no conditions at all; so that we without any fitness may venture upon the promise of God which was made to us in Christ Jesus, when he said, “He who believes on him is not condemned.” It is blessed to know that the grace of God is free to us at all times, without preparation, without fitness, without money, and without price! “I will love them freely.” These words invite backsliders to return: indeed, the text was especially written for such — “I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely.” Backslider! surely the generosity of the promise will at once break your heart, and you will return, and seek your injured Father’s face. 

[Invicta]

November 1 — Evening 

And did not know until the flood came, and took them all away: so also shall the coming of the Son of Man be. {#Mt 24:39 } 

Universal was the doom, neither rich nor poor escaped: the learned and the illiterate, the admired and the abhorred, the religious and the profane, the old and the young, all sank in one common ruin. Some had doubtlessly ridiculed the patriarch — where now are their merry jests? Others had threatened him for his zeal which they thought to be madness — where were their boastings and harsh speeches now? The critic who judged the old man’s work is drowned in the same sea which covers his sneering companions. Those who spoke patronizingly of the good man’s fidelity to his convictions, but did not share in them, have sunk to rise no more, and the workers who for pay helped to build the wondrous ark, are all lost also. The flood swept them all away, and made no single exception. Even so, outside of Christ, final destruction is certain for every man born of woman; no rank, possession, or character, shall suffice to save a single soul who has not believed in the Lord Jesus. My soul, behold this widespread judgment and tremble. 

How marvellous was the general apathy! They were all eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the awful morning dawned. There was not one wise man upon earth outside of the ark. Folly duped the whole race, folly as to self-preservation — the most foolish of all follies. Folly in doubting the most true God — the most malignant of fooleries. Strange, my soul, is it not? All men are negligent about their souls until grace gives them reason, then they leave their madness and act like rational beings, but not until then. 

All, blessed be God, were safe in the ark, no ruin entered there. From the huge elephant down to the tiny mouse all were safe. The timid hare was equally secure with the courageous lion, the helpless cony as safe as the laborious ox. All are safe in Jesus. My soul, are you in him?