Friday, January 17, 2014
Being Who We Are
By A.W. Tozer
This need for external support for our sagging faith accounts for the introduction into religious activities of that welter of shoddy claptrap that has become the characteristic mark of modern Christianity. . . .
To guarantee immunity to this disease of the heart, we must cultivate a spirit of faith and humility. This works as an antibody to destroy the moral bacteria that cause bloat and distention.
If we have faith, we will be concerned only with what God thinks of us. We can smile off man's opinion, whether it be favorable or unfavorable, and go our God-appointed way in complete confidence. The excited devotees of the twin gods Publicity and Reputation will race past us with no more than a pitying glance. The self-acknowledged Great of the kingdom, the Eminent, the Outstanding will ignore us or patronize us or perhaps seek to cultivate us for their ends. We in the meantime will step neither to the right hand nor to the left. We will honor all men, be courteous to everyone, love our Christian brothers, glorify God and fear nobody.
It takes a lot of courage and independence of mind to insist upon being just what we are, and no more. But when the Lord comes, we will not have cause to regret that we did.
Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians
EXCERPT
The Moravians had learned that the secret of loving the souls of men was found in loving the Savior of men. On October 8,1732, a Dutch ship left the Copenhagen harbor bound for the Danish West Indies. On board were the two first Moravian missionaries; John Leonard Dober, a potter, and David Nitschman, a carpenter. Both were skilled speakers and ready to sell themselves into slavery to reach the slaves of the West Indies. As the ship slipped away, they lifted up a cry that would one day become the rallying call for all Moravian missionaries, "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering." The Moravian's passion for souls was surpassed only by their passion for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
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THE PRINCE OF PRINCES
By Bible Names of God
Dan 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. {peace: or, prosperity}
Read the whole eighth chapter of Daniel carefully and get the vision that is there given of the power of sin and the patience of the "Prince Of Princes". The subtlety of Satan and the weakness of humanity is demonstrated, but our hearts are comforted by the conscious knowledge of the final victory of the Prince of princes over all the powers of evil. In the glory we shall behold Him, and until then we link ourselves by faith -WITH- Him and await the glorius consummation.
How grateful we are, Thou mighty Prince Of Princes, that we are in fellowship -WITH- Thee and will be -WITH- Thee in the promised victory. Amen.
Strong Composure
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves" (Rom. 12:19).
There are seasons when to be still demands immeasurably higher strength than to act. Composure is often the highest result of power. To the vilest and most deadly charges Jesus responded with deep, unbroken silence, such as excited the wonder of the judge and the spectators. To the grossest insults, the most violent ill-treatment and mockery that might well bring indignation into the feeblest heart, He responded with voiceless complacent calmness. Those who are unjustly accused, and causelessly ill-treated know what tremendous strength is necessary to keep silence to God.
"Men may misjudge thy aim,
Think they have cause to blame,
Say, thou art wrong;
Keep on thy quiet way,
Christ is the Judge, not they,
Fear not, be strong."
St. Paul said, "None of these things move me."
He did not say, none of these things hurt me. It is one thing to be hurt, and quite another to be moved. St. Paul had a very tender heart. We do not read of any apostle who cried as St. Paul did. It takes a strong man to cry. Jesus wept, and He was the manliest Man that ever lived. So it does not say, none of these things hurt me. But the apostle had determined not to move from what he believed was right. He did not count as we are apt to count; he did not care for ease; he did not care for this mortal life. He cared for only one thing, and that was to be loyal to Christ, to have His smile. To St. Paul, more than to any other man, His work was wages, His smile was Heaven.
--Margaret Bottome
Hymn from the underground church in China - Oh Lord! Who Am I
Hymn from the underground church in China - Oh Lord! Who Am I 主啊我算什么，你竟抬举我，让我站在你面前，给你唱一首歌。 主啊我算什么，你竟顾念我，让我生在中国，迎接大收割。 大风浪冲着，逼迫中走着，你爱我，保护我，一直引导我。 没象断线的风筝，没象凋谢的花朵，让我成为生命的种子，在你裡面活。 我深深呼求你，你一定要给我做，明天将会有敬拜的歌声，充满每一个角落。 Oh Lord! Who Am I (XiaoMin’s Canaan Hymn no. 607, arranged by AnLun Huang, presented by XinRu Liu) Oh Lord! Who am I that You have exalted me, to enable me to stand before You and sing to You a song. Oh Lord! Who am I that You have concerned about me, that I was born in China in order to receive the great harvest. I was swept along by great waves, and I was walking through persecution. You loved me, You protected me and You led me on. Unlike the kite without the string, unlike the withered flowers, I became a seed of life that lives in You. I desperately cry for You, and You will accomplish for me. There tomorrow the sound of worship will fill all the corners. |
Stand Up and Bless the Lord
By Hymn Stories
James Montgomery, 1771-1854
"Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting." (Nehemiah 9:5)
Many excellent opportunities to witness for the Lord are lost each day simply because of our timidity. Or perhaps we are with a group of colleagues when the Lord's name is blasphemed, the gospel derided, the church's hypocrites ridiculed ... and we remain silent. How tragic that our noble words of praise on Sunday often leave us during the week when they are needed most.
"Ye call Me Master and obey not, Ye call Me Light and see Me not, Ye call Me Way and walk not, Ye call Me Life and desire Me not, Ye call Me Wise and follow Me not, Ye call Me Fair and love Me not, Ye call Me rich and ask Me not, Ye call Me Eternal and see Me not, Ye call Me Noble and serve Me not, Ye call Me Mighty and honor Me not, Ye call Me just and fear Me not." --Found on an old slab in the Cathedral of Lubeck, Germany
"Stand Up and Bless the Lord" was written by James Montgomery in 1824 especially for a Sunday school anniversary in Sheffield, England. It was based on Nehemiah 9:5. Montgomery was the editor of a newspaper in Sheffield and was known as an outspoken advocate for many humanitarian causes, especially abolition of slavery. His ideas for social reform were considered so radical that he was imprisoned two times. Other causes he championed included hymn singing in the Anglican church services, foreign missions, and the British Bible Society. James Montgomery wrote more than 400 hymns, earning him a lasting place as one of England's finest hymn writers. May this challenge help you today.
"Stand up and bless the Lord, ye people of His choice; stand up and bless the Lord your God with heart and soul and voice.
"Though high above all praise, above all blessing high, who would not fear His holy name and laud and magnify?
"O for the living flame, from His own altar brought, to touch our lips, our minds inspire, and wing to heav'n our thought!
"God is our strength and song, and His salvation ours; then be His love in Christ proclaimed with all our ransomed pow'rs.
"Stand up and bless the Lord-- the Lord your God adore; stand up and bless His glorious name henceforth forevermore."
For Today: 1 Chronicles 23:30; Psalm 51:15; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 12:28
Refuse to be intimidated by those who seem hostile or indifferent to our Lord. Speak His praise graciously but boldly.
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