God's love-letter

Thomas Brooks

The Scripture is God's love-letter to men. Here the 
lamb may wade—and here the elephant may swim!

The blessed Scriptures are of infinite worth 
and value! Here you may find . . .
  a remedy for every disease,
  balm for every wound,
  a plaster for every sore,
  milk for babes,
  meat for strong men,
  comfort for the afflicted,
  support for the tempted,
  solace for the distressed,
  ease for the wearied,
  a staff to support the feeble,
  a sword to defend the weak.

The holy Scriptures are . . .
  the map of God's mercy—and man's misery,
  the touchstone of truth,
  the shop of remedies against all maladies,
  the hammer of vices,
  the treasury of virtues,
  the exposer of all sensual and worldly vanities,
  the balance of equity,
  the most perfect rule of all justice and honesty.

Ah, friends, no book befits your hands like the Bible!

The Bible is the best preacher. This book,
this preacher will preach to you . . .
  in your shops,
  in your chambers,
  in your closets,
  yes, in your own bosoms!
This book will preach to you at home and abroad;
it will preach to you in all companies; and it will
preach to you in all conditions.

By this book you shall be saved—or
by this book you shall be damned!
By this book you must live.
By this book you must die.
By this book you shall be judged in the great day!

Oh, therefore . . .
  love this book above all other books,
  prize this book above all other books,
  read this book before all other books,
  study this book more than all other books!
For he who reads much—and understands nothing,
is like him who hunts much—and catches nothing.

"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all
 day long!" Psalm 119:97

Stuffed Christians?

"We are all Christians." "Why, we belong to a Christian nation; are we not born Christians?" "Surely we must be all right; we have always attended our parish church, is not that enough?" "Our parents were always godly; we were born into the church, were we not? Did they not take us up in their arms when we were little, and make us members of Christ? What more do we lack?" This is the common talk. There is no Christian practice, there is no Christian habit, but what has been, or will be before long, imitated by people who have no vital godliness whatever. A man may appear much like a Christian, and yet possess no vital godliness! Walk through the British Museum, and you will see all the orders of animals standing in their various places, and exhibiting themselves with the utmost possible propriety. The rhinoceros demurely retains the position in which he was set at first; the eagle soars not through the window; the wolf howls not at night; every creature, whether bird, beast, or fish, remains in the particular glass case allotted to it. But you all know well enough that these are not the living creatures, but only the outward forms of them. Yet in what do they differ? Certainly in nothing which you could readily see, for the well stuffed animal is precisely like what the living animal would have been; and that eye of glass even appears to have more of brightness in it than the natural eye of the creature itself. Yet you know well enough that there is a secret inward something lacking, which, when it has once departed, you cannot restore. So in the churches of Christ, many professors are not living believers, but stuffed believers, Stuffed Christians! There is all the external of religion, everything that you could desire, and they behave with a great deal of propriety, too. They all keep their places, and there is no outward difference between them and the living, except upon that vital point; they lack spiritual life. This is the essential distinction, spiritual life is absent. It is almost painful to watch little children when some little pet of theirs has died, how they can hardly realize the difference between death and life! Your little boy's bird moped for awhile upon its perch, and at last dropped down in the cage; and do not you remember how the little boy tried to set it up, and gave it seed, and filled its glass with water, and was quite surprised to think that birdie would not open his little eye upon his friend as it did before, and would not take its seed, nor drink its water! Ah, you finally had to tell the poor boy that a mysterious something had gone from his little birdie, and would not come back again. There is just such a spiritual difference between the mere professor, and the genuine Christian. There is an invisible, but most real, indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the absence or the presence of which makes all the difference between the lost sinner and the saint

A Solemn Sham and an Impudent Mockery!

By Charles Spurgeon

"Rend your heart—and not your garments." Joel 2:13

Garment-rending and other external signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested, and are frequently hypocritical. True repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common. Unsaved men will attend to the most multiplied and minute religious ceremonies and regulations—for such things are pleasing to their flesh. But true godliness is too humbling, too heart-searching, too spiritual for the tastes of carnal men! They prefer something more ostentatious, flimsy, and worldly. External religious rituals are temporarily comfortable; eye and ear are pleased; self-conceit is fed, and self-righteousness is puffed up. But they are ultimately delusive, for at the day of judgment, the soul needs something more substantial than religious ceremonies and rituals to lean upon.

