C.H. Spurgeon's Evening Devotional

Sunday May 18, 2025

"Afterward."-Hebrews 12:11

How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. No calm more deep than that which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers. After killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill Difficulty, we sit down in the arbour to rest; after traversing the Valley of Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears, with the healing branch from the tree of life. Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them "afterwards." It is peace, sweet, deep peace, which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls. See, then, the happy estate of a Christian! He has his best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things are "afterward" good things, harsh ploughings yielding joyful harvests. Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full by being emptied; if, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy "afterwards" in heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world's days, what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun, what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a dungeon, how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the fires, how will he extol Him before the eternal throne! If evil be good to him now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then? Oh, blessed "afterward!" Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross for the crown which cometh afterwards? But herein is work for patience, for the rest is not for to-day, nor the triumph for the present, but "afterward." Wait, O soul, and let patience have her perfect work.

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Tuesday, June 25, 2019

I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard

https://www.tommynelson.com/books/can-imagine-little-ones/

Ages 0 - 2 Years & 3 - 5 Years by: Bart Millard

Encourage your children’s sense of wonder and faith with I Can Only Imagine for Little Ones. This book is inspired by the hit song by MercyMe. This delightful board book will capture your family’s childlike faith and imagination.

What an awesome book to introduce a friendship with Jesus to young children. I love the hard board book. It is nice and sturdy to with stand little hands. A whimsical book that kids of all ages will adore. It is written in sing song rhyme rhythm..poetry. There are key words that jump off the page in different font. The picture are bight and bold and add so much to the words. It is a book I'm sure your kids will ask to be read to them over and over again. A book that we will add to our church library.

Learn more information about this book here.

*Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “I Can Only Imagine” from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own.