| (J. C. Philpot) "The Comforter, the Holy Spirit . . . will teach you all things." John 14:26 There is a heavenly wisdom which the Holy and Blessed Spirit alone can give. He sheds a sacred light on His own word of truth, and by His personal and living teachings—opens, enlarges, and persuades the heart to receive what He thus shows and teaches. However valuable and blessed the book of God is, we cannot be made wise unto salvation by the word itself —without the special teachings of the Holy Spirit as a personal and living instructor. He can suit His teachings to our case; knows when, where, and how to teach us; can bear with our ignorance and stupidity; give us the right lesson at the right time and in the right way; and do for us what no earthly teacher can—write His own laws upon our hearts and give us will and power to keep and obey them. "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17 |
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Heavenly wisdom By J. C. Philpot
Isaiah 33:5-6
Friday, December 14, 2012
One Step at a Time By Theodore Epp
By Theodore Epp
1 Kings 17:2-7
Obeying God always comes first, then He reveals the next step. Too many of us, in doing the work of God, want to see the end result immediately. But that is not trusting God, that is trusting sight. Faith does not see; it trusts and obeys.
When Elijah had delivered His message to Ahab, the Lord told him what his next step was to be. Tradition says that this brook ran into the Jordan about 15 miles above Jericho. Its waters came from the mountains of Ephraim from a spring concealed under a high cliff and shaded by a dense jungle. It is probable that it was in such a spot that God hid His servant--a place of safety made known after Elijah's first step of obedience.
The ravens were to bring Elijah his food at Cherith. Suppose, however, he had thought he knew a better hiding place and had gone back to some spot in the mountains of Gilead? He could have starved to death, for the ravens had not been commanded to go there.
The ravens were to bring Elijah his food at Cherith. Suppose, however, he had thought he knew a better hiding place and had gone back to some spot in the mountains of Gilead? He could have starved to death, for the ravens had not been commanded to go there.
The ravens were told by God to go to the Brook Cherith, by those high cliffs near the Jordan River where a special stream was fed by a spring. There God would protect Elijah from Ahab. The brook bordered the land of Samaria, the very land over which Ahab was king. There God protected His servant.
"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Sam. 15:22).
"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Sam. 15:22).
Sufficient to each day-Theodore Cuyler
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Deuteronomy 33:25 Sufficient to each day are the duties to be done — and the trials to be endured. God never built a Christian strong enough to carry today's duties and tomorrow's anxieties piled on the top of them! "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
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It is not the man who hides himself in a cave By J.C. Ryle
(J.C. Ryle, "The Fight!")
True sanctification does not consist in retirement from our place in life, and the renunciation of our social duties. In every age it has been a snare with many, to take up this line in the pursuit of holiness. Hundreds of hermits have buried themselves in some wilderness, and thousands of men and women have shut themselves up within the walls of monasteries and convents — under the vain idea that by so doing, they would escape sin and become eminently holy. They have forgotten that no bolts and bars can keep out the devil; and that, wherever we go, we carry that root of all evil our own hearts. True holiness does not make a Christian evade difficulties — but face and overcome them. Christ would have His people show that His grace is not a mere hot-house plant, which can only thrive under shelter — but a strong, hardy thing which can flourish in every relation of life. It is doing our duty, in that state to which God has called us — like salt in the midst of corruption, and light in the midst of darkness — which is a primary element in sanctification. It is not the man who hides himself in a cave — but the man who glorifies God in the family and in the street, in business and in trade — who is the Scriptural type of a sanctified man.
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The school of Heaven By Octavius Winslow
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(Octavius Winslow, "Evening Thoughts") "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Those who sow in tears, will reap with songs of joy." Psalm 126:3, 5 We can praise God for trials! We can thank God for sorrows! These have been to us, though a painful — yet a much needed and a most blessed school. The 'wilderness' has been a heavenly place on earth . . . the lessons which we have been taught, the truths which we have learned, the preciousness of Jesus which we have experienced, the love of God which we have felt, the sweetness in prayer which we have tasted, and the fitness for labor which we have derived, all, all testify, as with one voice — to the unutterably precious blessings that flow through the channel of sacred and sanctified sorrow. Dear reader, as painful and sad as may be the path you now are treading — fear not; the outcome will be most glorious. The seed you are sowing in tears, shall yield you a golden harvest of joy! Adversity is the school of Heaven! And in Heaven . . . . where no sorrow chafes, where no tears flow, where no blight withers, where no disappointment sickens, and where no sad change chills, wounds, and slays, the sweetest praises will be awakened by the recollection of the sanctified sorrows of earth! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
Must we long for the onions of Egypt? by Thomas Adams
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(by Thomas Adams)
"Christ in you, the hope of glory!" Colossians 1:27 "Christ lives in me!" Galatians 2:20 Is not the life of Christ in us — above all earthly sweetness? He who has come to manhood — throws away his rattles and dolls! Are not the grapes of Canaan satisfying enough — but must we long for the onions of Egypt? He who has the living waters of Jesus flowing in his heart — is foolish if he stoops to the puddles of vanity, or seeks contentment in the world. He will not suck on the breasts of this world, and seek to solace himself in its vanities!
