Tag Archives: knowing god

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – A wise desire

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“He shall choose our inheritance for us.” Psalm 47:4

Suggested Further Reading: Genesis 45:4-11

If you turn to the pages of inspiration, and read the lives of some of the most eminent saints, I think you will be obliged to see the marks of God’s providence in their histories too plainly to be mistaken. Take, for instance, the life of Joseph. There is a young man who from early life serves God. Read that life till its latest period when he gave commandment concerning his bones, and you cannot help marvelling at the wondrous dealings of providence. Did Joseph choose to be hated of his brethren? But, yet, was not their envy a material circumstance in his destiny? Did he choose to be put into the pit? But was not the putting into the pit as necessary to his being made a king in Egypt as Pharaoh’s dream? Did Joseph desire to be tempted of his mistress? He chose to reject the temptation, but did he choose the trial? No; God sent it. Did he choose to be put into the dungeon? No. And had he anything to do with the baker’s dream, or with Pharaoh’s either? Can you not see, all the way through, from first to last, even in the forgetfulness of the butler, who forgot to speak of Joseph till the appointed time came, when Pharaoh should want an interpreter, that there was truly the hand of God? Joseph’s brethren did just as they liked when they put him into the pit. Potiphar’s wife followed the dictates of her own abandoned lust in tempting him. And yet, notwithstanding all the freedom of their will, it was ordained of God, and worked according together for one great end; to place Joseph on the throne; for as he said himself, “Ye meant it for evil, but God intended it for good, that he might save your souls alive!”

For meditation: You may find yourself in undesirable circumstances, but God can take these bad things and work them together for your good and his glory if you are his child (Romans 8:28). The all-knowing God knows what is best for us and can direct us clearly by our circumstances (Isaiah 48:17).

Sermon no. 33

8 July (1855)

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Charles Stanley – What Is Involved in Obeying God?

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John 14:15

To obey the Lord requires getting His perspective on our life every day. That means being renewed in our thinking (Rom. 12:2) so our attitude and actions honor Him. It also means being reminded of who we are apart from Him and who we are with Him (John 15:5; Phil. 4:13).

Once we have His perspective, it can require courage to obey—we might have to give up things we like in order to do what He asks. In addition, we must be determined to follow Him, even if doing so could bring unwelcome results. It can take courage to rearrange our schedule to match His plan, to love the unlovely, to forgive the seemingly unforgivable, and to give when we want to keep. But courage isn’t something we need to somehow produce on our own; it grows out of a deepening faith in the Lord.

As we get to know the Father better, our confidence in Him increases, and obedience becomes easier. If we know the God who gave the commands, then we’ll be able to trust that His plans are for our good and His glory. We will rely on the Holy Spirit, who helps us understand and follow divine commands. With eyes fixed upon Jesus instead of our circumstances, we will step forward boldly. We won’t fear the consequences that may arise from our actions but will look for the blessings God desires to bestow.

Obedience involves knowing God’s commands and then committing to obey, even if there’s temptation to compromise. Furthermore, it means drawing courage from our trust in the Lord and accepting the consequences as God-sent. Pray that obedience will mark your life.

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Greg Laurie – An ABC Culture

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I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. —Revelation 3:8

I have never seen a greater biblical illiteracy than we see in the church today. So many go to church, but they want to be entertained. They want to be dazzled. And they want everything except the Word of God.

One thing that has always been at the forefront of Harvest Ministries is the teaching of God’s Word—without apology. Why is this important? Because one of the signs of the last days is apostasy. People living in the end times are going to fall away from the faith. According to 1 Timothy 4, “The Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons” (verse 1). Knowing God’s Word and keeping His Word will fortify you against that.

As we get closer and closer to Christ’s return, it will be more and more difficult to be a Christian. Things are going to get spiritually darker in our world. Today in America, we live in what I would describe as an ABC culture: anything but Christ. People are cool with whatever you want to believe—unless it is the Bible and unless it is Jesus Christ. Then suddenly you are in trouble. Suddenly you are the bigoted one. You are the narrow-minded one. You are the intolerant one. You are the hateful one. And it is just because you believe that the Bible is true, and you want to live for Jesus Christ. God will give you the strength to live this life, but you will be opposed.

So whether you want to go high-tech or low-tech, read God’s Word. Know God’s Word. And more importantly, keep God’s Word.