(John MacDuff, "The Immutability of Christ" 1874)
"Behold! I have engraved you on the palms
of My hands!" Isaiah 49:16
"Behold," says Immutable One, "I have engraved
you on the palms of My hands." Not on the mountains,
colossal as they are, for they shall depart; on no page
of nature's vast volume, for the last fires shall scorch
them; not on blazing sun, for he shall grow dim with
age; not on glorious heavens, for they shall be folded
together as a scroll. But on . . .
the hand which made the worlds,
the hand which was transfixed on Calvary,
the hand of might and love;
I have engraved you there! No corroding power
can efface the writing, or obliterate your name!
You are Mine now, and Mine forever!
"Behold! I have engraved you on the palms
of My hands!" Isaiah 49:16
link
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Look Again And Think
'Take no thought for your life.'
Matthew 6:25
A warning which needs to be reiterated is that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come on the line of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends or lack of friends; or on the line of difficult circumstances. It is one steady encroachment all the time, and unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the standard against it, these things will come in like a flood.
"Take no thought for your life." "Be careful about one thing only," says our Lord - "your relationship to Me." Common sense shouts loud and says - "That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink." Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first.
"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." How much evil has begun to threaten you to-day? What kind of mean little imps have been looking in and saying - Now what are you going to do next month - this summer? "Be anxious for nothing," Jesus says. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the "much more" of your heavenly Father.
link
The Danger of Misplaced Commitment
By A.W. Tozer
Faith in Jesus is not commitment to your church or denomination. I believe in the local church; I am not a tabernacle man. I believe in the divine assembly.
We ought to realize that we are, as a group of Christians, a divine assembly, a cell in the body of Christ, alive with His life. But not for one second would I try to create in you a faith that would lead you to commit yourself irrevocably to a local church or to your church leaders. You are not asked to follow your church leaders. You are not asked like a little robin on the nest to open your innocent little mouth and just take anything I put in.
If what I put in is not biblical food, regurgitate and do not be afraid to do it. Call me or come see me or write me an anonymous letter. But do something about it. Do not, by any means, swallow what your leaders give you. Here is the book, the Bible; go to it. Faith is faith in Jesus Christ, God"s Son. It is total faith in Christ and not in a denomination or church, though you may love the church and respect and love your leaders and your denomination. But your commitment is to Christ.
link
Bearing the Sting
"He opened not his mouth" (Isa. 53:7).
How much grace it requires to bear a misunderstanding rightly, and to receive an unkind judgment in holy sweetness! Nothing tests the Christian character more than to have some evil thing said about him. This is the file that soon proves whether we are electro-plate or solid gold. If we could only know the blessings that lie hidden in our trials we would say like David, when Shimei cursed him, "Let him curse; . . . it may be . . . that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day."
Some people get easily turned aside from the grandeur of their life-work by pursuing their own grievances and enemies, until their life gets turned into one little petty whirl of warfare. It is like a nest of hornets. You may disperse the hornets, but you will probably get terribly stung, and get nothing for your pains, for even their honey is not worth a search.
God give us more of His Spirit, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again"; but "committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." "Consider him that endureth such contradiction of sinners against himself."--A. B. Simpson
"Before you" He trod all the path of woe,
He took the sharp thrusts with His head bent low.
He knew deepest sorrow and pain and grief,
He knew long endurance without relief,
He took all the bitter from death's deep cup,
He kept not a blood-drop but gave all up.
"Before you" and for you, He won the fight
To bring you to glory and realms of light.
--L.S.P.
link
David's Last Words
by T. Austin-Sparks
"Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse saith, and the man who was raised on high saith, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: the Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was upon my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me: One that ruleth over men righteously, that ruleth in the fear of God, he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springeth out of the earth, through clear shining after rain. Verily my house is not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for it is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he maketh it not to grow" (2 Sam. 23:1-5).
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7).
"Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed" (2 Tim. 2:15).
In the fragment we have read from the second book of Samuel - the last words of David - we have a clue or an explanation. When we read the unvarnished story of the life of the great servants of God in the Bible, and note how so many of them failed, how they broke down and were guilty of things which are to be very greatly deplored - in the case of David, for instance - the question arises: If God knew the whole course, the end from the beginning, foresaw what would happen, foresaw the sin that David would commit, why did God choose him? Why was he allowed to come into such great responsibility where God's own name and honour were involved? Ought not the Lord either to have chosen people who would never do that sort of thing, or entirely safeguard His interests from the weaknesses of His servants and prevent them from making those terrible mistakes? Some such question often arises when you see how much the Lord made of these men, what great things He said about them, and what responsibilities He allowed to fall into their hands. Yet nothing about such men is covered up. It is all exposed to full view.