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Live at the feet of Jesus-James Smith
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| photo (James Smith, "The Pastor's Morning Visit") "And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching."
"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part" Luke 10:39, 42
Let not the many trifles of time affect, distract, and bewilder you; but let the one thing needful be the constant object of pursuit and desire. Live at the feet of Jesus — and you are safe. Seek, above all things, to enjoy Jesus — and you will be happy. Aim in all things to glorify Jesus — and you will be holy. Look daily for the coming of Jesus — and you will be consistent. Seek to . . . know Him, love Him, believe Him, obey Him, and enjoy Him! O Jesus! manifest Yourself to me; draw me to Your feet, and keep me there!
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Love flowing out in little gentlenesses-J.R. Miller
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(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)
"I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name because you belong to Christ — will certainly not lose his reward!" Mark 9:41 It seems indeed astonishing — that God should keep note of such a little thing, as the giving of a cup of water to a thirsty Christian. It shows how dear to Him His people are — since the smallest things done to one of them — He accepts, remembers, and rewards. The mention here of the giving of a cup of water suggests that this promise is for little, commonplace acts — rather than for great showy deeds. We are too stingy with our helpfulness. God has put His gifts of love into our hearts — not to be kept locked up and useless — but to be given out. We would call a man selfish — who would refuse a cup of water to one who was thirsty; yet many of us do this continually. It is the heart which 'thirsts' — and the 'water' we refuse to give, is human kindness. Kindness is just the word for these small acts. Kindness is simply love flowing out in little gentlenesses. We ought to live our lives — so that they will be perpetual blessings wherever we go. All that we need for such a ministry — is a heart full of love for Christ; for if we truly love Christ — we shall also love our fellow-men; and love will always find ways of helping. A heart filled with gentleness — cannot be miserly of its blessings.
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Thursday, December 13, 2012
He continually delivers us
(Author unknown)
"Hold me up — and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117
"For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling!" Psalm 116:8
Christ has completely and perfectly delivered all His people from the condemnation of sin, as He suffered the wrath of God for us on the cross, having our sins charged to His account. But His deliverance of us does not end there. He is still delivering us and keeping us from all that would harm or destroy us. He continually delivers us . . .
"For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling!" Psalm 116:8
Christ has completely and perfectly delivered all His people from the condemnation of sin, as He suffered the wrath of God for us on the cross, having our sins charged to His account. But His deliverance of us does not end there. He is still delivering us and keeping us from all that would harm or destroy us. He continually delivers us . . .
from the power of sin which still plagues, corrupts, and contaminates us;
from the influence of the world;
from the force of temptation;
from the deceitfulness of our own hearts;
and from the designs of all our foes!
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!" Psalm 18:2
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O, give thanks to the Lord-James Smith
(James Smith, "Sunny Subjects for All Seasons" 1858)
"O, Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever!" 1 Chronicles 16:34
O, give thanks to the Lord, Christian, for He has not dealt with you after your sins, nor rewarded you according to your iniquities! He has . . .
pardoned your sins,
justified your soul,
renewed your nature, and
given you a title to everlasting life!
He has thus . . .
prevented your ruin,
borne with your follies,
supplied all your needs,
guided your steps, and
promised to conduct you to glory!
His mercy has been ever great toward you!
"O, Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever!"
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My Beloved is mine — and I am His By James Smith
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Isaiah 42:5-10
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The Virus Entry System
NPR's Robert Krulwich and medical animator David Bolinsky explain how a flu virus can trick a single cell into making a million more viruses.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Broken Things -- Selected
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Broken Things -- Selected
God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the thorough breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was by breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb by the stroke of Moses' rod, that it let out the cool waters to thirsty people.
It was when the three hundred elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries.
It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death.
It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the whole house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean for thirsty sinners to drink and live.
Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health, and those who are despised, and seem utterly helpless and forlorn, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. It is "the lame that take the prey," Isaiah tells us (Isa. 33:23).
It is the weak that overcome the devil. God is waiting to take hold of our failures and nothingness and shine through them. |
God uses broken things By Vance Havner
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Vance Havner“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” |
Who can come out of the battle alive? By J. C. Philpot
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(J. C. Philpot, "The Word of God's Grace" 1846)
"Hold me up, and I shall be safe!" Ps. 119:117
We know little of ourselves, and less
of one another. We do not know . . .
our own needs,
what is for our good,
what snares to avoid,
what dangers to shun.
Our path is . . .
bestrewed with difficulties,
beset with temptations,
surrounded with foes,
encompassed with perils.
At every step there is a snare!
At every turn an enemy lurks!
Pride digs the pit,
carelessness blindfolds the eyes,
carnality drugs and intoxicates the senses,
the lust of the flesh seduces,
the love of the world allures,
unbelief paralyzes the fighting hand and the praying knee,
sin entangles the feet,
guilt defiles the conscience,
and Satan accuses the soul.
Under these circumstances, who can come out of
the battle alive? Only he who is kept by the mighty
power of God. "Hold me up, and I shall be safe!"
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