Spurgeon's Mar. 3 Morning & Evening (no more pictures to focus on Scripture alone)

MORNING "I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction." Isaiah 48:10

COMFORT yourself, believer, with this thought: God said, "I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction." Does not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? No, it's not an asbestos armor, against which the heat has no power? Let affliction come --- God has chosen me. Poverty you may stride in at my door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, you may intrude, but I have a balsam ready --- God has chosen me. Whatever befalls me in this vale of tears, I know that He has "chosen" me. If, believer, you require still greater comfort, remember that you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace. In that silent chamber of yours, there sits by your side One whom you love; and often when you know it not, He makes all your bed in your affliction and smooths your pillow for you. You are in poverty but in that lovely house of your Lord of life and glory is a frequent visitor. He loves to come into these desolate places, that He may visit you. Your friend sticks closely to you. You cannot see Him, but you may feel the pressure of His hands. Do you not hear His voice? Even in the valley of the shadow of death He says, "Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God." Fear not Christian, Jesus is with you. In all your fiery trials, His presence is both your comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. "Fear not, for I am with you," is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in the furnace of affliction." Will you not, then, take fast hold of Christ, and say --- "Through floods and flames, if Jesus leads, I'll follow where He goes."

EVENING "He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove." Matthew 3:16

AS the Spirit of God descended upon the Lord Jesus, the head, so He also, in measure, descends upon those He has chosen. His descent to us after the same fashion as that in which it fell upon the Lord. There is often a singular rapidity about it; or ever we are aware, we are impelled onward and heavenward beyond all expectation. Yet is there none of the hurry of earthy haste, for the wings of the dove are as soft as they are swift. Quietness seems essential to many spiritual operations; the Lord is in the still small voice, and like the dew, His grace is distilled in silence. The dove has ever been the chosen type of purity, and the Holy Spirit is holiness itself. Where He cometh, everything that is pure and lovely, and of good report, is made to abound, and sin and unclean depart. Peace reigns also where the Holy Dove comes with power; He bears the olive branch which shows that the waters of divine wrath are assuaged. Gentleness is a sure result of the Sacred Dove's transforming power: hearts touched by His benign influence are meek and lowly henceforth and forever. Harmlessness follows, as a matter of course; eagles and ravens may hunt their prey --- the turtledove can endure wrong but cannot inflict it. We must be harmless as doves. The dove is an apt picture of love, the voice of the turtledove is full of affection; and so, the soul visited by the blessed Spirit, abounds in love to God, in love to the brethren, and in love to sinners; and above all, in love to Jesus. The brooding of the Spirit of God upon the face of the deep, first produced order and life, and in our hearts, He causes and fosters new life and light. Blessed Spirit, as You did rest upon us from this time forward and forever.

1. Invitation to Link to attend online virtual traditional 150+ years old church at 8:45 am CDT every Sunday morning: (Select Live Stream)Live Stream | First Baptist Church, Garland, TX (fbcgarland.org)

2. Invitation to Link to attend online Zoom meeting of FBCG Barnabas Sunday School Department at 10:00 am CDT every Sunday morning: (You will be connected by the Zoom meeting manager)https://us05web.zoom.us/j/2899163560?pwd=UVRqWWtxNlJXRkhXdTBVZzZmNUxLQT09