The only effectual reformer of the world!
(Samuel Davies, "Serious Reflections on WAR" 1757)
"When He comes—He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment!" John 16:8
The Holy Spirit is the only effectual reformer of the world! If He is absent—
legislators may make laws against crime;
philosophers may reason against vice;
ministers may preach against sin;
conscience may remonstrate against evil;
the divine law may prescribe, and threaten hell;
the gospel may invite and allure to heaven;
but all will be in vain!
The strongest arguments, the most melting entreaties, the most alarming denunciations from God and man, enforced with the highest authority, or the most compassionate tears—all will have no effect—all will not effectually reclaim one sinner, nor gain one sincere convert to righteousness!
Paul, Apollos, and Peter, with all their apostolic abilities, can do nothing, without the Holy Spirit. Paul may plant the seed—and Apollos may water it; but God alone can make it grow! "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything—but only God, who makes things grow!" 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7.
Never will peace and harmony be established in this jangling world—until this Divine Agent takes the work in hand.
It is He alone—who can melt down the obstinate hearts of men into love and peace!
It is He alone—who can soften their rugged and savage tempers, and transform them into mutual benevolence!
It is He alone—who can quench those lusts that set the world on fire, and implant the opposite virtues and graces. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are mentioned by Paul, as the fruit of the Spirit, because the Spirit alone is the author of them. And if these dispositions were predominant in the world—what a serene, calm, peaceful region would it be,undisturbed with the hurricanes of human passions!
Oh, how much do we need the influence of the blessed Spirit . . .
to break the heart of stone,
to enlighten the dark mind, and
to comfort the desponding soul!
link
"When He comes—He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment!" John 16:8
The Holy Spirit is the only effectual reformer of the world! If He is absent—
legislators may make laws against crime;
philosophers may reason against vice;
ministers may preach against sin;
conscience may remonstrate against evil;
the divine law may prescribe, and threaten hell;
the gospel may invite and allure to heaven;
but all will be in vain!
The strongest arguments, the most melting entreaties, the most alarming denunciations from God and man, enforced with the highest authority, or the most compassionate tears—all will have no effect—all will not effectually reclaim one sinner, nor gain one sincere convert to righteousness!
Paul, Apollos, and Peter, with all their apostolic abilities, can do nothing, without the Holy Spirit. Paul may plant the seed—and Apollos may water it; but God alone can make it grow! "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything—but only God, who makes things grow!" 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7.
Never will peace and harmony be established in this jangling world—until this Divine Agent takes the work in hand.
It is He alone—who can melt down the obstinate hearts of men into love and peace!
It is He alone—who can soften their rugged and savage tempers, and transform them into mutual benevolence!
It is He alone—who can quench those lusts that set the world on fire, and implant the opposite virtues and graces. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are mentioned by Paul, as the fruit of the Spirit, because the Spirit alone is the author of them. And if these dispositions were predominant in the world—what a serene, calm, peaceful region would it be,undisturbed with the hurricanes of human passions!
Oh, how much do we need the influence of the blessed Spirit . . .
to break the heart of stone,
to enlighten the dark mind, and
to comfort the desponding soul!
link
You blind fools!
(Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil)
"Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!"
1 Peter 2:7
There is nothing in Christ, but what is precious. His
name is precious, His virtues are precious, His blood
is precious—more precious than the world. The Rose
of Sharon is always sweet!
We cannot prize Christ at too high a rate. We may prize
other things above their value. That is our sin. We commonly
overrate the creature; we think there is more in it than there
is; therefore God withers our gourd, because we over-prize it.
But we cannot raise our esteem of Christ high enough.
He is beyond all value! There is no ruby or diamond, but
the jeweler can set a fair price on it. But Christ's worth
can never be fully known. No seraphim can set a due
value on Him. His riches are unsearchable! Ephes. 3:8.
Christ is more precious than heaven!
True Christians prize Christ, as most precious. He is
their chief treasure and delight. This reason why
millions perish, is because they do not prize Christ.
The ungodly choose things of no value, before Christ!
"You blind fools!" Matthew 23:17. If a person chooses
an apple before a priceless diamond—he is judged to
be a fool. How many such idiots are there, who choose
the gaudy, empty things of this life—before the Prince
of Glory!
Give a baby a rattle—and it will not want gold.
Give a worldling his lusts—and he will be content
enough without Christ.
We value Christ above honor and riches. This Pearl
of Great Price lies nearest our heart. He who prizes
Christ esteems the gleanings of Christ—better than
the world's vintage. He counts the worst things of
Christ—better than the best things of the world.