Apart from vital godliness—all religion is utterly vain! When offered without a sincere heart, every form of religious worship is a solemn sham and an impudent mockery of the majesty of God!

Heart-rending is divinely wrought—and solemnly felt. It is a secret grief which is personally experienced, not in mere form—but as a deep, soul-moving work of the Holy Spirit upon the inmost heart of each believer. It is not a matter to be merely talked of—but keenly and sensitively felt in every living child of the living God. It is powerfully humiliating and sin-purging! But also, it is sweetly preparative for those gracious consolations which proud unhumbled souls are unable to receive! This heart-rending  distinctly belongs to the elect of God—and to them alone.

The text commands us to rend our hearts—but they are naturally as hard as marble! How then, can this be done? We must take them to Calvary! A dying Savior's voice rent the rocks once—and it is just as powerful now. O blessed Spirit, let us effectually hear the death-cries of Jesus—and our hearts shall be rent!

Over-Righteous

Arthur W. Pink (1886-1952)

"Do not be over-righteous." Ecclesiastes 7:16

Some of our readers may be surprised to discover that there is such a statement as this in Holy Writ, and at first glance consider it an exhortation we do not need. Yet on second thought they should perceive that their hasty conclusion was wrong, for there can be nothing in the imperishable Word of God which is superfluous, and no precept which we can dispense with without suffering loss. Even in this day of abounding lawlessness, of rapidly increasing moral laxity, when there is such an urgent need for pressing the righteous claims of God upon one another, the Christian requires to give careful heed to this word: "Do not be over-righteous."

It is a question of sound interpretation, of rightly understanding the meaning and application of this Divine injunction. First, let us briefly point out what our text does not mean. "Do not be over-righteous." Those words have often been quoted in the past by empty professors against those children of God whose conscientiousness and piety condemned their looseness. They have said, "I do not feel that such carefulness and preciseness are required of us; you are altogether too punctilious over trifles: why make yourself and all whom you come into contact with, miserable? what need is there for so much denying of self, separation from the world, and acting differently from other people?" They argue, "Christ did everything for us which God requires of us." Anything which made real demands upon them, which called for the mortification of the flesh, for the laying aside of "every weight" which would hinder from running the race God has set before His people, they counted as "fanaticism," "puritanic," being "over-righteous." And their tribe is not extinct! But such is obviously a perversion of our text.

We cannot love God too much, nor keep His precepts too diligently. What, then, is the force of these words, "Do not be over-righteous"? First, let it be duly observed that our text occurs in the Old Testament. The Lord God knew the temper of the Jews, their proneness to lean upon their own works and trust in the sufficiency of them to secure their acceptance before Him; therefore did He place this word on record to warn them against indulging in the spirit of self-destruction, against pretending unto a greater righteousness than they actually had. In this very same chapter, only two or three verses later, He tells them plainly, "There is not a just man upon earth that does good and sins not" (v. 20). Thus the righteousness of Another is absolutely indispensable if any sinner is to find acceptance with the thrice Holy God. Beware, then, of thinking more highly of yourself than you ought to think, and being proud in your own conceits. The need for such a word, and their utter disregard of it, was plainly evidenced by the self-righteous Pharisees of Christ's day, who trusted in their own performances and despised and rejected Him.

But the truly regenerated soul has been delivered from this fatal tendency of the unrenewed heart. He has been supernaturally enlightened and convicted by the Spirit of Truth. He has been shown how impossible it is for him to meet the high requirements of God, and has been made to feel that his best doings are but "filthy rags" in God's sight. What, then, is the legitimate application of this exhortation unto himself: "Do not be over-righteous"?

Answer: by assuming duties to which God has not called us, by undertaking austerities which God has not enjoined. We read of "the commandments and doctrines of men" with their "touch not, taste not, handle not" (Col. 2:21, 22), and to be brought under bondage to them, is being "righteous over much," for it is going beyond what God Himself has prescribed for us. The Jewish Rabbies and scribes invented a vast number of traditions and ceremonies over and above what God commanded, supposing that by observing the same they were holier than others; and even condemned the Lord Jesus because He declined to observe their rules: see Mark 7:2, 5; and let it be duly observed that Christ and His disciples refused to heed their scruples, though He knew they would be "offended" or hurt!

The same principle is operative among the poor Papists, with their invention of religious works: the "celibacy" of their "priests," their "Lenten fasts" etc. are examples. Nor is the same evil absent among Protestants: many of them have invented laws and rules, demanding that Christians totally abstain from some of the "all things" which God has given us richly "to enjoy" (1 Tim. 6:17), though not to abuse; compliance therewith is being "over-righteous!"

