Barnabas Takes a Blogging Break

Dear friends, it's been awhile since I posted an encouraging word here on The Barnabas Blog. Things have been very hectic over the last few weeks and my health issues have slowed me down considerably.

For the next few weeks I'll be taking a blogging break from The Barnabas Blog but I will continue to post on a daily basis (usually) over at Pilgrim Scribblings. Please be sure to check that site on a daily basis. There will be lots of encouragement available over there for all my Pilgrim Pals.

Thanks for your visit to The Barnabas Blog. I'll let you know on Pilgrim Scribblings when I'm up and running again.

God bless you abundantly, dear friends!

Visit us at Pilgrim Scribblings: http://www.pilgrimscribblings.blogspot.com

Knowing the Triune God

Here's more from Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers:

"Acquaint now thyself with Him." - Job 22:21 (KJV)

If we would rightly "acquaint ourselves with God, and be at peace," we must know Him as He has revealed Himself, not only in the unity of His essence and subsistence, but also in the plurality of His persons. God said, "Let us make man in our own image". Let not man be content until he knows something of the "us" from whom his being was derived.

Endeavour to know the Father; bury your head in His bosom in deep repentance, and confess that you are not worthy to be called His son; receive the kiss of His love; let the ring which is the token of His eternal faithfulness be on your finger; sit at His table and let your heart make merry in His grace.

Then press forward and seek to know much of the Son of God who is the brightness of His Father's glory, and yet in unspeakable condescension of grace became man for our sakes; know Him in the singular complexity of His nature: eternal God, and yet suffering, finite man; follow Him as He walks the waters with the tread of deity, and as He sits upon the well in the weariness of humanity. Be not satisfied unless you know much of Jesus Christ as your Friend, your Brother, your Husband, your all.

Forget not the Holy Spirit; endeavour to obtain a clear view of His nature and character, His attributes, and His works. Behold that Spirit of the Lord, who first of all moved upon chaos, and brought forth order; who now visits the chaos of your soul, and creates the order of holiness. Behold Him as the Lord and giver of spiritual life, the Illuminator, the Instructor, the Comforter, and the Sanctifier. Behold Him as, like holy unction, He descends upon the head of Jesus, and then afterwards rests upon you who are as the skirts of His garments. Such an intelligent, scriptural, and experimental belief in the Trinity in Unity is yours if you truly know God; and such knowledge brings peace indeed.

- C.H. Spurgeon

Bonhoeffer's Prayer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this incredible prayer for his fellow inmates while incarcerated in a Nazi prison awaiting his death.

MORNING PRAYER

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Sharing David's Shelter

Chuck Swindoll's thought for today in my desk calendar reads as follows:

"Can't find a refuge? Why not share David's shelter? The One he called My Strength, Mighty Rock, Fortress, Stronghold, and High Tower.

"The God of my rock: in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Savior." - 2 Samuel 22:3 (KJV)

Today I'm choosing to share David's shelter! Why not come along as well, dear friend!