Moses "regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ
as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt."
Hebrews 11:26
If we are the prizers of Christ, we cannot live without
Him. A man may live without music, but not without food.
A child of God can lack health and friends—but he cannot
lack Christ. "Give me children," said Rachel, "or else I die!"
Genesis 30:1. So the soul says, "Give me Christ—or else I
shall die! Give me one drop of the water of life to quench
my thirst."
If we are prizers of Christ, then we shall not complain at
any pains to get Him. He who prizes gold, will dig for it in
the mine. "My soul follows hard after God!" Psalm 63:8
He in whose eye Christ is precious, never rests until he
has gained Him: "I sought Him whom my soul loves; I
held Him, and would not let Him go!" Canticles 3:1,4
If we are prizers of Christ, then we take great pleasure
in Christ. What joy a man takes, in that which he counts
his treasure! He who prizes Christ makes Him his greatest
joy. He can delight in Christ, when earthly delights are gone.
Though a flower in a man's garden dies, he can still delight
in his money and jewels. He who esteems Christ, can solace
himself in Christ, when there is a dearth of all other comforts.
If we are prizers of Christ, then we will part with our dearest
pleasures for Him. He who esteems Christ, will pull out that
lust which is as precious as his right eye! He who sets a high
value on Christ, will set his feet on the neck of his sins!
How can they be said to prize Christ—who will not leave
a vanity for Him; or who prefer a damning pleasure
before a saving Christ!
"Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We have published an outstanding four page excerpt on
repentance from this book, "The Godly Man Weeps"
link
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil)
"Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!"
1 Peter 2:7
There is nothing in Christ, but what is precious. His
name is precious, His virtues are precious, His blood
is precious—more precious than the world. The Rose
of Sharon is always sweet!
We cannot prize Christ at too high a rate. We may prize
other things above their value. That is our sin. We commonly
overrate the creature; we think there is more in it than there
is; therefore God withers our gourd, because we over-prize it.
But we cannot raise our esteem of Christ high enough.
He is beyond all value! There is no ruby or diamond, but
the jeweler can set a fair price on it. But Christ's worth
can never be fully known. No seraphim can set a due
value on Him. His riches are unsearchable! Ephes. 3:8.
Christ is more precious than heaven!
True Christians prize Christ, as most precious. He is
their chief treasure and delight. This reason why
millions perish, is because they do not prize Christ.
The ungodly choose things of no value, before Christ!
"You blind fools!" Matthew 23:17. If a person chooses
an apple before a priceless diamond—he is judged to
be a fool. How many such idiots are there, who choose
the gaudy, empty things of this life—before the Prince
of Glory!
Give a baby a rattle—and it will not want gold.
Give a worldling his lusts—and he will be content
enough without Christ.
We value Christ above honor and riches. This Pearl
of Great Price lies nearest our heart. He who prizes
Christ esteems the gleanings of Christ—better than
the world's vintage. He counts the worst things of
Christ—better than the best things of the world.
Moses "regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ
as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt."
Hebrews 11:26
If we are the prizers of Christ, we cannot live without
Him. A man may live without music, but not without food.
A child of God can lack health and friends—but he cannot
lack Christ. "Give me children," said Rachel, "or else I die!"
Genesis 30:1. So the soul says, "Give me Christ—or else I
shall die! Give me one drop of the water of life to quench
my thirst."
If we are prizers of Christ, then we shall not complain at
any pains to get Him. He who prizes gold, will dig for it in
the mine. "My soul follows hard after God!" Psalm 63:8
He in whose eye Christ is precious, never rests until he
has gained Him: "I sought Him whom my soul loves; I
held Him, and would not let Him go!" Canticles 3:1,4
If we are prizers of Christ, then we take great pleasure
in Christ. What joy a man takes, in that which he counts
his treasure! He who prizes Christ makes Him his greatest
joy. He can delight in Christ, when earthly delights are gone.
Though a flower in a man's garden dies, he can still delight
in his money and jewels. He who esteems Christ, can solace
himself in Christ, when there is a dearth of all other comforts.
If we are prizers of Christ, then we will part with our dearest
pleasures for Him. He who esteems Christ, will pull out that
lust which is as precious as his right eye! He who sets a high
value on Christ, will set his feet on the neck of his sins!
How can they be said to prize Christ—who will not leave
a vanity for Him; or who prefer a damning pleasure
before a saving Christ!
"Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We have published an outstanding four page excerpt on
repentance from this book, "The Godly Man Weeps"
link
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