Charles Spurgeon said, “People have often asked me,”What is the secret of your success?” I always reply that I have no secret but this, that I have preached the gospel–not about the gospel–but the gospel; the full, free, glorious gospel of the Living Christ, who is the Incarnation of the Good News. Preach Christ, brethren, always and everywhere.”   That’s exactly what Paul did. He said,”I am ready to preach the gospel–For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth–“(Romans 1:15-16).”–I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel–“(Romans 15:19-20).   One preacher, a Dr. Baldwin, who pastored a church for 41 years, said: “I testify that at thirty, after examining as best I could the philosophies and religions of the world, I said ‘Nothing is better than the Gospel of Christ.’ At forty, when burdens began to press heaviliy and years seem to hasten, I said,‘Nothing is as good as the Gospel.’ At fifty, when there were empty chairs in the home and  the mound builders had done me service,’I said,‘There is nothing to be compared with the Gospel.’ At sixty, when my second sight saw through the delusions and vanities of earthly things,I said,’There is nothing but the Gospel.‘ At severty, amid many limitations and deprivations,I sing: “Should all the forms that men devise Attack my faith with treacherous art, I’d call them vanities and lies, And bind the Gospel to my heart.”

Scripture provides an accurate account of the heavenly Father’s character, actions, and purposes. Together, the Old and New Testaments teach us that man’s problem is sin and the only remedy is faith in the Son of God: Jesus Christ. Through the Bible, we learn what happens at the moment of our salvation: our sin’s penalty is reckoned as paid, its power over us is broken, and the Holy Spirit becomes our daily companion.

Through His Word, God has entrusted to us the knowledge of who He is, what He is doing, and how the future will unfold for mankind. The Scriptures were intended to lead us into a growing personal relationship with the Father and to empower us for fruitful service as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). In this position, we are called to follow Jesus’ example in glorifying God (Matt. 5:16)-our Savior focused not on Himself but on the heavenly Father, whose plan is to reach the entire world with His saving grace.

The Father’s will includes certain tasks for each of His children to accomplish (Eph. 2:10). In meditating on scriptural principles and examples, we’ll be able to discern what He has in mind for us. Just as Jesus’ work was to do His Father’s will, that is our calling as well.

What place does this Book of books-the Bible-have in determining the course of your life? Take time today and every day to listen to the Lord, to partake of His wisdom, and to determine what He is saying to you personally. In so doing, you will orient your mind to His priorities and thinking.(Charles Stanley)

—-the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the baseth of men. Daniel 4:17

Visitors in Washington who tour the White House often notice the beautiful fireplace in the State Dining Room. Carved into this stone mantel, just below a painting of Abraham Lincoln, are the words: “I pray to heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.” Those words were originally written in a letter by John Adams to his wife Abigail after they moved into the White House. During World War II, Franklin Roosevelt found them and had them carved into the fireplace.

We pray for honest and wise leaders, and our nation needs godly rulers. Yet the Book of Daniel gives us the example of Nebuchadnezzar, a cruel and egomaniacal man. God humbled him and used him to fulfill Divine Providence. God sometimes raises up leaders for purposes known only to Himself at the time. Yet we can rest assured that His authority is supreme and that His providence works all things together for the fulfilling of His ultimate purposes.(From Turning Point)

It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.
George Washington

In his old age, when he could no longer see to read, John
Newton heard someone recite this text, “By the grace of
God I am what I am.” He remained silent a short time and
then said: “I am not what I ought to be. Ah, how imperfect
and deficient! I am not what I wish to be. I abhor that which
is evil, and I would cleave to that which is good. I am not
what I hope to be. Soon, soon I shall put off mortality,
and with mortality all sin and imperfection.

Though I am not what I ought to be, what I wish to be,
and what I hope to be; yet I can truly say, I am not what
I once was–a slave to sin and Satan! I can heartily join
with the apostle and acknowledge–By the grace of God I
am what I am!”

“The prayer of the upright is His delight”   (Proverbs 15:8).

This is as good as a promise, for it declares a present fact, which will be the same throughout all ages. God takes great pleasure in the prayers of upright men; He even calls them His delight. Our first concern is to be upright. Neither bending this way nor that, continue upright; not crooked with policy, nor prostrate by yielding to evil, be you upright in strict integrity and straightforwardness. If we begin to shuffle and shift, we shall be left to shift for ourselves. If we try crooked ways, we shall find that we cannot pray, and if we pretend to do so, we shall find our prayers shut out of heaven.

Are we acting in a straight line and thus following out the LORD’s revealed will? Then let us pray much and pray in faith. If our prayer is God’s delight, let us not stint (limit) Him in that which gives Him pleasure. He does not consider the grammar of it, nor the metaphysics of it, nor the rhetoric of it; in all these men might despise it. He, as a Father, takes pleasure in the lispings of His own babes, the stammerings of His newborn sons and daughters. Should we not delight in prayer since the LORD delights in it? Let us make errands to the throne. The LORD finds us enough reasons for prayer, and we ought to thank Him that it is so. (From Faith’s Checkbook)

You haven’t done all you can do until you’ve prayed.