"Do not be over-righteous." This word has a manifold application to Christians today. Be not too rigorous in standing up for your "rights," but "in love serve one another." Refuse not to help the animal out of the pit, simply because he falls into one on the Sabbath day! Let your zeal in "service" be regulated by the rules of Holy Writ. Insist not upon your full "pound of flesh": having received mercy of God, exercise mercy towards others. Beware of paying more attention to the outward forms of religion than to the cultivation of the heart. "There may be overdoing in well doing" (Matthew Henry): some have wrecked their constitutions by over-study, over-fasting, and by refusing lawful means. Nothing is required of us but what God has enjoined in His Word.

Beware of self-righteousness!

J. C. Ryle

"We have all become like one who is unclean, and all
 our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
 We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the
 wind, take us away." Isaiah 64:6

Beware of self-righteousness in every possible 
shape and form. Some people get as much harm 
from their 'virtues' as others do from their sins.

Oh, let us beware of self-righteousness! Open sin 
kills its thousands of souls. Self-righteousness
kills its tens of thousands!

"There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

A convincing evidence of true piety is the spirit of separation from the world. Saints are expectants of glory. They are born from above and have no home beneath their native skies. Here they are strangers and pilgrims and plainly declare that they seek a better country (Heb. 11:13-14). It is their avowed profession that their happiness and hopes are neither in nor from the present world. Their treasure is in heaven. They are not of this world even as Christ was not of this world (John 17:14). 

The spirit of the world is incompatible with the spirit of the Gospel. It is the spirit of pride and not of humility; of self-indulgence rather than of self-denial. Riches, honors, and pleasure form the grand object of pursuit with the men of the world. Their great inquiry is “Who will show us any good?” Indifferent to everything but that which is calculated to gratify a carnal mind, they lift up their souls unto vanity and pant after the dust of the earth. Their thoughts and their affections are chained down to the things of time and sense. And in these they seem to be irrecoverably immersed. They seldom think but they think of the world; they seldom converse but they converse of the world. The world is the cause of their perplexity and the source of their enjoyment. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life close every avenue of the soul to the exclusion of every holy desire. I had almost said, every serious reflection. This spirit the Christian has mortified. “Now we,” says St. Paul, “have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God” (I Cor. 2:12). 

The disciple of Jesus, as he has nobler affections than the worldling, has a higher object and more elevated joys. While the wise man glories in his wisdom, the mighty man glories in his might, and the rich man glories in his riches, it is the Christian’s privilege to glory in nothing save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto him, and he unto the world (Gal. 6:14). The character and cause of the blessed Redeemer lie so near to his heart that in comparison with these everything else vanishes to nothing. He views the world by the eye of faith and in a light that reflects its intrinsic importance—the light of eternity. There the world shrinks to a point and the fashion of it passes away. As the spirit of the world is not the spirit of God’s people, so the men of the world are not their companions. “We know that we are of God,” says the apostle, “and the whole world lies in wickedness” (I John 5:19).

Between the people of God and the men of the world there is an essential difference of character. The views, the desires, and the designs of the children of God are diametrically opposite to the views, the desires, and the designs of the men of the world. The one loves what the other hates; the one pursues what the other shuns. Saints are passing on the narrow way which leads to life; sinners the broad way which leads to death (Mat. 7:13-14). If there were no other ground for the expectation, therefore, than the common principles of human nature, we might look for dissension rather than unity between the disciples of Christ and the men of the world. “How can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). What fellowship has light with darkness? Or what communion has Christ with Belial? (II Cor. 6:14-15). 

The same principles which prompt the men of the world not to select the people of God for their familiar companions also induce the people of God to choose other companions than the men of the world. There is an irreconcilable spirit between them. The friendship of the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). Many as may be mutual tokens of respect, civility, and kindness (and many there should be) between Christians and the men of the world, they are notwithstanding two distinct classes of men. Much as Christians esteem the men of the world as good members of civil society, much as they regard their happiness, and endeavor to advance it, much as they have compassion on their depravity, and deplore their prospects, much as they are conversant with them in the ordinary calls of duty, still they are not their chosen companions. They cannot court their friendship because they are afraid of it. “Evil communications corrupt good manners” (I Cor. 16:33). “He that walks with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Prov. 13:20). 

