Sunday, March 05, 2006

Spurgeon on Life in the Spirit...

"Remember, just as the Holy Spirit gives quickening at first, He must also revive and strengthen it. Whenever you become dull and faint, cry for the Holy Spirit. Whenever you cannot feel as devoted as you wish to feel and you are unable to rise to any heights of communion with God, plead our Scripture in faith, and beg the Lord to do as He has said, "I will put my spirit within you" (Ezekiel 36:27).
Go to God with this covenant clause, even if you have to confess, "Lord, I am like a log. I am a helpless lump of weakness. Unless you come and quicken me, I cannot live for you." Plead persistently the promise, "I will put my spirit within you".

All the life of the flesh will produce is corruption. All of the energy that comes from mere excitement will die down into the black ashes of disappointment. The Holy Spirit alone is the life of the regenerated heart.

Do you have the Spirit? If you do have Him within you, do you only have a small measure of His life? Do you wish for more? Then, go to where you went at first. There is only one river of the water of life; draw from its floods. You will be lively, bright, strong, and happy enough when the Holy Spirit is mighty within your soul."

~Charles Spurgeon (taken from " Holy Spirit Power")

I can relate to this passage so much. My tendency has been to 'try harder' when I'm feeling dull, or distant from God. What He's been teaching me however, is that these are signs of living 'according to the flesh' instead of 'according to the Spirit' (see Romans 8). I love how simple Spurgeon makes the solution to this problem. More of the Spirit's power within our very souls. More of that great gift that the Father longs to give his children, if only we ask him. More of grace.

4 comments:

Melinda said...

Hi Julie,
Remember me? Bubar was my last name. I found you on Jon's blog. I thought I would say hi...and that I really enjoyed your song!

theajthomas said...

Wow, you have become some sort of theologian. Cool.

jul said...

Hi guys, good to hear from you both! Of course I remember you Melinda. I checked out your blog and saw the picture of your son. He's very cute.

Please stop by again and feel free to disagree with my theology! I would classify myself roughly as charismatic and reformed (along the lines of Luther, Calvin--however, not the card carrying kind). It would be good to have varying perspectives involved.

jul said...

Hi Sean, and welcome to my blog! I do a bit of songwriting myself. I'm sorry I did 't see your comment sooner, but if you like I can post your web address on a more current entry. Not very many people read my blog, but every little bit helps right?