Pray with Spurgeon

Daily Newsletter from SpurgeonBooks

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Observe the connection between a risen Savior and our living hope. Jesus Christ died, not in appearance, but in reality. In proof of this, his heart was pierced by the soldier’s spear. He was laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, truly a corpse. Not a spark of life remained. The only difference between his dead body and the dead body of any other was that still the preserving power hovered over him. Since his body had been defiled by no sin, so his flesh could not see corruption as it would have done had it been the body of a sinful man. Then, at the end of the appointed time, the same Savior who was laid in the tomb rose from the dead, not in secrecy, but before the Roman guards who watched the tomb.

So then, the resurrection of Jesus is virtually my resurrection. If he were still dead, then I might fear that I, dying, should die. But he, having died, arose again in due season and lives. Therefore I, dying, shall also rise and live, for as Jesus is so must I be.

PRAY FOR THE NATIONS

This week, we’re praying for the Idaksahak in Mali.

The Idaksahak are entirely Muslim. They believe in Allah and the Prophet Mohammad, but they also live in fear of spirits, who they believe have power over everyday life.

Pray that the Idaksahak would hear about the one true God and find life in his name.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

What our kids need — To be born again

When Jesus spoke to the Pharisee Nicodemus, he made clear what everyone needs most of all: “you must be born again” (John 3:7). As parents, this should be our greatest desire for our kids. More than successful careers or healthy marriages, we should long for them to be included in the Kingdom of God.

How will God cause our children to be born again?

• NOT through our great parenting.

• NOT through their church activities.

• NOT through great experiences like camp or youth conferences.

• NOT through the influence of their youth pastor or teacher.

God will cause our children to be born again through his Word: “you have been born again… through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).

If we want our children to be born again, we should bring them to God’s Word. We should read the Bible to them every day in a way that is meaningful, accessible, and applicable.

That’s the reason I wrote God Centered Family, a series of family devotionals for parents to use with kids of any age — because I believe God will do astounding things in homes of any size when his Word is opened and discussed together.

Each day, these devotionals give you a passage to read, three discussion questions to help your kids understand and apply the passage, a short reading that connects that day’s passage to Jesus, and more. It’s all interactive, faithful to Scripture, and centered on Jesus.

God is going to do amazing things in your family and he’s going to do it through his Word. Get started today.

Subscribe to God Centered Family.