When we look up and behold the expanse of space and begin to grasp all of that, we can’t help but ask the Lord, “Who am I that you are mindful of me?” However mind-blowing that might be, the glorious truth is that the same God who made and sustains the universe around us is the same God who is interested and cares about every detail of our lives.
Strength In Weakness - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Today you’ll notice a change to our normal format. You’ll learn why in today’s podcast. But what will not change is our desire to share encouraging gospel thoughts, Better News, for each day. As Pastor Ricky works to improve his health, isn’t it reassuring to know that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, that the more we lean on Him the stronger we become? Let’s all lean on Him today.
A Better Picture of Jesus - Romans 8:31-34
“He who was once despised and rejected of men, now occupies the honorable position of a beloved and honored Son.” Often the picture of Jesus we are most familiar with is him hanging on the cross. Surely, that picture is right and we should never forget it. But Scripture also gives us another picture: the picture of Jesus in glory at the right hand of God. This glorious Jesus should encourage and strengthen our souls as well.
A Legacy Worth Leaving - Proverbs 20:7
“If we walk before the LORD in integrity, we shall do more to bless our descendants than if we bequeathed them large estates.” It’s right to think about the kind of legacy we will leave to family, friends and the generation after us. But here Spurgeon reminds us that if we want to leave a godly legacy we should start with our own character.
The Test of Prosperity - Nehemiah 9:38
“We should not only let our troubles confirm our dedication to God, but our prosperity should do the same.” Often in times of adversity, we go to the Lord and pray fervently and ask for His help to follow Him. But in times of prosperity or peace, we can sometimes drift from God. Spurgeon encourages us that great joys should be times of recommitting ourselves to follow the Lord as well.
The Lamb Slain - Revelation 5:5-10
“The wounds of Jesus are His glories, His jewels, His sacred ornaments.” Many leaders try to hide any sign of weakness or humiliation or injury. But Jesus is an utterly different kind of king. He shows his glory through his wounds because they point to our salvation. As we follow Jesus then, we remember that weakness and wounds can display the glory of God.
My Redeemer Lives - Job 19:25-27
“A living Redeemer, truly mine, is joy unspeakable.” It is not enough to know that Jesus is a savior or a redeemer. Spurgeon encourages us to know that and say that He is *my* savior, or *my* redeemer. In making the Savior our own, we unlock a deep joy for any trial.
Bowed Down, Lifted Up - Psalm 146:5-8
“We who are today bowed down and sorrowful shall yet be set on high.” Spurgeon makes a striking claim -- that no matter what has us bowed down, we shall be lifted up by the Savior. In sorrow, in condemnation, in sickness, in affliction, in poverty, in every case the work of Jesus makes it possible for our souls to be lifted up today.
Living By Faith - Romans 1:16-17
Living by faith is not just a one-time placing a faith in God. It is a regular thing, a way of life. Spurgeon highlights these two senses in his encouragement to us today. As Christians, we place our faith decisively in Christ in order to be saved but we progress and are sustained in the Christian life by placing our faith more and more in God, every moment of every day.
Precious Beyond Measure - 1 Peter 1:18-19
We often sing about the precious blood of Jesus, or hear it preached, or sometimes see it depicted in artwork or film. But sometimes that precious blood becomes nothing more than a religious symbol. Spurgeon helps us rediscover how and why the blood of Christ is so precious, and why it brings us comfort.
It Is Well - Isaiah 3:10
It doesn’t always seem to be going well for us in our lives. But Scripture encourages us that it is and will always be well with the righteous. Spurgeon encourages us, “O beloved, if God declares that all is well, ten thousand devils may declare it to be ill, but we laugh them all to scorn.”
Deep Depression, Deep Love - Psalm 22:14-15
There are times when we experience a heaviness of soul that nothing seems to shake. It can be depression, or grief, or crippling anxiety. But Spurgeon points us to something even deeper than our heaviness of soul: the deep love of God. God has shown His great love for us on the cross and walks with us in love day to day.
Writing a Better Story - Psalm 47:1-4
We all want the freedom to choose in everything from what job we take, to where we live, to what goes in our next coffee at the coffee shop. But how do we know that we choose rightly, especially in the big stuff of life? Did we marry the right person or choose the right job? Spurgeon points out that there is comfort in the knowledge that the Lord Himself chooses our heritage and inheritance for us.
Knowing Him - Jeremiah 31:33-34
In this uncertain world we can take comfort that amidst all that we don’t know, we do know the Lord. We may not know what will happen next week or next month, but we know who God is and know that He will be with us. Spurgeon encourages us that this is a comfort that never fails us.
The Scapegoat for Every Christian - John 19:14–19
In our world, a scapegoat is someone who often unjustly bears the blame for those who have failed. But the word comes from a strange Old Testament ceremony that actually points to a profound truth. On Good Friday we remember Jesus as the scapegoat, cast away from the camp, that we might be brought near.
Soaking in the Peace of God - Psalm 119:162–165
Do you want to experience the peace of God? Scripture says the pathway to peace is soaking in the word of God. But rather than simply reading a verse and waiting for peace, Psalm 119 people calls us to be a people shaped and formed by the word of God day in and day out. When we do this we’ll finally experience more of the peace we long for in God.
The Nearness of God - Psalm 23:1-4
Psalm 23 reminds us that even when evil surrounds us, He is with us. While evil may come near, God is nearer still. No matter what happens around us, we know who is with us and that makes all the difference.
Living In the Suburbs of Heaven - 2 Corinthians 5:21
In ourselves we are incomplete, sinful, unrighteous. But in Christ, we are righteous. When the Father sees us he sees Christ’s righteousness. This side of heaven we must fight to live in light of this truth. We long for our salvation to be complete, but rejoice in what Christ has already accomplished.
He Never Forgets Us - Isaiah 44:21-22
Sometimes others forget us. We are left out and left behind. But God never forgets us. There is not a time when we are not on His mind. As Spurgeon says, “We have been loved too long and bought at too great a price to now be forgotten.”
Gospel Opportunity in Time of Plague - Romans 10:14-15
In 1866 Spurgeon found himself in the midst of another pandemic. Rather than shrink back in fear he charges us to seize the opportunity to point others to hope in Jesus. As those who know the saving grace of God, this is an opportunity for us to thank God for this grace and offer it to others.