Those who have mortified the spirit and who stand at a distance from the men of the world are also in some good degree above its corrupting influence. The claim, which from their numbers and strength, the world is apt to consider itself as warranted to make upon the opinions and practices of God’s people, is habitually resisted. Though good men may be often seduced by the smiles and awed by the frowns of the world, it is no part of their general character to conform either to its pleasure or displeasure. They act from higher motives and maintain a more consistent character than to give way to indulgences merely for the sake of pleasing the world or to avoid duty merely through the fear of offending it. While they regard the fear of God more than the fear of man, they will not dishonor God to please the world. And while they regard the favor of God more than the favor of man, they will not purchase the favor of man at the expense of the favor of God. 

A habitual regard to the will and the favor of God is an effectual security against the smiles of the world. The great object of the Christian is duty; his predominant desire to obey God. When he can please the world consistently with these, he will do so; otherwise, it is enough for him that God commands, and enough for them that he cannot disobey. While they dread to offend God, they cannot tamely bow to the favor or frowns of men. Whether it be right to hearken unto men rather than unto God, judge you? (Acts 4:19). There would be no difficulty in pointing out the path of duty upon this subject, but there is some in saying how far man may swerve from this path and yet be Christians. One thing is plain Christians cannot be worldlings. They cannot be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God (II Tim. 3:4). 

He who fixes his highest affections on wealth, honor, sensual pleasures, gay amusements, and the various pursuits of the present scene, cannot fix them supremely on God. Nor is the character of the vast multitude who attempt to make a compromise between God and the world better than that of the mere worldling. The mere fact that they are forever balancing between a life of devotion and a life of pleasure, that they design now to yield the empire to God and then to the world, decides the question against them. We may not deny that the children of God are sometimes guilty of awful defection from the standard of Christian character in their communion with the world. But after all, their prevailing feelings and conduct are not those of conformity to the world, but of habitual non-conformity. The principles of the new man are at war with the principles of the world. True believers have put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and have put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:22-24). “This I say then,” says the apostle, “Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). 

We cannot walk after the flesh while we walk after the spirit. While the love of God is the reigning affection of the heart, it will turn away from the allurements of the world. This subject presents a number of solemn questions to everyone who is anxious to ascertain whether his heart is right in the sight of God. It is a great point with all of us to know whether we are spiritually minded or worldly minded. Whether we are conformed to this world or transformed by the renewing of our minds. Whether the objects of faith or of sense, things present or to come, have the predominating influence over our hearts. What shall we say of those who exhibit to themselves and to others all the traits of character which belong to worldly men? What of those who pursue worldly things with all that ardor, all that intemperate zeal which enters into the pursuits of worldly men? Is there not reason to fear that they are supremely attached to earth and are as yet aliens from the commonwealth of Israel? What shall we say of those who love the circles of fashion more than the associations for prayer? And who court the friendship of the rich, the gay, and the honorable, more than that of the humble disciple of Jesus? What of those who “send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance; who take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ?” (Job 21:11-12). 

Was Job uncharitable when he ranked people of this character with those who say unto God, “Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of your ways”? What shall we say of those who are forever varying from the path of duty lest it should be unpopular, who never lisp a syllable or lift a finger for the honor of God lest they displease the world? What, but that they love the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 5:44). Conformity to the world is to be expected from the professed worldling: it is the character of the worldling. But is it to be expected from the professed disciple of Jesus? Is it the result of habitual determinations of a heavenly mind? Is it the character of one who looks on things that are unseen and eternal, of a stranger and sojourner, of one who sets his affections on things above and not on things on the earth? How many like the young man in the Gospel, exhibit a decent and regular outward profession, who are wholly devoted to the world! Here their affections center. From this polluted fountains all their joys flow. They had been Christians but for the world. But the world is the fatal snare. They have plunged down the precipice, and drifted almost beyond the hope of recovery. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (I John 2:15). To be carnally minded is death (Rom. 8:6). 

Show me the men who imbibe the spirit of the world, who choose the company of the world, who imitate the example of the world, conform to the maxims of the world, are swallowed up in the gaiety, fashions, and amusements of the world—behold, these are the ungodly who are brought into desolation as in a moment! I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and lo he was not; yes, I sought him, but he could not be found (Psalm. 37:35)

Microscopic Holiness?

I shared those words below, from Spurgeon, because after God told me that I was now holy, I was at a lost as to what next. I guess because I did not have help from mature Christians to understand, nor that I matured in the faith enough to know how to move forward. After the excitement of seeing first hand, God's Holiness in me, with my spiritual eyes, and after the initial shock that someone like me could actually be holy, I decided not to talk about it because people would find me pretentious or plain stupid. Then, when I finally understood that I needed to move forward to live out my holiness, it was a time of searching and understanding what this life entails. As usual, I tried to understand it on my own, until I gave up and allowed the Holy Spirit to help me make sense of it all.

I was disappointed to find out that it was as if I was starting this journey from scratch and every step was extremely important. Not only that, I found that every iota of my life had to be lived through the lenses of holiness. I hated every minute of my findings and what the Holy Spirit was teaching me, because I wanted a shortcut and I wanted a bullet list on how to live this life. I hated knowing that all the pain of preparing my soul, the furnace of fire to destroy the impurities, the separation, the isolation, the life turned upside down, the emptiness and the abyss that I faced for months and the darkness that surrounded my soul in the valley of death, were just to lay the foundation of  a holy life. I hated knowing that I was not further ahead. 

After I got over all of it and embraced the path that was ahead of me,  I did not pray those words spurgeon recorded below, but strangely, the Lord laid out my life in the same way. I found myself  being concerned with my daily walk and every minute in my heart, I wanted it to glorify Him, so it was not so much my whole life and my whole day that mattered to me, but the next minute and the next step. At night instead of praying before I sleep and before I say good night to the Lord, my daddy, I needed to reflect as to how my day went according to His will and how much did I please Him today. While at first it looked tedious, but over time, this becomes the normal way of life and you do not even notice that this is how you live.

Spurgeon,  

"Order my steps," 
We see here that David is anxious as to details. 
He does not say, "Order the whole of my pilgrimage;" 
he means that, but his expression is more
expressive and painstaking. He would
have each single step ordered in holiness.
He would enjoy heavenly guidance in each
minute portion of his journey towards heaven.

Much of the beauty of holiness lies in little things.

Microscopic holiness is the perfection of excellence.

If a life will bear examination in each hour of it,
it is pure indeed. Those who are not careful
about their words, and even their thoughts, will
soon grow careless concerning their more notable
actions.

Those who tolerate sin in what they think to be
little things, will soon indulge in it in greater matters.

To live by the day and to watch each
step, is the true pilgrimage method.

More lies in the careful noting of every single
act than careless minds can well imagine.

Be this then your prayer: "Lord, direct my
morning thoughts, that the step out of my
chamber into the world may be taken in your
fear. At my table keep me in your presence;
behind my counter, or in my field, or wherever
else I may be, allow me not to grieve your
Spirit by any evil. And when I come to lie
down at night, let the action (which seems
so indifferent) of casting myself upon my
pillow, be performed with a heart that loves
you; so that I shall be prepared to be with
you, if wakeful during the night.”

This brief prayer, "Order my steps,"
teaches us attention to the minutiae of life.
May we have grace to learn the lesson.

Refreshment for the Savior's Flock Through Bible Verses/Part 7

by: James Smith, 1871

  

"The Lord preserves all those who love Him." Psalm 145:20

No one needs keeping more than a Christian. It is His mercy to be kept with the greatest care — the Lord keeps Him as the apple of His eye.

Saints are always in His keeping.
And He always keeps them well;
Rising, resting, waking, sleeping.
He preserves from death and Hell.

 

"You in faithfulness have afflicted me!" Psalm 119:75

God has promised to be a Father to us, and to visit our transgressions with a rod. Our afflictions, therefore, are proofs of His faithfulness, love, and care.

Tis sweet, though trials may not cease,
Though pains afflict, though fears appall,
To feel my comforts still increase,
And say, "My Father sends them all."

 

"To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Every believer is required to keep this law — and be just to all, merciful to sufferers, and humble before God.

 

"Brethren, the time is short!" 1 Corinthians 7:29

Our time below is brief — and therefore very precious. Let us employ it, so as to improve it. Let us live for God and eternity!

The time is short — oh, who can tell
How short his time below may be;
Today on earth, his soul may dwell.
Tomorrow in eternity!

 

"My beloved is mine, and I am His!" Song of Solomon 2:16

If Christ is the object of our desire and affection — then He is ours. And if He is ours — then we are His. This union is the source of all that is good and great.

If Christ is mine — then all is mine,
And more than angels know;
Both present things, and things to come,
And grace and glory too!

