Devout souls delight to look upon those mercies which they have obtained in answer to supplication, for they can see God's especial love in them. When we can name our blessings Samuel, that is, "asked of God," they will be as dear to us as her child was to Hannah. Peninnah had many children, but they came as common blessings unsought in prayer: Hannah's one heaven-given child was dearer far, because he was the fruit of earnest pleadings. How sweet was that water to Samson which he found at "the well of him that prayed!" Quassia cups turn all waters bitter, but the cup of prayer puts a sweetness into the draughts it brings. Did we pray for the conversion of our children? How doubly sweet, when they are saved, to see in them our own petitions fulfilled! Better to rejoice over them as the fruit of our pleadings than as the fruit of our bodies. Have we sought of the Lord some choice spiritual gift? When it comes to us it will be wrapped up in the gold cloth of God's faithfulness and truth, and so be doubly precious. Have we petitioned for success in the Lord's work? How joyful is the prosperity which comes flying upon the wings of prayer! It is always best to get blessings into our house in the legitimate way, by the door of prayer; then they are blessings indeed, and not temptations. Even when prayer speeds not, the blessings grow all the richer for the delay; the child Jesus was all the more lovely in the eyes of Mary when she found Him after having sought Him sorrowing. That which we win by prayer we should dedicate to God, as Hannah dedicated Samuel. The gift came from heaven, let it go to heaven. Prayer brought it, gratitude sang over it, let devotion consecrate it. Here will be a special occasion for saying, "Of Thine own have I given unto Thee." Reader, is prayer your element or your weariness? Which?
Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church
Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind
Date: Sun 11:30AM 19th September 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: 2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go […]
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 7:00PM 12th September 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 11:30AM 12th September 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 7:00PM 5th September 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: Genesis 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of […]
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 11:30AM 5th September 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: Mark 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 7:00PM 29th August 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: Luke 10:25-37 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 11:30AM 29th August 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 7:00PM 22nd August 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 11:30AM 22nd August 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: Psalms 95:6-7 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 7:00PM 15th August 2021 Preacher: Mr. Phil Moffett Bible Reference: John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 11:30AM 15th August 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 7:00PM 8th August 2021Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Matthew 22:11-14 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:…
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 11:30AM 8th August 2021Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 7:00PM 1st August 2021Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Matthew 22:1-10 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
Continue ReadingDate: Sun 11:30AM 1st August 2021Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Numbers 32:7 And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them?
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Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church
Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind
