Tag: charles haddon spurgeon

Praise – Charles Haddon Spurgeon/John’s Doxology Part 5 – Roses and Harps

On By TimelessladyIn Praise5 Comments

“As roses are ready to shed their perfume, so may we be eager to praise God—“

Before the pandemic arrived, one of my favorite wintertime activities was visiting the conservatory at Longwood Gardens. I haven’t been there since all this craziness consumed the world. The gardens have procedures in place to allow visitors once again. If I make a reservation, I will be able to leave winter behind when I walk through the doors into garden bliss. The fragrance, and a sweet humid heaviness in the air, are what I crave most at this time of year.

As is the case in most of Spurgeon’s sermon on John’s Doxology, his descriptive words, likening roses shedding their perfume to our praise for our Creator, fill me with renewed purpose to praise my Father in Heaven even more.

” I long that our hearts may be like Eolian harps through which each wind as it sweeps on its way makes charming music.”

Johns Doxology – Charles Haddon Spurgeon
This spontaneous outburst of John’s love is what I am going to preach upon this morning. First of all I shall ask you to consider the condition of heart out of which such outbursts come, and then we will look more closely at the outburst itself; for my great desire is that you and I may often be thus transported into praise, carried off into ecstatic worship. I long that our hearts may be like Eolian harps through which each wind as it sweeps on its way makes charming music. As roses are ready to shed their perfume, so may we be eager to praise God; so much delighting in the blessed exercise of adoration that we shall plunge into it when colder hearts do not expect us to do so. I have read of Mr. Welch, a minister in Suffolk, that he was often seen to be weeping, and when asked why, he replied that he wept because he did not love Christ more. May not many of us weep that we do not praise him more? Oh that our meditation may be used or the Holy Spirit to help us in that direction!

Praise – Charles Haddon Spurgeon/John’s Doxology Part 2 – Magnify the Savior’s Name

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“Now, in the matter of this bursting out of devotion at unexpected times, John is one among the rest of the apostles. Their love to their divine Master was so intense that they had only to hear his footfall and their pulse began to quicken, and if they heard his voice, then were they carried clean away: whether in the body or out of the body, they could not tell, but they were under constraint to MAGNIFY THE SAVIOUR’S NAME; whatever they were doing they felt compelled to pause at once, to render direct and distinct homage unto the Lord Jesus by adoration and doxology. Observe how Paul breaks forth into doxologies: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Again: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” The like is true of Jude, who cries: “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” The apostles overflowed with praise.” ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon (John’s Doxology)

Bible Portal lists over 200 names of Jesus. I enjoyed reading this list of the names of Jesus. I thought of a few that were missing, but all in all it is a pretty comprehensive list. I also felt uplifted as I created my own visual poster for this post using a few of the names most meaningful to me, and also those I consider most important.

Spurgeon’s sermon, combined with scripture, brings a burst of joy and faithfulness out of me. I hope to magnify the name of Jesus through all my life. I hold each of his beautiful names dear to my heart.

    Charles Haddon Spurgeon was known as the ‘Prince of Preachers.’ A terrific biography of him can be found on the Spurgeon Center’s Blog: Who is Charles Haddon Spurgeon. 

  • Savior and Saviour are both acceptable spellings of one of Jesus’ names.

Praise – Charles Haddon Spurgeon/John’s Doxology Part I

On By TimelessladyIn Praise2 Comments

    Charles Haddon Spurgeon was known as the ‘Prince of Preachers.’ A terrific biography of him can be found on the Spurgeon Center’s Blog: Who is Charles Haddon Spurgeon. 

I love to read the beautiful words of praise Charles Spurgeon preached. One of my favorite sermons is titled, John’s First Doxology.

Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit 1

JOHN’S FIRST DOXOLOGY

SEPTEMBER 2, 1883,
BY C. H. SPURGEON,
AT EXETER HALL.


“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” ~Revelation 1:5, 6


JOHN had hardly begun to deliver his message to the seven churches. He had hardly given in his name and stated from whom the message came, when he felt that he must lift up his heart in a joyful doxology. The very mention of the name of the Lord Jesus, “the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth,” fired his heart. He could not sit down coolly to write even what the Spirit of God dictated, he must rise, he must fall upon his knees, and he must bless, and magnify and adore the Lord Jesus. This text is just the upward burst of a great geyser of devotion. John’s spirit had been quiet for a while, but all of a sudden the stream of his love to Jesus leaps forth like a fountain, rising so high that it would seem to bedew heaven itself with its sparkling column of crystal love. Look at the ascending flood as you read the words, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Truth is timeless. Beautiful praise for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is timeless. I like to read this sermon out loud, but I must confess, in the midst of the praise of these paragraphs, I become so touched and blessed by the Holy Spirit, I rarely reach the end of even one paragraph without breaking down into tears of joy.

I don’t know when the idea to share this sermon, over the course of a year of Sundays, came to me, but it did, and so through 2021 I hope to share a portion, and perhaps a short comment, on what the words mean to me.