 

"For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son; how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" Romans 5:10

Jesus died for us when enemies — to make us His friends. And having reconciled us to Himself, we now live to Him, and for Him.

 

"I will give them an heart to know me!" Jeremiah 24:7

We never know God — until He gives us the heart to know Him. And after we do know Him — we can be satisfied with nothing short of Himself.

 

"And when the people complained — it displeased the Lord." Numbers 11:1

Who ever had less reason to complain — and yet who so ready to do it? Just so it is now; those who have the least reason, complain the most.

 

"I am God, even Your God!" Psalm 1:7

If Jehovah is our God, we should worship, believe, obey, and submit to Him; and then we would rise superior to all outward circumstances.

I am your God — well think of this,
When all things seem to go amiss;
This turns the darkest night to day.
And saves the heart from sad dismay!

 

"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom." Job 28, 28

The fear of the Lord includes faith, love, worship, and obedience. Such as thus fear God, are truly wise.

 

"To wait for His Son from Heaven." 1 Thessalonians 1:10

As the loving bride never feels satisfied while her bridegroom is away — but waits and longs for His return — just so should we for Christ's coming.

 

"The friend of publicans and sinners!" Matthew 11:19

It was the enemies of Jesus who gave Him this title. But it was so honorable to Him, and so encouraging to us — that He has condescended to wear it ever since!

 

"Christ died for the ungodly!" Romans 5:6

Jesus died for ungodly sinners — and He died for them to redeem them from iniquity, and restore them to God.

And could you, my Savior, die,
To rescue me from endless woe?
Enough! there's none more blessed than I,
Since you could love a sinner so.

 

"The God of all grace has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus!" 1 Peter 5:10

God is infinitely gracious, and He has displayed it by calling insignificant worms to inherit His glorious kingdom!

 

"His mercy is on those who fear Him." Luke 1:50

The mercy of God is like the sun — ever communicating, but never decreasing. It is fixed on all who fear God.

"He is the Head of the body, the Church." Colossians 1:18

Jesus rules His Church as its Head. But be also thinks for it, feels for it, provides for it, protects it, and supplies it.

 

"Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame." Hebrews 12:2

Jesus kept His eye on the crown — while enduring the cross. So should we. The cross is the way to the crown.

 

"And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it." Luke 12:29

The concerns of time should always be secondary. A diligent use of means, should ever be accompanied with trust in God.

 

"Where I am — there shall my servant be also." John 12:26

We are now where Jesus was — and as Jesus was.

We shall soon be where He is — and as He is!

 

"Little children, your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake." 1 John 2:12

Every child of God is pardoned. His pardon flows to Him through the cross of Jesus, and is bestowed upon Him the moment He believes.

My soul, forget not what is due,
To Him whose suffering pardon brings;
Nor cease to keep the cross in view,
The cross will teach you wondrous things!

 

"The desire of the righteous shall be granted." Proverbs 10:24

Desire is the proof of life, and test or nature. If our natures are holy — so will our desires be; and then God will grant them.

To you, O Lord, I look alone;
To you, to whom all hearts are known:
To walk with you, my soul aspires;
Oh, satisfy my soul's desires.

 

"Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh." Romans 13:14

If we would be just before God — we must put on the work of Christ.

If we would be consistent before men — we must put on the temper of Christ.

 

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Every Christian should be a diligent man — but especially in Christian duties. We have no time to loiter or delay.

Whatever our hands shall find to do,
Today may we with zeal pursue;
Seize fleeting moments as they fly,
And live as we would wish to die!

 

"Blessed are those who mourn — for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:5

If we are mourning over sin, and after the Savior — we are under the blessing, and comfort is sure.

 

"You hid Your face, and I was troubled." Psalms 30:7

When the Lord smiles — the believer rejoices. When He frowns — his soul is sorrowful; but then is the time to trust His changeless word.

     

"I have longed for Your salvation, O Lord." Psalm 119:174

The believer daily longs for complete deliverance from sin, and the possession of perfect holiness: this to Him is salvation.

View, dearest Lord, my longing heart,
Which pants and sighs for Thee!
And oh, Yourself and Heaven impart,
For there I long to be!

 

"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Isaiah 9:6

Never was there such a birth before! A holy child — from a polluted mother; an infant of days — yet the everlasting Father!

 

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you." 2 Corinthians 9:8

Whatever we need — is comprised in the word grace.

And whatever grace we need — is provided in Jesus.

And what He has — He will bestow.

 

"Him who overcomes — I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it." Revelation 3:12

The conflict will only cease with life! We must die with our armor on — and only put it off to receive the crown!

A few successful struggles yet,
Then not a conflict more!
Satan and sin shall ne'er assault,
On the celestial shore!

 

Refreshment for the Savior's Flock Through Bible Verses/Part 6

by: James Smith, 1871

"Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only — deceiving your own selves!" James 1:22

The Lord requires not only faith in His promises — but obedience to His commands! Practical religion is the only true religion.

In vain, religion we profess,
While we reject the Lord's command.
Strangers to God and happiness,
We build our house upon the sand.

 

"He does not forget the cry of the humble!" Psalm 9:12

Humble souls are much in prayer — they live near the Lord! In every trouble they cry unto Him — and He never denies or forgets them!

 

"Lead me in Your truth and teach me — for You are the God of my salvation." Psalm 25:5

If the Lord leads us — He will teach us. And if He teaches us — we shall know the truth and practice it!

 

"I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands." Psalm 143:5

Meditation is a most profitable — though much neglected duty. No Christian should expect to thrive without prayer and meditation.

I love to think on mercies past,
And future good implore;
And all my cares and sorrows cast,
On Him whom I adore!

 

"Take heed, watch and pray; for you know not when the time is." Mark 13:33

Watchfulness will awaken a spirit of prayer — and by praying we obtain strength for watching.

The Savior bids us watch and pray.
For soon the hour will come,
That calls us from the earth away.
To our eternal home.

 

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped." Psalm 28:7

If we look to broken cisterns — we shall be disappointed; but if we look to the fountain of living waters — we are sure of a supply.

 

"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." Job 5:17

Corrections are proofs of divine love; they are designed to improve and perfect our characters.

Affliction's furnace is designed,
The Christian's character to show;
By this his graces are refined,
And he is weaned from things below!

 

"What shall I do, Lord?" Acts 22:10

There is something for every Christian to do — and each one should go to the Lord with this inquiry — What shall I so, Lord?

To Him who on the fatal tree,
Poured out His blood, His life for me,
In grateful strains, my voice I'll raise,
And in His service, spend my days.
 

"The world and all its desires pass away." 1 John 2:17

The world is like a pageant, which, while we look at it — passes on and is gone! Let us therefore daily set our hearts on things beyond it, even on those things which are eternal.

Lord, from this world call off my love.
Set my affections right;
Bid me aspire to joys above,
And walk no more by sight!

 

"The Lord preserves the simple. I was brought low, and He helped me!" Psalm 116:6

The simple have no confidence in themselves — but they look to, trust in, and are preserved by, the Lord!

"We fix our eyes not on what is seen — but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary — but what is unseen is eternal!" 2 Corinthians 4:18

To fix our eyes is to aim at. The object of the Christian's aim is nothing visible — but the eternal glories of the invisible world. 

"My son, give Me your heart!" Proverbs 23:26

The Lord created the heart for Himself. He claims it. He will be satisfied with nothing less! It is robbery to keep it from Him.

Yes, you shall surely have my heart,
My soul, my strength, my all;
With life itself I'll freely part.
My Jesus, at Your call!

 

"Jesus wept! Then the Jews said: See how He loved him!" John 11:35, 88

The love of Jesus is as strong as omnipotence — and His sympathy is exquisitely tender; let us appeal to it in every distress.

Still His compassions are the same,
He knows the frailty of our frame;
Our heaviest burdens He sustains.
Shares in our sorrows and our pains!

 

"Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?" 1 Chronicles 29:5

It is well often to renew our consecration, to give ourselves afresh to the Lord, and to dedicate our talents to His service.

Fain would I now surrender make.
Of my whole self to you;
Jesus, the humble offering take.
Unworthy though it be.

"I will bless the Lord, who has given me counsel." Psalm 16:7

The Lord has counseled us in His Word, in reference to every subject of importance. Happy is the man who takes counsel of His God, and abides by it.

His counsels and upholding care
My safety and my comfort are:
And He shall guide me all my days.
Until glory crowns the work of grace!

 

"It is good for me to draw near to God." Psalm 73:28

It is not good to complain, or murmur, or give way to doubts and fears; but it is good to cast all our cares on our God — and leave them there.

"Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him." Psalm 42:11

However dark the prospect at present — it will soon brighten. However dreary the night — it will only make the day of deliverance more welcome.