‘—Fired his heart—‘ I hope my own heart is fired this year of 2021. In the midst of what seems to be so much encroaching evil I want to turn my eyes toward the Lord Jesus Christ even more. When I feel the power of the Lord Jesus rest upon me, I must do as John and Spurgeon did, I must adore Him. I must share the Good News. I must let my joy in him ‘leap forth like a fountain.’

I ask you to read the words of John and Spurgeon out loud. We can all add some praise into the cacophony of so much contemptible negativity and attempted mind-control. The best defense against evil is praising the Lord and calling upon His Holy Name. Amen.

Preserving the Good – 31 Christmas Carols/Silent Night

On By TimelessladyIn Preserving the Good2 Comments

Silent Night, Holy Night—Today I reread a few paragraphs of one of my favorite sermons by Charles Spurgeon. I also began watching a documentary on Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Reading Spurgeon’s words, listening to the actual preaching of Lloyd-Jones, brings ‘the nearness of eternity’ just a little closer. The words of Martyn Lloyd-Jones are so appropriate for the days we are living in now.

The Christian is a man who can be certain about the ultimate even when he is most uncertain about the immediate.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones

The Nativity – Benjamin West (1738-1820)

“And when the Lord Jesus has become your peace, remember, there is another thing: good will towards men. Do not try to keep Christmas without good will towards men.” ~C.H. Spurgeon

SILENT NIGHT Composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

Promise – The Bride of Christ Jesus

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“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7

old bohemia church

Old Bohemia Church Warwick, Maryland

Christ Jesus might come today, he could come tomorrow…or it could be many, many years before He comes again. The Bible is clear that no one knows the timing but God the Father.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

Though no one knows the exact day or moment, so many signs of our time seem to be pointing to His arrival. Prophecies are being fulfilled on earth and in the heavens. Each day brings us closer to his coming. When he comes I will meet him in the air, rising from my place of rest if I have passed on, or taken suddenly from this earth in less time than it takes for an eye to twinkle.

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—  in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”  I Corinthians 15:51-52

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
I Thessalonians 4:16-17

Are you ready for Christ’s coming? If not, will you ask Him to save you from your sins today? It is as simple as this…”Yes, Lord Jesus…come into my heart. I repent of my sins. I am yours, you are mine.” Believe in him and you will dwell with him for all eternity.

A few words from Charles Haddon Spurgeon on Christ’s relationship to his bride; we are that bride, we who have opened our hearts to Him are his church.

“Art thou, beloved one, with Christ Jesus? Does a vital union knit thee to Him?

… Come, my soul, if thou art indeed His own beloved, thou canst not be far from Him.

If His friends and His neighbours are called together to see His glory, what thinkest thou if thou art married to Him? Shalt thou be distant?

Though it be a day of judgment, yet thou canst not be far from that heart which, having admitted angels into intimacy, has admitted thee into union.

Has He not said to thee, O my soul, “I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness?”

Have not His own lips said it, “I am married unto thee, and My delight is in thee?” If the angels, who are but friends and neighbours, shall be with Him, it is abundantly certain that His own beloved Hephzibah, in whom is all His delight, shall be near to Him, and sit at His right hand.

Here is a morning star of hope for thee, of such exceeding brilliance, that it may well light up the darkest and most desolate experience.”

Promise & Preparedness – The Revelation of John the Divine

On By TimelessladyIn Preparedness, PromiseLeave a comment

angel 001

I have always loved the image in the photograph above. The painting, attributed to artist Lindberg Heilige Schutzengel, shows a Guardian Angel protecting two children crossing a dangerous bridge. A similar painting hung in my grandparent’s home. As a child, the painting fascinated me. I can remember standing beneath it, and feeling protected by its silent promise.

Lately, so much of what seemed secure is crumbling. Even the earth below our feet is becoming much like the dangerous bridge, ready to fall apart beneath us. I have been watching recent events and disasters and there certainly does seem to be many Biblical prophecies being fulfilled by collapsing world governments, disappearing rights and freedoms, cataclysms on earth and in the heavens above. Many technologies are in place that could bring to fulfillment Bible prophecies that once seemed hard to understand.

I have begun to read Revelation yet again, this time in a Bible that also has some insight and commentary by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

The text of Revelation can be found here: Text of Revelation

You can read a bit about Spurgeon here:

Charles Haddon Spurgeon
In-Depth Biography of Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I recommend that you read Revelation, even better, read some of the verses aloud. Ask God for discernment, and to imprint its words and message upon your heart and soul.

“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3

Listen to Spurgeon’s words concerning reading and studying Revelation:

“To induce us to give the most serious attention to the subject, a blessing is pronounced on those who ‘read, and hear, and keep,’ the words of this prophecy, especially as the time of its fulfillment was at hand. There does not appear to be any other part of Scripture that is prefaced with such an inducement to read, and understand, and practically regard it.”

One word of caution, there are hundreds upon hundreds of theories on the Internet about the meanings of these verses. Be forewarned, there are a few words of wisdom, but there is much argument and complete foolishness too. Again, it’s best to read the words yourself and as you read and study, pray for discernment in not just this, but in everything concerning these precarious times we are living in. God Bless Us All.

A good site with many verses concerning prophecy:
48 Bible Prophecy Verses