 

"He who does not take His cross and follow after Me — is not worthy of Me." Matthew 10:38

We must bear the cross after Jesus — if we would wear the crown. Now we follow Him in tears — soon we shall stand before Him with songs!

 

"Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies! I flee unto You to hide me." Psalm 143:9

In every time of danger, in every season of fear — we may look to the Lord for deliverance, and seek shelter and safety in Him.

Let me in Your name confide.
Let me in Your bosom hide;
There in safety would I stay
Until the storm has passed away!

 

"I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause." Job 5:8

In everything we should . . .
consult God's will,
apply at His throne, and
submit to His wise and holy providence.

 

"When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold!" Job 23:10

Every trial is limited. It has an end to accomplish, and when the end is answered, it will be immediately removed.

Saints indeed are sorely tried,
Troubles rise on every side;
Nor are they exempt within —
Nothing tries like inward sin!
 

"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?" Job 40:2

Few formally contend with God — but most of us do so in spirit. In this we display our folly, and pride, and ingratitude!

 

"I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction!" Isaiah 48:10

The Lord chose His people in eternity — but He makes them choice ones in the furnace of affliction; there He purges and makes them pure!

 

"Bearing His cross, He went forth into a place called Golgotha." John 19:17

What a sight for holy angels — the Creator of the universe, a condemned criminal, carrying His cross to the place of execution!

 

"He gives power to the faint; and to those who have no might, He increases strength." Isaiah 40 29

Weak Christians are the special objects of the Lord's care; He is always near to strengthen and support them.

He gives the conquest to the weak.
Supports the sinking heart;
And courage in the evil hour,
His heavenly aids impart.

 

"Say to the righteous — that it shall be well with him." Isaiah 3:10

If we are righteous — there is no condemnation, no curse, no separation from Christ — but everything must ultimately issue in our welfare.

 

"Teach us to number our days — that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12

As our days at best are few and uncertain — it should be our first concern to prepare for eternity, and spend our time for God's glory.

 

"The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me!" Isaiah 49:14

Our conclusions are often rash and unfounded — and we distress ourselves without the least reason for it.

 

"Let Him do to me as seems good unto Him." 2 Samuel 15:26

Never was David in a better frame — than when he thus put himself into the hands of the Lord, and left himself to His disposal.

Fill my heart with deep contrition,
Take away the heart of stone;
And may I, with true submission,
Meekly say, "Your will be done!"

"But just as He who called you is holy — so be holy in all you do." 1 Peter 1:15

We are called by a holy God,
to believe a holy gospel,
to walk by a holy law,
and go to a holy Heaven!

 

"God is our refuge and strength — a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

To God as our refuge — we should repair,
in Him as our strength — we should trust, and
on Him as present — we should call in every trouble.

 

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." Romans 12:12

Hope, patience, and prayer, should always be in exercise. We should . . .
hope in God,
patiently do the will of God,
and constantly call upon God.

If Providence our comforts shroud,
And dark distresses lower;
Hope prints its rainbow on the cloud,
And grace shines through the shower.

Faith Is Easy

Galatians 3:22
"...so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."

If faith is the gaze of the heart at God, and if this gaze is but the raising of the inward eyes to meet the all-seeing eyes of God, it follows that it is one of the easiest things possible to do. It would be like God to make the most vital thing easy and place it within the range of possibility for the weakest and poorest of us.

Because believing is looking, it can be done without special equipment or religious paraphernalia. God has seen to it that the one life-and-death essential can never be subject to the caprice of accident. Equipment can break down or get lost, water can leak away, records can be destroyed by fire, the minister can be delayed or the Church burn down. All these are external to the soul and subject to accident or mechanical failure: but looking is of the heart and can be done successfully by any man standing up or kneeling down or lying in his last agony a thousand miles from any Church.

Because believing is looking it can be done any time. No season is superior to another for this sweetest of all acts. A man is not nearer to Christ on Easter Sunday than he is, say Saturday, August 3, or Monday, October 4. As long as Christ sits on the mediatorial throne, every day is a good day and all days are day of salvation.

Neither does place matter in this blessed work of believing God. Lift your heart and let it rest upon Jesus and you are instantly in a sanctuary, though it be a Pullman berth or a factory or a kitchen. You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him. This heart-gaze is, in fact, happily practiced every day by many, and is beyond the reach of none

      A.W. Tozer, in The Pursuit of God

f   FROM THE DEVOTION BOOK: HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD