,days of ,heaven ,upon ,earth ,a ,year ,book of ,scripture ,texts ,and ,living ,truths ,by ,rev4 ,a4 ,b4 ,simpson ,christian ,alliance ,pub4 ,co4 #cfaa ,fourteenth ,avenue1 ,brooklyn1 ,n4 ,y4 ,copyright1 ,december1 #ahig ,,contents ,the ,days ,of ,heaven ,january #a4 ,january #b4 ,january #c4 ,january #d4 ,january #e4 ,january #f4 ,january #g4 ,january #h4 ,january #i4 ,january #aj4 ,january #aa4 ,january #ab4 ,january #ac4 ,january #ad4 ,january #ae4 ,january #af4 ,january #ag4 ,january #ah4 ,january #ai4 ,january #bj4 ,january #ba4 ,january #bb4 ,january #bc4 ,january #bd4 ,january #be4 ,january #bf4 ,january #bg4 ,january #bh4 ,january #bi4 ,january #cj4 ,january #ca4 ,february #a4 ,february #b4 ,february #c4 ,february #d4 ,february #e4 ,february #f4 ,february #g4 ,february #h4 ,february #i4 ,february #aj4 ,february #aa4 ,february #ab4 ,february #ac4 ,february #ad4 ,february #ae4 ,february #af4 ,february #ag4 ,february #ah4 ,february #ai4 ,february #bj4 ,february #ba4 ,february #bb4 ,february #bc4 ,february #bd4 ,february #be4 ,february #bf4 ,february #bg4 ,february #bh4 ,march #a4 ,march #b4 ,march #c4 ,march #d4 ,march #e4 ,march #f4 ,march #g4 ,march #h4 ,march #i4 ,march #aj4 ,march #aa4 ,march #ab4 ,march #ac4 ,march #ad4 ,march #ae4 ,march #af4 ,march #ag4 ,march #ah4 ,march #ai4 ,march #bj4 ,march #ba4 ,march #bb4 ,march #bc4 ,march #bd4 ,march #be4 ,march #bf4 ,march #bg4 ,march #bh4 ,march #bi4 ,march #cj4 ,march #ca4 ,april #a4 ,april #b4 ,april #c4 ,april #d4 ,april #e4 ,april #f4 ,april #g4 ,april #h4 ,april #i4 ,april #aj4 ,april #aa4 ,april #ab4 ,april #ac4 ,april #ad4 ,april #ae4 ,april #af4 ,april #ag4 ,april #ah4 ,april #ai4 ,april #bj4 ,april #ba4 ,april #bb4 ,april #bc4 ,april #bd4 ,april #be4 ,april #bf4 ,april #bg4 ,april #bh4 ,april #bi4 ,april #cj4 ,may #a4 ,may #b4 ,may #c4 ,may #d4 ,may #e4 ,may #f4 ,may #g4 ,may #h4 ,may #i4 ,may #aj4 ,may #aa4 ,may #ab4 ,may #ac4 ,may #ad4 ,may #ae4 ,may #af4 ,may #ag4 ,may #ah4 ,may #ai4 ,may #bj4 ,may #ba4 ,may #bb4 ,may #bc4 ,may #bd4 ,may #be4 ,may #bf4 ,may #bg4 ,may #bh4 ,may #bi4 ,may #cj4 ,may #ca4 ,june #a4 ,june #b4 ,june #c4 ,june #d4 ,june #e4 ,june #f4 ,june #g4 ,june #h4 ,june #i4 ,june #aj4 ,june #aa4 ,june #ab4 ,june #ac4 ,june #ad4 ,june #ae4 ,june #af4 ,june #ag4 ,june #ah4 ,june #ai4 ,june #bj4 ,june #ba4 ,june #bb4 ,june #bc4 ,june #bd4 ,june #be4 ,june #bf4 ,june #bg4 ,june #bh4 ,june #bi4 ,june #cj4 ,july #a4 ,july #b4 ,july #c4 ,july #d4 ,july #e4 ,july #f4 ,july #g4 ,july #h4 ,july #i4 ,july #aj4 ,july #aa4 ,july #ab4 ,july #ac4 ,july #ad4 ,july #ae4 ,july #af4 ,july #ag4 ,july #ah4 ,july #ai4 ,july #bj4 ,july #ba4 ,july #bb4 ,july #bc4 ,july #bd4 ,july #be4 ,july #bf4 ,july #bg4 ,july #bh4 ,july #bi4 ,july #cj4 ,july #ca4 ,august #a4 ,august #b4 ,august #c4 ,august #d4 ,august #e4 ,august #f4 ,august #g4 ,august #h4 ,august #i4 ,august #aj4 ,august #aa4 ,august #ab4 ,august #ac4 ,august #ad4 ,august #ae4 ,august #af4 ,august #ag4 ,august #ah4 ,august #ai4 ,august #bj4 ,august #ba4 ,august #bb4 ,august #bc4 ,august #bd4 ,august #be4 ,august #bf4 ,august #bg4 ,august #bh4 ,august #bi4 ,august #cj4 ,august #ca4 ,september #a4 ,september #b4 ,september #c4 ,september #d4 ,september #e4 ,september #f4 ,september #g4 ,september #h4 ,september #i4 ,september #aj4 ,september #aa4 ,september #ab4 ,september #ac4 ,september #ad4 ,september #ae4 ,september #af4 ,september #ag4 ,september #ah4 ,september #ai4 ,september #bj4 ,september #ba4 ,september #bb4 ,september #bc4 ,september #bd4 ,september #be4 ,september #bf4 ,september #bg4 ,september #bh4 ,september #bi4 ,september #cj4 ,october #a4 ,october #b4 ,october #c4 ,october #d4 ,october #e4 ,october #f4 ,october #g4 ,october #h4 ,october #i4 ,october #aj4 ,october #aa4 ,october #ab4 ,october #ac4 ,october #ad4 ,october #ae4 ,october #af4 ,october #ag4 ,october #ah4 ,october #ai4 ,october #bj4 ,october #ba4 ,october #bb4 ,october #bc4 ,october #bd4 ,october #be4 ,october #bf4 ,october #bg4 ,october #bh4 ,october #bi4 ,october #cj4 ,october #ca4 ,november #a4 ,november #b4 ,november #c4 ,november #d4 ,november #e4 ,november #f4 ,november #g4 ,november #h4 ,november #i4 ,november #aj4 ,november #aa4 ,november #ab4 ,november #ac4 ,november #ad4 ,november #ae4 ,november #af4 ,november #ag4 ,november #ah4 ,november #ai4 ,november #bj4 ,november #ba4 ,november #bb4 ,november #bc4 ,november #bd4 ,november #be4 ,november #bf4 ,november #bg4 ,november #bh4 ,november #bi4 ,november #cj4 ,december #a4 ,december #b4 ,december #c4 ,december #d4 ,december #e4 ,december #f4 ,december #g4 ,december #h4 ,december #i4 ,december #aj4 ,december #aa4 ,december #ab4 ,december #ac4 ,december #ad4 ,december #ae4 ,december #af4 ,december #ag4 ,december #ah4 ,december #ai4 ,december #bj4 ,december #ba4 ,december #bb4 ,december #bc4 ,december #bd4 ,december #be4 ,december #bf4 ,december #bg4 ,december #bh4 ,december #bi4 ,december #cj4 ,december #ca4 ,,the ,,days ,,of ,,heaven ,the days of heaven are peaceful days1 ,still as yon glassy sea2 ,so calm1 so still in ,god1 our days1 ,as the days of heaven would be4 ,the days of heaven are holy days1 ,from sin forever free2 ,so cleansed and kept our days1 ,o ,lord1 ,as the days of heaven would be4 ,the days of heaven are happy days4 ,sorrow they never see2 ,so full of gladness all our days1 ,as the days of heaven would be4 ,the days of heaven are healthful days1 ,they feed on life's fair tree2 ,so feeding on ,thy strength1 ,o ,christ1 ,our days as heaven may be4 ,walk with us1 ,lord1 thro' all the days1 ,and let us walk with ,thee2 ,till as ,thy will is done in heaven1 ,on earth so shall it be4 ,,january #a4 8,redeeming the time0 7,eph4 v4 #af74 ,two little words are found in the ,greek version here4 ,they are translated 8ton kairon0 in the revised version1 8,buying up for yourselves the opportunity40 ,the two words ton kairon mean1 literally1 the opportunity4 ,they do not refer to time in general1 but to a special point of time1 a juncture1 a crisis1 a moment full of possibilities and quickly passing by1 which we must seize and make the best of before it has passed away4 ,it is intimated that there are not many such moments of opportunity1 because the days are evil2 like a barren desert1 in which1 here and there1 you find a flower1 pluck it while you can2 like a business opportunity which comes a few times in a life-time2 buy it up while you have the chance4 ,be spiritually alert2 be not unwise1 but understanding what the will of ,god is4 8,walk circumspectly1 not as fools1 but as wise1 buying up for yourselves the opportunity40 ,sometimes it is a moment of time to be saved2 sometimes a soul to be led to ,christ2 sometimes it is an occasion for love2 sometimes for patience3 sometimes for victory over temptation and sin4 ,let us redeem it4 ,,january #b4 8,i will cause you to walk in ,my statutes0 7,eze4 xxxvi4 #bg74 ,the highest spiritual condition is one where life is spontaneous and flows without effort1 like the deep floods of ,ezekiel's river1 where the struggles of the swimmer ceased1 and he was borne by the current's resistless force4 ,so ,god leads us into spiritual conditions and habits which become the spontaneous impulses of our being1 and we live and move in the fulness of the divine life4 ,but these spiritual habits are not the outcome of some transitory impulse1 but are often slowly acquired and established4 ,they begin1 like every true habit1 in a definite act of will1 and they are confirmed by the repetition of that act until it becomes a habit4 ,the first stages always involve effort and choice4 ,we have to take a stand and hold it steadily1 and after we have done so a certain time1 it becomes second nature1 and carries us by its own force4 ,the ,holy ,spirit is willing to form such habits in every direction of our ,christian life1 and if we will but obey ,him in the first steppings of faith1 we will soon become established in the attitude of obedience1 and duty will be delight4 ,,january #c4 8,watch and pray0 7,matt4 xxvi4 #da74 ,we need to watch for prayers as well as for the answers to our prayers4 ,it needs as much wisdom to pray rightly as it does faith to receive the answers to our prayers4 ,we met a friend the other day1 who had been in years of darkness because ,god had failed to answer certain prayers1 and the result had been a state bordering on infidelity4 ,a very few moments were sufficient to convince this friend that these prayers had been entirely unauthorized1 and that ,god had never promised to answer such prayers1 and they were for things which this friend should have accomplished himself1 in the exercise of ordinary wisdom4 ,the result was deliverance from a cloud of unbelief which was almost wrecking a ,christian life4 ,there are some things about which we do not need to pray1 as much as to take the light which ,god has already given4 ,many persons are asking ,god to give them peculiar signs1 tokens and supernatural intimations of ,his will4 ,our business is to use the light ,he has given1 and then ,he will give whatever more we need4 ,,january #d4 8,blessed is the man that walketh not0 7,ps4 i4 #a74 ,three things are notable about this man3 #a4 ,his company4 8,he walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly1 nor standeth in the way of sinners1 nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful40 #b4 ,his reading and thinking4 8,his delight is in the law of the ,lord1 and in ,his law doth he meditate day and night40 #c4 ,his fruitfulness4 8,and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water1 that bringeth forth his fruit in his season2 his leaf also shall not wither1 and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper40 ,the river is the ,holy ,ghost2 the planting1 the deep1 abiding life in which1 not occasionally1 but habitually1 we absorb the ,holy ,spirit2 and the fruit is not occasional1 but continual1 and appropriate to each changing season4 ,his life is also prosperous1 and his spirit fresh1 like the unfading leaf4 ,such a life must be happy4 ,indeed1 happiness is a matter of spiritual conditions4 ,put a sunbeam in a cellar and it must be bright4 ,put a nightingale in the darkest midnight1 and it must sing4 ,,january #e4 8,i know him that he will do the law0 7,gen4 xviii4 #ai74 ,god wants people that ,he can depend upon4 ,he could say of ,abraham1 8,i know him1 that the ,lord may bring upon ,abraham all that ,he hath spoken40 ,god can be depended upon2 ,he wants us to be just as decided1 as reliable1 as stable4 ,this is just what faith means4 ,god is looking for men on whom ,he can put the weight of all ,his love1 and power1 and faithful promises4 ,when ,god finds such a soul there is nothing ,he will not do for him4 ,god's engines are strong enough to draw any weight we attach to them4 ,unfortunately the cable which we fasten to the engine is often too weak to hold the weight of our prayer1 therefore ,god is drilling us1 disciplining us1 and training us to stability and certainty in the life of faith4 ,let us learn our lessons1 and let us stand fast4 ,god has ,his best things for the few ,who dare to stand the test2 ,god has his second choice for those ,who will not have ,his best4 ,give me1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy highest choice1 ,let others take the rest4 ,their good things have no charm for me1 ,for ,i have got ,thy best4 ,,january #f4 8,the body is not one member1 but many0 7,i4 ,cor4 xii4 #ad74 ,we have a friend who has a phonograph for his correspondence4 ,it consists of two parts4 ,one is a simple and wonderful apparatus1 whose sensitive cylinders receive the tones and then give them out again1 word for word1 through the hearing tube4 ,the other part is a common little box that stands under the table1 and does nothing but supply the power through connecting wires4 ,now1 the little box might insist upon being the phonograph1 and doing the talking2 but if it should1 it would not only waste its own life but destroy the life of its partner4 ,its sole business is to supply power to the phonograph1 while the latter is to do the talking4 ,so some of us are called to be voices to speak for ,god to our fellow-men1 others are forces to sustain them1 by our holy sympathy and silent prayer4 7,some of us are little dynamos under the table1 while others are phonographs that speak aloud the messages of heaven47 ,let each of us be true to our ,god-given ministry1 and when the day comes our work will be weighed and the rewards distributed4 ,,january #g4 8,now unto ,him that is able to keep you from stumbling0 7,jude #bd74 ,this is a most precious promise4 ,the revised translation is both accurate and suggestive4 ,it is not merely from falling that ,he wants to keep us1 but from even the slightest stumbling4 ,we are told of ,abraham that he staggered not at the promise4 ,god wants us to walk so steadily that there will not even be a quiver in the line of ,his regiments as they face the foe4 ,it is the little stumblings of life that most discourage and hinder us1 and most of these stumblings are over trifles4 ,satan would much rather knock us down with a feather than with an ,armstrong gun4 ,it is much more to his honor and keen delight to defeat a child of ,god by some flimsy trifle than by some great temptation4 ,beloved1 let us watch1 in these days1 against the orange peels that trip us on our pathway1 the little foxes that destroy the vines1 and the dead flies that mar1 sometimes1 a whole vessel of precious ointment4 8,trifles make perfection10 and as we get farther on1 in our ,christian life1 ,god will hold us much more closely to obedience in things that seem insignificant4 ,,january #h4 8,it is ,i1 be not afraid0 7,mark vi4 #ej74 ,someone tells of a little child with some big story of sorrow upon its little heart1 flying to its mother's arms for comfort1 and intending to tell her the story of its trouble2 but as that mother presses it to her bosom and pours out her love1 it soon becomes so occupied with her and the sweetness of her affection that it forgets to tell its story1 and in a little while even the memory of the trouble is forgotten4 ,it has just been loved away1 and she has taken its place in the heart of the little one4 ,this is the way ,god comforts us ,himself4 8,it is ,i1 be not afraid10 is ,his reassuring word4 ,the circumstances are not altered1 but ,he ,himself comes in their place1 and satisfies every need of our being1 and we forget all things in ,his sweet presence1 as ,he becomes our all in all4 ,i am breathing out my sorrow ,on ,thy kind and loving breast2 ,breathing in ,thy joy and comfort1 ,breathing in ,thy peace and rest4 ,i am breathing out my longings ,in ,thy listening1 loving ear2 ,i am breathing in ,thy answer1 ,stilling every doubt and fear4 ,,january #i4 8,not as ,i will1 but as ,thou wilt0 7,matt4 xxvi4 #ci74 8,to will and do of ,his good pleasure0 7,phil4 ii4 #ac74 ,there are two attitudes in which our will should be given to ,god4 ,first4 ,we should have the surrendered will4 ,this is where we must all begin1 by yielding up to ,god our natural will1 and having ,him possess it4 ,but next1 ,he wants us to have the victorious will4 ,as soon as ,he receives our will in honest surrender1 ,he wants to put ,his will into it and make it stronger than ever for ,him4 ,it is henceforth no longer our will1 but ,his will4 ,and having yielded to ,his choice and placed itself under ,his direction1 ,he wants to put into it all the strength and intensity of ,his own great will and make us positive1 forceful1 victorious and unmovable1 even as ,himself4 8,not ,my will1 but ,thine be done40 ,that is the first step4 8,father1 ,i will that they whom ,thou hast given ,me1 be with ,me40 ,that is the second attitude4 ,both are divine2 both are right2 both are necessary to our right living and successful working for ,god4 ,,january #aj4 8,charity doth not behave itself unseemly0 7,i4 ,cor4 xiii4 #e74 ,in the dress of a ,hindu woman1 her graceful robe is fastened upon her person entirely by means of a single knot4 ,the long strip of cloth is wound around her person so as to fall in graceful folds like a made garment1 and the end is fastened by a little knot1 and the whole thing hangs by that single fastening4 ,if that were loosed the robe would fall4 ,and so in the spiritual life1 our habits of grace are likened unto garments2 and it is also true that the garment of love1 which is the beautiful adorning of the child of ,god1 is entirely fastened by little nots4 ,if you will read with care the thirteenth chapter of ,i4 ,corinthians1 you will find that most of the qualities of love are purely negative4 8,love envieth not1 love vaunteth not itself1 is not puffed up1 doth not behave herself rudely1 seeketh not her own1 is not provoked1 thinketh no evil40 ,here are 8nots0 enough to hold on our spiritual wardrobe4 ,here are reasons enough to explain the failure of so many1 and the reason why they walk naked1 or with rent garments1 and others see their shame4 ,let us look after the nots4 ,,january #aa4 8,hold fast till ,i come0 7,rev4 ii4 #be74 ,the other day we asked a ,hebrew friend how it was that his countrymen were so successful in acquiring wealth4 8,ah10 said he1 8we do not make more money than other people1 but we keep more40 ,beloved1 let us look out this day for spiritual pickpockets and spiritual leakage4 ,let us 8lose nothing of what we have wrought1 but receive a full reward02 and1 as each day comes and goes1 let us put away in the savings bank of eternity its treasures of grace and victory1 and so be conscious from day to day that something real and everlasting is being added to our eternal fortune4 ,it may be but a little1 but if we only economize all that ,god gives us1 and pass it on to ,his keeping1 when the close shall come we shall be amazed to see how much the accumulated treasures of a well spent life have laid up on high1 and how much more ,he has added to them by ,his glorious investment of the life committed to ,his keeping4 ,oh1 how the days are telling6 ,oh1 how precious these golden hours will seem sometime6 ,god help us to make the most of them now4 ,,january #ab4 8,ask and it shall be given you0 7,matt4 vii4 #g74 ,we must receive1 as well as ask4 ,we must take the place of believing1 and recognize ourselves as in it4 ,a friend was saying1 8,i want to get into the will of ,god10 and this was the answer3 8,will you step into the will of ,god8 ,and now1 are you in the will of ,god80 ,the question aroused a thought that had not come before4 ,the gentleman saw that he had been straining after1 but not receiving the blessing he sought4 ,jesus has said1 8,ask and ye shall receive40 ,the very strain keeps back the blessing4 ,the intense tension of all your spiritual nature so binds you that you are not open to the blessing which ,god is waiting to give you4 8,whosoever will1 let him take the water of life freely40 ,he tells me there is cleansing ,from every secret sin1 ,and a great and full salvation ,to keep the heart within4 ,and ,i take ,him in ,his fulness1 ,with all ,his glorious grace1 ,for ,he says it is mine by taking1 ,and ,i take just what ,he says4 ,,january #ac4 8,thou shalt be to him instead of ,god0 7,ex4 iv4 #af74 ,such was ,god's promise to ,moses1 and such the high character that ,moses was to assume toward ,aaron1 his brother4 ,may it not suggest a high and glorious place that each of us may occupy toward all whom we meet1 instead of ,god8 ,what a dignity and glory it would give our lives1 could we uniformly realize this high calling6 ,how it would lead us to act toward our fellow-men6 ,god can always be depended upon4 ,god is without variableness or shadow of turning4 ,god's word is unchangeable1 and we can trust ,him without reserve or question4 ,oh1 that we might so live that men can trust us1 even as ,god6 ,again1 ,god has no needs or wants to be supplied4 ,he is always giving4 8,rich unto all that call upon ,him40 ,the glory of ,his nature is love1 unselfish love1 and beneficence toward all ,his creatures4 ,the ,divine life is a self-forgetting life1 a life that has nothing to do but love and bless4 ,let us so live1 representing our ,master here1 while ,he represents us before the ,throne on high4 ,,january #ad4 8,unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of ,christ0 7,eph4 iv4 #ac74 ,god loves us so well that ,he will not suffer us to take less than ,his highest will4 ,some day we shall bless our faithful teacher1 who kept the standard inflexibly rigid1 and then gave us the strength and grace to reach it1 and would not excuse us until we had accomplished all ,his glorious will4 ,let us be inexorable with ourselves4 ,let us mean exactly what ,god means1 and have no discounts upon ,his promises or commandments4 ,let us keep the standard up1 and never rest until we reach it4 8,let ,god be true and every man a liar40 ,if we fail a hundred times don't let us accommodate ,god's ideal to our realization1 but like the brave ensign who stood in front of his company waving the banner1 and when the soldiers called him back he only waved it higher1 and cried1 8,don't bring the standard back to the regiment1 but bring the regiment up to the colors40 ,forward1 forward1 leave the past behind thee1 ,reaching forth unto the things before2 ,all the ,land of ,promise lies before thee1 ,god has greater blessings yet in store4 ,,january #ae4 8,as ye have received ,christ ,jesus so walk in ,him0 7,col4 ii4 #f74 ,it is much easier to keep the fire burning than to rekindle it after it has gone out4 ,let us abide in ,him4 ,let us not have to remove the cinders and ashes from our hearthstones every day and kindle a new flame2 but let us keep it burning and never let it expire4 ,among the ancient ,greeks the sacred fire was never allowed to go out2 so1 in a higher sense1 let us keep the heavenly flame aglow upon the altar of the heart4 ,it takes very much less effort to maintain a good habit than to form it4 ,a true spiritual habit once formed becomes a spontaneous tendency of our being1 and we grow into delightful freedom in following it4 8,let us not be ever laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works1 but let us go on unto perfection2 and whereto we have already attained1 let us walk by the same rule1 let us mind the same things40 ,every spiritual habit begins with difficulty and effort and watchfulness1 but if we will only let it get thoroughly established1 it will become a channel along which currents of life will flow with divine spontaneousness and freedom4 ,,january #af4 8,prove what is that good1 and acceptable and perfect will of ,god0 7,rom4 xii4 #b74 ,there are three conditions in which the water in that engine may be4 ,first1 the boiler may be full and the water clean and clear2 or1 secondly1 the boiler may not only be full but the water may be hot1 very hot1 hot enough to scald you1 almost boiling2 thirdly1 it may be just one degree hotter and at the boiling point1 giving forth its vapor in clouds of steam1 pressing through the valves and driving the mighty piston which turns the wheels and propels the train of cars across the country4 ,so there are three kinds of ,christians4 ,the first we will call cold water ,christians1 or1 perhaps better1 clean water ,christians4 ,secondly1 there are hot water ,christians4 ,they are almost at the boiling point4 ,one degree more1 we come to the third class of ,christians1 the boiling water ,christians4 ,the difference is a very slight one2 it simply takes one reservation out1 drops one 8if10 eliminates a single touch1 and yet it is all the difference in the world4 ,that one degree changes that engine into a motive power1 not now a thing to be looked at1 but a thing to go4 ,,january #ag4 8,it is ,god which worketh in you0 7,phil4 ii4 #ac74 ,god has not two ways for any of us2 but one2 not two things for us to do which we may choose between2 but one best and highest choice4 ,it is a blessed thing to find and fill the perfect will of ,god4 ,it is a blessed thing to have our life laid out and our ,christian work adjusted to ,god's plan4 ,much strength is lost by working at a venture4 ,much spiritual force is expended in wasted effort1 and scattered1 indefinite and inconstant attempts at doing good4 ,there is spiritual force and financial strength enough in the hands and hearts of the consecrated ,christians of to-day to bring the coming of ,christ1 to bring about the evangelization of the world in a generation1 if it were only wisely directed and utilized according to ,god's plan4 ,christ has laid down a definite plan of work for ,his ,church1 and ,he expects us to understand it1 and to work up to it2 and as we catch ,his thought1 and obediently1 loyally fulfil it1 we shall work to purpose1 and please ,him far better than by our thoughtless1 reckless1 and indiscriminate attempts to carry out our ideas1 and compel ,god to bless our work4 ,,january #ah4 8,that take and give for ,me and thee0 7,matt4 xvii4 #bg74 ,there is a beautiful touch of loving thoughtfulness in the account of ,christ's miracle at ,capernaum in providing the tribute money4 ,after the reference to ,peter's interview with the tax collector1 it is added1 8,when he came into the house ,jesus prevented him10 that is1 anticipated him1 as the old ,saxon word means1 by arranging for the need before ,peter needed to speak about it at all1 and ,he sent ,peter down to the sea to find the piece of gold in the mouth of the fish4 ,so our dear ,lord is always thinking in advance of our needs1 and ,he loves to save us from embarrassment1 and anticipate our anxieties and cares by laying up ,his loving acts and providing before the emergency comes4 ,then with exquisite tenderness the ,master adds3 8,that take and give for ,me and thee40 ,he puts ,himself first in the embarrassing need and bears the heavy end of the burden for ,his distressed and suffering child4 ,he makes our cares ,his cares1 our sorrows ,his sorrows1 our shame ,his shame1 and 8,he is able to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities40 ,,january #ai4 8,prove me now herewith0 7,mal4 iii4 #aj74 ,we once heard a simple old colored man say something that we have never forgotten4 8,when ,god tests ,you it is a good time for you to test ,him by putting ,his promises to the proof1 and claiming from ,him just as much as your trials have rendered necessary40 ,there are two ways of getting out of a trial4 ,one is to simply try to get rid of the trial1 and be thankful when it is over4 ,the other is to recognize the trial as a challenge from ,god to claim a larger blessing than we have ever had1 and to hail it with delight as an opportunity of obtaining a larger measure of ,divine grace4 ,thus even the adversary becomes an auxiliary1 and the things that seem to be against us turn out to be for the furtherance of our way4 ,surely1 this is to be more than conquerors through ,him who loved us4 ,blessed ,rose of ,sharon ,breathe upon our heart1 ,fill us with ,thy fragrance1 ,keep us as ,thou art4 ,then ,thy life will make us ,holy and complete2 ,in ,thy grace triumphant1 ,in ,thy sweetness1 sweet4 ,,january #bj4 8,ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of0 7,luke ix4 #ee74 ,some one has said that the most spiritual people are the easiest to get along with4 ,when one has a little of the ,holy ,ghost it is like 8a little learning1 a dangerous thing02 but a full baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 and a really disciplined1 stablished and tested spiritual life1 makes one simple1 tender1 tolerant1 considerate of others1 and like a little child4 ,james and ,john1 in their early zeal1 wanted to call down fire from heaven on the ,samaritans4 ,but ,john1 the aged1 allowed ,demetrius to exclude him from the church1 and suffered in ,patmos for the kingdom and with the patience of ,jesus4 ,and aged ,paul was willing to take back even ,mark1 whom he had refused as a companion in his early ministry1 and to acknowledge that he was profitable to him for the ministry4 ,i want the love that cannot help but love2 ,loving1 like ,god1 for very sake of love4 ,a spring so full that it must overflow1 ,a fountain flowing from the throne above4 8,now abideth faith1 hope1 love2 but the greatest of these is love40 ,,january #ba4 8,pray without ceasing0 7,i4 ,thess4 v4 #ag74 ,an important help in the life of prayer is the habit of bringing everything to ,god1 moment by moment1 as it comes to us in life4 ,this may be established as a habit on the principle on which all habits are formed1 of repeated and constant attention1 moment by moment1 until that which is at first an act of will1 becomes spontaneous and second nature4 ,if we will watch our lives we shall find that ,god meets the things that we commit to ,him in prayer with special blessing1 and often allows the best things that we have not committed to ,him to be ineffectual1 simply to remind us of our dependence upon ,him for everything4 ,it is very gracious and mindful of ,him thus gently to compel us to remember ,him and to hold us so close to ,him that we cannot get away even the length of a single minute from ,his all-sustaining arm4 8,in everything 444 let our requests be made known unto ,god40 ,let us bring our least petitions1 ,like the incense beaten small1 ,all our cares1 complaints1 conditions ,jesus loves to bear them all4 ,,january #bb4 8,his wife hath made herself ready0 7,rev4 xix4 #g74 ,there is danger in becoming morbid even in preparing for the ,lord's coming4 ,we remember a time in our life when we had devoted ourselves to spend a month in waiting upon the ,lord for a baptism of the ,holy ,ghost1 and before the end of the month1 the ,lord shook us out of our seclusion and compelled us to go out and carry ,his message to others2 and as we went1 ,he met us in the service4 ,there is a musty1 monkish way of seeking a blessing1 and there is a wholesome1 practical holiness which finds us in the company of the ,lord ,himself not only in the closet and on the mountain-top of prayer1 but among publicans and sinners1 and in the practical duties of life4 ,it seems to us that the practical preparation for the ,lord's coming consists1 first1 of a very full entering into fellowship with ,him in our own spiritual life1 and letting ,him not only cleanse us1 but perfect us in all the finer touches of the ,spirit's deeper work1 and then1 secondly1 getting out of ourselves and living for the help of others and the preparation of the world for ,his appearing4 ,,january #bc4 8,i know a man in ,christ0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 xii4 #b74 ,it is a great deliverance to lose one's self4 ,there is no heavier millstone that one can be compelled to carry than self-consciousness4 ,it is so easy to get introverted and coiled round one's self in our spiritual consciousness4 ,there is nothing that is so easy to fasten on as our misery2 there is nothing that is more apt to produce self-consciousness than suffering1 until it becomes almost a settled habit to hold on to our burden1 and pray it unceasingly into the very face of ,god1 until our very prayer saturates us with our own misery1 instead of asking for power to drop ourselves altogether1 and leave ourselves in ,his loving hands and know that we are free1 and then rise into the blessed liberty of ,his higher thoughts and will1 and ,his love and care for others4 ,the very act of letting go of ourselves really lifts us into a higher plane1 and relieves us from the thing that is hurting4 ,this habit of prayer for others1 and especially for the world1 brings its own recompense1 and leaves upon our hearts a blessing like the fertility which the ,nile deposits upon the soil of ,egypt1 as it flows through to its distant goal4 ,,january #bd4 8,freely ye have received1 freely give0 7,matt4 x4 #h74 ,when ,god does anything marked and special for our souls1 or bodies1 ,he intends it as a sacred trust for us to communicate to others4 8,freely ye have received1 freely give40 ,it has pleased the ,master in these closing days of the dispensation to reveal ,himself in peculiar blessing to the hearts of ,his chosen disciples in all parts of the ,christian ,church2 but this is intended to be communicated to a still wider circle1 and every one of us who has been brought into these intimate relations with ,god1 becomes a trustee1 or witness for these higher truths to every one we can influence4 ,if ,god has revealed ,himself to us as our ,sanctifier1 it is that we may help others to know ,him as a ,sanctifier4 ,if ,he has become our ,healer1 it is because there are sick and suffering lives to whom we can bring some blessing4 ,in like manner1 if the hope of the ,lord's coming has become precious to us1 it would be worse than ingratitude for us to hide our testimony to this truth1 and hold it only for our own personal comfort4 ,,january #be4 8,hold fast that which is good0 7,i4 ,thess4 v4 #ba74 ,it is a great thing to be able to receive new truth and blessing without sacrificing the truths already proved1 and abandoning foundations already laid4 ,some persons are always laying the foundations1 and they present at last1 the appearance of a lot of abandoned sites and half constructed buildings1 and nothing is ever brought to completion4 ,the fact that you are abandoning to-day for some new truth the things that a year ago you counted most precious and believed to be divinely true1 should be sufficient evidence that you will probably a year from to-day abandon your present convictions for the next new light that comes to you4 ,god is ever wanting to add to us1 to develop us1 to enlarge us1 to teach us more and more1 but it is ever in the line of things which ,he has already taught us1 and in which we have been established4 ,while we are to 8prove all things10 let us 8hold fast that which is good10 and 8whereto we have already attained1 let us walk by the same rule1 let us mind the same thing40 ,,january #bf4 8,i called him alone and blessed him0 7,isa4 li4 #b74 ,when we were in the ,east we noticed the beautiful process of raising rice4 ,the rice is sown on a morass of mud and water1 ploughed up by great buffaloes1 and after a few weeks it springs up and appears above the water with its beautiful pale green shoots4 ,the seed has been sown very thickly and the plants are clustered together in great numbers1 so that you can pull up a score at a single handful4 ,but now comes the process of transplanting4 ,he first plants us and lets us grow very close to some of ,his children1 and in great clusters in the nursery or the hothouse1 but when we reach a certain stage we must be transplanted1 or come to nothing4 ,he calls us out by ,his ,spirit and ,providence into situations where we have to lean directly on ,him1 where ,he puts upon us a weight of responsibility and service so great that we have an opportunity of developing and are thrown upon the great resources of ,his grace4 8,blessed is the man that trusteth in the ,lord1 and whose hope the ,lord is2 for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth out her roots by the rivers40 ,,january #bg4 8,this one thing ,i do0 7,phil4 iii4 #ac74 ,one of ,satan's favorite employees is the switchman4 ,he likes nothing better than to side-track one of ,god's express trains1 sent on some blessed mission and filled with the fire of a holy purpose4 ,something will come up in the pathway of the earnest soul1 to attract its attention and occupy its strength and thought4 ,sometimes it is a little irritation and provocation4 ,sometimes it is some petty grievance we stop to pursue or adjust4 ,sometimes it is somebody else's business in which we become interested1 and which we feel bound to rectify1 and before we know1 we are absorbed in a lot of distracting cares and interests that quite turn us aside from the great purpose of our life4 ,perhaps we do not do much harm1 but we have missed our connection4 ,we have got off the main line4 ,let all these things alone4 ,let grievances come and go1 but press forward steadily and irresistibly1 crying1 as you haste to the goal1 8,this one thing ,i do40 ,,january #bh4 8,that my joy might remain in you1 and that your joy might be full0 7,john xv4 #aa74 ,there is a joy that springs spontaneously in the heart without external or even rational cause4 ,it is an artesian fountain4 ,it rejoices because it cannot help it4 ,it is the glory of ,god2 it is the heart of ,christ1 it is the joy divine of which ,he says1 8,these things have ,i spoken unto you that ,my joy might remain in you1 and that your joy might be full40 ,and your joy no man taketh from you4 ,he who possesses this fountain is not discouraged by surrounding circumstances1 but is often surprised at the deep1 sweet gladness that comes without any apparent cause1 and even comes most strongly when everything in our condition and circumstances is fitted to fill us with sorrow and depression4 ,it is the nightingale in the heart1 which sings at night1 and sings because it is its nature to sing4 ,it is the glorified and incorruptible joy which belongs to heaven1 and anticipates already the everlasting song4 ,lord1 give me ,thy joy under all circumstances this day1 and let my full heart overflow in blessing to others4 ,,january #bi4 8,send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared0 7,neh4 viii4 #aj74 ,that was a fine picture in the days of ,nehemiah1 when they were celebrating their glorious ,feast of ,tabernacles4 8,neither be ye sorry2 for the joy of the ,lord is your strength4 ,go your way1 eat the fat1 and drink the sweet1 and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared40 ,how many there are on every side for whom nothing is prepared6 ,let us find out some sad and needy heart for whom there is no one else to think or care4 ,let us pray for some one that has none to pray for him4 ,let us be like ,him who1 one ,christmas ,day1 gave ,his life and ,his all1 and came to those who would not appreciate ,his holy gift1 but rejected ,his blessed ,babe1 and murdered ,his only ,son4 ,let us not be afraid to know something even of the love that is unrequited and is thrown away on the unworthy4 ,that is the love of ,christ1 and ,god has for such love a rich recompense4 ,how ,christ must almost weep over the selfishness that meets ,him from those for whom ,he died4 ,,january #cj4 8,cast down but not destroyed0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 iv4 #i74 ,how did ,god bring about the miracle of the ,red ,sea8 ,by shutting ,his people in on every side1 so that there was no way out but the divine way4 ,the ,egyptians were behind them1 the sea was in front of them1 the mountains were on every side of them4 ,there was no escape but from above4 ,some one has said that the devil can wall us in1 but he cannot roof us over4 ,we can always get out at the top4 ,our difficulties are but ,god's challenges1 and ,he makes them so hard1 often1 that we must go under or get above them4 ,in such an hour1 if there is a divine element1 it brings out the highest possibilities of faith and we are pushed by the very emergency into ,god's best4 ,beloved1 this is ,god's hour4 ,if you will rise to meet it you will get such a hold upon ,him that you will never be in extremities again1 or if you are1 you will learn to call them not extremities1 but opportunities1 and like ,jacob1 you will go forth from that night at ,peniel1 no longer ,jacob1 but victorious ,israel4 ,let us bring to ,him our need and prove ,him true4 ,,january #ca4 8,jesus1 who of ,god is made unto us wisdom1 and righteousness and sanctification and redemption0 7,i4 ,cor4 i4 #cj74 ,more and more we are coming to see the supreme importance of getting the right conception of sanctification1 not as a blessing1 but as a personal union with the personal ,saviour and the indwelling ,holy ,spirit4 ,thousands of people get stranded after they have embarked on the great voyage of holiness4 ,they find themselves failing and falling1 and are astonished and perplexed1 and they conclude that they must have been mistaken in their experience1 and so they make a new attempt at the same thing and again fall1 until at last1 worn out with the experiment1 they conclude that the experience is a delusion1 or1 at least1 that it was never intended for them1 and so they fall back into the old way1 and their last state is worse than their first4 ,what people need to-day to satisfy their deep hunger and to give them a permanent and ,divine experience is to know1 not sanctification as a state1 but ,christ as a living ,person1 who is waiting to enter the heart that is willing to receive ,him4 ,,february #a4 8,a well of water springing up0 7,john iv4 #ad74 ,in the life overflowing in service for others1 we find the deep fountain of life running over the spring and finding vent in rivers of living water that go out to bless and save the world around us4 ,it is beautiful to notice that as the blessing grows unselfish it grows larger4 ,the water in the heart is only a well1 but when reaching out to the needs of others it is not only a river1 but a delta of many rivers overflowing in majestic blessing4 ,this overflowing love is connected with the ,person and work of the ,holy ,spirit which was to be poured out upon the disciples after ,jesus was glorified4 ,this is the true secret of power for service1 the heart filled and satisfied with ,jesus1 and so baptized with the ,holy ,ghost that it is impelled by the fulness of its joy and love to impart to others what it has so abundantly received2 and yet each new ministry only makes room for a new filling and a deeper receiving of the life which grows by giving4 ,letting go is twice possessing1 ,would you double every blessing1 ,pass it on4 ,,february #b4 8,and whosoever will be great among you1 let him be your minister4 ,and whosoever will be chief among you1 let him be your servant0 7,matt4 xx4 #bf1 #bg74 ,slave is the literal meaning of the word1 doulos4 ,the first word used for service is diakanos1 which means a minister to others in any usual way or work3 but the word doulos means a bond slave1 and the ,lord here plainly teaches us that the highest service is that of a bond slave4 ,he ,himself made ,himself the servant of all1 and he who would come nearest to ,him and stand closest to ,him at last1 must likewise learn the spirit of the ministry that has utterly renounced selfish rights and claims forever4 ,it is quite possible to be entirely loyal to the ,lord ,jesus1 and yet for ,jesus' sake1 a servant ourselves1 and under the authority of those who are over us in the ,lord4 ,the doulos spirit is the spirit of self-renunciation and glad submission to proper authority1 service utterly disinterested1 yielding our own preferences and interests unreservedly for the glory of the ,master and the sake of our brethren4 ,lord1 clothe us with humility and make us wholly ,thine4 ,,february #c4 8,he went out1 not knowing whither ,he went0 7,heb4 xi4 #h74 ,it is faith without sight4 ,when we can see1 it is not faith but reasoning4 ,in crossing the ,atlantic we observed this very principle of faith4 ,we saw no path upon the sea nor sign of the shore4 ,and yet day by day we were marking our path upon the chart as exactly as if there had followed us a great chalk line upon the sea2 and when we came within twenty miles of land we knew where we were as exactly as if we had seen it all three thousand miles ahead4 ,how had we measured and marked our course8 ,day by day our captain had taken his instruments1 and looking up to the sky had fixed his course by the sun4 ,he was sailing by the heavenly1 not the earthly lights4 ,so faith looks up and sails on1 by ,god's great ,sun1 not seeing one shore line or earthly lighthouse or path upon the way4 ,often its steps seem to lead into utter uncertainty1 and even darkness and disaster4 ,but ,he opens the way1 and often makes such midnight hours the very gates of day4 ,let us go forth this day1 not knowing but trusting4 ,,february #d4 8,lo1 ,i am with you alway0 7,matt4 xxviii4 #bj74 ,this living ,christ is not the person that was1 but the person that still is1 your living ,lord4 ,at ,preston ,pans1 near ,edinburgh1 ,i looked on the field where in the olden days armies were engaged in contest4 ,in the crisis of the battle the chieftain fell wounded4 ,his men were about to shrink away from the field when they saw their leader's form go down2 their strong hands held the claymore with trembling grip1 and they faltered for a moment4 ,then the old chieftain rallied strength enough to rise on his elbow and cry3 8,i am not dead1 my children1 ,i am only watching you--to see my clansmen do their duty40 ,and so from the other side of ,calvary ,he is speaking2 we cannot see ,him1 but ,he says1 8,lo1 ,i am with you alway1 even to the end of the world02 and ,he puts it1 8,i am0--an uninterrupted and continuous presence4 ,not 8,i will be10 but the unbroken presence still is with us forevermore4 ,soon the conflict shall be done1 ,soon the battle shall be won2 ,soon shall wave the victor's palm1 ,soon shall sing the eternal ,psalm2 ,then our joyful song shall be1 ,i have overcome through ,thee4 ,,february #e4 8,rest in the ,lord0 7,ps4 xxxvii474 ,in the old creation the week began with work and ended with ,sabbath rest4 ,the resurrection week begins with the first day--first rest1 then labor4 ,so we must first cease from our own works as ,god did from ,his1 and enter into ,his rest1 and then we will work1 with rested hearts1 ,his works with effectual power4 ,but why 8labor to enter into rest08 ,see that ship--how restfully she sails over the waters1 her sails swelling with the gale2 and borne without an effort6 ,and yet1 look at that man at the helm4 ,see how firmly he holds the rudder1 bearing against the wind1 and holding her steady to her position4 ,let him for a moment relax his steady hold and the ship will fall listlessly along the wind4 ,the sails will flap1 the waves will toss the vessel at their will1 and all rest and power will have gone4 ,it is the fixed helm that brings the steadying power of the wind4 ,and so ,he has said1 8,thou wilt keep him in perfect peace1 whose mind is stayed on ,thee1 because he trusteth in ,thee40 ,the steady will and stayed heart are ours4 ,the keeping is the ,lord's4 ,so let us labor to enter and abide in ,his rest4 ,,february #f4 8,praying always for all saints0 7,eph4 vi4 #ah74 ,one good counsel will suffice just now4 ,stop praying so much for yourself2 begin to ask unselfish things1 and see if ,god won't give you faith4 ,see how much easier it will be to believe for another than for your own petty self4 ,try the effect of praying for the world1 for definite things1 for difficult things1 for glorious things1 for things that will honor ,christ and save mankind1 and after you have received a few wonderful answers to prayer in this direction1 see if you won't feel stronger to touch your own little burden with a ,divine faith1 and then go back again to the high place of unselfish prayer for others4 ,have you ever learned the beautiful art of letting ,god take care of you1 and giving all your thought and strength to pray for others and for the kingdom of ,god8 ,it will relieve you of a thousand cares4 ,it will lift you up into a noble and lofty sphere1 and teach you to live and love like ,god4 ,lord save us from our selfish prayers and give us the faith that worketh by love1 and the heart of ,christ for a perishing world4 ,,february #g4 8,faithful in that which is least0 7,luke xvi4 #aj74 ,the man that missed his opportunity and met the doom of the faithless servant was not the man with five talents1 or the man with two1 but the man who had only one4 ,the people who are in danger of missing life's great meaning are the people of ordinary capacity and opportunity1 and who say to themselves1 8,there is so little ,i can do that ,i will not try to do anything40 ,one of the finest windows in ,europe was made from the remnants an apprentice boy collected from the cuttings of his master's great work4 ,the sweepings of the ,british mint are worth millions4 ,the little pivots on which the works of your watch turn are so important that they are actually made of jewels4 ,and so ,god places a solemn value and responsibility on the humble workers1 the people that try to hide behind their insignificance the trifling opportunities and the single talents2 and our littleness will not excuse us in the reckoning day4 8,talk not of talents1 what hast thou to do8 ,thou hast sufficient1 whether five or two4 ,talk not of talents2 is thy duty done8 ,this brings the blessing whether ten or one40 ,,february #h4 8,we are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 iii4 #e74 ,insufficient1 8,all sufficient40 ,these two words form the complement of each other and together give the key to an efficient ,christian life4 ,the discovery and full conviction of our utter helplessness is the constant condition of spiritual supply4 ,the aim of the ,old ,testament1 therefore1 is ever to show man's failure2 that of the ,new1 to reveal ,christ's sufficiency4 ,he has all things for us1 but we cannot receive them till we know that we have nothing4 ,the very essence1 therefore1 of ,christian perfection is the constant renunciation of our own perfection1 and the continual acceptance of ,christ's righteousness4 ,and as we receive deeper views of our nothingness and evil1 it is but a call to claim more of ,his rich grace4 ,but it is possible fully to know our insufficiency and yet not take firmly hold of ,his 8all things40 ,this1 too1 must be done with a faith that will not accept less than ,,all4 ,the prophet was angry because the king of ,israel had only smitten thrice upon the ground4 ,he should have done it five or six times4 ,he might have had all4 ,so let us meet ,his greatness and grace4 ,,february #i4 8,none of these things move me0 7,acts xx4 #bd74 ,the best evidence of ,god's presence is the devil's growl4 ,so wrote good ,mr4 ,spurgeon once in 8,the ,sword and the ,trowel10 and that little sentence has helped many a tried and tired child ,of ,god to stand fast and even rejoice under the fiercest attacks of the foe4 ,we read in the book of ,samuel that the moment that ,david was crowned at ,hebron1 8,all the ,philistines came up to seek ,david40 ,and the moment we get anything from the ,lord worth contending for1 then the devil comes to seek us4 ,when the enemy meets us at the threshold of any great work for ,god let us accept it as 8a token of salvation10 and claim double blessing1 victory and power4 ,power is developed by resistance4 ,the cannon carries twice as far because the exploding power has to find its way through resistance4 ,the way electricity is produced in the power-house yonder is by the sharp friction of the revolving wheels4 ,and so we shall find some day that even ,satan has been one of ,god's agencies of blessing4 ,,february #aj4 8,i am crucified with ,christ2 nevertheless ,i live0 7,gal4 ii4 #bj74 ,christ life is in harmony with our nature4 ,a lady asked me the other day--a thoughtful1 intelligent woman who was not a ,christian1 but who had the deepest hunger for that which is right3 8,how can this be so1 and we not lose our individuality6 ,this will destroy our personality1 and it violates our responsibility as individuals40 ,i said3 8,dear sister1 your personality is only half without ,christ4 ,christ was made for you1 and you were made for ,christ1 and until you meet you are not complete1 and ,he needs you as you need ,him40 ,i said3 8,suppose that gas-jet should say1 #8,if ,i take this fire in1 the gas will lose its individuality4' ,oh1 no2 it is only when the fire comes in that the gas fulfils its very purpose of being4 ,suppose the snowflake should say1 #8,what shall ,i do8 ,if ,i drop on the ground ,i shall lose my individuality4' ,but it falls and is absorbed by the soil1 and the snowflakes are seen by-and-by in the primroses and daisies4 ,let us lose ourselves and rise to a new life in ,christ40 ,,february #aa4 8,strengthened with all might unto all patience0 7,col4 i4 #aa74 ,the apostle prays for the ,colossians1 that they may be 8strengthened with all might1 according to ,his glorious power1 unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness40 ,it is one thing to endure and show the strain on every muscle of your face1 and seem to say with every wrinkle1 8,why does not somebody sympathize with me80 ,it is another to endure the cross1 8despising the shame0 for the joy set before us4 ,there are some trees in the garden of the ,lord which 8shall not see when heat cometh02 and shall not be careful in the year of drought1 nor cease from yielding fruit4 ,let us set our faces toward the sunrising and use the clouds that come1 to make rainbows4 ,not much longer shall we have the glorious opportunity to rejoice in tribulation1 and learn patience4 ,in heaven we shall have nothing to teach long-suffering4 ,if we do not learn it here1 we shall be without our brightest crown forever1 and wish ourselves back for a little while1 in the very circumstances of which we are now trying so hard to get rid4 ,,february #ab4 8,but seek ye first the ,kingdom of ,god1 and ,his righteousness1 and all these things shall be added unto you0 7,matt4 vi4 #cc74 ,for every heart that is seeking anything from the ,lord this is a good watchword4 ,that very thing1 or the desire for it1 may unconsciously separate you from the ,lord1 or at least from the singleness of your purpose unto ,him4 ,the thing we desire may be a right thing1 but we may desire it in a distrusting and selfish spirit4 ,let us commit it to ,him1 and not cease to believe for it1 but let us1 at the same time1 keep our purpose fixed on ,his will and glory1 and claim even ,his promised blessings1 not for themselves or ourselves1 but for ,him4 ,then shall it be true1 8,delight thyself in the ,lord1 and ,he shall give thee the desires of thine heart40 ,all other things but ,himself ,god will 8add40 ,but they must be ever added1 never first4 ,then shall we be able to believe for them without doubt1 when we claim them for ,him and not for ourselves4 ,it is only when 8we are ,christ's0 that 8all things are ours40 ,lord1 help me this day to seek ,thee first1 and be more desirous to please ,thee and have ,thy will than to possess any other blessing4 ,,february #ac4 8,thy prayers are come up for a memorial before ,god0 7,acts x4 #d74 ,what a beautiful expression the angel used to ,cornelius1 8,thy prayers are come up for a memorial40 ,it would almost seem as if supplications of years had accumulated before the ,throne1 and at last the answer broke in blessings on the head of ,cornelius1 even as the accumulated evaporation of months at last bursts in floods of rain upon the parched ground4 ,so ,god is represented as treasuring the prayers of ,his saints in vials2 they are described as sweet odors4 ,they are placed like fragrant flowers in the chambers of the ,king4 ,and kept in sweet remembrance before ,him4 ,and later they are represented as poured out upon the earth2 and lo1 there are voices and thunderings and great providential movements fulfilling ,god's purposes for ,his kingdom4 ,we are called 8the ,lord's remembrancers10 and are commanded to give ,him no rest1 day nor night1 but crowd the heavens with our petitions and in due time the answer will come with its accumulated blessings4 ,no breath of true prayer is lost4 ,the longer it waits1 the larger it becomes4 ,,february #ad4 8,he shall baptize you with fire0 7,matt4 iii4 #aa74 ,fire is strangely intense and intrinsic4 ,it goes into the very substance of things4 ,it somehow blends with every particle of the thing it touches4 ,there are the severe trials that come to minds more sensitive1 to the minds that have more points of contact with what hurts2 so that the higher the nature the higher the joy1 and the greater the avenues of pain that come4 ,and then there are deeper trials that come as we pass into the hands of ,god1 as we pass from the physical and intellectual into the spiritual nature4 ,when they first come1 we shrink back from their unnatural and fearful breath1 and we say3 8,oh1 this cannot be from the hand of a loving ,father6 ,this cannot be necessary to me40 ,and then come the pains and sufferings from ,god's own hand1 when ,he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver1 when ,he lets it burn1 until it seems that we must be burned to ashes1 and we are1 indeed1 at last burned to ashes4 ,but we must get the victory through faith4 ,the moment you cease to fear it1 that moment it ceases to harm you4 ,he says1 8,the flames shall not kindle upon you40 ,,february #ae4 8,be strong in the grace that is in ,christ ,jesus0 7,,ii4 ,tim4 ii4 #a74 ,how to enjoy this day4 ,this will never come by trying to be happy and yet we are responsible for the conditions of real joy4 #a4 ,be right with ,god2 for 8,gladness is sown for the upright in heart40 8,it is ,his joy that remains in us that makes our joy to be full40 #b4 ,forget yourself and live for others2 for 8,it is more blessed to give than to receive40 #c4 ,when you cannot rejoice in feelings1 circumstances and states1 8rejoice in the ,lord10 and 8count it all joy1 when ye fall into divers temptations40 ,finally1 obey the ,lord and be faithful to your trust2 and again and again will ,his blessed ,spirit whisper to your heart1 8,well done1 good and faithful servant1 enter into the joy of thy ,lord40 8,not enjoyment and not sorrow ,is our destined end or way1 ,but to act that each to-morrow ,finds us farther than to-day4 8,let us then be up and doing ,with a heart for any fate1 ,still achieving1 still pursuing1 ,learn to labor and to wait40 ,,february #af4 8,we will give ourselves continually to prayer0 7,acts vi4 #d74 ,in the consecrated believer the ,holy ,spirit is pre-eminently a ,spirit of prayer4 ,if our whole being is committed to ,him1 and our thoughts are at ,his bidding1 ,he will occupy every moment in communion and we shall bring every thing to ,him as it comes1 and pray it out in our spiritual consciousness before we act it out in our lives4 ,we shall1 therefore1 find ourselves taking up the burdens of life and praying them out in a wordless prayer which we ourselves often cannot understand1 but which is simply the unfolding of ,his thought and will within us1 and which will be followed by the unfolding of ,his providence concerning us4 ,want of faithfulness and obedience to the faintest whisper of ,his will will often hinder some blessing which ,he meant for us until after a while we may get so dull and negligent that ,he will not be able to trust us with ,his whispers and we shall thus stumble on in the darkness and miss ,his highest thoughts4 ,lord1 teach us to pray in the ,spirit1 to pray without ceasing and to lose nothing of ,thy will4 ,,february #ag4 8,your life is hid0 7,col4 iii4 #c74 ,some ,christians loom up in larger proportion than is becoming4 ,they can tell1 and others can tell1 how many souls they bring to ,christ4 ,their labor seems to crystallize and become its own memorial4 ,others again seem to blend so wholly with other workers that their own individuality can scarcely be traced4 ,and yet1 after all1 this is the most ,christ-like ministry of all1 for the ,master ,himself does not even appear in the work of the church except as her hidden ,life and ascended ,head1 and even the ,holy ,spirit is lost in the vessels that ,he uses4 ,the vine does not bear the fruit1 and even the sap is unseen in its ceaseless flow1 and it is the little branches which bear all the clusters and seem to have all the honor of the vintage4 ,and so the nearer we come to ,christ the more we are willing to be lost sight of in our fruit1 and let others be more prominent1 while we are the glad and willing witnesses of our testimony and hold up their hands by the silent ministry of love and prayer4 ,lord1 let me be like the veiled seraphim before the throne1 who cover their faces and their feet1 and hide themselves and their service while they fly to obey ,thee4 ,,february #ah4 8,christ in you0 7,col4 i4 #bg74 ,how great the difference between the old and the new way of deliverance6 ,one touch of ,christ is worth a lifetime of struggling4 ,a sufferer in one of our hospitals was in danger of losing his sight from a small piece of broken needle that had entered his eye4 ,operation after operation had only irritated it1 and driven the foreign substance farther still into the delicate nerves of the sensitive organ4 ,at length a skilful young physician thought of a new expedient4 ,he came one day without lancet and probes1 and holding in his hand a small but powerful magnet1 which he kept before the wounded eye1 as close as it could bear4 ,immediately the piece of steel began to move toward the powerful attraction1 and soon flew up to meet it and left the suffering eye completely relieved1 without an effort or a laceration4 ,it was as simple as it was wonderful4 ,by a single touch of power the organ was saved and a dangerous trouble completely cured4 ,it is thus that ,god delivers us1 by the simple attraction of ,christ's life and power4 ,,february #ai4 8,as much as in me is ,i am ready0 7,rom4 i4 #ae74 ,be earnest4 ,intense earnestness1 a whole heart for ,christ1 the passion sign of the cross1 the enthusiasm of our whole being for our ,master and humanity--this is what the ,lord expects1 this is what ,his cross deserves1 this is what the world needs1 this is what the age has a right to look for4 ,everything around us is intensely alive4 ,life is earnest1 death is earnest1 sin is earnest1 men are earnest1 business is earnest1 knowledge is earnest1 the age is earnest2 ,god forgive us if we alone are trifling in the white heat of this crisis time4 ,oh1 for the baptism of fire6 ,oh1 for the living coal upon the burning lips of love6 ,oh1 for men ,god-possessed and self-surrendered grasping ,god's great idea and pressing forward 8for the mark of the prize of the high calling of ,god in ,christ ,jesus40 ,all the world for ,jesus ,my prayer shall be1 ,and my watchword ever1 ,himself for me4 ,all the world for ,jesus1 ,lord1 quickly come1 ,bring ,thy promised kingdom1 ,and take us home4 ,,february #bj4 8,fear thou not1 for ,i am with thee0 7,isa4 xli4 #aj74 ,satan is always trying to weaken our faith by fear4 ,he is a great metaphysician and knows the paralyzing effect of fear1 that it is the great enemy of faith1 and that faith is the great secret of help4 ,if he can get us fearing he will stop our trusting and hinder the very blessing we need4 ,job found the peril of fear and gives us the sorrowful testimony1 8,i feared a fear and it came upon me40 ,fear is born of ,satan1 and if we would only take time to think a moment we would see that everything ,satan says is founded upon a falsehood4 ,he is the father of lies4 ,even his fears are falsehoods and his terrors ought rather be to us encouragements4 ,when ,satan tells you1 therefore1 that some ill is going to come1 you may quietly look in his face and tell him he is a liar1 that instead of ill1 goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life1 and then turn to your blessed ,lord and say1 8,what time ,i am afraid1 ,i will trust in ,thee40 ,every fear is distrust and trust is the remedy for fear4 8,what time ,i am afraid ,i will trust in thee40 ,,february #ba4 8,be not dismayed1 for ,i am thy ,god0 7,isa4 xli4 #aj74 ,how tenderly ,god is always comforting our fears6 ,how sweetly ,he says in ,isaiah xli4 #aj1 8,fear not2 for ,i am with thee3 be not dismayed2 for ,i am thy ,god3 ,i will uphold thee with the right hand of ,my righteousness40 ,and yet again with still tenderer thoughtfulness1 8,i1 the ,lord thy ,god1 will hold thy right hand1 saying unto thee1 ,fear not1 ,i will help thee40 ,not only does ,he say it once1 but ,he keeps holding our right hand and repeating such promises4 ,the blessed ,lord has condensed it all into one sweet monogram of eternal comfort in ,his message to the disciples on the sea of ,galilee1 8,it is ,i2 be not afraid40 ,he does not say1 8,it is over10 or 8,it is morning10 or 8,it is fine weather10 or 8,it is smooth water10 but ,he says1 8,it is ,i1 be not afraid40 ,he is the antidote to fear2 ,he is the remedy for trouble2 ,he is the substance and the sum of deliverance4 ,therefore1 we should rise above fear4 ,let us keep our eyes fastened upon ,him2 let us abide continually in ,him2 let us be content with ,him2 let us cling closely to ,him and cry1 8,we will not fear though the earth be removed1 though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea40 ,,february #bb4 8,he that hath entered into ,his rest hath ceased from his own works even as ,god did from ,his0 7,heb4 iv4 #aj74 ,what a rest it would be to many of us if we could but exchange burdens with ,christ1 and so utterly and forever transfer to ,him all our cares and needs that we would not feel henceforth responsible for our burdens1 but know that ,he has undertaken all the care1 and that our faith is simply to carry ,his burdens1 and that ,he prays1 labors1 and suffers only for us and our interests4 ,this is what ,he truly invites us to do4 8,come unto ,me10 ,he says1 8all ye that labor and are heavy-laden and ,i will rest you10 and then ,he adds1 8,take ,my yoke upon you1 and learn of ,me40 ,he takes our yoke and we take ,his and we find it a thousand times easier to carry one of ,his burdens than to carry our own4 ,how much more delightful it is to spend an hour in supplication for another than five minutes in pleading for ourselves4 ,are we not weary of carrying our wretched loads8 ',twas for this ,his mercy sought you1 ,and to all ,his fulness brought you1 ,by the precious blood that bought you1 ,pass it on4 ,,february #bc4 8,for me to live is ,christ and to die is gain0 7,phil4 i4 #ba74 ,the secret of a sound body is a sound heart1 and the prayer of the ,holy ,ghost for us is1 that we 8may be in health and prosper even as our soul prospers40 ,we find ,paul in the ,epistles to the ,philippians expressing a sublime and holy indifference to the question of life or death4 ,indeed he is in a real strait1 whether he would prefer 8to depart and be with ,christ10 or to remain still in the flesh4 ,the former would indeed be his sweetest preference1 but the latter would be at the same time a joyful service4 ,his only object in wanting to live is to be a blessing4 8,to abide in the flesh is more needful to you40 ,having reached this state of heart1 it is beautiful to notice how quickly he rises to the victorious faith necessary to claim perfect strength and health4 ,because it is more needful to you that ,i abide in the flesh1 he adds1 8,i know that ,i shall continue with you all1 for your furtherance and joy of faith40 ,lord1 help me to-day to 8count not my life dear unto myself that ,i may finish my course with joy and the ministry that ,i have received of ,jesus40 ,,february #bd4 8,sin shall not have dominion over you1 for ye are not under the law1 but under grace0 7,rom4 vi4 #ad74 ,the secret of ,moses' failures was this3 8,the law made nothing perfect1 but the bringing in of a better hope did40 ,and this was why his life work also came short of full realization4 ,he saw but entered not the ,promised ,land4 ,the founder of the law had to be its victim1 and his life and death might demonstrate the inability of the law to lead any man into the ,promised ,land4 ,the very fact1 that it was for so slight a fault that ,moses lost his inheritance1 makes all the more emphatic the solemn sentence of the law4 8,cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the ,book of the ,law to do them40 ,but to the glory of the grace of ,god we can add that what the law could not do for ,moses the ,gospel did2 and he who could not pass over the ,jordan under the old dispensation is seen on the very heights of ,hermon with the ,son of ,man1 sharing ,his ,transfiguration glory1 and talking of that death on ,calvary to which be owed his glorious destiny4 ,that grace we have inherited under the ,gospel of ,jesus ,christ4 ,,february #be4 8,i am the vine1 ye are the branches0 7,john xv4 #e74 ,how can ,i take ,christ as my ,sanctifier1 or ,healer8 is a question that we are constantly asked4 ,it is necessary first of all that we get into the posture of faith4 ,this has to be done by a definite and voluntary act1 and then maintained by a uniform habit4 ,it is just the same as the planting of a tree4 ,you must put it in the soil by a definite act1 and then you must let it stay put and remain settled in the ground until the little roots have time to fix themselves and begin to draw the sustenance from the soil4 ,there are two stages1 the definite planting and then the habitual absorbing of moisture and nourishment from the ground4 ,the root fibers must rest until they reach out their spongy pores and drink in the nutriment of the earth4 ,after the habit is established1 then by a certain uniform law1 the plant draws its life from the ground without an effort1 and it is just as natural for it to grow as it is for us to breathe4 ,lord1 help me this day to abide in ,thee1 and to grow into the habit of drawing all my life from ,thine so that it shall be true for me1 8,in ,him ,i live and move and have my being40 ,,february #bf4 8,make you perfect in every good work0 7,heb4 xiii4 #ba74 ,in that beautiful prayer at the close of the ,epistle to the ,hebrews1 8,now the ,god of peace1 that brought again from the dead1 our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that great ,shepherd of the sheep1 through the blood of the everlasting covenant1 make you perfect in every good work to do ,his will10 the phrase1 8make you perfect in every good work10 literally means1 it is said1 8adjust you in every good work40 ,it is a great thing to be adjusted1 adjusted to our surroundings and circumstances rather than trying to have them adjusted to us1 adjusted to the people we are thrown with1 adjusted to the work ,god has for us1 and not trying to get ,god to help us to do our work2 adjusted to do the very will and plan of ,god for us in our whole life4 ,this is the secret of rest1 power and freedom in our life-work4 8,oh1 fill me with ,thy fulness1 ,lord4 ,until my very heart o'erflow ,in kindling thought and glowing word1 ,thy love to tell1 ,thy praise to show4 ,oh1 use me1 ,lord1 use even me1 ,just as ,thou wilt1 and when1 and where2 ,until ,thy blessed face ,i see1 ,thy rest1 ,thy joy1 ,thy glory share40 ,,february #bg4 8,stablish1 strengthen1 settle you0 7,i4 ,peter v4 #aj74 ,in taking ,christ in any new relationship1 we must first have sufficient intellectual light to satisfy our mind that we are entitled to stand in this relationship4 ,the shadow of a question here will wreck our confidence4 ,then1 having seen this1 we must make the venture1 the committal1 the choice1 and take the place just as definitely as the tree is planted in the soil1 or the bride gives herself away at the marriage altar4 ,it must be once for all1 without reserve1 without recall4 ,then there is a season of establishing1 settling and testing1 during which we must stay put until the new relationship gets so fixed as to become a permanent habit4 ,it is just the same as when the surgeon sets the broken arm4 ,he puts it in splints to keep it from vibration4 ,so ,god has ,his spiritual splints that ,he wants to put upon ,his children and keep them quiet and unmoved until they pass the first stage of faith4 ,it is not always easy work for us1 8but the ,god of all grace who hath called you unto ,his eternal glory by ,christ ,jesus after you have suffered awhile1 stablish1 strengthen1 settle you40 ,,february #bh4 8,count it all joy0 7,james i4 #b74 ,we do not always feel joyful1 but we are to count it all joy4 ,the word 8reckon0 is one of the key-words of ,scripture4 ,it is the same word used about our being dead4 ,we do not feel dead4 ,we are painfully conscious of something that would gladly return to life4 ,but we are to treat ourselves as dead1 and neither fear nor obey the old nature4 ,so we are to reckon the thing that comes as a blessing4 ,we are determined to rejoice1 to say1 8,my heart is fixed1 ,o ,god1 ,i will sing and give praise40 ,this rejoicing1 by faith1 will soon become a habit1 and will ever bring speedily the spirit of gladness and the spontaneous overflow of praise4 ,then1 8although the fig-tree may wither and no fruit appear in the vines1 the labor of the olive fail and the fields yield no increase1 the herd be cut off from the stall1 and the cattle from the field1 yet we will rejoice in the ,lord1 and joy in the ,god of our salvation40 8,peace1 perfect peace1 with sorrows surging round1 ,on ,jesus' bosom naught but calm is found2 ,peace1 perfect peace1 our future all unknown1 ,jesus we know1 and ,he is on the throne40 ,,march #a4 8,wait on the ,lord0 7,ps4 xxvii4 #ad74 ,how often this is said in the ,bible1 how little understood6 ,it is what the old monk calls the 8practice of the presence of ,god40 ,it is the habit of prayer4 ,it is the continued communion that not only asks1 but receives4 ,people often ask us to pray for them and we have to say1 8,why1 ,god has answered our prayer for you1 and you must now take the answer4 ,it is awaiting you1 and you must take it by waiting on the ,lord40 ,this it is that renews the strength1 until we mount up with wings as eagles1 run and are not weary1 walk and are not faint4 ,our hearts are too vast to take in ,his fulness at a single breath4 ,we must live in the atmosphere of ,his presence till we absorb ,his very life4 ,this is the secret of spiritual depth and rest1 of power and fulness1 of love and prayer1 of hope and holy usefulness4 8,wait1 ,i say1 on the ,lord40 ,i am waiting in communion at the blessed mercy seat1 ,i am waiting1 sweetly waiting1 on the ,lord2 ,i am drinking1 of ,his fulness2 ,i am sitting at ,his feet2 ,i am hearkening to the whispers of ,his word4 ,,march #b4 8,that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the ,holy ,ghost0 7,,ii4 ,tim4 i4 #ad74 ,god gives to us a power within which will hold our hearts in victory and purity4 8,that good thing which was committed unto thee1 keep by the ,holy ,ghost which dwelleth in us40 ,it is the ,holy ,ghost2 and when any thought or suggestion of evil arises in our breast1 the quick conscience can instantly call upon the ,holy ,ghost to drive it out1 and ,he will expel it at the command of faith or prayer1 and keep us as pure as we are willing to be kept4 ,but when the will surrenders and consents to evil1 the ,holy ,ghost will not expel it4 ,god1 then1 requires us to stand in holy vigilance1 and ,he will do exceeding abundantly for us as we hold fast that which is good1 and ,he will also be in us a spirit of vigilance1 showing us the evil and enabling us to detect it1 and to bring it to ,him for expulsion and destruction4 8,o ,spirit of ,jesus fill us until we shall have room only for ,thee60 ,o1 come as the heart-searching fire1 ,o1 come as the sin-cleansing flood2 ,consume us with holy desire1 ,and fill with the fulness of ,god4 ,,march #c4 8,now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous2 nevertheless afterward0 7,heb4 xii4 #aa74 ,god seems to love to work by paradoxes and contraries4 ,in the transformations of grace1 the bitter is the base of the sweet1 night is the mother of day1 and death is the gate of life4 ,many people are wanting power4 ,now1 how is power produced8 ,the other day we passed the great works where the trolley engines are supplied with electricity4 ,we heard the hum and roar of countless wheels1 and we asked our friend1 8,how do they make the power80 8,why10 he said1 8just by the revolution of those wheels and the friction they produce4 ,the rubbing creates the electric current40 ,it is very simple1 and a trifling experiment will prove it to any one4 ,and so when ,god wants to bring more power into your life1 ,he brings more pressure4 ,he is generating spiritual force by hard rubbing4 ,some of us don't like it4 ,some of us don't understand1 and we try to run away from the pressure1 instead of getting the power and using it to rise above the painful cause4 ,,march #d4 8,they were all filled with the ,holy ,ghost0 7,acts ii4 #d74 ,blessed secret of spiritual purity1 victory and joy1 of physical life and healing1 and all power for service4 ,filled with the ,spirit there is no room for self or sin1 for fret or care4 ,filled with the ,spirit we repel the elements of disease that are in the air as the red-hot iron repels the water that touches it4 ,filled with the ,spirit we are always ready for service1 and ,satan turns away when he finds the ,holy ,ghost enrobing us in ,his garments of holy flame4 ,not half-filled1 but filled with the ,spirit is the place of victory and power4 ,this is not only a privilege2 it is a command1 and ,he who gave it will enable us to fulfill it if we bring it to ,him with an empty1 honest1 trusting heart1 and claim our privilege in the name of ,jesus and for the glory of ,god4 ,holy ,ghost1 ,i bid ,thee welcome2 ,come and be my ,holy ,guest2 ,heavenly ,dove within my bosom1 ,make ,thy home and build ,thy nest2 ,lead me on to all ,thy fulness1 ,bring me to ,thy ,promised ,rest1 ,holy ,ghost1 ,i bid ,thee welcome1 ,come and be my ,holy ,guest4 ,,march #e4 8,i have overcome the world0 7,john xvi4 #cc74 ,christ has overcome for us every one of our four terrible foes--,sin1 ,sickness1 ,sorrow1 ,satan4 ,he has borne our ,sin1 and we may lay all1 even down to our sinfulness itself1 on ,him4 8,i have overcome for thee40 ,he has borne our sickness1 and we may detach ourselves from our old infirmities and rise into ,his glorious life and strength4 ,he has borne our sorrows1 and we must not even carry a care1 but rejoice evermore1 and even glory in tribulations also4 ,and ,he has conquered ,satan for us1 too1 and left him nailed to the cross1 spoiled and dishonored and but a shadow of himself4 ,and now we have but to claim ,his full atonement and assert our victory1 and so 8overcome him by the blood of the ,lamb and the word of our testimony40 ,beloved1 are we overcoming sin8 ,are we overcoming sickness8 ,are we overcoming sorrow8 ,are we overcoming ,satan8 ,fear not1 though the strife be long2 ,faint not1 though the foe be strong2 ,trust thy glorious ,captain's power2 ,watch with ,him one little hour1 ,hear ,him calling1 8,follow me4 8,i have overcome for thee40 ,,march #f4 8,lean not unto thine own understanding0 7,prov4 iii4 #e74 ,faith is hindered by reliance upon human wisdom1 whether our own or the wisdom of others4 ,the devil's first bait to ,eve was an offer of wisdom1 and for this she sold her faith4 8,ye shall be as gods10 he said1 8knowing good and evil10 and from the hour she began to know she ceased to trust4 ,it was the spies that lost the ,land of ,promise to ,israel of old4 ,it was their foolish proposition to search out the land1 and find out by investigation whether ,god had told the truth or not1 that led to the awful outbreak of unbelief that shut the doors of ,canaan to a whole generation4 ,it is very significant that the names of these spies are nearly all suggestive of human wisdom1 greatness and fame4 ,so in the days of ,christ1 it was the bondage of the ,jews to the traditions of their fathers and the opinions of men1 that kept them back from receiving ,him4 8,how can ye believe10 ,he asked1 8which receive honor from men1 and seek not that which cometh from ,god only80 ,let us trust ,him with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding4 ,,march #g4 8,it is more blessed to give than to receive0 7,acts xx4 #ce74 ,how shall we know the difference between the earthly and the heavenly love8 ,the one terminates on ourselves and is partly ourself seeking its own gratification4 ,the other reaches out to ,god and others1 and finds its joy in glorifying ,him and blessing them4 ,love is unselfishness1 and the love that is not unselfish is not divine4 ,how much do we pray for others1 and how much for ourselves8 ,what is the center of our being8 ,ourselves1 or our ,lord and ,his people and work8 ,the ,lord help us to know more fully the meaning of that great truth1 8,it is more blessed to give than to receive40 8,he that saveth his life shall lose it1 and he that loseth his life for ,my sake and the ,gospel1 shall keep it unto life eternal40 ,have you found some precious treasure1 ,pass it on4 ,have ,you found some holy pleasure1 ,pass it on4 ,giving out is twice possessing1 ,love will double every blessing1 ,on to higher service pressing1 ,pass it on4 ,,march #h4 8,pray ,ye therefore0 7,luke x4 #b74 ,prayer is the mighty engine that is to move the missionary work4 8,pray ye therefore the ,lord of the harvest that ,he will send forth laborers into ,his harvest40 ,we are asking ,god to touch the hearts of men every day by the ,holy ,ghost1 so that they shall be compelled to go abroad and preach the ,gospel4 ,we are asking ,him to wake them up at night with the solemn conviction that the heathen are perishing1 and that their blood will be upon their souls1 and ,god is answering the prayer by sending persons to us every day who 8feel that the ,king's business requireth haste40 ,beloved1 pray1 pray1 pray2 and as the incense rises to the heavens1 8there will be silence in heaven0 by the space of more than half an hour1 and the coals of fire will be emptied out upon the earth1 and the coming of the ,lord will begin to draw nearer4 ,pray till the ,lord of the harvest shall thrust forth laborers into ,his harvest4 ,send the coals of heavenly fire1 ,from the altar of the skies2 ,fill our hearts with strong desire1 ,till our pray'rs like incense rise4 ,,march #i4 8,how ye ought to walk and please ,god0 7,i4 ,thess4 iv4 #a74 ,how many dear ,christians are in the place that the ,lord has appointed them1 and yet the devil is harassing their lives with a vague sense of not quite pleasing the ,lord4 ,could they just settle down in the place that ,god has assigned them and fill it sweetly and lovingly for ,him there would be more joy in their hearts and more power in their lives4 ,god wants us all in various places1 and the secret of accomplishing the most for ,him is to recognize our places from ,him and our service in it as pleasing ,him4 ,in the great factory and machine there is a place for the smallest screw and rivet as well as the great driving wheel and piston1 and so ,god has ,his little screws whose business is simply to stay where ,he puts them and to believe that ,he wants them there and is making the most of their lives in the little spaces that they fill for ,him4 ,there is something all can do1 ,tho' you're neither wise nor strong2 ,you can be a helper true1 ,you can stand when friends are few1 ,some lone heart has need of you1 ,you can help along4 ,,march #aj4 8,the peace of ,god which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds0 7,phil4 iv4 #g74 ,it is not peace with ,god1 but the peace of ,god4 8,the peace that passes all understanding0 is the very breath of ,god in the soul4 ,he alone is able to keep it1 and ,he can so keep it that 8nothing shall offend us40 ,beloved1 are you there8 ,god's rest did not come till after ,his work was over1 and ours will not4 ,we begin our ,christian life by working1 trying and struggling in the energy of the flesh to save ourselves4 ,at last1 when we are able to cease from our own work1 ,god comes in with ,his blessed rest1 and works ,his own ,divine works in us4 ,oh6 have you heard the glorious word ,of hope and holy cheer2 ,from heav'n above its tones of love ,are lingering on my ear2 ,the blessed ,comforter has come1 ,and ,christ will soon be here4 ,oh1 hearts that sigh there's succor nigh1 ,the ,comforter is near2 ,he comes to bring us to our ,king1 ,and fit us to appear4 ,i'm glad the ,comforter has come1 ,and ,christ will soon be here4 ,,march #aa4 8,but ye are a chosen generation1 a peculiar people0 7,i4 ,peter ii4 #i74 ,we have been thinking lately very much of the strange way in which ,god is calling a people out of a people already called4 ,the word ecclesia1 or church1 means called out1 but ,god is calling out a still more select body from the church to be ,his bride--the specially prepared ones for ,his coming4 ,we see a fine type of this in the story of ,gideon4 ,when first he sounded the trumpet of ,abiezer there resorted to him more than thirty thousand men2 but these had to be picked1 so a first test was applied1 appealing to their courage1 and all but ten thousand went back2 but there must be an election out of the election1 and so a second test was applied1 appealing to their prudence1 caution and singleness of purpose1 and all but three hundred were refused2 and1 with this little picked band1 he raised the standard against the ,midianites1 and through the power of ,god won his glorious victory4 ,so1 again1 in our days1 the ,master is choosing ,his three hundred1 and by them ,he will yet win the world for ,himself4 ,let us be sure that we belong to the 8out and out0 people4 ,,march #ab4 8,they wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way0 7,ps4 cvii4 #d74 ,all who fight the ,lord's battles must be content to die to all the favorable opinions of men and all the flattery of human praise4 ,you cannot make an exception in favor of the good opinions of the children of ,god4 ,it is very easy for the insidious adversary to make this also all appeal to the flesh4 ,it is all right when ,god sends us the approval of our fellow men1 but we must never make it a motive in our life1 but be content with the 8solitary way0 and the lonely 8wilderness40 ,all such motives are poison and a taking away from you of the strength with which you are to give glory to ,god4 ,it is not the fact that all that see the face of the ,lord do see each other4 ,the man of ,god must walk alone with ,god4 ,he must be contented that the ,lord knoweth that ,god knows4 ,it is such a relief to the natural man within us to fall back upon human countenances and human thoughts and sympathy1 that we often deceive ourselves and think it 8brotherly love10 when we are just resting in the earthly sympathy of some fellow worm6 ,,march #ac4 8,keep yourselves in the love of ,god0 7,jude #ba74 ,some time ago1 we were enjoying a surpassingly beautiful sunset4 ,the western skies seemed like a great archipelago of golden islands1 the masses in the distance rising up into vast mountains of glory4 ,the hue of the sky was so gorgeous that it seemed to reflect itself upon the whole atmosphere1 as we looked back from the west to the eastern horizon4 ,the whole earth was radiant with glory4 ,the fields had changed to strange1 red richness1 and the earth seemed bathed with the dews of heaven4 ,and so it is1 when the love of ,god shines through all our celestial sky1 it covers everything below1 and life becomes radiant with its light4 ,things that were hard become easy4 ,things that were sharp become sweet4 ,labor loses its burden1 and sorrow becomes silver-lined with hope and gladness4 ,there are two ways of living in ,his love4 ,one is constant trust1 and the other is constant obedience1 and ,his own ,word gives the message for both4 8,if ye keep ,my commandments ye shall live in ,my love1 even as ,i keep ,my ,father's1 and live in ,his love40 ,,march #ad4 8,we are ,his workmanship0 7,eph4 ii4 #aj74 ,christ sends us to serve ,him1 not in our own strength1 but in ,his resources and might4 8,we are ,his workmanship1 created in ,christ ,jesus unto good works1 which ,god hath prepared that we should walk in them40 ,we do not have to prepare them2 but to wear them as garments1 made to order for every occasion of our life4 ,we must receive them by faith and go forth in ,his work1 believing that ,he is with us1 and in us1 as our all sufficiency for wisdom1 faith1 love1 prayer1 power1 and every grace and gift that our work requires4 ,in this work of faith we shall have to feel weak and helpless1 and even have little consciousness of power4 ,but if we believe and go forward1 ,he will be the power and send the fruits4 ,the most useful services we render are those which1 like the sweet fruits of the wilderness1 spring from hours of barrenness4 8,i will bring her into the wilderness and ,i will give her vineyards from thence40 ,let us learn to work by faith as well as walk by faith1 then we shall receive even the end of our faith1 the salvation of precious souls1 and our lives will bear fruit which shall be manifest throughout all eternity4 ,,march #ae4 8,continue ye in ,my love0 7,john xv4 #i74 ,many atmospheres there are in which we may live4 ,some people live in an atmosphere of thought4 ,their faces are thoughtful1 minds intellectual4 ,they live in their ideas1 their conceptions of truth1 their tastes1 and esthetic nature4 ,some people1 again1 live in their animal nature1 in the lusts of the flesh and eye1 the coarse1 low atmosphere of a sensuous life1 or something worse4 ,some1 again1 live in a world of duty4 ,the predominating feature of their life is conscience1 and it carries with it a certain shadowy fear that takes away the simple freedom and gladness of life1 but there is a rectitude1 and uprightness1 a strictness of purpose1 and of conduct which cannot be gainsaid or questioned4 ,but ,christ bids us live in an atmosphere of love4 8,as ,my ,father has loved ,me1 so have ,i loved you2 continue ye in ,my love40 ,in the original it is1 8,live in ,my love40 ,love is the atmosphere that ,he would have us ever live in1 that is1 believing that ,he ever loves us1 and claiming ,his sweet approval and tender regard4 ,this is a life of love4 ,,march #af4 8,the ,lord will give grace and glory0 7,ps4 lxxxiv4 #aa74 ,the ,lord will give grace and glory4 ,this word glory is very difficult to translate1 define and explain2 but there is something in the spiritual consciousness of the quickened ,christian that interprets it4 ,it is the overflow of grace2 it is the wine of life2 it is the foretaste of heaven2 it is a flash from the ,throne and an inspiration from the heart of ,god which we may have and in which we may live4 8,the glory which ,thou hast given ,me ,i have given them10 the ,master prayed for us4 ,let us take it and live in it4 ,david used to say1 8,wake up my glory40 ,ask ,god to wake up your glory and enable you to mount up with wings as eagles1 to dwell on high and sit with ,christ in the heavenly places4 ,mounting up with wings as eagles1 ,waiting on the ,lord we rise1 ,strength exchanging1 life renewing1 ,how our spirit heavenward flies4 ,then our springing feet returning1 ,tread the pathway of the saint1 ,we shall run and not be weary1 ,we shall walk and never faint4 ,,march #ag4 8,he hath remembered ,his covenant forever0 7,ps4 cv4 #h74 ,so long as you struggle under law1 that is by your own effort1 sin shall have dominion over you3 but the moment you step from under the shadow of ,sinai1 throw yourself upon the simple grace of ,christ and ,his free and absolute gift of righteousness1 and take ,him to be to you what ,he has pledged ,himself to be1 your righteousness of thought and feeling1 and to keep you in spite of everything1 that ever can be against you1 in ,his perfect will and peace1 the struggle is practically over4 ,beloved1 do you really know and believe that this is the very promise of the ,gospel1 the very essence of the new covenant1 that ,christ pledges ,himself to put ,his law in your heart1 and to cause you to walk in ,his statutes1 and to keep ,his judgments and do them8 ,do you know that this is the oath which ,he sware unto ,abraham1 that ,he would grant unto us4 8,that we being delivered from the hands of our enemies1 and from all that hate us1 might serve ,him without fear1 in righteousness and holiness before ,him all the days of our life40 ,he has sworn to do this for you1 and ,he is faithful1 that promised4 ,trust ,him ever4 ,,march #ah4 8,neither shall any plague come near thy dwelling0 7,ps4 xci4 #aj74 ,we know what it is to be fireproof1 to be waterproof3 but it is a greater thing to be proof against sin4 ,it is possible to be so filled with the ,spirit and presence of ,jesus that all the shafts of the enemy glance off our heavenly armor2 that all the burrs and thistles which grow on the wayside fail to stick to our heavenly robes2 that all the noxious vapors of the pit disappear before the warm breath of the ,holy ,ghost1 and we walk with a charmed life even through the valley of the shadow of death4 ,the red hot iron repels the water that touches it1 and the fingers that would trifle with it3 and1 if we are on fire with the ,holy ,ghost1 ,satan will keep his fingers off us1 and the cold water that he pours over us will roll off and leave us unharmed3 8for ,he that was begotten of ,god keepeth us1 and that wicked one toucheth us not40 ,it is said that before going into a malarious region1 it is well to fortify the system with nourishing food4 ,so we should be fed and filled by the life of ,christ in such a way that the evil does not really touch our life4 ,,march #ai4 8,launch out into the deep0 7,luke v4 #d74 ,many difficulties and perplexities in connection with our ,christian life might be best settled by a simple and bold decision of our will to go forward with the light we have and leave the speculations and theories that we cannot decide for further settlement4 ,what we need is to act1 and to act with the best light we have1 and as we step out into the present duty and full obedience1 many things will be made plain which it is no use waiting to decide4 ,beloved1 cut the ,gordian knot1 like ,alexander1 with the sword of decision4 ,launch out into the deep with a bold plunge1 and ,christ will settle for you all the questions that you are now debating1 and more probably show you their insignificance1 and let you see that the only way to settle them is to overleap them4 ,they are ,satan's petty snares to waste your time and keep you halting when you should be marching on4 ,the mercy of ,god is an ocean divine1 ,a boundless and fathomless flood2 ,launch out in the deep1 cut away the shore line1 ,and be lost in the fulness of ,god4 ,,march #bj4 8,they which receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life0 7,rom4 v4 #ag74 ,precious souls sometimes fight tremendous battles in order to attain to righteousness in trying places4 ,perhaps the heart has become wrong in some matter where temptation has been allowed to overcome1 or at least to turn it aside from its singleness unto ,god2 and the conflict is a terrible one as it seeks to adjust itself and be right with ,god1 and finds itself baffled by its own spiritual foes1 and its own helplessness1 perplexity and perversity4 ,how dark and dreary the struggle1 and how helpless and ineffectual it often seems at such times6 ,it is almost sure to strive in the spirit of the law1 and the result always is1 and must ever be1 condemnation and failure4 ,every disobedience is met by a blow of wrath1 and discouragement1 and it well nigh sinks to despair4 ,oh1 if the tempted and struggling one could only understand or remember what perhaps he has learned before1 that ,christ is our righteousness1 and that it is not by law but by grace alone1 8,for sin shall not have dominion over you1 for ye are not under the law1 but under grace40 ,that is the secret of the whole battle4 ,,march #ba4 8,casting all your care upon ,him0 7,i4 ,peter v4 #g74 ,some things there are that ,god will not tolerate in us4 ,we must leave them4 ,nehemiah would not talk with ,sanballat about his charges and fears1 but simply refused to have anything to do with the matter--even to go into the temple and pray about it4 ,how very few things we really have to do with in life4 ,if we would only drop all the needless things and simply do the things that absolutely touch and require our attention from morning till night1 we would find what a small slender thread life was2 but we string upon it a thousand imaginary beads that never come1 and burden ourselves with cares and flurries that if we had trusted more1 would never have needed to preoccupy our attention4 ,wise indeed was the testimony of the dear old saint who said1 in review of her past life1 8,i have had a great many troubles in my life1 especially those that never came40 ,trust and rest with heart abiding1 ,like a birdling in its nest1 ,underneath ,his feathers hiding1 ,fold thy wings and trust and rest4 ,trust and rest1 trust and rest1 ,god is working for the best4 ,,march #bb4 8,hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end0 7,heb4 iii4 #f74 ,the attitude of faith is simple trust4 ,it is ,elijah saying to ,ahab1 8,there is a sound of abundance of rain40 ,but then there comes usually a deeper experience in which the prayer is inwrought2 it is ,elijah on the mount1 with his face between his knees1 travailing1 as it were1 in birth for the promised blessing4 ,he has believed for it--and now he must take4 ,the first is ,joash shooting the arrow out of the windows1 but the second is ,joash smiting on the ground and following up his faith by perseverance and victorious testing4 ,it is in this latter place that many of us come short4 ,we ask much from ,god1 and when ,god proceeds to give it to us we are not found equal to ,his expectation4 ,we are made partakers of ,christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end1 and trust ,him through it all4 ,fainting soldier of the ,lord1 ,hear ,his sweet inspiring word1 8,i have conquered all thy foes4 ,i have suffered all thy woes2 ,struggling soldier1 trust in ,me1 ,i have overcome for thee40 ,,march #bc4 8,he is a new creature0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 v4 #ag74 ,resurrected1 not raised4 ,there is so much in this distinction4 ,the teaching of human philosophy is that we are to raise humanity to a higher plane4 ,this is not the ,gospel4 ,on the contrary1 the teaching of the cross is that humanity must die and sink out of sight and then be resurrected1 not raised4 ,resurrection is not improvement4 ,it is not elevation1 but it is a new supernatural life lifting us from nothingness into ,god and making us partakers of the ,divine nature4 ,it is a new creation4 ,it is an infinite elevation above the highest plane4 ,let us not take less than resurrection life4 ,i am crucified with ,jesus1 ,and the cross has set me free2 ,i have ris'n again with ,jesus1 ,and ,he lives and reigns in me4 ,this the story of the ,master1 ,through the cross ,he reached the throne1 ,and like ,him our path to glory1 ,ever leads through death alone4 ,lord1 teach me the death-born life4 ,lord1 let me live in the power of ,thy resurrection6 ,,march #bd4 8,and again ,i say1 rejoice0 7,phil4 iv4 #d74 ,it is a good thing to rejoice in the ,lord4 ,perhaps you found the first dose ineffectual4 ,keep on with your medicine1 and when you cannot feel any joy1 when there is no spring1 and no seeming comfort and encouragement1 still rejoice1 and count it all joy4 ,even when you fall into divers temptations1 reckon it joy1 and delight1 and ,god will make your reckoning good4 ,do you suppose your ,father will let you carry the banner of ,his victory and ,his gladness on to the front of the battle1 and then coolly stand back and see you captured or beaten back by the enemy8 ,never6 the ,holy ,spirit will sustain you in your bold advance1 and fill your heart with gladness and praise1 and you will find your heart all exhilarated and refreshed by the fulness of the heart within4 ,lord1 teach me to rejoice in ,thee1 and to rejoice evermore4 ,the joy of the ,lord is the strength of ,his people4 ,the sunshine that scatters their sadness and gloom2 ,the fountain that bursts in the desert of sorrow1 ,and sheds o'er the wilderness1 gladness and bloom4 ,,march #be4 8,the beauty of holiness0 7,ps4 xxix4 #b74 ,some one remarked once that he did not know more disagreeable people than sanctified ,christians4 ,he probably meant people that only profess sanctification4 ,there is an angular1 hard1 unlovely type of ,christian character that is not true holiness2 at least1 not the highest type of it4 ,it is the skeleton without the flesh covering2 it is the naked rock without the vines and foliage that cushion its rugged sides4 ,jesus was not only virtuous and pure1 but ,he was also beautiful and full of the sweet attractiveness of love4 ,we read of two kinds of graces3 ,first1 8,whatsoever things are just1 whatsoever things are lovely and of good report40 ,there are a thousand little graces in ,christian life that we cannot afford to ignore4 ,in fact1 the last stages in any work of art are always the finishing touches2 and so let us not wonder if ,god shall spend a great deal of time in teaching us the little things that many might consider trifles4 ,god would have ,his ,bride without a spot or even a wrinkle4 ,,march #bf4 8,jesus1 the author and finisher of our faith0 7,heb4 xii4 #b74 ,add to your faith--do not add to yourself4 ,this is where we make the mistake4 ,we must not only enter by faith1 but we must advance by faith each step of the way4 ,at every new stage we shall find ourselves as incompetent and unequal for the pressure as before1 and we must take the grace and the victory simply by faith4 ,is it courage8 ,we shall find ourselves lacking in the needed courage2 we must claim it by faith4 ,is it love8 ,our own love will be inadequate2 but we must take ,his love1 and we shall find it given4 ,is it faith itself8 ,we must have the faith of ,god1 and ,christ in us will be the spirit of faith1 as well as the blessing that faith claims4 ,so our whole life from beginning to end1 is but ,christ in us--in the exceeding riches of ,his grace2 and our everlasting song will be3 ,not ,i2 but ,christ who liveth in me4 ',tis so sweet to walk with ,jesus1 ,step by step and day by day2 ,stepping in ,his very footprints1 ,walking with ,him all the way4 ,,march #bg4 8,what time ,i am afraid1 ,i will trust in ,thee0 7,ps4 lvi4 #c74 ,we shall never forget a remark ,mr4 ,george ,mueller once made in answer to a gentleman who asked him the best way to have strong faith4 8,the only way10 replied the patriarch of faith1 8to learn strong faith is to endure great trials4 ,i have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings40 ,this is very true4 ,the time to trust is when all else fails4 ,dear one1 if you scarcely realize the value of your present opportunity1 if you are passing through great afflictions1 you are in the very soul of the strongest faith1 and if you will only let go1 ,he will teach you in these hours the mightiest hold upon this throne which you can ever know4 8,be not afraid1 only believe02 and if you are afraid1 just look up and say1 8,what time ,i am afraid1 ,i will trust in ,thee10 and you will yet thank ,god for the school of sorrow which was to you the school of faith4 ,o brother1 give heed to the warning1 ,and obey ,his voice to-day4 ,the ,spirit to thee is calling1 ,o do not grieve ,him away4 ,,march #bh4 8,the fruit of the ,spirit is all goodness0 7,gal4 v4 #bb74 ,goodness is a fruit of the ,spirit4 ,goodness is just 8,godness40 ,it is to be like ,god4 ,and ,god-like goodness has special reference to the active benevolence of ,god4 ,the apostle gives us the difference between goodness and righteousness in this passage in ,romans1 8,scarcely for a righteous man would one die1 yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die40 ,the righteous man is the man of stiff1 inflexible uprightness2 but he may be as hard as a granite mountain side4 ,the good man is that mountain side all covered with velvet moss and flowers1 and flowing with cascades and springs4 ,goodness respects 8whatsoever things are lovely40 ,it is kindness1 affectionateness1 benevolence1 sympathy1 rejoicing with them that do rejoice1 and weeping with them that weep4 ,lord1 fill us with ,thyself1 and let us be ,god-men and good men1 and so represent ,thy goodness4 ,there are lonely hearts to cherish1 ,while the days are going by2 ,there are weary souls who perish1 ,while the days are going by4 ,,march #bi4 8,he will keep the feet of ,his saints0 7,i4 ,sam4 ii4 #i74 ,perils as well as privileges attend the higher ,christian life4 ,the nearer we come to ,god1 the thicker the hosts of darkness in heavenly places4 ,the safe place lies in obedience to ,god's ,word1 singleness of heart1 and holy vigilance4 ,when ,christians speak of standing in a place where they do not need to watch1 they are in great danger4 ,let us walk in sweet and holy confidence1 and yet with holy1 humble watchfulness1 and 8,he will keep the feet of ,his saints40 ,and 8now unto ,him who is able to keep us from stumbling1 and present us faultless before the presence of ,his glory1 to the only wise ,god1 our ,saviour1 be glory1 and majesty1 dominion and power1 both now and forever4 ,amen40 ,what to do we often wonder1 ,as we seek some watchword true1 ,lo1 the answer ,god has given1 ,what would ,jesus do8 ,when the shafts of fierce temptation1 ,with their fiery darts pursue1 ,this will be your heavenly armor1 ,what would ,jesus do8 ,,march #cj4 8,i wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth0 7,,iii4 ,john #b74 ,in the way of righteousness is life and in the pathway thereof is no death4 ,that is the secret of healing4 ,be right with ,god4 ,keep so4 ,live in the consciousness of it1 and nothing can hurt you4 ,off from the breastplate of righteousness will glance all of the fiery darts of the devil1 and faith be stronger for every fierce assault4 ,how true it is1 8,who is he that shall harm you if ye be followers of that which is good80 ,and how true also1 8,holding faith and a good conscience1 which some having put away1 concerning faith1 have made shipwreck40 ,and yet again1 8,if thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the ,lord thy ,god1 and wilt keep all ,his statutes and commandments1 ,i will put none of these diseases upon thee that ,i have brought upon the ,egyptians2 for ,i am the ,lord that healeth thee40 ,there's a question ,god is asking ,every conscience in ,his sight1 ,let it search thine inmost being1 ,is it right with ,god1 all right8 ,,march #ca4 8,what things soever ye desire when ye pray1 believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them0 7,mark xi4 #bd74 ,faith is not working up by will power a sort of certainty that something is coming to pass1 but it is seeing as an actual fact that ,god has said that this thing shall come to pass1 and that it is true1 and then rejoicing to know that it is true1 and just resting and entering into it because ,god has said it4 ,faith turns the promise into a prophecy4 ,while it is merely a promise it is contingent upon our co-operation2 it may or may not be4 ,but when faith claims it1 it becomes a prophecy and we go forth feeling that it is something that must be done because ,god cannot lie4 ,faith is the answer from the throne saying1 8,it is done40 ,faith is the echo of ,god's voice4 ,let us catch it from on high4 ,let us repeat it1 and go out to triumph in its glorious power4 ,hear the answer from the throne1 ,claim the promise1 doubting one1 ,god hath spoken1 8,it is done40 ,faith hath answered1 8,it is done02 ,prayer is over1 praise begun1 ,hallelujah6 ,it is done4 ,,april #a4 8,vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory0 7,rom4 ix4 #bc74 ,our ,father is fitting us for eternity4 ,a vessel fitted for the kitchen will find itself in the kitchen4 ,a vessel for the art gallery or the reception room will generally find itself there at last4 ,what are you getting fitted for8 ,to be a slop-pail to hold all the stuff that people pour into your ears1 or a vase to hold sweet fragrance and flowers for the ,king's palace and a harp of many strings that sounds the melodies and harmonies of ,his love and praise8 ,each one of us is going to his own place4 ,let us get fitted now4 ,the days of heaven are ,christly days1 ,the ,light of ,heaven is ,he2 ,so walking at ,his side1 our days ,as the days of heaven would be4 ,the days of heaven are endless days-- ,days of eternity2 ,so may our lives and works endure ,while the days of heaven shall be4 ,walk with us1 ,lord1 through all the days1 ,and let us walk with ,thee2 ',til as ,thy will is done in heaven1 ,on earth so shall it be4 ,,april #b4 8,he shall dwell on high0 7,isa4 xxxiii4 #af74 ,it is easier for a consecrated ,christian to live an out and out life for ,god than to live a mixed life4 ,a soul redeemed and sanctified by ,christ is too large for the shoals and sands of a selfish1 worldly1 sinful life4 ,the great steamship1 ,st4 ,paul1 could sail in deep water without an effort1 but she could make no progress in the shallow pool1 or on the ,long ,branch sands2 the smallest tugboat is worth a dozen of her there2 but out in mid-ocean she could distance them in an hour4 ,beloved1 your life is too large1 too glorious1 too divine for the small place that you are trying to live in4 ,your purpose is too petty2 arise and dwell on high in the resurrection life of ,jesus1 and the inspiring hope of ,his blessed coming4 ,rise with thy risen ,lord1 ,ascend with ,christ above1 ,and in the heavenlies walk with ,him1 ,whom seeing not1 you love4 ,walk as a heavenly race1 ,princes of royal blood2 ,walk as the children of the light1 ,the sons and heirs of ,god4 ,,april #c4 8,my expectation is from ,him0 7,ps4 lxii4 #e74 ,when we believe for a blessing1 we must take the attitude of faith1 and begin to act and pray as if we had our blessing4 ,we must treat ,god as if ,he had given us our request4 ,we must lean our weight over upon ,him for the thing that we have claimed1 and just take it for granted that ,he gives it1 and is going to continue to give it4 ,this is the attitude of trust4 ,when the wife is married1 she at once falls into a new attitude1 and acts in accordance with the fact1 and so when we take ,christ as a ,saviour1 as a ,sanctifier1 as a ,healer1 or as a ,deliverer1 ,he expects us to fall into the attitude of recognizing ,him in the capacity that we have claimed1 and expect ,him to be to us all that we have trusted ,him for4 ,you may bring ,him ev'ry care and burden1 ,you may tell ,him ev'ry need in pray'r1 ,you may trust ,him for the darkest moment1 ,he is caring1 wherefore need you care8 ,faith can never reach its consummation1 ',til the victor's thankful song we raise3 ,in the glorious city of salvation1 ,god has told us all the gates are praise4 ,,april #d4 8,resist the devil and he will flee0 7,james iv4 #g74 ,resist the devil1 and he will flee from you4 ,this is a promise1 and ,god will keep it to us4 ,if we resist the adversary1 ,he will compel him to flee1 and will give us the victory4 ,we can1 at all times1 fearlessly stand up in defiance1 in resistance to the enemy1 and claim the protection of our heavenly ,king just as a citizen would claim the protection of the government against an outrage or injustice on the part of violent men4 ,at the same time we are not to stand on the adversary's ground anywhere by any attitude or disobedience1 or we give him a terrible power over us1 which1 while ,god will restrain in great mercy and kindness1 ,he will not fully remove until we get fully on holy ground4 ,therefore1 we must be armed with the breastplate of righteousness1 as well as the shield of faith1 if we would successfully resist the prince of darkness and the principalities in heavenly places4 ,your full redemption rights ,with holy boldness claim1 ,and to the utmost fulness prove ,the power of ,jesus' name4 ,,april #e4 8,many shall be purified and made white and tried0 7,dan4 xii4 #aj74 ,this is the promise for the ,lord's coming4 ,it is more than purity4 ,it is to be made white1 lustrous1 or bright4 ,to be purified is to have the sin burned out2 to be made white is to have the glory of the ,lord burned in4 ,the one is cleansing1 the other is illumination and glorification4 ,the ,lord has both for us1 but in order for us to have both1 we must be put into the fire to be tried1 and to be led into difficult and peculiar places where ,christ shall be more to us because of the very extremity of the situation4 ,we are approaching these days4 ,indeed1 they are already around us1 and they are the precursors of the ,lord's coming4 ,blessed is he that keepeth his garments lest he walk naked4 ,there are voices in the air1 filling men with hope and fear2 ,there are signals everywhere that the end is drawing near1 ,there are warnings to prepare1 for the ,king will soon be here2 ,o it must be the coming of the ,lord6 ,,april #f4 8,as we have many members in one body1 so we being many are one body in ,christ0 7,rom4 xii4 #d1 #e74 ,sometimes our communion with ,god is cut off1 or interrupted because of something wrong with a brother1 or some lack of unity in the body of ,christ4 ,we try to get at the ,lord1 but we cannot1 because we are separated from some member of the ,lord's body1 or because there is not the freedom of ,his love flowing through every organic part4 ,it does not need a blow upon the head to paralyze the brain2 a blow upon some nerve may do it2 or a wound in some artery at the extremities may be fatal to the heart4 ,therefore we must stand right with all ,his children1 and meet in the body of ,christ in the sweetest1 fullest fellowship1 if we would keep our perfect communion with ,christ ,himself4 ,sometimes we will find that an altered attitude to one ,christian will bring us into the flood-tides of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,it seems impossible to have faith without love1 or to have ,christ alone without the fulness of fellowship with all ,his dear saints2 and if one member suffer1 all suffer together1 and if one rejoice1 all are blessed in common4 ,,april #g4 8,in ,him we live and move0 7,acts xvii4 #bh74 ,the hand of ,gehazi1 and even the staff of ,elisha could not heal the lifeless boy4 ,it needed the living touch of the prophet's own divinely quickened flesh to infuse vitality into the cold clay4 ,lip to lip1 hand to hand1 heart to heart1 he must touch the child ere life could thrill his pulseless veins4 ,we must come into personal contact with the risen ,saviour1 and have ,his very life quicken our mortal flesh before we can know the fulness and reality of ,his healing4 ,this is the most frequent cause of failure4 ,people are often trusting to something that has been done to them1 to something that they have done1 or something that they have believed intellectually2 but their spirit has not felt its way to the heart of ,christ1 and they have not drawn ,his love into their being by the hunger and thirst of love and faith1 and so they are not quickened4 ,the greatest need of our souls and bodies is to know ,jesus personally1 to touch ,him constantly1 to abide in ,him continually4 ,may we this day lay aside all things that could hinder our near approach to ,him1 and walk hand in hand1 heart to heart1 with ,jesus4 ,,april #h4 8,a merry heart doeth good like a medicine0 7,prov4 xvii4 #bb74 ,king ,solomon left among his wise sayings a prescription for sick and sad hearts1 and it is one that we can safely take4 8,a merry heart doeth good like a medicine40 ,joy is the great restorer and healer4 ,gladness of spirit will bring health to the bones and vitality to the nerves when all other tonics fail1 and all other sedatives cease to quiet4 ,sick one1 begin to rejoice in the ,lord1 and your bones will flourish like an herb1 and your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness4 ,worry1 fear1 distrust1 care1 are all poison drops2 joy is balm and healing2 and if you will but rejoice1 ,god will give power4 ,he has commanded you to be glad and rejoice2 and ,he never fails to sustain ,his children in keeping ,his commandments4 ,rejoice in the ,lord always1 ,he says2 which means no matter how sad1 how tempted1 how sick1 how suffering you are1 rejoice in the ,lord just where you are1 and begin this moment4 ,the joy of the ,lord is the strength of our body1 ,the gladness of ,jesus1 the balm for our pain1 ,his life and ,his fulness1 our fountain of healing1 ,his joy1 our elixir for body and brain4 ,,april #i4 8,i do always those things that please ,him0 7,john viii4 #bi74 ,it is a good thing to keep short accounts with ,god4 ,we were very much struck some years ago with an interpretation of this verse3 8,so every one of us shall give an account of himself to ,god40 ,the thought conveyed to our mind was1 that of accounting to ,god every day of our lives1 so that our accounts were settled daily1 and for us judgment was passed1 as we lay down on our pillows every night4 ,this is surely the true way to live4 ,it is the secret of great peace1 and it will be a delightful comfort when life is closing1 or the ,master coming1 to know that our account is settled1 and our judgment over1 and for us there is only waiting the glad 8,well done1 good and faithful servant1 enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord40 ,step by step ,i'll walk with ,jesus1 ,just a moment at a time1 ,heights ,i have not wings to soar to1 ,step by step my feet can climb4 ,jesus1 keep me closer--closer1 ,step by step and day by day ,stepping in ,thy very foot-prints1 ,walking with ,thee all the way4 ,,april #aj4 8,hold fast the confidence0 7,heb4 iii4 #f74 ,seldom have we seen a sadder wreck of even the highest1 noblest ,christian character than when the enemy has succeeded in undermining the simple trust of a child of ,god1 and got him into self-accusing and condemnation4 ,it is a fearful place when the soul allows ,satan to take the throne and act as ,god1 sitting in judgment on its every thought and act2 and keeping it in the darkness of ceaseless condemnation4 ,well indeed has the apostle told us to hold firmly the shield of faith6 ,this is ,satan's objective point in all his attacks upon you1 to destroy your trust4 ,if he can get you to lose your simple confidence in ,god1 he knows that he will soon have you at his feet4 ,it is enough to wreck both the reason and the life for the soul that has known the sweetness of ,his love to lose its perfect trust in ,god4 8,beloved1 hold fast your confidence and the rejoicing of your hope firm unto the end40 ,fear not to take your place ,with ,jesus on the throne1 ,and bid the powers of earth and hell1 ,his sovereign sceptre own4 ,,april #aa4 8,commit thy way unto the ,lord0 7,ps4 xxxvii4 #e74 ,seldom have we heard a better definition of faith than was given once in one of our meetings by a dear old colored woman1 as she answered the question of a young man how to take the ,lord for needed help4 ,in her characteristic way1 pointing her finger toward him1 she said with great emphasis3 8,you've just got to believe that ,he's done it1 and it's done40 ,the great danger with most of us is1 that after we ask ,him to do it1 we do not believe that it's done1 but we keep on helping ,him1 and getting others to help ,him2 superintending ,god and waiting to see how ,he is going to do it4 ,faith adds its amen to ,god's yea1 and then takes its hands off1 and leaves ,god to finish ,his work4 ,its language is1 8,commit thy way unto the ,lord1 trust also in ,him2 and ,he worketh40 ,lord1 ,i give up the struggle1 ,to ,thee commit my way1 ,i trust ,thy word forever1 ,and settle it all to-day4 ,,april #ab4 8,they were as it were1 complainers0 7,num4 xi4 #a74 ,there is a very remarkable phrase in the book of ,numbers1 in the account of the murmuring of the children of ,israel in the wilderness4 ,it reads like this3 8,when the people1 as it were1 murmured40 ,like most marginal readings it is better than the text1 and a great world of suggestive truth lies back of that little sentence4 ,in the distance we may see many a vivid picture rise before our imagination of people who do not dare to sin openly and unequivocally1 but manage to do it 8as it were0 only4 ,they do not lie straight1 but they evade or equivocate1 or imply enough falsehood to escape a real conviction of conscience4 ,they do not openly accuse ,god of unkindness or unfaithfulness1 but they strike at ,him through somebody else4 ,they find fault with circumstances and people and things that ,god has permitted to come into their lives1 and1 8,as it were10 murmur4 ,they do not perhaps go any farther4 ,they feel like doing it if they dared to 8charge ,god foolishly40 ,these things were written for our warning4 ,,april #ac4 8,rejoice evermore0 7,i4 ,thess4 v4 #af74 ,do not lose your joy whatever else you lose4 ,keep the spirit of spring4 8,rejoice evermore10 and 8,again ,i say1 rejoice40 ,the loss of ,canaan began in the spirit of murmurings1 8,when the people1 as it were1 murmured1 it displeased the ,lord40 ,the first break in their fellowship1 the first falter in their advance1 came when they began to doubt1 and grieve1 and fret4 ,oh1 keep the heart from the perforations of depression1 discouragement1 distrust and gloom1 for ,satan cannot crush a rejoicing and praiseful soul4 ,look out for the beginning of sin4 ,don't let the first touch of evil be harbored4 ,it is the first step that loses all4 ,oh1 to keep so encased in the ,holy ,ghost and in the very life of ,jesus that the evil cannot reach us6 ,the little fly on the inside of the window-pane may be attacked by the little bird on the outside1 and it may seem to him that he is lost1 but the crystal pane between keeps him safely from all danger as certainly as if it were a mighty wall of iron4 ,,april #ad4 8,i if ,i be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto ,me0 7,john xii4 #cb74 ,a true and pure ,christian life attracts the world4 ,there are hundreds of men and women who find no inducements whatever in the lives of ordinary ,christians to interest them in practical religion1 but who are won at once by a true and victorious example4 ,we believe that more men of the world step at a bound right into a life of entire consecration than into the intermediate state which is usually presented to them at the first stage4 ,in an audience once there was a man who for half a century or more had lived without ,christ1 and who was a very prominent citizen1 a man in public life1 of irreproachable character1 lofty intellect1 and a most winning spirit and manners1 but utterly out of sympathy with the ,christian life4 ,at the close of a service for the promotion of deeper spiritual life he rose to ask the prayers of the congregation1 and before the end of the week he was himself a true and acknowledged follower of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,he said1 as he went home that night1 8,if that is the religion of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i want it40 ,,april #ae4 8,rooted and grounded in love0 7,eph4 iii4 #ag74 ,there is a very singular shrub1 which grows abundantly in the west1 and is to be found in all parts of ,texas4 ,it is no less than the 8mosquito tree40 ,it is a very slim1 and willowy looking shrub1 and would seem to be of little use for any industrial purposes2 but is has extraordinary roots growing like great timbers underground1 and possessing such qualities of endurance in all situations that it is used and very highly valued for good pavements4 ,the city of ,san ,antonio is said to be paved with these roots4 ,it reminds one of those ,christians who make little show externally1 but their growth is chiefly underground--out of sight1 in the depth of ,god4 ,these are the men and women that ,god uses for the foundation of things1 and for the pavements of that city of ,god which will stand when all earthly things have crumbled into ruin and dissolved into oblivion4 ,deeper1 deeper let the living waters flow2 ,blessed ,holy ,spirit6 ,river of ,salvation6 ,all ,thy fulness let me know4 ,,april #af4 8,quit you like men0 7,i4 ,cor4 xvi4 #ac74 ,be brave4 ,cowards always get hurt4 ,brave men generally come out unharmed4 ,jeremiah was a hero4 ,he shrank from nothing4 ,he faced his king and countrymen with dauntless bravery1 and the result was he suffered no harm1 but came through the siege of ,jerusalem without a hair being injured4 ,zedekiah1 the cowardly king1 was always afraid to obey ,god and be true1 and the result was that he at last met the most cruel punishment that was ever inflicted on human heart4 ,the men and women that stand from the beginning true to their convictions have the fewest tests4 ,when ,god gives to you a good trial1 if you can stand the strain1 ,he is not always repeating it4 ,when ,abraham offered up his son ,isaac at ,mount ,moriah1 it was a final testing for the rest of his life4 ,do not let ,satan see that you are afraid of him1 for he will pursue to the death if he thinks that he has a chance of getting you4 ,be true1 be true1 ,whether friends be false or few1 ,whatsoe'er betide1 ever at ,his side1 ,let ,him always find you true4 ,,april #ag4 8,he that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city0 7,prov4 xvi4 #cb74 ,temperance is true self-government4 ,it involves the grace of self-denial and the spirit of a sound mind4 ,it is that poise of spirit that holds us quiet1 self-possessed1 recollected1 deliberate1 and subject ever to the voice of ,god and the conviction of duty in every step we take4 ,many persons have not that poise and recollected spirit4 ,they are drifting at the impulse of their own impressions1 moods1 the influence of others1 or the circumstances around them4 ,no desire should ever control us4 ,no purpose1 however right1 should have such mastery over us that we are not perfectly free4 ,the pure affection may be an inordinate affection4 ,our work itself may be a selfish passion4 ,that thing that we began to do because it was ,god's will1 we may cling to and persist in ultimately1 because it is our own will4 ,lord1 give us the spirit ever controlled by ,thy ,spirit and will1 and the eye that looks to ,thee every moment as the eyes of a servant to the hands of her mistress4 ,so shall ,thy service be our perfect freedom1 and our subjection divinest liberty4 ,,april #ah4 8,they shall mount up with wings0 7,isa4 xl4 #ca74 8,they shall mount up with wings as eagles10 is ,god's preliminary2 for the next promise is1 8,they shall run and not be weary1 and they shall walk and not faint40 ,hours of holy exultation are necessary for hours of patient plodding1 waiting and working4 ,nature has its springs1 and so has grace4 ,let us rejoice in the ,lord evermore1 and again we say1 rejoice4 ,and let us take ,him to be our continual joy1 whose heart is a fountain of blessedness1 and who is anointed with the oil of gladness above ,his fellows4 ,we must not be disappointed if the tides are not always equally high4 ,even at low tide the ocean is just as full4 ,human nature could not stand perpetual excitement1 even of a happy kind1 and ,god often rests in ,his love4 ,let us live as self-unconsciously as possible1 filling up each moment with faithful service1 and trusting ,him to stir the springs at ,his will1 and as we go on in faithful service we shall hear1 again and again1 ,his glad whisper3 8,well done1 good and faithful servant1 enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord40 ,,april #ai4 8,rest in the ,lord and wait patiently for ,him0 7,ps4 xxxvii4 #g74 ,it is a very suggestive thought that it is in the ,gospel of ,mark1 which is the ,gospel of service1 we hear the ,master saying to ,his disciples1 8,come ye apart into a desert place1 and rest awhile40 ,god wants rested workers4 ,there is an energy that may be tireless and ceaseless1 and yet still as the ocean's depth1 with the peace of ,god1 which passes all understanding4 ,the two deepest secrets of rest are1 first1 to be in harmony with the will of ,god1 and1 secondly1 to trust4 8,great peace have they that love ,thy law10 expresses the first4 8,thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on ,thee1 because he trusteth in ,thee10 describes the second4 ,there is a good deal in learning to 8stay40 ,sometimes we forget that it literally means to stop4 ,it is a great blessing even to stop all thought1 and this is frequently the only way to answer the devil's whirlwind of irritating questions and thoughts1 to be absolutely still and refuse to even think1 and meet his evil voice with a simple and everlasting 8,no60 ,if we will be still ,god will give us peace4 ,,april #bj4 8,there they dwelt with the ,king for ,his work0 7,i4 ,chron4 iv4 #bc74 ,it is easy for water to run down from the upper springs1 but it requires a divine impulse to flow up from the valley in the nether springs4 ,there is nothing that tells more of ,christ than to see a ,christian rejoicing and cheerful in the humdrum and routine of commonplace work1 like the sailors that stand on the dock loading the vessel and singing as they swing their loads1 keeping time with the spirit of praise to the footsteps and movements of labor and duty4 ,no one has a sweeter or higher ministry for ,christ than a business man or a serving woman who can carry the light of heaven in their faces all day long4 ,like the sea fowl that can plunge beneath the briny tide with its beautiful and spotless plumage1 and come forth without one drop adhering to its burnished breast and glowing wings because of the subtle oil upon the plumage that keeps the water from sticking1 so1 thank ,god1 we too may be so anointed with the ,holy ,ghost that sin1 sorrow and defilement will not adhere to us1 but we shall pass through every sea as the ship passes through the waves1 in1 but above the floods around us4 ,,april #ba4 8,the anointing which ye have received0 7,i4 ,john ii4 #bg74 ,this is the secret of the deeper life1 but 8,that ye may be rooted and grounded in love10 is the substance of it1 and the sweetness of it4 ,the fulness of the divine love in the heart will make everything easy4 ,it is very easy to do things that we love to do1 and it is very easy to trust one whom we love1 and the more we realize their love the more we will trust them for it4 ,it is the source of healing4 ,the tide of love flowing through our bodies will strangely strengthen our very frame1 and the love of our ,lord will become a continual spring of youth and freshness in our physical being4 ,the secret of love is very simple4 ,it is to take the heart of ,jesus for our love and claim its love for every need of life1 whether it be toward ,god or toward others4 ,it is very sweet to think of persons in this way1 8,i will take the heart of ,jesus toward them1 to let me love them as ,he loves them40 ,then we can love even the unworthy in some measure1 if we shall see them in the light of ,his love and hope1 as they shall be1 and not as they now are1 unworthy of our love4 ,,april #bb4 8,christ is the head0 7,eph4 v4 #bc74 ,often we want people to pray for us and help us1 but always defeat our object when we look too much to them and lean upon them4 ,the true secret of union is for both to look upon ,god1 and in the act of looking past themselves to ,him they are unconsciously united4 ,the sailor was right when he saw the little boy fall overboard and waited a minute before he plunged to his rescue4 ,when the distracted mother asked him in agony why he had waited so long1 he sensibly replied3 8,i knew that if ,i went in before he would clutch and drag me down4 ,i waited until his struggles were over1 and then ,i was able to help him when he did not grasp me too strongly40 ,when people grasp us too strongly1 either with their love or with their dependence1 we are intuitively conscious that they are not looking to ,god1 and we become paralyzed in our efforts to help them4 ,united prayer1 therefore1 requires that the one for whom we pray be looking away from us to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and we together look to ,him alone4 ,,april #bc4 8,an high priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities0 7,heb4 iv4 #ae74 ,some time ago we were talking with a greatly suffering sister about healing1 who was much burdened physically and desirous of being able to trust the ,lord for deliverance4 ,after a little conversation we prayed with her1 committing her case to the ,lord for absolute trust and deliverance as she was prepared to claim4 ,as soon as we closed our prayer she grasped our hand1 and asked us to unite with her in the burden that was most upon her heart1 and then1 without a word of reference to her own healing1 or the burden under which she was being crushed to death1 she burst into such a prayer for a poor orphan boy1 of whom she had just heard that day1 as we have never heard surpassed for sympathy and love1 imploring ,god to help him and save him1 and sobbing in spasmodic agony of love many times during her prayer1 and then she ceased without even referring to her own need4 ,we were deeply touched by the spectacle of love1 and we thought how the ,father's heart must be touched for her own need4 ,,april #bd4 8,fret not thyself in any wise0 7,ps4 xxxvii4 #h74 ,a life was lost in ,israel because a pair of human hands were laid unbidden upon the ark of ,god4 ,they were placed upon it with the best intent to steady it when trembling and shaking as the oxen drew it along the rough way1 but they touched ,god's work presumptuously1 and they fell paralyzed and lifeless4 ,much of the life of faith consists in letting things alone4 ,if we wholly trust an interest to ,god we can keep our hands off it1 and ,he will guard it for us better than we can help ,him4 8,rest in the ,lord and wait patiently for ,him4 ,fret not thyself in any wise because of him that prospereth in the way1 because of the man that bringeth wicked devices to pass40 ,things may seem to be going all wrong1 but ,he knows as well as we2 and ,he will arise in the right moment if we are really trusting ,him so fully as to let ,him work in ,his own way and time4 ,there is nothing so masterly as inactivity in some things1 and there is nothing so hurtful as restless working1 for ,god has undertaken to work ,his sovereign will4 ,,april #be4 8,the very ,god of ,peace sanctify you wholly0 7,i4 ,thess4 v4 #bc74 ,a great tidal wave is bearing up the stranded ship1 until she floats above the bar without a straining timber or struggling seaman1 instead of the ineffectual and toilsome efforts of the struggling crew and the strain of the engines1 which had tried in vain to move her an inch until that heavenly impulse lifted her by its own attraction4 ,it is ,god's great law of gravitation lifting up1 by the warm sunbeams1 the mighty iceberg which a million men could not raise a single inch1 but melts away before the rays and the warmth of the sunshine1 and rises in clouds of evaporation to meet its embrace until that cold and heavy mass is floating in fleecy clouds of glory in the blue ocean of the sky4 ,how easy all this6 ,how mighty6 ,how simple6 ,how divine6 ,beloved1 have you come into the divine way of holiness6 ,if you have1 how your heart must swell with gratitude6 ,if you have not1 do you not long for it1 and will you not unite in the prayer of the text that the very ,god of peace will sanctify you wholly8 ,,april #bf4 8,strangers and pilgrims0 7,heb4 xi4 #ac74 ,if you have ever tried to plough a straight furrow in the country--we are sorry for the man that does not know how to plough and more sorry for the man that is too proud to want to know--you have found it necessary to have two stakes in a line and to drive your horses by these stakes4 ,if you have only one stake before you1 you will have no steadying point for your vision1 but you can wiggle about without knowing it and make your furrows as crooked as a serpent's coil2 but if you have two stakes and ever keep them in line1 you cannot deviate an inch from a straight line1 and your furrow will be an arrow speeding to its course4 ,this has been a great lesson to us in our ,christian life4 ,if we would run a straight course1 we find that we must have two stakes1 the near and the distant4 ,it is not enough to be living in the present1 but it is a great and glorious thing to have a distant goal1 a definite object1 a clear purpose before us for which we are living1 and unto which we are shaping our present4 ,,april #bg4 8,the sweetness of the lips0 7,prov4 xvi4 #ba74 ,spiritual conditions are inseparably connected with our physical life4 ,the flow of the divine life-currents may be interrupted by a little clot of blood2 the vital current may leak out through a very trifling wound4 ,if you want to keep the health of ,christ1 keep from all spiritual sores1 from all heart wounds and irritations4 ,one hour of fretting will wear out more vitality than a week of work2 and one minute of malignity1 or rankling jealousy or envy will hurt more than a drink of poison4 ,sweetness of spirit and joyousness of heart are essential to full health4 ,quietness of spirit1 gentleness1 tranquility1 and the peace of ,god that passes all understanding1 are worth all the sleeping draughts in the country4 ,we do not wonder that some people have poor health when we hear them talk for half an hour4 ,they have enough dislikes1 prejudices1 doubts1 and fears to exhaust the strongest constitution4 ,beloved1 if you would keep ,god's life and strength1 keep out the things that kill it2 keep it for ,him1 and for ,his work1 and you will find enough and to spare4 ,,april #bh4 8,for it is ,god which worketh in you0 7,phil4 ii4 #ac74 ,sanctification is the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 the fruit of the ,spirit1 the grace of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the prepared inheritance of all who enter in1 the greatest obtainment of faith1 not the attainment of works4 ,it is divine holiness1 not human self-improvement1 nor perfection4 ,it is the inflow into man's being of the life and purity of the infinite1 eternal and ,holy ,one1 bringing ,his own perfection and working out ,his own will4 ,how easy1 how spontaneous1 how delightful this heavenly way of holiness6 ,surely it is a 8highway0 and not the low way of man's vain and fruitless mortification4 ,it is ,god's great elevated railway1 sweeping over the heads of the struggling throngs who toil along the lower pavement when they might be borne along on ,his ascension pathway1 by ,his own almighty impulse4 ,it is ,god's great elevator carrying us up to the higher chambers of ,his palace1 without over-laborious efforts1 while others struggle up the winding stairs and faint by the way4 ,let us to-day so fully take ,him that ,he can 8cause us to walk in ,his statutes40 ,,april #bi4 8,love never faileth0 7,i4 ,cor4 xiii4 #h74 ,in our work for ,god it is a great thing to find the key to men's hearts1 and recognize something good as a point of contact for our spiritual influence4 ,when ,jesus met the woman at ,samaria ,he immediately seized hold of the best things in her1 and by this ,he reached her heart1 and drew from her a willing confession of her salvation4 ,a ,scotchman once said that his salvation was all due to the fact that a good man 7,lord ,shaftsbury1 we believe7 once put his arms around him and said1 8,john1 by the grace of ,god we will make a man of you yet40 ,the old legend tells the story of a poor1 dead dog lying on the street in the midst of the crowd1 every one of whom was having something to say1 until ,jesus came along1 and immediately began to admire its beautiful teeth4 ,he had something kind to say even of him4 ,there is but ,one can live and love like this2 ,the ,christ-love from the living ,christ must spring4 ,o6 ,jesus6 come and live ,thy life in me1 ,and all ,thy heaven of love and blessing bring4 ,,april #cj4 8,love believeth all things0 7,i4 ,cor4 xiii4 #g74 ,beautiful is the expression in the ,book of ,isaiah which reflects with exceeding sweetness the love of our dear ,lord4 ,he said1 8,they are ,my people1 children that will not lie2 so ,he was their ,saviour40 ,they did lie1 but ,he would not believe it4 ,at least ,he speaks as if ,he would not believe it in the greatness of ,his love1 because they were ,his people4 ,he has not seen iniquity in ,jacob nor perversity in ,israel4 ,there is plenty of it to see1 and the devil sees it all1 and a good many people are only too glad to see it2 but the dear ,father will not see it4 ,he covers it with ,his love and the precious blood of ,his dear atoning ,son4 ,such a wonderful love ought surely to make us gentler to others1 and more anxious to cause our ,father less need to hide ,his loving eyes from our imperfections and faults4 ,if we have the mind and heart of ,christ1 we shall clothe even the world with those graces which faith can claim for them1 and try our best to count them as if they were real1 and by love and prayer we shall at length make them real4 8,love believeth all things40 ,,may #a4 8,the fruit of the ,spirit is gentleness0 7,gal4 v4 #bb74 ,nature's harshness has melted away and she is now beaming with the smile of spring1 and everything around us whispers of the gentleness of ,god4 ,this beautiful fruit is in lovely harmony with the gentle month of which it is the keynote4 ,may the ,holy ,spirit lead us1 beloved1 these days1 into ,his sweetness1 quietness1 and gentleness1 subduing every coarse1 rude1 harsh1 and unholy habit1 and making us like ,him1 of whom it is said1 8,he shall not strive1 nor cry1 nor cause ,his voice to be heard in the streets40 ,the man who is truly filled with ,jesus will always be a gentleman4 ,the woman who is baptized of the ,holy ,ghost1 will have the instincts of a perfect lady1 although low born and little bred in the schools of earthly refinement4 ,beloved1 let us receive and reflect the gentleness of ,christ1 the spirit of the holy babe1 until the world will say of us1 as the polished and infidel ,chesterfield once said of the saintly ,fenelon1 8,if ,i had remained in his house another day1 ,i should have had to become a ,christian40 ,lord1 help us to-day1 to so yield to the gentle ,dove-,spirit1 that our lives shall be as ,his life4 ,,may #b4 8,always causeth us to triumph0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 ii4 #ad74 ,how these words help us4 ,think of them when the people rasp you1 when the devil pricks you with his fiery darts1 when your sensitive1 self-willed spirit chafes or frets2 let a gentle voice be heard above the strife1 whispering1 8,keep sweet1 keep sweet60 ,and1 if you will but heed it quickly1 you will be saved from a thousand falls and kept in perfect peace4 ,true1 you cannot keep yourself sweet1 but ,god will keep you if ,he sees that it is your fixed1 determined purpose to be kept sweet1 and to refuse to fret or grudge or retaliate4 ,the trouble is1 you rather enjoy a little irritation and morbidness4 ,you want to cherish the little grudge1 and sympathize with your hurt feelings1 and nurse your little grievance4 ,dear friends1 ,god will give you all the love you really want and honestly choose4 ,you can have your grievance or you can have the peace that passeth all understanding2 but you cannot have both4 ,there is a balm for a thousand heartaches1 and a heaven of peace and power in these two little words--,,keep ,,sweet4 ,,may #c4 8,my peace ,i give unto you0 7,john xiv4 #bg74 ,here lies the secret of abiding peace--,god's peace4 ,we give ourselves to ,god and the ,holy ,spirit takes possession of our breast4 ,it is indeed 8,peace1 ,peace40 ,but it is just then that the devil begins to turn us away1 and he does it through our thoughts1 diverting or distracting them as occasion requires4 ,this is the time to prove the sincerity of our consecration and the singleness of our heart4 ,if we truly desire ,his ,presence more than all else1 we will turn away from every conflicting thought and look steadily up to ,jesus4 ,but if we desire the gratification of our impulse more than ,his ,presence1 we will yield to the passionate word or the frivolous thought or the sinful diversion1 and when we come back our ,shepherd has gone1 and we wonder why our peace has departed4 ,failure occurs often in some trifling thing1 and the soul failure has occurred in some trifling thing1 usually a thought or word1 and the soul which would not have feared to climb a mountain has really stumbled over a straw4 ,the real secret of perfect rest is to be jealously1 habitually occupied with ,jesus4 ,,may #d4 8,greater is ,he that is in you than he that is in the world0 7,i4 ,john iv4 #d74 ,satan loves to trip us over little things4 ,the reason of this is because it is generally a greater victory for him1 and shows that he can upset us by a shaving and knock us down with a straw4 ,it is the old boast of the ,jebusite1 when they told ,david they could defend ,jerusalem by a garrison of the blind and lame4 ,most of us get on better in our great struggles than we do in our little ones4 ,it was over a little apple that ,adam fell1 but all the world was wrecked4 ,look out1 beloved1 for the little stumbling blocks1 and do not let ,satan laugh at you1 and tell his myrmidons how he tripped you over an orange peel4 ,and1 too1 when the devil wants to stop some great blessing in our lives1 he generally throws some ugly shadow over it and makes it look distasteful to us4 ,how many of us have been keeping back from truths1 places and persons in which ,god has reappeared1 the greatest blessing of our lives1 and the devil has succeeded in keeping us away from them by some false or foolish prejudice6 ,,may #e4 8,if ye then be risen0 7,col4 iii4 #a74 ,god is waiting this morning to mark the opening hours for every ready and willing heart with a touch of life and power that will lift our lives to higher pleasures and offer to our vision grander horizons of hope and holy service4 ,we shall not need to seek far to discover our risen ,lord4 ,he was in advance even of the earliest seeker that ,easter morning1 and ,he will be waiting for us before the break of day with ,his glad 8,all ,hail10 if we have only eyes to see and hearts to welcome and obey ,him4 ,what is ,his message to us this spring time8 8,if ye then be risen with ,christ1 seek those things which are above1 where ,christ sitteth on the right hand of ,god4 ,for ye are dead1 and your life is hid with ,christ in ,god40 ,it is not risen with ,christ1 but resurrected4 ,it is not rising a little higher in the old life1 but it is rising from the dead4 ,the resurrection will mean no more than the death has meant4 ,only so far as we are really dead shall we live with ,him4 ,,may #f4 8,reckon ye also yourselves to be alive unto ,god0 7,rom4 vi4 #aa74 ,death is but for a moment4 ,life is forevermore4 ,live1 then1 ye children of the resurrection1 on ,his glorious life1 more and more abundantly1 and the fulness of your life will repel the intrusion of self and sin1 and overcome evil with good1 and your existence will be1 not the dreary repression of your own struggling1 but the springing tide of ,christ's spontaneous overcoming life4 ,once in a religious meeting a dear brother gave us a most exhilarating talk on the risen life4 ,then another brother got up and talked for a long time on the necessity of self-crucifixion4 ,a cold sweat fell over us all1 and we could scarcely understand why4 ,but after he had got through1 a good sister clarified the whole situation by saying1 that 8,pastor ,s4 had taken us all out of the grave by his address1 and then ,pastor ,p4 has put us back again40 ,don't go back into the grave again after you have got out1 but live like ,him1 who 8liveth and was dead1 and lo6 ,he is alive forevermore1 and has the keys of hell and of death40 ,keep out of the tomb1 and keep the door locked1 and the keys in ,his risen hands4 ,,may #g4 8,i travail in birth again until ,christ be formed in you0 7,gal4 iv4 #ai74 ,it is a blessed moment when we are born again and a new heart is created in us after the image of ,god4 ,it is a more blessed moment when in this new heart ,christ ,himself is born and the ,christmas time is reproduced in us as we1 in some real sense1 become incarnations of the living ,christ4 ,this is the deepest and holiest meaning of ,christianity4 ,it is expressed in ,paul's prayer for the ,galatians4 8,my little children1 for whom ,i travail in birth again till ,christ be formed in you40 ,there will yet be a more glorious era when we1 like ,him1 shall be transformed and transfigured into ,his glory1 and in the resurrection shall be1 in spirit1 soul and body1 even as ,he4 ,let us live1 under the power of the inspiring thought1 incarnations of ,christ2 not living our life1 but the ,christ-life1 and showing forth the excellencies1 not of ourselves1 but of ,him who hath called us 8out of darkness into ,his marvelous light02 so our life shall be to all the re-living in our position of the ,christ life1 as ,he would have lived it1 had ,he been here4 ,,may #h4 8,except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die0 7,john xii4 #bd74 ,death and resurrection are the central ideas of nature and ,christianity4 ,we see them in the transformation of the chrysalis1 in the buried seed bursting into the bud and blossom of the spring1 in the transformation of the winding sheet of winter to the many tinted robes of spring4 ,we see it all through the ,bible in the symbol of circumcision1 with its significance of death and life1 in the passage of the ,red ,sea and the ,jordan leading out and leading in1 and in the ,cross of ,calvary and the open grave of the ,easter morning4 ,we see it in every deep spiritual life4 ,every true life is death-born1 and the deeper the dying the truer the living4 ,we doubt not the months that have been passing have shown us all many a place where there ought to be a grave1 and many a lingering shred of the natural and sinful which we would gladly lay down in a bottomless grave4 ,god help us to pass the irrevocable sentence of death and to let the ,holy ,ghost1 the great undertaker1 make the interment eternal4 ,then our life shall be ever budding and blossoming and shedding fragrance over all4 ,,may #i4 8,all hail0 7,matt4 xxviii4 #i74 ,it was a stirring greeting which the ,lord of ,life spake to ,his first disciples on the morning of the resurrection4 ,it is a bright and radiant word which in ,his name we would speak to ,his beloved children at the commencement of another day4 ,it means a good deal more than appears on the surface4 ,it is really a prayer for our health1 but which none but those who believe in the healing of the body can fully understand4 ,a thoughtful friend suggested once that the word 8hail0 really means health1 and it is just the old ,saxon form of the word4 ,we all know that a hale person is a healthy person4 ,our ,lord's message1 therefore1 was substantially that greeting which from time immemorial we give to one another when we meet4 8,how is your health80 8,how are you80 or1 better still1 8,i wish you health40 ,christ's wish is tantamount to a promise and command4 ,it is very similar to the ,apostle ,john's benediction to his dear friend ,gaius1 and we would re-echo it to our beloved friends according to the fulness of the ,master's will4 ,,may #aj4 8,i am alive forevermore0 7,rev4 i4 #ah74 ,here is the message of the ,christ of the cross and the still more glorious and precious ,christ of the resurrection4 ,it is beautiful and inspiring to note the touch of light and glory with which these simple words invest the cross4 ,it is not said ,i am ,he that was dead and liveth1 but 8,i am ,he that liveth and was dead1 but am alive forevermore40 ,life is mentioned before the death4 ,there are two ways of looking at the cross4 ,one is from the death side and the other from the life side4 ,one is the ,ecce ,homo and the other is the glorified ,jesus with only the marks of the nails and the spear4 ,it is thus we are to look at the cross4 ,we are not to carry about with us the mould of the sepulchre1 but the glory of the resurrection4 ,it is not the ,ecce ,homo1 but the ,living ,christ4 ,and so our crucifixion is to be so complete that it shall be lost in our resurrection and we shall even forget our sorrow and carry with us the light and glory of the eternal morning4 ,so let us live the death-born life1 ever new and full of a life that can never die1 because it is 8dead and alive forevermore40 ,,may #aa4 8,whosoever will save his life shall lose it0 7,luke ix4 #bd74 ,first and foremost ,christ teaches resurrection and life4 ,the power of ,christianity is life4 ,it brings us not merely law1 duty1 example1 with high and holy teaching and admonition4 ,it brings us the power to follow the higher ideal and the life that spontaneously does the things commanded4 ,but it is not only life1 but resurrection life4 ,and it begins with a real crisis1 a definite transaction1 a point of time as clear as the morning dawn4 ,it is not an everlasting dying and an eternal struggle to live4 ,but it is all expressed in a tense that denotes definiteness1 fixedness and finished action4 ,we actually died at a certain point and as actually began to live the resurrection life4 ,let us reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin1 but alive unto ,god through ,jesus ,christ4 ,and death is only the pathway and portal1 ,to the life that shall die nevermore2 ,and the cross leadeth up to the crown everlasting1 ,the ,jordan to ,canaan's bright shore4 ,,may #ab4 8,tell me where ,thou makest ,thy flock to rest at noon0 7,song of ,solomon i4 #g74 ,beloved1 do you not long for ,god's quiet1 the inner chambers1 the shadow of the ,almighty1 the secret of ,his presence8 ,your life has been1 perhaps1 all driving and doing1 or perhaps straining1 struggling1 longing and not obtaining4 ,oh1 for rest6 to lie down upon ,his bosom and know that you have all in ,him1 that every question is answered1 every doubt settled1 every interest safe1 every prayer answered1 every desire satisfied4 ,lift up the cry1 8,tell me1 ,o ,thou whom my soul loveth1 where ,thou feedest1 where ,thou makest ,thy flock to rest at noon06 ,blessed be ,his name6 ,he has this for us1 ,his exclusive love--a love which each individual somehow feels is all for himself1 in which he can lie alone upon ,his breast and have a place which none other can dispute2 and yet ,his heart is so great that ,he can hold a thousand millions just as near1 and each heart seem to possess ,him just as exclusively for his own1 even as the thousand little pools of water upon the beach can reflect the sun1 and each little pool seems to have the whole sun embosomed in its beautiful depths4 ,and ,christ can teach us this secret of ,his inmost love4 ,,may #ac4 8,abide in ,me0 7,john xv4 #d74 ,christianity may mean nothing more than a religious system4 ,christian life may mean nothing more than an earnest and honest attempt to follow and imitate ,christ4 ,christ life is more than these1 and expresses our actual union with the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and ,he is undoubtedly in us as the life and source of all our experience and work4 ,this conception of the highest ,christian life is at once simpler and sublimer than any other4 ,we do not teach in these pages1 that the purpose of ,christ's redemption is to restore us to ,adamic perfection1 for if we had it we should lose it to-morrow2 but rather to unite us with the ,second ,adam1 and lift us up to a higher plane than our first parents ever knew4 ,this is the only thing that can reconcile the warring elements of diverse schools of teaching with respect to ,christian life4 ,the ,spirit of ,god will lead us to have no controversy respecting mere theories1 but simply hold to the person and life of ,jesus ,christ ,himself1 and the privilege of being united to ,him1 and living in constant dependence upon ,his keeping power and grace4 ,,may #ad4 8,but ,god0 7,luke xii4 #bj74 ,what else do we really need8 ,what else is ,he trying to make us understand8 ,the religion of the ,bible is wholly supernatural4 ,the one resource of faith has always been the living ,god1 and ,him alone4 ,the children of ,israel were utterly dependent upon ,jehovah as they marched through the wilderness1 and the one reason their foes feared them and hastened to submit themselves was that they recognized among them the shout of a ,king1 and the presence of ,one compared with whom all their strength was vain4 8,wherein10 asked ,moses1 8shall we be separated from all other peoples of the earth1 except it be in this that ,thou goest before us40 ,a church relying on human wisdom1 wealth or resources1 ceases to be the body of ,christ and becomes an earthly society4 ,when we dare to depend entirely upon ,god and without doubt1 the humblest and feeblest agencies will become 8mighty through ,god1 to the pulling down of strongholds40 ,may the ,holy ,spirit give to us at all times1 ,his own conception of these two great words1 8,but ,god40 ,,may #ae4 8,i press toward the mark0 7,phil4 iii4 #ad74 ,we have thought much about what we have received4 ,let us think of the things we have not received1 of some of the vessels that have not yet been filled1 of some of the places in our life that the ,holy ,ghost has not yet possessed for ,god1 and signalized by ,his glory and ,his presence4 ,shall the coming months be marked by a diligent1 heart-searching application of 8the rest of the oil10 to the yet unoccupied possibilities of our life and service8 ,have we known ,his fulness of grace in our spiritual life8 ,have we tasted a little of ,his glory8 ,have we believed ,his promise for the mind1 the soul1 the spirit8 ,have we known all ,his possibilities for the body8 ,have we tested ,him in ,his power to control the events of providence1 and to move the hearts of men and nations8 ,has ,he opened to us the treasure-house of ,god1 and met our financial needs as ,he might8 ,have we even begun to understand the ministry of prayer1 as ,god would have us exercise it8 ,god give us 8the rest of the oil06 ,,may #af4 8,it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps0 7,jer4 x4 #bc74 ,united to ,jesus ,christ as your ,redeemer1 you are accepted in the ,beloved4 ,he does not merely take my place as a man and settle my debts4 ,he does that and more4 ,he comes to give a perfect ideal of what a man should be4 ,he is the model man1 not for us to copy1 for that would only bring discouragement and utter failure2 but ,he will come and copy ,himself in us4 ,if ,christ lives in me1 ,i am another ,christ4 ,i am not like ,him1 but ,i have the same mind4 ,the very ,christ is in me4 ,this is the foundation of ,christian holiness and ,divine healing4 ,christ is developing a perfect life within us4 ,some say man can never be perfect4 8,it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps40 ,we are all a lot of failures4 ,this is true1 but we should go further4 ,we must take ,god's provision for our failure and rise above it through ,his grace4 ,we must take ,jesus as a substitute for our miserable self4 ,we must give up the good as well as the bad and take ,him instead4 ,it is hard for us to learn that the very good must go1 but we must have ,divine impulses instead of even our best attainments4 ,,may #ag4 8,to him that overcometh1 will ,i give0 7,rev4 ii4 #ag74 ,a precious secret of ,christian life is to have ,jesus dwelling within the heart and conquering things that we never could overcome4 ,it is the only secret of power in your life and mine1 beloved4 ,men cannot understand it1 nor will the world believe it2 but it is true1 that ,god will come to dwell within us1 and be the power1 and the purity1 and the victory1 and the joy of our life4 ,it is no longer now1 8,what is the best that ,i can do80 but the question is1 8,what is the best that ,christ can do80 ,it enables us to say1 with ,paul1 in that beautiful passage in ,philippians1 8,i know both how to be abased1 and ,i know how to abound1 everywhere and in all things1 ,i am instructed both to be full and to be hungry1 both to abound and to suffer need4 ,i can do all things through ,christ1 which strengtheneth me40 ,with this knowledge ,i go forth to meet my testings1 and the secret stands me good4 ,it keeps me pure and sweet1 as ,i could never keep myself4 ,christ has met the adversary and defeated him for me4 ,thanks be unto ,god who giveth us the victory through ,jesus ,christ4 ,,may #ah4 8,for ye are dead0 7,col4 iii4 #c74 ,now1 this definite1 absolute and final putting off of ourselves in an act of death1 is something we cannot do ourselves4 ,it is not self-mortifying1 but it is dying with ,christ4 ,there is nothing can do it but the ,cross of ,christ and the ,spirit of ,god4 ,the church is full of half dead people who have been trying1 like poor ,nero1 to slay themselves for years1 and have not had the courage to strike the fatal blow4 ,oh1 if they would just put themselves at ,jesus' feet1 and let ,him do it1 there would be accomplishment and rest4 ,on that cross ,he has provided for our death as well as our life1 and our part is just to let ,his death be applied to our nature just as it has been to our old sins1 and then leave it with ,him1 think no more about it1 and count it dead1 not recognizing it any longer as ourselves1 but another1 refusing to listen or fear it1 to be identified with it1 or even try to cleanse it1 but counting it utterly in ,his hands1 and dead to us forever1 and for all our new life depending on ,him at every breath1 as a babe just born depends upon its mother's life4 ,,may #ai4 8,he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit0 7,john xv4 #b74 ,recently we passed a garden4 ,the gardener had just finished his pruning1 and the wounds of the knife and saw were just beginning to heal1 while the warm ,april sun was gently nourishing the stricken plant into fresh life and energy4 ,we thought as we looked at that plant how cruel it would be to begin next week and cut it down4 ,now1 the gardener's business is to revive and nourish it into life4 ,its business is not to die1 but to live4 ,so1 we thought1 it is with the discipline of the soul4 ,it1 too1 has its dying hour2 but it must not be always dying3 ,rather reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin1 but alive unto ,god through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,death is but a moment4 ,live1 then1 ye children of the resurrection1 on ,his glorious life more and more abundantly1 and the fulness of your life will repel the intrusion of self and sin1 and overcome evil with good1 and your existence will be1 not the dreary repression of your own struggling1 but the springing tide of ,christ's spontaneous overcoming and everlasting life4 ,,may #bj4 8,ye are not your own0 7,i4 ,cor4 vi4 #ai74 ,what a privilege that we may consecrate ourselves4 ,what a mercy that ,god will take us worthless worms4 ,what rest and comfort lie hidden in those words1 8,not my own40 ,not responsible for my salvation1 not burdened by my cares1 not obliged to live for my interests1 but altogether ,his2 redeemed1 owned1 saved1 loved1 kept in the strong1 unchanging arms of ,his everlasting love4 ,oh1 the rest from sin and self and cankering care which true consecration brings6 ,to be able to give ,him our poor weak life1 with its awful possibilities and its utter helplessness1 and know that ,he will accept it1 and take a joy and pride in making out of it the utmost possibilities of blessing1 power and usefulness2 to give all1 and find in so doing we have gained all2 to be so yielded to ,him in entire self surrender1 that ,he is bound to care for us as for ,himself4 ,we are putting ourselves in the hands of a loving ,father1 more solicitous for our good than we can be and only wanting us to be fully submitted to ,him that ,he may be more free to bless us4 ,,may #ba4 8,we will come unto ,him and make our abode with ,him0 7,john xiv4 #bc74 ,the ,bible has always held out two great promises respecting ,christ4 ,first1 ,i will come to you2 and1 second1 ,i will come into you4 ,for four thousand years the world looked forward to the fulfilment of the first4 ,the other is the secret which ,paul says has been hid from ages and generations1 but is now made manifest to ,his saints1 which is ,christ in you1 the hope of glory4 ,this is just as great a revelation of ,god as the incarnation of ,jesus1 for it makes you like ,christ1 as free from sin as ,he is4 ,if ,christ is in you1 what will be the consequences8 ,why1 ,he will put you aside entirely4 ,the ,i in you will go4 ,you will say1 8,not ,i1 but ,christ40 ,christ undertakes your battles for you4 ,christ becomes purity and grace and strength in you4 ,you do not try to attain unto these things1 but you know you have obtained them in ,him4 ,it is glorious rest with the ,master4 ,jesus does not say1 8,now we must bring forth fruit1 we must pray much1 we must do this or that40 ,there is no constraint about it1 except that we must abide in ,him4 ,that is the center of all joy and help4 ,,may #bb4 8,fight the good fight of faith0 7,i4 ,tim4 vi4 #ab74 ,oh1 beloved1 how must ,god feel about us after ,he has given us ,his heart's blood1 put so many advantages in our way1 expended upon us so much grace and care1 if we should disappoint ,him4 ,it makes the spirit cry1 8,who is sufficient for these things80 ,evermore ,i can see before me the time when you and ,i shall stand on yonder shore and look back upon the years that have been1 these few short years of time4 ,oh1 may we cast ourselves at ,jesus' feet and say3 8,many a time have we faltered2 many a hard fight has come1 but ,thou hast kept me and held me1 thanks to ,god1 who has given me the victory through the ,lord ,jesus ,christ40 ,from the battlefields of the ,peninsula1 a little band of veterans came forth1 and they gave each a medal with the names of all their battles on one side1 and on the other side this little sentence1 8,i was there40 ,oh1 when that hour shall come1 may it be a glad1 glad thought to look back over the trials and sacrifices of these days and remember1 8,i was there1 and by the help of ,god and the grace of ,jesus1 ,i am here40 ,,may #bc4 8,the fulness of the blessing of the ,gospel of ,christ0 7,rom4 xv4 #bi74 ,many ,christians fail to see these blessings as they are centered in ,him4 ,they want to get the blessing of salvation1 but that is not the ,christ4 ,they want to get the blessing of ,his grace to help1 but that is not ,him4 ,they want to get answered prayer from ,him to work for ,him4 ,you might have all that and not have the blessing of ,christ ,himself4 ,a great many people are attached rather to the system of doctrine4 ,they say1 8,yes1 ,i have got the truth2 ,i am orthodox40 ,that is not the ,christ4 ,it may be the cold statue in the fountain with the water passing from the cold hands and lips1 but no life there4 ,a great many other people want to get the blessing of joy1 but it is not the blessing of ,christ personally4 ,a great many people are more attached to their church and pastor1 or to dear ,christians friends1 but that is not the ,christ4 ,the blessing that will alone fill your heart when all else fails is the loving heart of ,jesus united to you1 the fountain of all your blessings and the unfailing one when they all wither and are exhausted--,jesus ,christ ,himself4 ,,may #bd4 8,where is the way where light dwelleth0 7,job xxxviii4 #ai74 ,jewels1 in themselves1 are valueless1 unless they are brought in contact with light4 ,if they are put in certain positions they will reflect the beauty of the sun4 ,there is no beauty in them otherwise4 ,the diamond that is back in its dark gallery or down in the deep mine1 displays no beauty whatever4 ,what is it but a piece of charcoal1 a bit of common carbon1 unless it becomes a medium for reflecting light8 ,and so it is also with the other precious gems4 ,their varied tints are nothing without light4 ,if they are many-sided1 they reflect more light1 and display more beauty4 ,if you put paste beside a diamond there is no brilliancy in it4 ,in its crude state it does not reflect light at all4 ,so we are in a crude state and are of no use at all until ,god comes and shines upon us4 ,the light that is in a diamond is not its own possession2 it is the beauty of the sun4 ,what beauty is there in the child of ,god8 ,only the beauty of ,jesus4 ,we are ,his peculiar people1 chosen to show forth ,his excellencies who hath called us out of darkness into ,his marvelous light4 ,let its reflect to-day ,his light and love4 ,,may #be4 8,that ,i may know ,him0 7,phil4 iii4 #aj74 ,better to know ,jesus ,himself than to know the truth about ,him for the deep things of ,god as they are revealed by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,it was ,paul's great desire1 8,that ,i may know ,him10 not about ,him1 not the mysteries of the wonderful world1 of the deeper and higher teachings of ,god1 but to enter into the ,holy of ,holies1 where ,christ is1 where the ,shekinah is shining and making the place glorious with the holiness of ,god1 and then to enter into the secret of the ,lord ,himself4 ,it was what ,jacob strove for at ,peniel1 when he pleaded with ,god1 8,tell me ,thy name40 ,he has told us ,his name1 giving us 8the light of the knowledge of the glory of ,god in the face of ,jesus ,christ40 ,that is the secret4 ,it is the ,lord ,himself1 and nothing else2 it is acquaintance with ,god2 it is knowing ,jesus ,christ as we know no one else2 it is being able to say1 not only 8,i believe ,him10 but 8,i know ,him02 not about ,him1 but ,i know ,him4 ,that is the secret above all others that ,god wants us to have2 it is ,his provision for glory and power1 and it is given freely to the single-hearted seeker4 ,,may #bf4 8,be careful for nothing2 but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto ,god0 7,phil4 iv4 #f74 ,commit means to hand over1 to trust wholly to another4 ,so1 if we give our trials to ,him1 ,he will carry them4 ,if we walk in righteousness ,he will carry us through4 8,humble yourselves1 therefore1 under the mighty hand of ,god that ,he may exalt you in due time40 ,there are two hands there--,god's hand pressing us down1 humbling us1 and then ,god's hand lifting us up4 ,cast all your care on ,him1 then ,his hand will lift you up1 exalt you in due time4 ,there are two cares in this verse--your care and ,his care4 ,they are different in the original4 ,one means anxious care1 the other means ,almighty care4 ,cast your anxious care on ,him and take ,his ,almighty care instead4 ,make no account of trouble any more1 but believe ,he is able to sustain you through it4 ,the government is on ,his shoulder4 ,believe that1 if you trust and obey ,him1 and meet ,his will1 ,he will look after your interests4 ,simply exchange burdens4 ,take ,his yoke upon you1 and let ,him care for you4 ,,may #bg4 8,the government shall be upon ,his shoulder0 7,isa4 ix4 #f74 ,you cannot make the heart restful by stopping its beating4 ,belladonna will do that1 but that is not rest4 ,let the breath of life come--,god's life and strength--and there will be sweet rest4 ,home ties and family affection will not bring it4 ,deliverance from trouble will not bring it4 ,many a tried heart has said3 8,if this great trouble was only gone1 ,i should have rest40 ,but as soon as one goes another comes4 ,the poor1 wounded deer on the mountain side1 thinks if he could only bathe in the old mountain stream he would have rest4 ,but the arrow is in its flesh and there is no rest for it till the wound is healed4 ,it is as sore in the mountain lake as on the plain4 ,we shall never have ,god's rest and peace in the heart till we have given everything up to ,christ--even our work--and believe ,he has taken it all1 and we have only to keep still and trust4 ,it is necessary to walk in holy obedience and let ,him have the government on ,his shoulder4 ,paul said this3 8,this one thing ,i do40 ,there is one narrow path for us all--,christ's will and work for us4 ,,may #bh4 8,he humbled ,himself0 7,phil4 ii4 #h74 ,one of the hardest things for a lofty and superior nature is to be under authority1 to renounce his own will1 and to take a place of subjection4 ,but ,christ took upon ,him the form of a servant1 gave up ,his independence1 ,his right to please ,himself1 ,his liberty of choice1 and after having from eternal ages known only to command1 gave ,himself up only to obey4 ,i have seen occasionally the man who was once a wealthy employer a clerk in the same store4 ,it was not an easy or graceful position1 ,i assure you4 ,but ,jesus was such a perfect servant that ,his ,father said3 8,behold1 ,my ,servant in whom ,my soul delighteth40 ,all ,his life ,his watchword was1 8,the ,son of ,man came to minister40 8,i am among you as ,he that doth serve40 8,i can do nothing of ,myself40 8,not ,my will1 but ,thine1 be done40 ,have you1 beloved1 learned the servant's place8 ,and once more1 8,he became obedient unto death1 even the death of the cross40 ,his life was all a dying1 and at last ,he gave all up to death1 and also shame1 the death of crucifixion4 ,this last was the consummation of ,his love4 ,,may #bi4 8,the body is for the ,lord and the ,lord for the body0 7,i4 ,cor4 vi4 #ac74 ,now1 just as it was ,christ ,himself who justified us1 and ,christ ,himself who was made unto us sanctification1 so it is only by personal union with ,him that we can receive this physical life and redemption4 ,it is1 indeed1 not a touch of power upon our body which restores and then leaves it to the mere resources of natural strength and life for the future2 but it is the vital and actual union of our mortal body with the risen body of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 so that ,his own very life comes into our frame and ,he is ,himself made unto us strength1 health and full physical redemption4 ,he is alive forevermore and condescends to live in these houses of clay4 ,they who thus receive ,him may know ,him as none ever can who exclude ,him from the bodies which ,he has made for ,himself4 ,this is one of the deep and precious mysteries of the ,gospel4 8,the body is for the ,lord1 and the ,lord for the body40 8,know ye not that your body is the temple of the ,holy ,ghost1 which is in you1 and ye are not your own1 for ye are bought with a price2 therefore1 glorify ,god in your body1 which is ,god's40 7,r4 ,v47 ,,may #cj4 8,i will put ,my ,spirit within you0 7,ez4 xxxvi4 #bg74 8,i will put ,my ,spirit within you1 and ,i will cause you to walk in ,my statutes1 and ye shall keep ,my judgments40 8,i will put ,my fear in your hearts1 and ye shall not turn away from ,me40 ,oh1 friend1 would not that be blessed1 would not that be such a rest for you1 all worn out with this strife in your own strength8 ,do you not want a strong man to conquer the strong man of self and sin8 ,do you not want a leader8 ,do you not want ,god ,himself to be with you1 to be your occupant8 ,do you not want rest8 ,are you not conscious of this need8 ,oh1 this sense of being beaten back1 longing1 wanting1 but not accomplishing4 ,that is what ,he comes to do2 8,ye shall receive power after that the ,holy ,ghost has come upon you40 ,better than that1 8,ye shall receive the power of the ,holy ,ghost coming upon you40 ,that is the true version1 and really it is immensely different from the other4 ,you shall not receive power yourself1 so that people shall say3 8,how much power that man has4 ,you shall not have any power whatever1 but you shall receive the power of the ,holy ,ghost coming upon you1 ,he having the power1 that is all40 ,,may #ca4 8,whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child0 7,matt4 xviii4 #d74 ,you will never get a humble heart until it is born from above1 from the heart of ,christ4 ,for man has lost his own humanity and alas1 too often has a demon heart4 ,god wants us1 as ,christians1 to be simple1 human1 approachable and childlike4 ,the ,christians that we know and love best1 and that are nearest to the ,lord1 are the most simple4 ,whenever we grow stilted we are only fit for a picture gallery1 and we are only good on a pedestal2 but1 if we are going to live among men and love and save them1 we must be approachable and human4 ,all stiffness is but another form of self-consciousness4 ,ask ,christ for a human heart1 for a smile that will be as natural as your little child's in your presence4 ,oh1 how much ,christ did by little touches6 ,he never would have got at the woman of ,samaria if ,he had come to her as the prophet4 ,he sat down1 a tired man1 and said3 8,give me a drink of water40 ,and so1 all through ,his life1 it was ,his simple humanness and love that led ,him to others1 and led them to ,him and to ,his great salvation4 ,,june #a4 8,that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us0 7,rom4 viii4 #d74 ,beloved friends1 do you know the mistake some of you are making8 ,some of you say3 8,it is not possible for me to be good2 no man ever was perfect1 and it is no use for me to try40 ,that is the mistake many of you are making4 ,i agree with the first sentence1 8,no man ever was perfect02 but ,i don't agree with the second1 8,there is no use trying40 ,there is a divine righteousness that we may have4 ,i don't mean merely that which pardons your sins--,i believe that1 too--but ,i mean far more2 ,i mean that which comes into your soul and unites itself with the fibers of your being2 ,i mean ,christ2 your life1 your purity1 making you feel as ,christ feels2 think as ,christ thinks1 love as ,christ loves1 hate as ,christ hates1 and be 8partakers of the divine nature40 ,that is ,god's righteousness2 8that the righteousness of the law might be fulfiled in us10 not by us1 but in us2 not our hands and feet merely1 but our very instincts1 our very desires1 our very nature springing up in harmony with ,his own4 ,have you got ,him1 dear friends8 ,he will come and fulfil all right things in you if to-day you will open your heart4 ,,june #b4 8,as ye have therefore received ,christ ,jesus the ,lord so walk ye in ,him0 7,col4 ii4 #f74 ,here is the very core of spiritual life4 ,it is not a subjective state so much as a life in the heart4 ,christ for us is the ground of our salvation and the source of our justification2 ,christ in us of our sanctification4 ,when this becomes real1 8,ye are dead02 your own condition1 states and resources are no longer counted upon any more than a dead man's1 but 8your life is hid with ,christ in ,god40 ,it is not even always manifest to you4 ,it is hid and so wrapped up and enfolded in ,him that only as you abide in ,him does it appear and abide4 ,nay1 8,christ who is your life10 must ,himself ever maintain it1 and be made unto you of ,god all you need4 ,therefore1 ,christian life is not to come to ,christ to save you1 and then go on and work out your sanctification yourself1 but 8as ye have received ,christ ,jesus1 the ,lord1 so to walk in ,him10 just as dependent and as simply trusting as for your pardon and salvation4 ,ah friends1 how much it would ease our tasks ,for the day that's just begun1 ,to live our life a step at a time ,and our moments one by one4 ,,june #c4 8,ye shall receive the power of the ,holy ,ghost0 7,acts i4 #h74 ,there is power for us if we have the ,holy ,ghost4 ,god wants us to speak to men so that they will feel it1 so that they will never forget it4 ,god means every ,christian to be effective1 to count in the actual records and results of ,christian work4 ,dear friends1 ,god sent you here to be a power yourself4 ,there is not one of you but is an essential wheel of the machinery1 and can accomplish all that ,god calls you to4 ,i solemnly believe that there is not a thing that ,god expects of man but that ,god will give the man power to do4 ,there is not a claim ,god makes on you or me but ,god will stand up to1 and will give what ,he commands4 ,i believe when ,christ ,jesus lived and died and sent down the ,holy ,ghost1 ,he sent resources for all our need1 and that there is no place for failure in ,christian life if we will take ,god's resources4 ,jesus1 the ascended ,one1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 the indwelling energy1 life and efficiency of ,god1 are sufficient for all possible emergencies4 ,do you believe this8 ,if you believe it1 let ,him into your heart1 without reserve and allow ,him to control and work through you to-day by ,his power4 ,,june #d4 8,looking unto ,jesus0 7,heb4 xii4 #b74 ,there must be a constant looking unto ,jesus1 or1 as the ,german ,bible gives it1 an off-looking upon ,jesus2 that is1 looking off from the evil1 refusing to see it1 not letting the mind dwell upon it for a second4 ,we should have mental eyelashes as well as physical ones1 which can be used like shields1 and let no evil thing in2 or1 like a stockade camp in the woods1 which repels the first assault of the enemy4 ,this is the use of the fringes to our eyes1 and so it should be with the soul4 ,many do not seem to know that they have spiritual eyes4 ,they go through the world as if somebody had cut off their eyelashes1 and they stare away on the good and evil alike4 ,the devil comes along with his evil pictures and bids them look4 ,we cannot look upon evil without being defiled4 ,sometimes1 in going down the street1 the sight of some of the pictures on the way will cast their filth upon the soul so that we shall feel the need of being bathed in ,jesus' blood for hours for cleansing4 ,there has been no consent unto sin1 but the sight of it has defiled4 ,there is no help for it but in the resolute1 steady1 inner view of ,christ4 ,,june #e4 8,my heart is fixed1 ,o ,god0 7,ps4 lvii4 #g74 ,we do not always feel joyful1 but we are always to count it joy4 ,this word reckon is one of the keywords of ,scripture4 ,it is the same word used about our being dead4 ,we are painfully conscious of something which would gladly return to life4 ,but we are to treat ourselves as dead1 and neither fear nor obey the old nature4 ,so we are to reckon the thing that comes a blessing2 we are determined to rejoice1 to say1 8,my heart is fixed1 ,lord2 ,i will sing and give praises40 ,this rejoicing by faith will soon become a habit1 and will ever bring speedily the spirit of gladness and the spontaneous overflow of praise4 ,then1 although the fig tree may wither and no fruit appear in the vines1 the labor of the olive fail1 and the field yield no increase1 the herd be cut off from the stall1 and the cattle from the field1 yet will we rejoice in the ,lord and joy in the ,god of our salvation4 ,though the everlasting mountains ,and the earth itself remove1 ,naught can change ,his loving kindness ,or ,his everlasting love4 ,,june #f4 8,he emptied ,himself0 7,phil4 ii4 #h1 ,r4 ,v474 ,the first step to the righteousness of the kingdom is 8poor in spirit40 ,then the next is a little deeper1 8they that mourn40 ,because now you must get plastic1 you must get broken1 you must get like the metal in the fire1 which the ,master can mould2 and so1 it is not enough to see your unrighteousness1 but deeply to feel it1 deeply to regret it1 deeply to mourn over it1 to own it not a little thing that sin has come into your life4 ,and so ,god leads a soul unto ,his righteousness4 ,he usually leads it through some testings and trials4 ,this generally comes after conversion4 ,i do not think it necessary for a soul to have deep and great suffering before it is saved4 ,i think ,he will put it into the fire when ,he knows it is saved2 when it realizes it is accepted2 when it is not afraid of the discipline2 when it is not the hand of wrath1 but the hand of love4 ,oh1 then1 ,god1 takes you down and makes you poor in spirit1 and makes you mourn until you get to the third step1 which is to be meek1 broken1 yielded1 submissive1 willing1 surrendered1 and laid low at ,his feet1 crying3 8,what wilt ,thou have me to do80 ,,june #g4 8,when ye go2 ye shall not go empty0 7,ex4 iii4 #ba74 ,when we are really emptied ,he would have us filled with ,himself and the ,holy ,spirit4 ,it is very precious to be conscious of nothing good in ourselves2 but1 oh1 are we also conscious of ,his great goodness8 ,we may be ready to admit our own disability1 but are we as ready to admit ,his ability8 ,there are many ,christians who can say1 8,we are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves02 but the number ,i fear is very small who can say1 8,our sufficiency is of ,god40 ,are you sure that ,he is able to provide every want in you1 or do you feel that you must supply it yourself8 ,are you believing that ,god does now supply every lack in your heart and your life1 so that all stumbling is taken away1 and you are endowed with power for ,his service1 as ,elisha took the empty vessels and filled them before they were set aside to be used8 ,our ,saviour1 at ,cana1 ordered the water-pots to be filled to the brim4 ,then the water was made into wine1 but not until the vessels were full4 ,god wants ,his children to have always a full heart4 ,,june #h4 8,bread corn is bruised0 7,isa4 xxviii4 #bh74 ,the farmer does not gather timothy and blue grass1 and break it with a heavy machine4 ,but he takes great pains with the wheat4 ,so ,god takes great pains with those who are to be of much use to ,him4 ,there is a nature in them that needs this discipline4 ,don't wonder if the bread corn is treated with the wise1 discriminating care that will fit it for food4 ,he knows the way ,he is taking1 and there is infinite tenderness in the oversight ,he gives4 ,he is watching the furnace you are in lest the heat should be too intense4 ,he wants it great enough to purify1 and then it is withdrawn4 ,he knoweth our frame4 ,he will not let any temptation take us but such as is common to man1 and ,he will with the temptation also make a way to escape1 that we may be able to bear it4 ,do you believe in this disciplining love of the ,husbandman1 and are you trusting ,him with the leading and government of your life8 ,oh1 that you would cease to envy or be disturbed by the people around you6 ,some day you will be glad for the training and blessing they have brought you4 ,,june #i4 8,ye are the light of the world0 7,matt4 v4 #ad74 ,we are called the lights of the world1 light-bearers1 reflectors1 candle-sticks1 lamps4 ,we are to be kindled ourselves1 and then we will burn and give light to others4 ,we are the only light the world has4 ,the ,lord might come down ,himself and give light to the world1 but ,he has chosen differently4 ,he wants to send it through us1 and if we don't give it the world will not have it4 ,we should be giving light all the time to our neighbors4 ,god does not put a meteor in the sky to tell us when to shine4 ,we are to be giving light all the time wherever we are1 at home1 or in the social circle1 or in our place in the church4 ,we should feel always we may never have another opportunity for it1 and so we should always be burning and shining for ,him4 ,let our lamps be trimmed and burning and full of the oil of the ,spirit4 ,above all1 let us be a steady light to the lost ones4 ,let me dwell in ,timnath ,serah1 ,where the sun forever shines1 ,where the night and darkness come not1 ,and the day no more declines4 ,,june #aj4 8,your heavenly ,father knoweth ye have need0 7,matt4 vi4 #cb74 ,christ makes no less of our trust for temporal things than ,he does for spiritual things4 ,he places a good deal of emphasis upon it4 ,why8 ,simply because it is harder to trust ,god for them4 ,in spiritual matters we can fool ourselves1 and think that we are trusting when we are not2 but we cannot do so about rent and food1 and the needs of our body4 ,they must come or our faith fails4 ,it is easy to say that we trust ,him in things that are a long way off1 but there can be no trifling about it in things where the faith must bring practical answers4 ,it is easy to have faith for our needs1 and to trust ,him when the sun is shining4 ,but let some things arise which irritate and rasp and fret us1 and we soon find whether we have real trust or not4 ,and so the things of everyday life are tests of our real faith in ,god1 and ,he often puts us where we have to trust for tangible matters--for money and rent1 and food and clothes4 ,if you are not trusting here wholly1 when you are placed in such tests you will break down4 ,are you trusting ,god for everything through the six ordinary days of the week8 ,,june #aa4 8,thou hast the dew of thy youth0 7,ps4 cx4 #c74 ,oh1 that you might get such a view of ,him as would make it impossible for little things ever to fret you again6 ,the petty cares and silly trifles that have troubled you so much ought rather to fill you with wonder that you can think so much about them4 ,oh1 if you had the dew of ,his youth you should go forth as the morning and fulfil the promise of a glorious day6 ,what a difference it has made in life since we have seen it was possible to do this6 ,how easy it seems now when the little troubles come1 to draw a little closer to ,christ1 to drink in a little more of that fountain of life1 to get a little nearer to that loving heart1 and to draw in great draughts of refreshing and strength from it4 ,how clear it makes the brain for work6 ,coming to ,him thus1 heavy and dull and tired1 how rested you become and able to spring forth ready for work4 ,how inspiring to think that our living ,head never grows weary4 ,he is as fresh as ,he ever was2 ,he is a glorious conqueror2 ,he is ever the victorious ,christ4 ,let ,him take you to-day1 and ,he will cause you to see in ,him the invincible ,leader6 ,,june #ab4 8,we would see ,jesus0 7,john xii4 #ba74 ,glory to ,him for all the things laid up for us in the days to come4 ,glory to ,him for all the visions of service in the future2 the opportunities of doing good that are far away as well as close at hand4 ,our ,saviour was able to despise the cross for the joy that was before ,him4 ,let us look up to ,him1 and rise up to ,him till we get on high and are able to look out from the mount of vision over all the land of far distances4 ,there shall not a single thing come to us in all the future in which we may not be able to see the ,king in ,his beauty4 ,let us be very sure that we do not see anything else4 ,our pupils will become impressed as they look at this vision1 so that they will not be able to reflect anything else4 ,my little child came to me once and said3 8,papa1 look at that golden sign across the street a good while2 now look at that brick wall and tell me what you see40 8,why1 ,i see the golden sign on the brick wall40 ,and he laughed merrily over it4 ,so1 if we look a long time upon ,jesus we cannot look at anything else without seeing a reflection of ,him4 ,everything which we behold will become a part of ,him4 ,,june #ac4 8,the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning0 7,prov4 xvi4 #ba74 ,life is very largely made up of words4 ,they are not so emphatic1 perhaps1 as deeds4 ,deeds are more deliberate expressions of thought4 ,one of the most remarkable authors of the ,new ,testament has said1 8,if any man offend not in word1 the same is a perfect man40 ,it is very often a test of victory in ,christian life4 ,our triumph in this often depends on what we say1 or what we do not say4 ,it is said by ,james of the tongue1 8,it is set on fire of hell40 ,the true ,christian1 therefore1 is righteous in his ways and upright in his words4 ,his deeds appeal to men2 but in speech he is looking up1 for ,god is listening4 ,his words are sent upward and recorded for the judgment4 ,i believe that this is an actual fact1 and ,i can almost fancy that the skies above1 which seem so transparent1 the beautiful blue ether over our heads1 is like a waxen tablet with a finely sensitive surface1 and receives an impression of every word we speak1 and that then these tablets are hardened and preserved for the eternal judgment4 ,so we should speak1 dear friends1 with our eyes ever upward1 never forgetting that we shall some day meet the words that we have spoken4 ,,june #ad4 8,the secret of the ,lord is with them that fear ,him0 7,ps4 xxv4 #ad74 ,there are secrets of ,providence which ,god's dear children may learn4 ,his dealing with them often seems1 to the outward eye1 dark and terrible4 ,faith looks deeper and says1 8,this is ,god's secret4 ,you look only on the outside2 ,i can look deeper and see the hidden meaning40 ,sometimes diamonds are done up in rough packages1 so that their value cannot be seen4 ,when the tabernacle was built in the wilderness there was nothing rich in its outside appearance4 ,the costly things were all within1 and its outward covering of rough badger skin gave no hint of the valuable things which it contained4 ,god may send you1 dear friends1 some costly packages4 ,do not worry if they are done up in rough wrappings4 ,you may be sure there are treasures of love1 and kindness and wisdom hidden within4 ,do not be so foolish as to throw away a nugget of gold because there is some quartz in it4 ,if we take what ,he sends1 and trust ,him for the goodness in it1 even in the dark1 we shall learn the meaning of the secrets of ,his providence4 ,,june #ae4 8,grow up into ,him in all things0 7,eph4 iv4 #ae74 ,harvest is a time of ripeness4 ,then the fruit and grain are fully developed1 both in size and weight4 ,time has tempered the acid of the green fruit4 ,it has been mellowed and softened by the rains and the heat of summer4 ,the sun has tinted it into rich colors1 and at last it is ready and ripe to fall into the hand4 ,so ,christian life ought to be4 ,there are many things in life that need to be mellowed and ripened4 ,many ,christians have orchards full of fruit1 but they are all green and sharp to the taste4 ,there is a great deal in them that is good1 but it is incomplete1 and very sharp and sour4 ,perhaps something goes wrong in your domestic life1 and you get flurried and cross and lose your confidence in ,god1 and then1 of course1 your ,christian joy4 ,these things produce regret and all kinds of misery4 ,there are many things day after day you are sorry for4 ,you know you are not ripe and mellow and you cannot become so by trying4 ,you cannot bring the sweetness in4 ,it must be wrought out from within4 ,,june #af4 8,ye cannot serve ,god and ,mammon0 7,matt4 vi4 #bd74 ,he does not say ye cannot very well serve ,god and mammon1 but ye cannot serve two masters at all4 ,ye shall be sure to end by serving one4 ,the man who thinks he is serving ,god a little is deceived2 he is not serving ,god4 ,god will not have his service4 ,the devil will monopolize him before he gets through4 ,a divided heart loses both worlds4 ,saul tried it4 ,balaam tried it4 ,judas tried it1 and they all made a desperate failure4 ,mary had but one choice4 ,paul said3 8,this one thing ,i do40 8,for me to live is ,christ40 ,of such a life ,god says3 8,because he hath set his love upon ,me therefore will ,i deliver him4 ,i will set him on high because he hath known ,my name40 ,god takes a peculiar pride in showing ,his love to the heart that wholly chooses ,him4 ,heaven and earth will fade away before its trust can be disappointed4 ,have we chosen ,him only and given ,him all our heart8 ,say is it all for ,jesus1 ,as you so often sing8 ,is ,he your ,royal ,master8 ,is ,he your heart's dear ,king8 ,,june #ag4 8,the glory of the ,lord shall be thy reward0 7,isa4 lviii4 #h74 ,he comes by our side as our helper2 nay1 more4 ,he comes to dwell within us2 to be the life in our blood1 the fire in our thought1 the faith within us1 both in inception and consummation4 ,thus ,he becomes not only the recompense of the victor1 but the resources of the victory4 ,he is the ,captain and the ,overcomer in our lives4 ,if we have caught any help that has relieved us of a troubled morning1 it has been of ,him4 ,he lifts our eyes up unto ,himself and delivers us from apathy1 from discontent and from fears4 ,he is always the helper in this heavenly competition1 and will be the great reward in all the ages to come4 ,if our life is hidden with ,him we shall have to go through the same trials that ,he went through1 but we shall not find them too hard4 ,if once we take ,him fully as the strength of our life1 and our all in all1 we shall be able to lay aside all the hindering things that press upon us day by day4 ,i have overcome1 overcome1 ,overcome for thee1 ,thou shalt overcome1 overcome1 ,overcome thro' ,me4 ,,june #ah4 8,i am doing a great work1 so that ,i cannot come down0 7,neh4 vi4 #c74 ,when work is pressing there are many little things that will come and seem to need attention4 ,then it is a very blessed thing to be quiet and still1 and work on1 and trust the little things with ,god4 ,he answers such trust in a wonderful way4 ,if the soul has no time to fret and worry and harbor care1 it has learned the secret of faith in ,god4 ,a desperate desire to get some difficulty right takes the eye off of ,god and ,his glory4 ,some dear ones have been so anxious to get well1 and have spent so much time in trying to claim it1 that they have lost their spiritual blessing4 ,god sometimes has to teach such souls that there must be a willingness to be sick before they are so thoroughly yielded as to receive ,his fullest blessing4 ,the enemy often keeps at this work4 ,sanballat came four times to ,nehemiah and received always the same answer4 ,it is best to stick to a good answer4 ,how many fears we have stopped to fight which have proved to be nothing at last4 ,nehemiah recognized that fear was sin1 and did not dare to yield to it4 ,,june #ai4 8,who hath first given to ,him1 and it shall be recompensed unto him again0 7,rom4 xi4 #ce74 ,the ,christian women of the world have it in their power1 by a very little sacrifice1 to add millions to the treasury of the ,lord4 ,beloved sisters1 have you found the joy of sacrifice for ,jesus8 ,have you given up something that you might give it to ,him8 ,are you giving your substance to ,jesus8 ,he will take it1 and ,he will give you a thousandfold more4 ,i should rather be connected with a work founded on great sacrifice than on enormous endowments4 ,the reason ,god loved the place where ,his ancient temple rose in majesty was because there ,abraham offered his son and ,david his treasure4 ,the reason redemption is so dear to the ,father and the heavenly world is because its foundation-stone is the ,cross of ,calvary4 ,and the ,christian life that is dearest to the heart of ,god1 and will rise to the highest glory and usefulness1 is the one whose foundation principle is sacrifice and self-renunciation4 ,this is why the ,master teaches us to give1 because giving means loving1 and love is but another name for life4 ,,june #bj4 8,let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called0 7,i4 ,cor4 vii4 #bj74 ,o ye who complain about your calling or fret about the changes and trials of life1 how do you know but that these very changes are the divine methods by which ,god's purposes of blessing and usefulness concerning you be fulfilled8 ,had ,aquila not been compelled to leave ,rome and break up his home and business1 he would probably have never met with ,paul1 and been called to the knowledge and service of ,christ through this providential meeting4 ,had he not been a working man1 and pursuing his ordinary avocation he would not have been brought into contact with the apostle4 ,it was in the line of their calling1 their common duties1 and the providential changes of their life that ,god called them4 ,and so ,he meets us4 ,do not try hard to run away from it1 but1 as the apostle has so finely put it1 8,let every man abide in the same calling wherein he is called1 let him therein abide with ,god40 ,make the most of your incidental opportunities4 ,,june #ba4 8,god hath set some in the church 444 helps0 7,i4 ,cor4 xii4 #bh74 ,in the apostle's lists of officers in the church the 8helps0 are mentioned before the 8governments40 ,by the ministry of prayer1 by the ministry of giving1 by the ministry of encouragement1 by the shining face and mute pressure of the hand1 and a little word of cheer1 and by the countless ways in which we can help1 or at least can keep from hindering1 we can all find still the footprints of ,aquila and ,priscilla1 if we want to follow them4 ,it is a great grace to be able to rejoice in another's work and pour our lives1 like affluent rivers1 into great streams4 ,but ,god knows whence every drop has come1 and in the greater day of recompense many of the helps shall have the chief reward4 ,beloved1 are you helping8 ,are you helping your pastor1 your brother1 your husband1 your mother1 your fellow-worker1 and when the harvest comes shall he that soweth and he that reapeth rejoice together8 ,you can help by holy prayer1 ,helpful love and joyful song1 ,o1 the burdens you may bear1 ,o1 the sorrows you may share1 ,o1 the crowns you yet may wear1 ,if you help along4 ,,june #bb4 8,this is that bread which came down from heaven0 7,john vi4 #eh74 ,we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves1 but in ,god which raiseth the dead2 who delivereth us from so great a death1 who doth deliver2 in whom we trust that ,he will yet deliver us4 ,this was the supernatural secret of ,paul's life2 he drew continually in his body from the strength of ,christ1 his ,risen ,head4 ,the body which rose from ,joseph's tomb was to him a physical reality and the inexhaustible fountain of his vital forces4 ,more than any other he has imparted to us the secret of ,his strength2 8,we are members of ,his body1 of ,his flesh and of ,his bones02 8,the ,lord is for the body and the body is for the ,lord40 ,marvelous truth6 ,divine ,elixir of ,life and ,fountain of ,perpetual ,youth6 ,earnest of the ,resurrection6 ,fulfilment of the ancient psalms and songs of faith6 8,the ,lord is the strength of my life1 of whom shall ,i be afraid8 ,my flesh and my heart faint and fail1 but ,god is the strength of my heart and my portion forever40 ,beloved1 have we learned this secret1 and are we living the life of the ,incarnate ,one in our flesh8 ,,june #bc4 8,now we are the sons of ,god1 and it doth not yet appear what we shall be0 7,i4 ,john iii4 #b74 ,we are the sons of ,god4 ,we are not merely called and even legally declared1 but actually are sons of ,god by receiving the life and nature of ,god2 and so we are the very brethren of our ,lord2 not only in ,his human nature1 but still more in ,his divine relationship4 8,therefore1 ,he is not ashamed to call us brethren40 ,he gives us that which entitles us to that right1 and makes us worthy of it4 ,he does not introduce us into a position for which we are uneducated and unfitted1 but ,he gives us a nature worthy of our glorious standing2 and as ,he shall look upon us in our complete and glorious exaltation reflecting ,his own likeness and shining in ,his ,father's glory1 ,he shall have no cause to be ashamed of us4 ,even now ,he is pleased to acknowledge us before the universe and call us brethren in the sight of all earth and heaven4 ,oh1 how this dignifies the humblest saint of ,god6 ,how little we need mind the misunderstanding of the world if ,he 8is not ashamed to call us brethren40 ,so let us go out to-day to represent ,his royal family4 ,,june #bd4 8,i will clothe thee with change of raiment0 7,zech4 iii4 #d74 ,for ,paul every exercise of the ,christian life was simply the grace of ,jesus ,christ imparted to him and lived out by him1 so that holiness was to put on the ,lord ,jesus and all the robes of ,his perfect righteousness which he loves to describe so often in his beautiful epistles4 8,put on therefore1 as the elect of ,god1 holy and beloved10 he says to the ,colossians1 8bowels of mercies1 kindness1 humbleness of mind1 meekness1 long suffering02 and1 8above all these things1 put on love which is the bond of perfectness40 ,none of these things are regarded as intrinsic qualities in us1 but as imparted graces from the hand of ,jesus4 ,and even in the later years of his life1 and after the mature experience of a quarter of a century we find him exclaiming1 8,i count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of ,christ ,jesus1 my ,lord2 for whom ,i have suffered the loss of all things1 and count them but refuse1 that ,i might win ,christ and be found in ,him40 ,lord1 enable us to-day to go out1 clothed in ,thy robes of perfect rightness and with our hearts in adjustment with ,thy perfect love4 ,,june #be4 8,who leadeth us in triumph0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 ii4 #ad74 ,every victor must first be a self-conqueror4 ,but the method of ,joshua's victory was the uplifted arm of ,moses on the ,mount4 ,as he held up his hands ,joshua prevailed1 as he lowered them ,amalek prevailed4 ,it was to be a battle of faith and not of human strength1 and the banner that was to wave over the discomfited foe1 8,jehovah-nissi40 ,this1 too1 is the secret of our spiritual triumph4 8,if we are led of the ,spirit we shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh40 8,sin shall not have dominion over you1 for ye are not under the law but under grace40 ,have we thus begun the battle and in the strength of ,christ planted our feet on our own necks1 and thus victorious over the enemy in the citadel of the heart been set at liberty for the battle of the ,lord and the service of others8 ,it was the lack of this that hindered the life of ,saul and it has wrecked many a promising career4 ,one enemy in the heart is stronger than ten thousand in the field4 ,may the ,lord lead us all into ,joshua's first triumph1 and show us the secret of self-crucifixion through the greater ,joshua1 who alone can lead us on to holiness and victory6 ,,june #bf4 8,when ,he saw the multitudes ,he was moved0 7,matt4 ix4 #cf74 ,he is able to be 8touched with the feeling of our infirmities40 ,the word 8touched0 expresses a great deal4 ,it means that our troubles are ,his troubles1 and that in all our afflictions ,he is afflicted4 ,it is not a sympathy of sentiment1 but a sympathy of suffering4 ,there is much help in this for the tired heart4 ,it is the foundation of ,his ,priesthood1 and ,god meant that it should be to us a source of unceasing consolation4 ,let us realize1 more fully1 our oneness with our ,great ,high ,priest1 and cast all our burdens on ,his great heart of love4 ,if we know what it is to ache in every nerve with the responsive pain of our suffering child1 we can form some idea of how our sorrows touch ,his heart1 and thrill ,his exalted frame4 ,as the mother feels her babe's pain1 as the heart of friendship echoes every cry from another's woe1 so in heaven1 our exalted ,saviour1 even amid the raptures of that happy world1 is suffering in ,his ,spirit and even in ,his flesh with all ,his children bear4 8,seeing then we have such a great high ,priest1 let us come boldly to the throne of grace10 and let us come to our great ,high ,priest4 ,,june #bg4 8,be filled with the ,spirit0 7,eph4 v4 #ah74 ,some of the effects of being filled with the ,spirit are3 #a4 ,holiness of heart and life4 ,this is not the perfection of the human nature1 but the holiness of the divine nature dwelling within4 #b4 ,fulness of joy so that the heart is constantly radiant4 ,this does not depend on circumstances1 but fills the spirit with holy laughter in the midst of the most trying surroundings4 #c4 ,fulness of wisdom1 light and knowledge1 causing us to see things as ,he sees them4 #d4 ,an elevation1 improvement and quickening of the mind by an ability to receive the fulfilment of the promise1 8,we have the mind of ,christ40 #e4 ,an equal quickening of the physical life4 ,the body was made for the ,holy ,ghost1 as well as the mind and soul4 #f4 ,an ability to pray the prayer of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,if ,he is in us there will be a strange accordance with ,god's working in the world around us4 ,there is a divine harmony between the ,spirit and ,providence4 ,,june #bh4 8,leaning upon her beloved0 7,songs of ,solomon viii4 #e74 ,shall you make the claim most practical and real and lean like ,john your full weight on the ,lord's breast8 ,that is the way ,he would have us prove our love4 8,if you love me lean hard10 said a heathen woman to her missionary1 as she was timidly leaning her tired body upon her stalwart breast4 ,she felt slighted by the timorous reserve1 and asked the confidence that would lay all its weight upon the one she trusted4 ,and ,he says to us1 8,casting all your care upon ,him for ,he careth for you40 ,he would have us prove our love by a perfect trust that makes no reserve4 ,he is able to carry all our care1 to manage all our interests1 to satisfy all our needs4 ,let us go forth leaning on ,his breast and feeding on ,his life4 ,for ,john not only leaned but also fed4 ,it was at supper that he leaned4 ,this is the secret of feeding on ,him1 to rest upon ,his bosom4 ,this is the need of the fevered heart of man4 ,let us cry to ,him1 8,tell me whom my soul loveth1 where thou feedest1 where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon40 ,,june #bi4 8,he dwelleth with you and shall be in you0 7,john xiv4 #ag74 ,do not fail to mark these two stages in ,christian life4 ,the one is the ,spirit's work in us1 the other is the ,spirit's personal coming to abide within us4 ,all true ,christians know the first1 but few1 it is to be feared1 understand and receive the second4 ,there is a great difference between my building a house and my going to reside in that house and make it my home4 ,and there is a great difference between the ,holy ,spirit's work in regenerating a soul--the building of a house1 and ,his coming to reside1 abide and control in our innermost spirit and our whole life and being4 ,have we received ,him ,himself not as our ,guest1 but as the ,owner1 ,proprietor and ,keeper of the temple ,he has built to be 8an habitation of ,god through the ,spirit08 ,this is my wonderful story1 ,christ to my heart has come1 ,jesus the ,king of glory1 ,finds in my heart a home4 ,i am so glad ,i received ,him1 ,jesus1 my heart's dear ,king1 ,i1 who so often have grieved ,him1 ,all to ,his feet would bring4 ,,june #cj4 8,therefore1 choose0 7,deut4 xxx4 #ai74 ,men are choosing every day the spiritual or earthly4 ,and as we choose we are taking our place unconsciously with the friends of ,christ1 or the world4 ,it is not merely what ye say1 it is what we prefer4 ,when ,solomon made his great choice at ,gibeon1 ,god said to him1 8,because this was in thine heart to ask wisdom1 therefore will ,i give it unto thee1 and all else besides that thou didst not choose40 ,it was not merely that he said it because it was right to say1 and would please ,god if he said it4 ,but it was the thing his heart preferred1 and ,god saw it in his heart and gave it to him with all besides that he had not chosen4 ,what are we choosing1 beloved8 ,it is our choice that settles our destiny4 ,it is not how we feel1 but how we purpose4 ,have we chosen the good part8 ,have we said1 8,whatever else ,i am or have1 let me be ,god's child1 let me have ,his favor and blessing1 let me please ,him80 ,or have we said1 8,i must have this thing1 and then ,i will see about religion40 ,alas1 ,god has seen what was in thine heart1 and perhaps ,he has already said1 8,they have their reward40 ,,july #a4 8,after that ye have suffered awhile0 7,i4 ,peter v4 #aj74 ,beloved1 are we learning love in the school of suffering8 ,are our hearts being mellowed and deepened by the summer heat of trial until the fruit of the ,spirit1 8which is love1 joy1 peace1 long-suffering1 gentleness1 meekness1 temperance1 faith1 is ripening for the harvest of ,his coming1 and our sufferings are easily borne for ,his sake08 ,oh1 this is the school of love1 and makes ,him unutterably more dear to our hearts and us to ,his4 ,and thus only can we ever learn with ,him the heavenly charity which 8suffers long1 and is kind40 ,we see the very first and the very last feature of the face of love1 as delineated in ,st4 ,paul's portrait 7,i4 ,cor4 xiii471 are marks of pain and patient suffering1 8suffers long10 8endureth all things40 ,so let us learn thus in the school of love to suffer and be kind1 to endure all things4 ,surely it will not be hard to love through all when it is the heart of ,jesus within us which will love and continue to love to the very end4 ,i want the love that suffers and is kind1 ,that envies not nor vaunts its pride or fame1 ,is not puffed up1 does no discourteous act1 ,is not provoked1 nor seeks its own to claim4 ,,july #b4 8,and hath raised us up together0 7,eph4 ii4 #f74 ,ascension is more than resurrection4 ,much is said of it in the ,new ,testament4 ,christ riseth above all things4 ,we see ,him in the very act of ascending as we do not in the actual resurrection1 as1 with hands and lips engaged in blessing1 ,he gently parts from their side1 so simply1 so unostentatiously1 with so little imposing ceremony as to make heaven so near to our common life that we can just whisper through4 ,and we1 too1 must ascend1 even here4 8,if ye then be risen with ,christ1 seek those things that are above40 ,we must learn to live on the heaven side and look at things from above4 ,how it overcomes sin1 defies ,satan1 dissolves perplexities1 lifts us above trials1 separates us from the world and conquers the fear of death to contemplate all things as ,god sees them1 as ,christ beholds them1 as we shall one day look back upon them from ,his glory1 and as if we were now really 8,seated with ,him10 as indeed we are1 8in the heavenly places40 ,let us arise with ,his resurrection and in fellowship with ,his glorious ascension learn henceforth to live above4 ,,july #c4 8,look from the top0 7,song of ,solomon iv4 #h74 ,yes1 our perplexities would become plain if we kept on a spiritual elevation4 ,how often when the traveler quite loses his way he can soon find it again from some tree top or some hill top where all the winding paths he has gone spread behind him1 and the whole homeward road opens before4 ,so1 from the heights of prayer and faith1 we too can see the plain path1 and know that we are going home4 ,there is no other way in which we can gain the victory over the world4 ,we must get above it4 ,we must see it from the side of our great reward4 ,then it looks like earthly objects after we have gazed upon the sun for a while4 ,we are blind to them4 ,when the ,italian fruit-seller finds that he is heir to a ducal palace you cannot tempt him any more with the paltry profits of his trade or the company of his old associates4 ,he is above it all4 ,they who know the hope of their calling and the riches of the glory of their inheritance can well despise the world4 ,it is the poor starving ones who go hungering for the husks of earth4 ,we are born from above and have a longing to go home4 ,let us go forth to-day with our hearts on the homestretch4 ,,july #d4 8,whosoever abideth in ,him sinneth not0 7,i4 ,john iii4 #f74 ,in sanctification what becomes of the old nature8 ,many people are somewhat unduly concerned to know if it can be killed outright1 and seem to desire a sort of certificate of its death and burial4 ,it is enough to know that it is without and ,christ is within4 ,it may show itself again1 and even knock at the door and plead for admittance1 but it is forever outside while we abide in ,him4 ,should we step out of ,him and into sin we might find the old corpse in the ghastly cemetery1 and its foul aroma might yet revive and embrace us once more4 ,but he that abideth in ,him sinneth not and cannot sin while he so abides4 ,therefore let us abide and let us not be anxious to escape the hold of eternal vigilance and ceaseless abiding4 ,our paths are made and the strength to pursue them2 let us walk in them4 ,god has provided for us a full sanctification4 ,is it strange that ,he should demand it of us1 and require us to be holy1 even as ,he is holy1 seeing ,he has given us ,his own holiness4 ,so let us put on our beautiful garments and prepare to walk in white with ,him4 ,,july #e4 8,a garden enclosed0 7,song of ,solomon iv4 #ab74 ,the figure here is a garden enclosed1 not a wilderness4 ,the garden soil is a cultivated soil1 very different from the roadside or the wilderness4 ,the idea of a garden is culture4 ,the ground has to be prepared1 to be broken up by ploughing1 to be mellowed by harrowing1 all the stones removed1 the roots of all natural growth dug up1 for the good things we are seeking are not natural growths and will not grow in our soil4 ,we all start on the old basis and try to improve the old nature1 but that is not ,god's way4 ,his way is to get self out of the way entirely1 and let ,him create anew out of nothing1 so that all shall be of ,him2 and we must find ,jesus the ,alpha and ,omega4 ,the thing you want to learn here is to die4 ,there can be no real life till self dies1 and don't try to die yourself1 but ask ,god to slay you1 and ,he will make a thorough work of it4 ,this the secret nature hideth1 ,summer dies and lives again1 ,spring from winter's grave ariseth1 ,harvest grows from buried grain4 ,,july #f4 8,i am my beloved's0 7,song of ,solomon vii4 #aj74 ,if you want power you must compress4 ,it is the shutting in of the steam that moves the engine4 ,the amount of powder on a flat surface that sends a ball to its destination when shut up in a gun only makes a flash4 ,if you want to carry the electric current you must be insulated4 ,stand a man on a glass platform and turn a battery on him and he will be filled with electricity4 ,let him step off the glass1 and the moment he touches earth he loses power4 ,we must be inclosed by ,his everlasting ,covenant4 ,that holds us and keeps us from falling4 ,he will be a wall of fire round about us4 ,he comes ,himself and envelops us round about with the old ,shekinah glory1 and will be the glory in the midst4 ,he wants us inclosed--by a distinct act of consecration dedicated wholly to ,him4 ,are you inclosed by ,his fences1 ,his commandments1 ,his promises1 ,his covenant8 ,is your heart really and only for the ,lord8 ,if not1 come to ,him now and let ,him separate you from all the things that take your life1 and let ,him separate you unto ,himself1 the ,life ,giver4 ,,july #g4 8,and the glory of the ,lord filled the tabernacle0 7,ex4 xl4 #ce74 ,in the last chapter of ,exodus we read all the ,lord commanded ,moses to do1 and that as he fulfilled these commands the glory of the ,lord descended and filled the tabernacle till there was no room for ,moses1 and from that time the pillar of cloud overshadowed them1 their guide1 their protection4 ,and so we have been building as the ,lord ,himself commanded1 and now the temple is to be handed over to ,him to be possessed and filled4 ,he will so fill you1 if you will let ,him that yourself and everything else will be taken out of the way1 the glory of the ,lord will fill the temple1 encompassing1 lifting up1 guiding1 keeping2 and from this time your moon shall not withdraw its light1 nor your sun go down4 ,do you want power8 ,you have ,god for it4 ,do you want holiness8 ,you have ,god for it2 and so of everything4 ,and ,god is bending down from ,his throne to-day to lift you up to your true place in ,him4 ,from this time may the cloud of ,his glory so surround and fill us that we shall be lost sight of forever4 ,,july #h4 8,having begun in the ,spirit1 are ye now made perfect by the flesh0 7,gal4 iii4 #c74 ,grace literally means that which we do not have to earn4 ,it has two great senses always2 it comes for nothing and it comes when we are helpless2 it doesn't merely help the man that helps himself--that is not the ,gospel2 the ,gospel is that ,god helps the man who can't help himself4 ,and then there is another thing2 ,god helps the man to help himself1 for everything the man does comes from ,god4 ,grace is given to the man who is so weak and helpless he cannot take the first step4 ,that is the meaning of grace--a little of the meaning of it2 we can never know the fulness it has4 ,now1 this river is as free as it is full1 but you know some people have an idea when they get a little farther on they have got to pay an admission1 and reserved seats are very high1 and they shrink back from the higher blessings of the ,gospel2 ordinary ,christians scarcely dare to claim them4 ,if ,i understand the meaning of this1 ,god has not put the higher blessings apart for a separate class who somehow are nearer to ,him4 ,god is no respecter of persons4 ,,july #i4 8,cast thy burden on the ,lord0 7,ps4 lv4 #bb74 ,dear friends1 sometimes we bring a burden to ,god1 and we have such a groaning over it1 and we seem to think ,god has a dreadful time1 too1 but in reality it does not burden ,him at all4 ,god says3 ,it is a light thing for ,me to do this for you4 ,your load1 though heavy for you1 is not heavy for ,him4 ,christ carries the whole on one shoulder1 not two shoulders4 ,the government of the world is upon ,his shoulder4 ,he is not struggling and groaning with it4 ,his mighty arm is able to carry all your burdens4 ,there is power in ,christ for our sanctification4 ,he is able to sanctify you4 ,yes1 yes1 the ,lord can sanctify1 the ,lord can heal1 the ,lord can do anything4 ,you must have faith in ,god4 ,if you come to this river this morning1 it will take you as your ,niagara would take a little boat1 and just bear you down--to a precipice8 ,oh1 no1 but to the bosom of love and blessing forever4 ,oft there comes a wondrous message1 ,when my hopes are growing dim1 ,i can hear it thro' the darkness ,like some sweet and far-off hymn4 ,nothing is too hard for ,jesus1 ,no man can work like ,him4 ,,july #aj4 8,that we might know the things that are freely given to us of ,god0 7,i4 ,cor4 ii4 #ab74 ,the highest blessings of the ,gospel are just as free as the lowest2 and when you have served ,him ten years you cannot sit down and say1 8,i have got an experience now and ,i count on that40 ,how often we do that2 we say1 8,now ,i know ,i am saved1 ,i feel it40 ,and so we are building a different foundation--we are building on something in ourselves4 ,always take grace as something you don't deserve1 something that is freely bestowed4 ,the long1 deep1 boundless river is free2 it is as free at the mouth as it is at the little stream1 and free all the way along1 and anybody can come and drink1 and anybody can come and bathe in its boundless waters4 ,are you going to believe it8 ,god has given us ,his ,holy ,spirit that we may 8know the things that are freely given of us of ,god40 ,it is a hard thing for the poor child to look in through the window and see a fire1 and the happy family sitting around the table when it is starving4 ,what is the good of knowing that there is warmth1 and love1 and light1 if it is not free8 ,god has freely given all the goodness of ,his grace and love4 ,,july #aa4 8,for it is ,god which worketh in you0 7,phil4 ii4 #ac74 ,a day with ,jesus4 ,let us seek its plan and direction from ,him4 ,let us take ,his highest thought and will for us in it4 ,let us look to ,him for our desires1 ideals1 expectations in it4 ,then shall it bring to us exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think4 ,let ,him be our ,guide and ,way4 ,let us not so much be thinking even of ,his plan and way as of ,him as the ,personal ,guide of every moment1 on whom we constantly depend to lead our every step4 ,let ,him also be the sufficiency and strength of all the day4 ,let us never forget the secret3 8,i can do all things through ,christ who strengtheneth me40 ,let us have ,jesus ,christ ,himself in us to do the works1 and let us every moment fall back on ,him1 both to will and do in us of ,his good pleasure4 ,let our holiness be 8the law of the spirit of life in ,christ ,jesus40 ,let our health be the 8life of ,jesus manifest in our mortal flesh40 ,let our faith be 8the faith of the ,son of ,god who loved us40 ,let our peace and joy be ,his peace and joy4 ,and let our service be not our works1 but the grace of ,christ within us4 ,,july #ab4 8,when ye pray1 believe that ye receive0 7,mark xi4 #bd74 ,consecration is entered by an act of faith4 ,you are to take the gift from ,god1 believe you have1 and confess that you have it4 ,step out on it firmly1 and let the devil know you have it as well as the ,lord4 ,when once you say to ,him boldly1 8,i am ,thine10 ,he answers back from the heavenly heights1 8,thou art ,mine10 and the echoes go ringing down through all your life1 8,mine6 ,thine60 ,if you dare confess ,christ as your ,saviour and ,sanctifier ,he has bound ,himself to make it a reality1 but you must stand behind ,his mighty ,word4 ,it is the essence of testimony to tell of what ,jesus has promised to become to you4 ,it is right to have glorious words of thanksgiving1 but these are not exactly testimony4 ,god would have us put our seal on the promises1 and lift up our hands and acknowledge them as ours4 ,then you are to ignore the old life and reckon it no longer yours if it should come up again4 ,every time it appears say1 8,this is from the under world4 ,i am sitting in the heavenly places with ,christ40 ,,july #ac4 8,even ,christ pleased not ,himself0 7,rom4 xv4 #c74 ,let this be a day of self-forgetting ministry for ,christ and others4 ,let us not once think of being ministered unto1 but say ever with ,him3 8,i am among you as ,he that doth serve40 ,let us not drag our burdens through the day1 but drop all our loads of care and be free to carry ,his yoke and ,his burden4 ,let us make the happy exchange1 giving ours and taking ,his4 ,let the covenant be3 8,thou shalt abide for ,me1 ,i also for thee40 ,so shall we lose our heaviest load--ourselves--and so shall we find our highest joy1 divine love1 the more blessed 8to give0 than 8to receive40 ,let us do good to all men as we have opportunity4 ,let us lose no opportunity of blessing1 and let us study ingenious ways of service and usefulness4 ,especially let us seek to win souls4 ,the ,days of ,heaven are busy days1 ,they serve continually1 ,so spent for ,thee and ,thine1 our days1 ,as the ,days of ,heaven would be4 ,the ,days of ,heaven are loving days1 ,as one they all agree1 ,so linked in loving unity ,may our days as ,heaven be4 ,,july #ad4 8,men ought always to pray0 7,luke xviii4 #a74 ,let this be a day of prayer4 ,let us see that our highest ministry and power is to deal with ,god for men4 ,let us be obedient to all the ,holy ,spirit's voices of prayer in us4 ,let us count every pressure a call to prayer4 ,let us cherish the spirit of unceasing prayer and abiding communion4 ,let us learn the meaning of the ministry of prayer4 ,let us reach persons this day we cannot reach in person2 let us expect results that we have never dared to claim before2 let us count every difficulty only a greater occasion for prayer1 and let us call on ,god1 who will show us many great and mighty things which we know not4 ,and let it be a day of joy and praise4 ,let us live in the promises of ,god and the outlook of ,his deliverance and blessing4 ,let us never dwell on the trial but always on the victory just before4 ,let us not dwell in the tomb1 but in the garden of ,joseph and the light of the resurrection4 ,let us keep our faces toward the sun rising4 ,arise1 shine4 ,rejoice evermore4 ,in everything give thanks4 ,praise ye the ,lord4 ,lord1 give us ,thy joy in our hearts which shall lift us to lift others1 and fill us so we may overflow to others4 ,,july #ae4 8,i am my ,beloved's and my ,beloved is mine0 7,song of ,solomon vi4 #c74 ,if ,i am the ,lord's then the ,lord is mine4 ,if ,christ owns me ,i own ,him4 ,and so faith must reach out and claim its full inheritance and begin to use its great resources4 ,moment by moment we may now take ,him as our grace and strength1 our faith and love1 our victory and joy1 our all in all4 ,and as we thus claim ,him we will find ,his grace sufficient for us1 and begin to learn that giving all is just receiving all4 ,yes1 consecration is getting ,him fully instead of our own miserable life4 ,there are1 indeed1 two sides of it4 ,there are two persons in the consecration4 ,one of them is the dear ,lord ,himself4 8,and for their sakes10 ,he says1 8,i consecrate ,myself that they also might be consecrated through the truth40 ,the moment we consecrate ourselves to ,him ,he consecrates ,himself to us1 and henceforth1 the whole strength of ,his life and love and everlasting power is dedicated to keep and complete our consecration1 and to make the very best and most of our consecrated life4 ,who would not give himself to such a ,saviour8 ,surely we will to-day1 first give ourselves and then give ,him each moment as it comes1 to be filled and used4 ,,july #af4 8,as the hart panteth after the waterbrooks1 so panteth my soul after ,thee1 ,o ,god0 7,ps4 xlii4 #a74 ,first in order to a consecrated life there must be a sense of need1 the need of purity1 of power1 and of a greater nearness to the ,lord4 ,there often comes in ,christian life a second conviction4 ,it is not now a sense of guilt and ,god's wrath so much as of the power and evil of inward sin1 and the unsatisfactoriness of the life the soul is living4 ,it usually comes from the deeper revelation of ,god's truth1 from more spiritual teaching1 from definite examples and testimonies of this life in others1 and often from an experience of deep trial1 conflict and temptation in which the soul has found its attainments and resources inadequate for the real issues and needs of life4 ,the first result is often a deep discouragement and even despair1 but the valley of ,achor is the door of hope1 and the seventh chapter of ,romans with its bitter cry1 8,o wretched man that ,i am10 is the gateway to the eighth with its shout of triumph1 8,the ,spirit of life in ,christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death40 ,,july #ag4 8,by one offering ,he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified0 7,heb4 x4 #ad74 ,are you missing what belongs to you8 ,he has promised to sanctify you4 ,he has promised sanctification for you by coming to you ,himself and being made of ,god to you sanctification4 ,jesus is my sanctification4 ,having ,him ,i have obedience1 rest1 patience and everything ,i need4 ,he is alive forevermore4 ,if you have ,him nothing can be against you4 ,your temptations will not be against you2 your bad temper will not be against you2 your hard life1 your circumstances1 even the devil himself will not be against you4 ,every time he comes to attack you1 he will only root you deeper in ,christ4 ,you will become a coward at the thought of being alone2 you will be thrown on ,jesus every time a trouble assails you4 ,all things henceforth will work together for good to your own soul4 ,since ,god is for you nothing can be against you4 ,my heavenly ,bridegroom sought me and called me one glad day1 8,arise1 my love1 my fair one1 arise and come away10 ,i listened to ,his pleading1 ,i gave ,him all my heart1 ,and we are one forever and nevermore shall part4 ,,july #ah4 8,ye are complete in ,him0 7,col4 ii4 #aj74 ,in ,him we are now complete4 ,the perfect pattern of the life of holy service for which ,he has redeemed and called us1 is now in ,him in heaven1 even as the architect's model is planned and prepared and completed in his office4 ,but now it must be wrought into us and transferred to our earthly life1 and this is the ,holy ,spirit's work4 ,he takes the gifts and graces of ,christ and brings them into our life1 as we need and receive them day by day1 just as the sections of the vessel are reproduced in the distant ,continent1 and thus we receive of ,his fulness1 even grace for grace1 ,his grace for our grace1 ,his supply for our need1 ,his strength for our strength1 ,his body for our body1 ,his ,spirit for our spirit1 and ,he just 8made unto us of ,god wisdom1 righteousness1 sanctification and redemption40 ,but it is much more than mere abstract help and grace1 much more even than the ,holy ,spirit bringing us strength1 and peace1 and purity4 ,it is personal companionship with ,jesus ,himself6 ,lord1 help us receive from ,thee to-day1 that grace in all trial that shall mean our perfecting in ,thee4 ,,july #ai4 8,nevertheless1 ,david took the castle of ,zion0 7,i4 ,chron4 xi4 #e74 ,many of you have so much fighting to do because you do not have one sharp1 decisive battle to begin with4 ,it is far easier to have one great battle than to keep on skirmishing all your life4 ,i know men who spend forty years fighting what they call their besetting sin1 and on which they waste strength enough to evangelize the world4 ,dear friends1 does it pay to throw away your lives8 ,have one battle1 one victory and then praise ,god4 ,so they had rest from their enemies round about4 ,there is labor to enter in4 ,the height is steep4 ,the way of the cross is not an easy way4 ,it is hard to enter in1 but having entered in there is perfect rest4 ,may ,god help us and give us ,his perfect rest4 ,o come and leave thy sinful self forever ,beneath the fountain of the ,saviour's blood2 ,o come1 and take ,him as thy ,sanctifier1 ,come thou with us and we will do thee good4 ,come to the land where all the foes are vanquished1 ,and sorrow1 sin1 disease and death subdued2 ,o weary soul6 by ,satan bruised and baffled1 ,come thou with us and we will do thee good4 ,,july #bj4 8,forget also thine own0 7,ps4 xlv4 #aj74 ,we1 too1 like the ancient ,levites1 must be 8consecrated every one upon our son and upon our brother10 and 8forget our kindred and our father's house0 in every sense in which they could hinder our full liberty and service for the ,lord4 ,we1 too1 must let our business go if it stands between us and the ,lord1 and in any case let it henceforth be ,his business and ,his alone1 pursued for ,him1 controlled by ,him1 and its profits wholly dedicated to ,him1 and used as ,he shall direct4 ,and1 like ,james and ,john1 you must be willing to give up 8the hired servants0 too4 ,it will make a great difference in your way of living4 ,it will be a change to give up your ease and luxury1 your being waited upon and indulged in every wish1 and have to do your own work1 to give up the attentions of others1 to put with privations1 and inconveniences1 and humiliations1 but it will be easy to do it with ,him4 ,he never owned a foot of land4 ,he never rode in a carriage4 ,he never had a hired servant4 ,he lay down at last in a borrowed grave4 ,but ,he is rich enough now1 and so will you be some day if you can only be willing to suffer and to wait4 ,,july #ba4 8,look from the place where thou art0 7,gen4 xiii4 #ad74 ,let us now see the blessedness of faith4 ,our own littleness and nothingness sometimes becomes bondage4 ,we are so small in our own eyes we dare not claim ,god's mighty promises4 ,we say3 8,if ,i could be sure ,i was in ,god's way ,i could trust40 ,this is all wrong4 ,self-consciousness is a great barrier to faith4 ,get your eyes on ,him and ,him alone2 not on your faith1 but on the ,author of your faith2 not a half look1 but a steadfast1 prolonged look1 with a true heart and fixedness of purpose1 that knows no faltering1 no parleying with the enemy without a shadow of fear4 ,when you get afraid you are almost sure to fail4 ,travelers who have crossed the ,alps know how dangerous those mountain passes are1 how narrow the foothold1 how deep the rocky ravines and how necessary to safety it is that you should look up continually2 one downward glance into the dizzy depths would be fatal2 and so if we would surmount the heights of faith we must look up--look up4 ,get your eyes off yourself1 off surrounding circumstances1 off means1 off gifts1 to the ,great ,giver4 ,,july #bb4 8,he that ministereth let us wait on our ministering0 7,rom4 xii4 #g74 ,beloved1 are you ministering to ,christ8 ,are you doing it with your hands8 ,are you doing it with your substance and with what you have8 ,is ,he getting the best of what is most real to you8 ,has ,he a place at your table8 ,and when ,he does not come to fill the chair1 is it free to ,his representative1 ,his poor and humble children8 ,your words and wishes are cheap if they do not find expression in your actual gifts4 ,even ,mary did not put ,him off with the incense of her heart1 but laid her costliest gifts at ,his feet4 ,ye busy women1 who work so hard to dress your children and furnish your houses and tables1 what have your hands earned for the ,master1 what have you done or sacrificed for ,jesus8 8,can you afford it80 was asked of a noble woman1 as she promised a costly offering for the ,master's work4 8,no10 was her noble reply1 8but ,i can sacrifice it40 ,let us to-day look around us and see1 what we do and give more to the loving ,saviour1 who gave up ,his whole life for us4 ,,july #bc4 8,bring them hither to ,me0 7,matt4 xiv4 #ah74 ,why have ye not received all the fulness of the ,holy ,spirit8 ,and how may we be anointed with 8the rest of the oil80 ,the greatest need is to make room when ,god makes it4 ,look around you at your situation4 ,are you not encompassed with needs at this very moment1 and almost overwhelmed with difficulties1 trials and emergencies8 ,these are all divinely provided vessels for the ,holy ,spirit to fill1 and if you would but rightly understand their meaning1 they would become opportunities for receiving new blessings and deliverances which you can get in no other way4 ,bring these vessels to ,god4 ,hold them steadily before ,him in faith and prayer4 ,keep still1 and stop your own restless working until ,he begins to work4 ,do nothing that ,he does not ,himself command you to do4 ,give ,him a chance to work1 and ,he will surely do so1 and the very trials that threatened to overcome you with discouragement and disaster1 will become ,god's opportunity for the revelation of ,his grace and glory in your life1 as you have never known ,him before4 8,bring them 7all needs7 to ,me40 ,,july #bd4 8,the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us0 7,rom4 vii4 #d74 ,in our earlier experiences we know the ,holy ,ghost only at a distance1 in things that happen in a providential direction1 or in the ,word alone1 but after awhile we receive ,him as an inward ,guest1 and ,he dwells in our very midst1 and ,he speaks to us in the innermost chambers of our being4 ,but then the external working of ,his power does not cease1 but it only increases1 and seems the more glorious4 ,the ,power that dwells within us works without us1 answering prayer1 healing sickness1 overruling providences1 8,doing exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think1 according to the ,power that worketh in us40 ,there is a double presence of the ,lord for the consecrated believer4 ,he is present in the heart1 and is mightily present in the events of life4 ,he is the ,christ in us1 the ,christ of all the days1 with all power in heaven and earth4 ,and so the ,holy ,ghost is our wonder-worker1 our all sufficient ,god and ,guardian1 and ,he is waiting in these days to work as mightily in the affairs of men as in the days of ,moses1 of ,daniel and of ,paul4 ,,july #be4 8,he that in these things serveth ,christ is acceptable to ,god0 7,rom4 xiv4 #ah74 ,god can only use us while we are right4 ,satan cared far less for ,peter's denial of his ,master than for the use he made of it afterwards to destroy his faith4 ,so ,jesus said to him3 8,i have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not40 ,it was ,peter's faith he attacked1 and so it is our faith that ,satan contests4 8,the trial of our faith is much more precious than gold that perisheth40 ,whatever else we let go let us hold steadfastly to our trust4 8,cast not away1 therefore1 your confidence10 and 8hold fast the rejoicing of our hope firm unto the end40 ,and if you would hold your trust1 hold your sweetness1 your rightness of spirit1 your obedience to ,christ1 your victory in every way4 ,whatever comes1 regard it as of less consequence1 than that you should triumph and stand fast1 and accepting every circumstance as ,god is pleased to let occur1 wave the banner of your victory in the face of every foe1 and go on1 shouting in ,his name1 8,thanks be unto ,god that always causeth us to triumph in ,christ ,jesus40 ,,july #bf4 8,now mine eye seeth ,thee0 7,job xlii4 #e74 ,we must recognize the true character of our self-life and its real virulence and vileness4 ,we must consent to its destruction1 and we must take it ourselves1 as ,abraham did ,isaac1 and lay it at the feet of ,god in willing sacrifice4 ,this is a hard work for the natural heart1 but the moment the will is yielded and the choice is made1 that death is past1 the agony is over1 and we are astonished to find that the death is accomplished4 ,usually the crisis of life in such cases hangs upon a single point4 ,god does not need to strike us in a hundred places to inflict a death wound4 ,there is one point that touches the heart1 and that is the point ,god usually strikes1 the dearest thing in our life1 the decisive thing in our plans1 the citadel of the will1 the center of the heart1 and when we yield there1 there is little left to yield anywhere else1 and when we refuse to yield at this point1 a spirit of evasion and compromise enters into all the rest of our life4 ,lord1 we take ,thee to enable us to will ,thy will to be done in all things in our life without and within4 ,,july #bg4 8,the building up of the body of ,christ0 7,r4 ,v41 ,eph4 iv4 #ac74 ,god is preparing ,his heroes1 and when the opportunity comes ,he can fit them into their place in a moment and the world will wonder where they came from4 ,let the ,holy ,ghost prepare you1 dear friend1 by all the discipline of life2 and when the last finishing touch has been given to the marble1 it will be easy for ,god to put it on the pedestal1 and fit it into its niche4 ,there is a day coming1 when1 like ,othniel1 we1 too1 shall judge the nations1 and rule and reign with ,christ on the millennial earth2 but ere that glorious day can be1 we must let ,god prepare us as ,he did ,othniel at ,kirjethsepher1 amid the trials of our present life1 and in the little victories1 the significance of which1 perhaps1 we little dream4 ,at least1 let us be sure of this1 that if the ,holy ,ghost has got an ,othniel ready1 the ,lord of heaven and earth has a throne prepared for him4 ,is it for me to be used by ,his grace1 ,helping ,his kingdom to bring1 ,is it for me to inherit a place1 ,e'en on the throne of my ,king8 ,,july #bh4 8,not my will1 but ,thine0 7,luke xxii4 #db74 ,he who once suffered in ,gethsemane will be our strength and our victory1 too4 ,we may fear1 we may also sink1 but let us not be dismayed1 and we shall yet praise ,him1 and look back from a finished course1 and say1 8,not one word hath failed of all that the ,lord hath spoken40 ,but in order to do this1 we must1 like ,him1 meet the conflict1 not with a defiant1 but with a submissive spirit4 ,he had to say1 8,not ,my will1 but ,thine be done02 but in saying it1 ,he gained the very thing ,he surrendered4 ,so the submission of ,gethsemane is not a blind and dead submission of a heart that abandons all its hope2 but it is the free submission that bows the head1 in order to get double strength through the faith and prayer4 ,we let go1 in order that we may take a firmer hold4 ,we give up1 in order that we may more fully receive4 ,we lay our ,isaac on ,mount ,moriah1 and we ask him back1 no longer our ,isaac1 but ,god's ,isaac1 and infinitely more secure1 because given back in the resurrection life4 ,,july #bi4 8,my helpers in ,christ ,jesus0 7,rom4 xvi4 #c74 ,christ's ,church is overrun with captains4 ,she is in great need of a few more privates4 ,a few rivers run into the sea1 but a larger number run into other rivers4 ,we cannot all be pioneers1 but we can all be helpers1 and no man is fitted to go in the front until he has learned well how to go second4 ,a spirit of self-importance is fatal to all work for ,christ4 ,the biggest enemy of true spiritual power is spiritual self-consciousness4 ,joshua must die before ,jericho can fall4 ,god often has to test ,his chosen servants by putting them in a subordinate place before ,he can bring them to the front4 ,joseph must learn to serve in the kitchen and to suffer in prison before he can rise to the throne1 and as soon as ,joseph is ready for the throne1 the throne is always waiting for ,joseph4 ,god has more places than accepted candidates4 ,let us not be afraid to go into the training class1 and even take the lowest place1 for we shall soon go up1 if we really deserve to4 ,lord1 use me so that ,thou shalt be glorified and ,i shall be hid from myself and others4 ,,july #cj4 8,if thou wilt diligently hearken unto the voice of the ,lord thy ,god and wilt keep all ,his statutes0 7,ex4 xv4 #bf74 ,sometimes people fail because they have not confidence in the ,physician4 ,the very first requirement of this ,doctor is1 that you trust ,him1 and trust ,him implicitly1 so implicitly that you go forward on ,his bare word1 and act as if you had received ,his healing the moment you claimed ,his promise4 ,but no one would expect to be healed by an earthly doctor as soon as they obeyed his directions4 ,you must do what the ,great ,physician tells you1 if you expect ,him to make you whole4 ,you cannot expect to be healed if you are living in sin1 any more than you could expect the best physician to cure you while you lived in a malarial climate and inhaled poison with every breath4 ,so you must get up into the pure air of trust and obedience before ,christ can make you whole4 ,and then1 if you will trust ,him1 and attend to ,his directions1 you will find that there is balm in ,gilead1 and that there is a ,great ,physician there4 ,,july #ca4 8,we were troubled on every side0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 vii4 #e74 ,why should ,god have to lead us thus1 and allow the pressure to be so hard and constant8 ,well1 in the first place1 it shows ,his all-sufficient strength and grace much better than if we were exempt from pressure and trial4 8,the treasure is in earthen vessels1 that the excellency of the power may be of ,god1 and not of us40 ,it make us more conscious of our dependence upon ,him4 ,god is constantly trying to teach us our dependence1 and to hold us absolutely in ,his hand and hanging upon ,his care4 ,this was the place where ,jesus ,himself stood and where ,he wants us to stand1 not with a self-constituted strength1 but with a hand ever leaning upon ,his1 and a trust that dare not take one step alone4 ,it teaches us trust4 ,there is no way of learning faith except by trial4 ,it is ,god's school of faith1 and it is far better for us to learn to trust ,god than to enjoy life4 ,the lesson of faith1 once learned1 is an everlasting acquisition and an eternal fortune made2 and without trust even riches will leave us poor4 ,,august #a4 8,for we must all appear before the judgment seat of ,christ2 that every one may receive the things done in his body1 according to that he hath done0 7,,ii ,cor4 v4 #aj74 ,it will not always be the day of toil and trial4 ,some day1 we shall hear our names announced before the universe1 and the record read of things that we had long forgotten4 ,how our hearts will thrill1 and our heads will bow1 as we shall hear our own names called1 and then the ,master shall recount the triumph and the services which we had ourselves forgotten6 ,and1 perhaps1 from the ranks of the saved ,he shall call forward the souls that we have won for ,christ and the souls that they in turn had won1 and as we see the issue of things that have1 perhaps1 seemed but trifling at the time1 we shall fall before the throne1 and say1 8,not unto us1 ,o ,lord1 not unto us1 but unto ,thy name give glory60 ,beloved1 the pages are going up every day1 for the record of our life4 ,we are setting the type ourselves1 by every moment's action4 ,hands unseen are stereotyping the plates1 and soon the record will be registered1 and read before the audience of the universe4 and amid the issues of eternity4 ,,august #b4 8,thy gentleness hath made me great0 7,ps4 xviii4 #ce74 ,the blessed ,comforter is gentle1 tender1 and full of patience and love4 ,how gentle are ,god's dealings even with sinners6 ,how patient ,his forbearance6 ,how tender ,his discipline1 with ,his own erring children6 ,how ,he led ,jacob1 ,joseph1 ,israel1 ,david1 ,elijah1 and all ,his ancient servants1 until they could truly say1 8,thy gentleness hath made me great40 ,the heart in which the ,holy ,spirit dwells will always be characterized by gentleness1 lowliness1 quietness1 meekness1 and forbearance4 ,the rude1 sarcastic spirit1 the brusque manner1 the sharp retort1 the unkind cut--all these belong to the flesh1 but they have nothing in common with the gentle teaching of the ,comforter4 ,the ,holy ,dove shrinks from the noisy1 tumultuous1 excited1 and vindictive spirit1 and finds ,his home in the lowly breast of the peaceful soul4 8,the fruit of the ,spirit is gentleness1 meekness40 ,lord1 make me gentle4 ,hush my spirit4 ,refine my manner4 ,let me have ,christ in my bearing and my very tones as well as in my heart4 ,,august #c4 8,humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of ,god0 7,i4 ,peter v4 #f74 ,the pressure of hard places makes us value life4 ,every time our life is given back to us from such a trial1 it is like a new beginning1 and we learn better how much it is worth1 and make more of it for ,god and man4 ,the pressure helps us to understand the trials of others1 and fits us to help and sympathize with them4 ,there is a shallow1 superficial nature1 that gets hold of a theory or a promise lightly1 and talks very glibly about the distrust of those who shrink from every trial2 but the man or woman who has suffered much never does this1 but is very tender and gentle1 and knows what suffering really means4 ,this is what ,paul meant when he said1 8,death worketh in us1 but life in you40 ,trials and hard places are needed to press us forward2 even as the furnace fires in the hold of that mighty ship give the force that moves the piston1 drives the engine1 and propels that great vessel across the sea1 in the face of the winds and waves4 ,,august #d4 8,ye are not in the flesh but in the ,spirit if so be that the ,spirit of ,god dwell in you4 ,now if any man have not the ,spirit of ,christ he is none of ,his0 7,rom4 viii4 #i74 ,a spiritual man is not so much a man possessing a strong spiritual character as a man filled with the ,holy ,spirit4 ,so the apostle said3 8,ye are not in the flesh1 but in the ,spirit1 if so be that the ,spirit of ,god dwelleth in you40 ,the glory of the new creation1 then1 is not only that it recreates the human spirit1 but that it fits it for the abode of ,god ,himself1 and makes it dependent upon the sun1 as the child upon the mother4 ,the highest spirituality1 therefore1 is the most utter helplessness1 the most entire dependence and the most complete possession of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,therefore1 the beautiful act of ,christ in breathing upon ,his disciples1 and imparting to them from ,his own lips the very ,spirit that was already in ,him1 expressed in the most vivid manner the crowning glory of the new creation4 ,and when the ,holy ,spirit thus possesses us1 ,he fills every part of our being4 ,,august #e4 8,if any man hear ,my voice and open the door ,i will come into him and will sup with him and he with ,me0 7,rev4 iii4 #bj74 ,some of us are starving1 and wondering why the ,holy ,spirit does not fill us4 ,we have plenty coming in1 but we do not give it out4 ,give out the blessing you have1 start larger plans for service and blessing1 and you will soon find that the ,holy ,ghost is before you1 and ,he will 8prevent you with the blessings of goodness10 and give you all that ,he can trust you to give away to others4 ,there is a beautiful fact in nature which has its spiritual parallels4 ,there is no music so heavenly as an ,aeolian harp1 and the ,aeolian harp is nothing but a set of musical cords arranged in harmony1 and then left to be touched by the unseen fingers of the wandering winds4 ,and as the breath of heaven floats over the chords1 it is said that notes almost divine float out upon the air1 as if a choir of angels were wandering around and touching the strings4 ,and so it is possible to keep our hearts so open to the touch of the ,holy ,spirit that ,he can play upon them at will1 as we quietly wait in the pathway of ,his service4 ,,august #f4 8,as many as are led by the ,spirit of ,god they are the sons of ,god0 7,rom4 viii4 #ad74 ,the blessed ,holy ,spirit is our ,guide1 our ,leader1 and our ,resting-place4 ,there are times when ,he presses us forward into prayer1 into service1 into suffering1 into new experiences1 new duties1 new claims of faith1 and hope1 and love1 but there are times when ,he arrests us in our activity1 and rests us under ,his overshadowing wing1 and quiets us in the secret place of the ,most ,high1 teaching us some new lessons1 breathing into us some deeper strength or fulness1 and then leading us on again1 at ,his bidding alone4 ,he is the true ,guide of the saint1 and the true ,leader of the ,church1 our wonderful ,counsellor1 our unerring ,friend2 and he who would deny the personal guidance of the ,holy ,ghost in order that he might honor the ,word of ,god as our only guide1 must dishonor that other word of promise1 that ,his sheep shall know ,his voice1 and that ,his hearkening and obedient children shall hear a voice behind them saying1 8,this is the way1 walk ye in it40 ,,august #g4 8,knowing this that our old man is crucified0 7,rom4 vi4 #f74 ,it is purely a matter of faith1 and faith and sight always differ1 so that to your senses it does not seem to be so1 but your faith must still reckon it so4 ,this is a very difficult attitude to hold1 and only as we thoroughly believe ,god can we thus reckon upon ,his ,word and ,his working1 but as we do so1 faith will convert it into fact1 and it will be even so4 ,these two words1 8yield0 and 8reckon10 are passwords into the resurrection life4 ,they are like the two edges of the 8,sword of the ,spirit0 through which we enter into crucifixion with ,christ4 ,this act of surrender and this reckoning of faith are recognized in the ,new ,testament as marking a very definite crisis in the spiritual life4 ,it does not mean that we are expected to be going through a continual dying1 but that there should be one very definite act of dying1 and then a constant habit of reckoning ourselves as dead1 and meeting everything from this standpoint4 8,reckon yourselves dead indeed unto sin1 but alive unto ,god1 through ,jesus ,christ40 ,,august #h4 8,be like the dove0 7,jer4 xlviii4 #bh74 ,harmless as a dove1 is ,christ's interpretation of the beautiful emblem4 ,and so the ,spirit of ,god is purity itself4 ,he cannot dwell in an unclean heart4 ,he cannot abide in the natural mind4 ,it was said of the anointing of old1 8,on man's flesh it shall not be poured40 ,the purity which the ,holy ,spirit brings is like the white and spotless little plant which grows up out of the heap of manure1 or the black soil1 without one grain of impurity adhering to its crystalline surface1 spotless as an angel's wing4 ,so the ,holy ,spirit gives a purity of heart which gives its own protection1 for it is essentially unlike the evil things which grow around it4 ,it may be surrounded on every side with evil1 but it is uncontaminated and pure because its very nature is essentially holy and divine4 ,like the plumage of the dove1 it cannot be soiled1 but comes forth from the miry pool unstained and unsullied by the dark waters1 because it is protected by the oily covering which sheds off every defilement and makes it proof against the touch of every stain4 ,,august #i4 8,he shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat1 and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of ,israel2 transgressions and sins0 7,lev4 xvi4 #ba74 ,as any evil comes up1 and the consciousness of any unholy thing touches our inner senses1 it is our privilege at once to hand it over to the ,holy ,ghost and to lay it upon ,jesus1 as something already crucified with ,him1 and as of old1 in the case of the sin offering1 it will be carried without the camp and burned to ashes4 ,there may be deep suffering1 there may be protracted pain1 it may be intensely real2 but throughout all there will be a very sweet and sacred sense of ,god's presence1 and intense purity in our whole spirit1 and our separation from the evil which is being consumed4 ,truly1 it will be borne without the camp1 and even without the smell of the flames upon our garments4 ,it is so blessed to have the ,holy ,spirit slay things4 ,no swords but ,his can pass so perfectly between us and the evil1 so that it consumes the sin without touching the spirit4 ,lord ,jesus1 my ,sin ,offering1 ,i lay my sin1 my self1 my whole nature1 upon ,thy ,cross4 ,consume me by ,thy holy fire1 and let me die to all but ,thee6 ,,august #aj4 8,there is no spot in thee0 7,song of ,solomon iv4 #g74 ,the blessed ,holy ,spirit who possesses the consecrated heart is intensely concerned for our highest life1 and watches us with a sensitive1 and even a jealous love4 ,very beautiful is the true translation of that ordinary passage in the ,epistle of ,james1 8,the ,spirit that dwelleth in us loveth us to jealousy40 ,the heart of the ,holy ,ghost is intensely concerned in preserving us from every stain and blemish1 and bringing us into the very highest possibilities of the will of ,god4 ,the ,heavenly ,bridegroom would have ,his ,church not only free from every spot1 but also from 8every wrinkle1 or any such thing40 ,the spot is the mark of sin1 but the wrinkle is the sign of weakness1 age1 and decay1 and ,he wants no such defacing touch upon the holy features of ,his ,beloved2 and so the ,holy ,ghost1 who is the ,executor of ,his will1 and the ,divine ,messenger whom ,he sends to call1 separate1 and bring home ,his ,bride1 is jealously concerned in fulfilling in us all the ,master's will4 ,lord1 take from me every blemish and mark of weakness and decay1 and make me ,thy spotless ,bride4 ,,august #aa4 8,all the land which thou seest0 7,gen4 xiii4 #ae74 ,the actual provisions of ,his grace come from the inner vision4 ,he who puts the instinct in the bosom of yonder bird to cross the continent in search of summer sunshine in yonder ,southern clime is too good to deceive it1 and just as surely as ,he has put the instinct in its breast1 so has ,he also put the balmy breezes and the vernal sunshine yonder to meet it when it arrives4 ,he who gave to ,abraham the vision of the ,land of ,promise1 also said in infinite truth and love3 8,all the land that thou seest will ,i give thee40 ,he who breathes into our hearts the heavenly hope1 will not deceive or fail us when we press forward to its realization4 ,there is nothing unfaithful in ,him who has said3 8,if it were not so1 ,i would have told you10 and we may know that ,he never will deceive us nor fail us1 but all that ,he reveals by ,his ,holy ,spirit ,he will make our own1 as we press forward and enter into its realization4 ,lord1 give me first the vision and then the victory4 ,show me all my inheritance1 and then give it all to me in ,christ ,jesus4 ,,august #ab4 8,not ourselves1 but ,christ ,jesus0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 iv4 #e74 ,your ,christian influence1 your reputation as a worker for ,god1 and your standing among your brethren1 may be an idol to which you must die1 before you can be free to live for ,him alone4 ,if you have ever noticed the type on a printed page1 you must have seen that the little 8i0 has always a dot over it1 and it is that dot that elevates it above the other letters in the line4 ,now1 each us us is a little i1 and over every one of us there is a little dot of self-importance1 self-will1 self-interest1 self-confidence1 self-complacency1 or something to which we cling and for which we contend1 which just as surely reveals self-life as if it were a mountain of real importance4 ,this i is a rival of ,jesus ,christ1 and the enemy of the ,holy ,ghost1 and of our peace and life1 and therefore ,god has decreed its death1 and the ,holy ,spirit1 with ,his flaming sword is waiting to destroy it1 that we may be able to enter through the gates and come to the ,tree of ,life4 ,lord1 crowd me out by ,thy fulness even as the glory of the ,lord left no room for ,moses in the ,tabernacle4 ,,august #ac4 8,clouds and darkness are round about ,him0 7,ps4 xcvii4 #b74 ,the presence of clouds upon your sky1 and trials in your path1 is the very best evidence that you are following the pillar of cloud1 and walking in the presence of ,god4 ,they had to enter the cloud before they could behold the glory of the transfiguration1 and a little later that same cloud became the chariot to receive the ascending ,lord1 and it is still waiting as the chariot that will bring ,his glorious appearing4 ,still it is true that white 8clouds and darkness are round about ,his throne1 mercy and truth0 are ever in their midst1 and 8shall go before ,his face40 ,perhaps the most beautiful and gracious use of the cloud was to shelter them from the fiery sun4 ,like a great umbrella1 that majestic pillar spread its canopy above the camp1 and became a shielding shadow from the burning heat in the treeless desert4 ,no one who has never felt an ,oriental sun can fully appreciate how much this means--a shadow from the heat4 ,so the ,holy ,spirit comes between us and the fiery1 scorching rays of sorrow and temptation4 ,,august #ad4 8,touch not ,mine anointed1 and do ,my prophets no harm0 7,ps4 cv4 #ae74 ,i would rather play with the forked lightning1 or take in my hands living wires1 with their fiery current1 than speak a reckless word against any servant of ,christ1 or idly repeat the slanderous darts which thousands of ,christians are hurling on others1 to the hurt of their own souls and bodies4 ,you may often wonder1 perhaps1 why your sickness is not healed1 your spirit filled with the joy of the ,holy ,ghost1 or your life blessed and prosperous4 ,it may be that some dart which you have flung with angry voice1 or in an idle hour of thoughtless gossip1 is pursuing you on its way1 as it describes the circle which always bring back to the source from which it came every shaft of bitterness1 and every idle and evil word4 ,let us remember that when we persecute or hurt the children of ,god1 we are but persecuting ,him1 and hurting ourselves far more4 ,lord1 make me as sensitive to the feelings and rights of others as ,i have often been to my own1 and let me live and love like ,thee4 ,,august #ae4 8,he will guide you into all truth0 7,john xvi4 #ac74 ,the ,holy ,ghost does not come to give us extraordinary manifestations1 but to give its life and light1 and the nearer we come to ,him1 the more simple will ,his illumination and leading be4 ,he comes to 8guide us into all truth40 ,he comes to shed light upon our own hearts1 and to show us ourselves4 ,he comes to reveal ,christ1 to give1 and then to illumine1 the ,holy ,scriptures1 and to make ,divine realities vivid and clear to our spiritual apprehension4 ,he comes as a ,spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of ,christ1 to 8enlighten the eyes of our understanding1 that we may know what is the hope of ,his calling1 and what the riches of the glory of ,his inheritance in the saints1 and what is the exceeding greatness of ,his power to us-ward who believe1 according to the working of ,his mighty power40 ,spirit of ,power6 with heavenly fire1 ,our souls endue1 our tongues inspire2 ,stretch forth ,thy mighty ,hand1 ,thy ,pentecostal gifts restore1 ,the wonders of ,thy power once more ,display in every land4 ,,august #af4 8,i am with you alway0 7,matt4 xxviii4 #bj74 ,oh1 how it helps and comforts us in the plod of life to know that we have with us the ,christ who spent the first thirty years of ,his life in the carpenter shop at ,nazareth1 swinging the hammer1 covered with sweat and grimy dust1 physically weary as we often are1 and able to understand all our experiences of drudgery and labor6 and ,one who still loves to share our common tasks and equip us for our difficult undertakings of hand and brain6 ,yes1 humble sister1 ,he will help you at the washboard and the kitchen-sink as gladly as at the hour of prayer4 ,yes1 busy mechanic1 ,he will go with you and help you to swing the hammer1 or handle the saw1 or hold the plow in the toil of life1 and you shall be a better mechanic1 a more skilled workman1 and a more successful man1 because you take ,his wisdom for the common affairs of life4 ,there is no place or time where ,he is not able and willing to walk by our side1 to work through our hands and brains1 and to unite ,himself in loving and all-sufficient partnership with all our needs and tasks and trials1 and prove our all-sufficiency for all things4 ,,august #ag4 8,speak ye unto the ,rock0 7,num4 xx4 #h74 ,the ,holy ,ghost is very sensitive1 as love always is4 ,you can conquer a wild beast by blows and chains1 but you cannot conquer a woman's heart that way1 or win the love of a sensitive nature2 that must be wooed by the delicate touches of trust and affection4 ,so the ,holy ,ghost has to be taken by a faith as delicate and sensitive as the gentle heart with whom it is coming in touch4 ,one thought of unbelief1 one expression of impatient distrust or fear1 will instantly check the perfect freedom of ,his operations as much as a breath of frost would wither the petals of the most sensitive rose or lily4 ,speak to the ,rock1 do not strike it4 ,believe in the ,holy ,ghost and treat ,him with the tenderest confidence and the most unwavering trust1 and ,he will meet you with instant response and confidence4 ,beloved1 have you come to the rock in ,kadesh8 ,have you opened all your being to the fulness of the ,spirit1 and then1 with the confidence of the child to the mother1 the bride to the husband1 the flower to the sunshine1 have you received by faith1 and are you drinking of ,his blessed life8 ,,august #ah4 8,the three hundred blew the trumpets0 7,judges vii4 #bb74 ,we little dream1 sometimes1 what a hasty word1 a thoughtless speech1 an imprudent act1 or a confession of unbelief and fear may do to hinder our highest usefulness1 or turn it aside from some great opportunity which ,god has been preparing for us4 ,although the ,holy ,ghost uses weak men1 ,he does not want them to be weak after ,he chooses and calls them4 ,although ,he uses the foolish things to confound the wise1 ,he does not want us to be foolish after ,he comes to give us ,his wisdom and grace4 ,he uses the foolishness of preaching1 but1 not necessarily1 the foolishness of preachers4 ,like the electric current1 which can supply the strength of a thousand men1 it is necessary that it should have a proper conductor1 and a very small wire is better than a very big rope4 ,god wants fit instruments for ,his power--wills surrendered1 hearts trusting1 lives consistent1 and lips obedient to ,his will2 and then ,he can use the weakest weapons1 and make them mighty through ,god to the pulling down of strongholds4 ,,august #ai4 8,have faith in ,god0 7,mark xi4 #bb74 ,he requires of us a perfect faith1 and ,he tells us that if we believe and doubt not1 we shall have whatsoever we ask4 ,the faintest touch of unbelief will neutralize our trust4 ,but how shall we have such perfect faith8 ,is it possible for human nature8 ,nay1 but it is possible to the ,divine nature1 it is possible to the ,christ within us4 ,it is possible for ,god to give it2 and ,god does give it4 ,but ,christ is the ,author and ,finisher of our faith1 and ,he bids us have the faith of ,god1 and as we have it through the imparting of the ,spirit of ,christ1 we believe even as ,he4 ,we pray in ,his name1 and in ,his very nature1 and we live by the faith of the ,son of ,god who loved us and gave ,himself for us4 ,the love that ,he requires of us is not mere human love1 nor even the standard of love required in the ,old ,testament1 but something far higher4 ,the new commandment is1 ,love one another1 not as yourselves1 but as ,i have loved you4 ,how shall such love be made possible8 ,herein is our love made perfect1 because as ,he is so are we also in this world4 ,our love is simply ,his love wrought in us1 and imparted to us through the ,spirit4 ,,august #bj4 8,herein is ,my ,father glorified0 7,john xv4 #h74 ,the true way to glorify ,god is1 for ,god to show ,his glory through us1 to shine through us as empty vessels reflecting ,his fulness of grace and power4 ,the sun is glorified when he has a chance to show his light through the crystal window1 or reflect it from the spotless mirror or the glassy sea4 ,there is nothing that glorifies ,god so much as for a weak and helpless man or woman to be able to triumph1 through ,his strength1 in places where the highest human qualities will fail us1 and carry in ,divine power through every form of toil and suffering1 a spirit naturally weak1 irresolute1 selfish1 and sinful1 transformed into sweetness1 purity1 power and standing victorious amid circumstances from which its natural qualities must utterly unfit it4 ,a mind not naturally wise or strong1 directed by a ,divine wisdom1 and carried along the line of a great and mighty plan1 and used to accomplish stupendous results for ,god and man--this is what glorifies ,god4 ,so let me glorify my ,lord this day and adorn the doctrine of ,god in all things4 ,,august #ba4 8,the battle is not yours0 7,,ii4 ,chron4 xx4 #ae74 ,the thing is to count the battle ,god's4 8,the battle is not yours1 but ,god's40 ,ye shall not need to fight in this battle4 ,as long as we count the dangers and responsibilities ours1 we shall be distracted with fear1 but when we realize ,he is bound to take care of us1 as ,his property and ,his representatives1 we shall feel infinite relief and security4 ,if ,i send my servant on a long journey ,i am responsible for his expenses and protection1 and if ,god sends me anywhere1 ,he is responsible4 ,if we belong to ,god1 and put our life1 our family1 and our all in ,his hands1 we may know ,he will take care of us4 ,if our body belongs to ,him1 it is ,his interest to keep us well1 just as much as it is for the interest of the shepherd to have his sheep well fed and well cared for1 and a credit to him4 8,thanks be unto ,god who always causeth us to triumph40 ,stand up1 stand up for ,jesus1 ,stand in ,his strength alone2 ,the arm of flesh will fail you1 ,ye dare not trust your own4 ,,august #bb4 8,i the ,lord1 the first and with the last0 7,isa4 xli4 #d74 ,thousands of people get stranded after they have embarked on the great voyage of holiness1 because they have depended upon the experience rather than on the ,author of it4 ,they had supposed that they were thoroughly and permanently delivered from all sin1 and in the ecstacy of their first experience they imagine that they shall never again be tried and tempted as before1 and when they step out into the actual facts of ,christian life and find themselves failing and falling1 they are astonished and perplexed1 and they conclude that they must have been mistaken in their experience1 and so they make a new attempt at the same thing1 and again fall1 until at last1 worn out1 with the experiment1 they conclude that the experience is a delusion1 or1 at least1 that it was never intended for them1 and so they fall back into the old way1 and their last state is worse than the first4 ,what men and women need to-day is to know1 not sanctification as a state1 but ,christ as a living ,person4 ,lord ,jesus1 give me ,thy heart1 ,thy faith1 ,thy life1 ,thyself4 ,,august #bc4 8,even as ,he is pure0 7,i4 ,john iii4 #c74 ,god is now aiming to reproduce in us the pattern which has already appeared in ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god4 ,the ,christian life is not an imitation of ,christ1 but a direct new creation in ,christ1 and the union with ,christ is so complete that ,he imparts ,his own nature to us and lives ,his own life in us and then it is not an imitation1 but simply the outgrowth of the nature implanted within4 ,we live ,christ-like because we have the ,christ-life4 ,god is not satisfied with anything less than perfection4 ,he required that from ,his ,son4 ,he requires it from us1 and ,he does not1 in the process of grace1 reduce the standard1 but ,he brings us up to it4 ,he does not let down the righteousness of the law1 but ,he requires of us a righteousness that far exceeds the righteousness of the ,scribes and ,pharisees1 and then ,he imparts it to us4 ,he counts us righteous in sanctification1 and ,he says of the new creation1 8,he that doeth righteousness is righteous even as ,he is righteous40 ,lord1 live out thy very life in me4 ,,august #bd4 8,let your moderation be known unto all men0 7,phil4 iv4 #e74 ,the very test of consecration is our willingness not only to surrender the things that are wrong1 but to surrender our rights1 to be willing to be subject4 ,when ,god begins to subdue a soul1 ,he often requires us to yield the things that are of little importance in themselves1 and thus break our neck and subdue our spirit4 ,no ,christian worker can ever be used of ,god until the proud self-will is broken1 and the heart is ready to yield to ,god's every touch1 no matter through whom it may come4 ,many people want ,god to lead them in their way and they will brook no authority or restraint4 ,they will give their money1 but they want to dictate how it shall be spent4 ,they will work as long as you let them please themselves1 but let any pressure come and you immediately run up against1 not the grace of resignation1 but a letter of resignation1 withdrawing from some important trust1 and arousing a whole community of criticising friends1 equally disposed to have their own opinions and their own will about it4 ,it is destructive of all real power4 ,,august #be4 8,and ,i will put ,my ,spirit within you1 and cause you to walk in ,my statutes1 and ye shall keep ,my judgments and do them0 7,ezek4 xxxvi4 #bg74 ,this is a great deal more than a new heart4 ,this a heart filled with the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,divine ,spirit1 the power that causes us to walk in ,god's commandments4 ,this is the greatest crisis that comes to a ,christian's life1 when into the spirit that was renewed in conversion1 ,god ,himself comes to dwell and make it ,his abiding place1 and hold it by ,his mighty power in holiness and righteousness4 ,now1 after this occurs1 one would suppose that we would be lifted into a much more hopeful and exuberant spirit1 but the prophet gives a very different picture4 ,he says when this comes to pass we shall loathe ourselves in our own eyes4 ,the revelation of ,god gives a profound sense of our own nothingness and worthlessness1 and lays us on our face in the dust in self-abnegation4 ,the incoming of the ,holy ,ghost displaces self and disgraces self forever1 and the highest holiness is to walk in self-renunciation4 ,,august #bf4 8,thine handmaid hath not anything in the house save a pot of oil0 7,,ii4 ,kings iv4 #b74 ,he asked her1 8,what hast thou in the house80 ,and she said1 8,nothing but a pot of oil40 ,but that pot of oil was adequate for all her wants1 if she had only known how to use it4 ,in truth it represented the ,holy ,spirit1 and the great lesson of the parable is that the ,holy ,ghost is adequate for all our wants1 if we only know how to use ,him4 ,all that she needed was to get sufficient vessels to hold the overflow1 and then to pour out until all were filled4 ,and so the ,holy ,spirit is limited only by our capacity to receive ,him1 and when ,god wants us to have a larger fulness1 ,he has to make room for it by creating greater needs4 ,god sends us new vessels to be filled with ,his ,holy ,spirit in the needs that come to us1 and the trials that meet us4 ,these are ,god's opportunities for ,god to give us more of ,himself1 and as we meet them ,he comes to us in larger fulness for each new necessity4 ,lord1 help me to see ,thee in all my trying situations and to make them vessels to hold more of ,thy grace4 ,,august #bg4 8,take no thought for your life0 7,matt4 vi4 #be74 ,still the ,lord is using the things that are despised4 ,the very names of ,nazarene and ,christian were once epithets of contempt4 ,no man can have ,god's highest thought and be popular with his immediate generation4 ,the most abused men are often most used4 ,there are far greater calamities than to be unpopular and misunderstood4 ,there are far worse things than to be found in the minority4 ,many of ,god's greatest blessings are lying behind the devil's scarecrows of prejudice and misrepresentation4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is not ashamed to use unpopular people4 ,and if ,he uses them1 what need they care for men8 ,oh1 let us but have ,his recognition and man's notice will count for little1 and ,he will give us all we need of human help and praise4 ,let us only seek ,his will1 ,his glory1 ,his approval4 ,let us go for ,him on the hardest errands and do the most menial tasks4 ,honor enough that ,he uses us and sends us4 ,let us not fear in this day to follow ,him outside the camp1 bearing ,his reproach1 and by-and-by ,he will own our worthless name before the myriads of earth and sky4 ,,august #bh4 8,according to the power that worketh in us0 7,eph4 iii4 #bj74 ,when we reach the place of union with ,god1 through the indwelling of the ,holy ,ghost1 we come into the inheritance of external blessing and enter upon the land of our possession4 ,then our physical health and strength come to us through the power of our interior life2 then the prayer is fulfilled1 that we shall be in health and prosper1 as our soul prospereth4 ,then1 with the kingdom of ,god and ,his righteousness within us1 all things are added unto us4 ,god's external working always keeps pace with the power that worketh in us4 ,when ,god is enthroned in a human soul1 then the devil and the world soon find it out4 ,we do not need to advertise our power4 ,jesus could not be hid1 and a soul filled with ,divine power and purity should become the center of attraction to hungry hearts and suffering lives4 ,let us receive ,him and recognize ,him in ,his indwelling glory1 and then will we appropriate all that it means for our life in all its fulness4 ,lord1 give me the 8hiding of ,thy power10 and let ,christ be glorified in me4 ,,august #bi4 8,to obey is better than sacrifice0 7,i4 ,sam4 xv4 #bb74 ,our healing is thus represented as a special recompense for obedience4 ,if1 therefore1 we would please the ,lord and have the reward of those who please ,him1 there is no service so acceptable to ,him as our praise4 ,let us ever meet ,him with a glad and thankful heart and ,he will reflect it back in the health of our countenance and the buoyant life and springing health1 which is but the echo of a joyful heart4 ,further1 thankfulness is the best preparation for faith4 ,trust grows spontaneously in the praiseful heart4 ,thankfulness takes the sunny side of the street and looks at the bright side of ,god1 and it is only thus that we can ever trust ,him4 ,unbelief looks at our troubles and1 of course1 they seem like mountains1 and faith is discouraged by the prospect4 ,a thankful disposition will always find some cause for cheer1 and gloomy one will find a cloud in the brightest sky and a fly in the sweetest ointment4 ,let us cultivate a spirit of cheerfulness1 and we shall find so much in ,god and in our lives to encourage us that we shall have no room for doubt or fear4 ,,august #cj4 8,happy are ye if ye do them0 7,john xiii4 #ag74 ,you little know the rest that comes from the yielded will1 the surrendered choice1 the abandoned world1 the meek and lowly heart that lets the world go by1 and knows that it shall inherit the earth which it has refused6 ,you little know the relish that it gives to the blessing to hunger and thirst after righteousness1 and to be filled with a satisfaction that worldly delight cannot afford1 and then to rise to the higher blessedness of the merciful1 the forgiving1 the hearts that have learned that it is 8more blessed to give than to receive10 and the lives that find that 8letting go is twice possessing10 and blessing others is to be doubly blessed6 ,nay1 there is yet one jewel brighter than all the rest in this crown of beatitudes4 ,it is the tear-drop crystallized into the diamond1 the blood-drop transfigured into the ruby of heaven's eternal crown4 ,it is the joy of suffering with ,jesus1 and then forgetting all the sorrow in the overflowing joy1 until with the heavenly ,pascal we know not which to say first1 and so we say them both together1 8,tears upon tears1 joy upon joy04 ,,august #ca4 8,lead me in the way everlasting0 7,ps4 cxxxix4 #bd74 ,there is often apparently but little difference in two distinct lives between constant victory and frequent victory4 ,but that one little difference constitutes a world of success or failure4 ,the one is the ,divine1 the other is the human2 the one is the everlasting way1 the other the transient and the imperfect4 ,god wants to lead us to the way everlasting1 and to establish us and make us immovable as ,he4 ,we little know the seriousness of the slightest surrender4 ,it is but the first step in a downward progression1 and ,god only knows where it shall end4 ,let us be 8not of them that draw back unto perdition1 but of them that believe unto the saving our the soul40 ,your victory to-day is but preparing the way for a greater victory to-morrow1 and your surrender to-day is opening the door for a more terrible defeat in the days to come4 ,let us1 therefore1 whatever we have claimed from our blessed ,master1 commit it to ,his keeping1 and take ,him to establish us and hold us fast in the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end4 ,,september #a4 8,afterward that which is spiritual0 7,i4 ,cor4 xv4 #df74 ,god has often to bring us not only into the place of suffering1 and the bed of sickness and pain1 but also into the place where our righteousness breaks down and our character falls to pieces1 in order to humble us in the dust and show us the need of entire crucifixion to all our natural life4 ,then1 at the feet of ,jesus we are ready to receive ,him1 to abide in ,him and depend upon ,him alone1 and draw all our life and strength each moment from ,him1 our ,living ,head4 ,it was thus that ,peter was saved by his very fall1 and had to die to ,peter that he might live more perfectly to ,christ4 ,have we thus died1 and have we thus renounced the strength of our own self-confidence8 ,we begin life with the natural1 next we come into the spiritual2 but then1 when we have truly received the kingdom of ,god and ,his righteousness1 the natural is added to the spiritual1 and we are able to receive the gifts of ,his providence and the blessings of life without becoming centered in them or allowing them to separate us from ,him4 ,,september #b4 8,who hath despised the day of small things0 7,zech4 iv4 #aj74 ,the oak comes out of the acorn1 the eagle out of that little egg in the nest1 the harvest comes out of the seed2 and so the glory of the coming age is all coming out of the ,christ life now1 even as the majesty of ,his kingdom was all wrapped up that night in the babe of ,bethlehem4 ,oh1 let us take ,him for all our life4 ,let us be united to ,his person and ,his risen body4 ,let us know what it is to say1 8,the ,lord is for the body and the body is for the ,lord06 ,we are members of ,his body and ,his flesh and ,his bones4 ,he that gave that little infant1 ,his own blessed babe and ,his only begotten ,son1 on that dark winter night to the arms of a cruel and ungrateful world1 will not refuse to give ,him in all ,his fulness to your heart if you will but open your heart and give ,him right of way and full ownership and possession4 ,then shall you know in your measure ,his quickening life1 even in this earthly life1 and by-and-by your hope shall reach its full fruition when you shall sit with ,him on ,his throne with every fiber of your immortal being even as ,he4 ,,september #c4 8,the ,god of ,israel hath separated you0 7,num4 xvi4 #i74 ,the little plant may grow out of a manure heap1 and be surrounded by filth1 and covered very often with the floating dust that is borne upon the breeze1 but its white roots are separated from the unclean soil1 and its leaves and flowers have no affinity with the dust that settles upon them2 and after a shower of summer rain they throw off every particle of defilement1 and look up1 as fresh and spotless as before1 for their intrinsic nature cannot have any part with these defiling things4 ,this is the separation which ,christ requires and which ,he gives4 ,there is no merit in my staying from the theater if ,i want to go4 ,there is no value in my abstaining from the foolish novel or the intoxicating cup1 if ,i am all the time wishing ,i could have them4 ,my heart is there1 and my soul is defiled by the desire for evil things4 ,it is not the world that stains us1 but the love of the world4 ,the true ,levite is separated from the desire for earthly things1 and even if he could1 he would not have the forbidden pleasures which others prize4 ,,september #d4 8,come ye yourselves apart0 7,mark vi4 #ca74 ,one of the greatest hindrances to spirituality is the lack of waiting upon ,god4 ,you cannot go through twenty-four hours with two or three breaths of air1 in the morning1 as you sip your coffee4 ,but you must live in the atmosphere1 and you must breathe it all day long4 ,christians do not wait upon ,god enough4 ,it needs hours and hours daily of spiritual communion with the ,holy ,spirit to keep your vitality healthful and full4 ,every moment should find you breathing out yourself into ,christ1 and breathing afresh ,his life1 and love and power4 ,god is waiting to send us the ,holy ,spirit4 ,he is longing to bless us4 ,his one business is to quicken and sustain our spiritual life4 ,he has nothing else to do with ,his infinite and great resources4 ,let us receive ,him4 ,let us live in ,him4 ,let us give to ,him the joy of knowing that ,his infinite grace has not been bestowed in vain1 but that we appreciate and improve the blessings which ,he oft has so freely bestowed4 ,lord1 help me this day to dwell in ,thee as the flower in the sunshine1 as the fish in the sea1 living in ,thy love as the atmosphere and element of my being4 ,,september #e4 8,he breathed on them0 7,john xx4 #bb74 ,the beautiful figure suggested by this passage is full of simple instruction4 ,it is as easy to receive the ,holy ,ghost as it is to breathe4 ,it almost seems as if the ,lord had given them the very impression of breathing1 and had said1 8,now1 this is the way to receive the ,holy ,ghost40 ,it is not necessary for you to go to a smallpox hospital to have your lungs contaminated with impure air4 ,it is enough for you to keep in your lungs the air you inhaled a minute ago and it will kill you4 ,all the pure elements have been absorbed from it1 and there is nothing left but carbon and other deadly gases and fluids4 ,therefore1 if you are to be filled with the ,holy ,spirit1 you must first get emptied not only of your old sinful life1 but of your old spiritual life4 ,you must get a new breath every moment1 or you will die4 ,god wants you to empty out all your being into ,him1 and then you will take ,him in1 without needing to try too hard4 ,a vacuum always gets filled1 an empty pair of lungs unavoidably breathes in the pure air4 ,if you are only in the true attitude1 there will be no trouble about receiving the ,holy ,ghost4 ,,september #f4 8,finally1 my brethren1 rejoice in the ,lord0 7,phil4 iii4 #a74 ,there is no spiritual value in depression4 ,one bright and thankful look at the cross is worth a thousand morbid1 self-condemning reflections4 ,the longer you look at evil the more it mesmerizes and defiles you into its own likeness4 ,lay it down at the cross1 accept the cleansing blood1 reckon yourself dead to the thing that was wrong1 and then rise up and count yourself as if you were another man and no longer the same person2 and then1 identifying yourself with the ,lord ,jesus1 accept your standing in ,him and look in your ,father's face as blameless as ,jesus4 ,then out of your every fault will come some lesson of watchfulness or some secret of victory which will enable you some day to thank ,him1 even for your painful experience4 ,but praise is a sacrifice1 for 8it is acceptable to ,god40 ,it goes up to heaven sweeter than the songs of angels1 8a sweet smelling savor to your ,lord and ,king40 ,it should be unintermittent--8the sacrifice of praise continually40 ,one drop of poison will neutralize a whole cup of wine1 and make it a cup of death1 and one moment of gloom will defile a whole day of sunshine and gladness4 ,let us 8rejoice evermore40 ,,september #g4 8,i will joy in the ,god of my salvation0 7,hab4 iii4 #ah74 ,the secret of joy is not to wait until you feel happy1 but to rise1 by an act of faith1 out of the depression which is dragging you down1 and begin to praise ,god as an act of choice4 ,this is the meaning of such passages as these3 8,rejoice in the ,lord alway1 and again ,i say1 rejoice02 8,i do rejoice2 yes1 and ,i will rejoice40 8,count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations40 ,in all these cases there is an evident struggle with sadness and then the triumphs of faith and praise4 ,now1 this is what is meant--in part1 at least--by the sacrifice of praise4 ,a sacrifice is that which costs us something4 ,and when a man or woman has some cherished grudge or wrong and is harboring it1 nursing it1 dwelling on it1 rolling it as a sweet morsel under the tongue1 and quite determined to enjoy a miserable time in selfish morbidness and grumbling1 it costs us no little sacrifice to throw off the morbid spell1 to refuse the suggestions of injury1 neglect and the remembrance of unkindness1 to rise out of the mood of self-commiseration in wholesome and holy determination1 and say1 8,i will rejoice in the ,lord02 ,i will 8count it all joy40 ,,september #h4 8,he that eateth ,me1 even ,he shall live by ,me0 7,john vi4 #eg74 ,what the children of ,god need is not merely a lot of teaching1 but the ,living ,bread4 ,the best wheat is not good food4 ,it needs to be ground and baked before it can be digested and assimilated so as to nourish the system4 ,the purest and the highest truth cannot sanctify or satisfy a living soul4 ,he breathes the ,new ,testament message from ,his mouth with a kiss of love and a breath of quickening power4 ,it is as we abide in ,him1 lying upon ,his bosom and drinking in ,his very life that we are nourished1 quickened1 comforted and healed4 ,this is the secret of ,divine healing4 ,it is not believing a doctrine1 it is not performing a ceremony1 it is not wringing a petition from the heavens by the logic of faith and the force of your will2 but it is the inbreathing of the life of ,god2 it is the living touch which none can understand except those whose senses are exercised to know the realities of the world unseen4 ,often1 therefore1 a very little truth will bring us much more help and blessing than a great amount of instruction4 ,,september #i4 8,all things are lawful for ,me0 7,i4 ,cor4 x4 #bc74 ,i may be perfectly free myself to do many things1 the doing of which might hurt my brother and wound his conscience1 and love will gladly surrender the little indulgence1 that she may save her brother from temptation4 ,there are many questions which are easily settled by this principle4 ,so there are many forms of recreation which1 in themselves might be harmless1 and1 under certain circumstances1 unobjectionable1 but they have become associated with worldliness and godlessness1 and have proved snares and temptations to many a young heart and life2 and1 therefore1 the law of love would lead you to avoid them1 discountenance them1 and in no way give encouragement to others to participate in them4 ,it is just in these things that are not required of us by absolute rules1 but are the impulses of a thoughtful love1 that the highest qualities of ,christian character show themselves1 and the most delicate shades of ,christian love are manifested4 ,,september #aj4 8,wherefore1 receive ye one another as ,christ also received us1 to the glory of ,god0 7,rom4 xv4 #g74 ,this is a sublime principle1 and it will give sublimity to life4 ,it is stated elsewhere in similar language1 8,whatsoever ye do in word or deed1 do all in the name of the ,lord ,jesus40 ,this is our high calling1 to represent ,christ1 and act in ,his behalf1 and in ,his character and spirit1 under all circumstances and toward all men4 8,what would ,jesus do80 is a simple question which will settle every difficulty1 and always settle it on the side of love4 ,but we cannot answer this question rightly without having ,jesus ,himself in our hearts4 ,we cannot act ,christ4 ,this is too grave a matter for acting4 ,we must have ,christ1 and simply be natural and true to the life within us1 and that life will act itself out4 ,oh1 how easy it is to love every one1 and see nothing but loveliness when our heart is filled with ,christ1 and how every difficulty melts away and every one we meet seems clothed with the ,spirit within us when we are filled with the ,holy ,ghost6 ,,september #aa4 8,lo1 ,i am with you all the days1 even unto the end of the age0 7,matt4 xxviii4 #bj74 ,it is 8all the days10 not 8always40 ,he comes to you each day with a new blessing4 ,every morning1 day by day1 ,he walks with us1 with a love that never tires and a blessing that never grows old4 ,and ,he is with us 8all the days02 it is a ceaseless abiding4 ,there is no day so dark1 so commonplace1 so uninteresting1 but you find ,him there4 ,often1 no doubt1 ,he is unrecognized1 as ,he was on the way to ,emmaus1 until you realize how your heart has been warmed1 your love stirred1 your ,bible so strangely vivified1 and every promise seems to speak to you with heavenly reality and power4 ,it is the ,lord6 ,god grant that ,his living presence may be made more real to us all henceforth1 and whether we have the consciousness and evidence1 as they had a few glorious times in those forty days1 or whether we go forth into the coming days1 as they did most of their days1 to walk by simple faith and in simple duty1 let us know at least that the fact is true forevermore1 ,,that ,,he ,,is ,,with ,,us1 a ,presence all unseen1 but real1 and ready if we needed ,him any moment to manifest ,himself for our relief4 ,,september #ab4 8,the furnace for gold2 but the ,lord trieth the hearts0 7,prov4 xvii4 #c47 ,remember that temptation is not sin unless it be accompanied with the consent of your will4 ,there may seem to be even the inclination1 and yet the real choice of your spirit is fixed immovably against it1 and ,god regards it simply as a solicitation and credits you with an obedience all the more pleasing to ,him1 because the temptation was so strong4 ,we little know how evil can find access to a pure nature and seem to incorporate itself with our thoughts and feelings1 while at the same time we resist and overcome it1 and remain as pure as the sea-fowl that emerges from the water without a single drop remaining upon its burnished wing1 or as the harp string1 which may be struck by a rude or clumsy hand and gives forth a discordant sound1 not from any defect of the harp1 but because of the hand that touches it4 ,but let the ,master hand play upon it1 and it is a chord of melody and a note of exquisite delight4 8,in nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to you an evident token of salvation and that of ,god40 ,,september #ac4 8,think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you0 7,i4 ,peter xii4 #af74 ,most persons after a step of faith are looking for sunny skies and unruffled seas1 and when they meet a storm and tempest they are filled with astonishment and perplexity4 ,but this is just what we must expect to meet if we have received anything of the ,lord4 ,the best token of ,his presence is the adversary's defiance1 and the more real our blessing1 the more certainly it will be challenged4 ,it is a good thing to go out looking for the worst1 and if it comes we are not surprised2 while if our path be smooth and our way be unopposed1 it is all the more delightful1 because it comes as a glad surprise4 ,but let us quite understand what we mean by temptation4 ,you1 especially1 who have stepped out with the assurance that you have died to self and sin1 may be greatly amazed to find yourself assailed with a tempest of thoughts and feelings that seem to come wholly from within and you will be impelled to say1 8,why1 ,i thought ,i was dead1 but ,i seem to be alive40 ,this1 beloved1 is the time to remember that temptation1 the instigation1 is not sin1 but only of the evil one4 ,,september #ad4 8,for the ,lord ,god will help me1 therefore shall ,i not be confounded2 therefore1 have ,i set my face like a flint1 and ,i know ,i shall not be ashamed0 7,isa4 l4 #g74 ,this is the language of trust and victory1 and it was through this faith1 as we are told in a passage in ,hebrews1 that in ,his last agony1 8,jesus1 for the joy that was set before ,him1 endured the cross1 despising the shame40 ,his life was a life of faith1 ,his death was a victory of faith1 ,his resurrection was a triumph of faith1 ,his mediatorial reign is all one long victory of faith1 8,from henceforth expecting till all ,his enemies be made ,his footstool40 ,and so1 for us ,he has become the pattern of faith1 and in every situation of difficulty1 temptation and distress has gone before us waving the banner of trust and triumph1 and bidding us to follow in ,his victorious footsteps4 ,he is the great ,pattern ,believer4 ,while we must claim our salvation by faith1 the ,great ,forerunner also claimed the world's salvation by the same faith4 ,let us therefore consider this glorious ,leader our perfect example1 and as we follow close behind ,him1 let us remember where ,he has triumphed we may triumph1 too4 ,,september #ae4 8,though it tarry1 wait for it1 for it will surely come1 and will not tarry0 7,hab4 ii4 #c74 ,some things have their cycle in an hour and some in a century2 but ,his plans shall complete their cycle whether long or short4 ,the tender annual which blossoms for a season and dies1 and the ,columbian aloe1 which develops in a century1 each is true to its normal principle4 ,many of us desire to pluck our fruit in ,june rather than wait until ,october1 and so1 of course1 it is sour and immature2 but ,god's purposes ripen slowly and fully1 and faith waits while it tarries1 knowing it will surely come and will not tarry too long4 ,it is perfect rest to fully learn and wholly trust this glorious promise4 ,we may know without a question that ,his purposes shall be accomplished when we have fully committed our ways to ,him1 and are walking in watchful obedience to ,his every prompting4 ,this faith will give a calm and tranquil poise to the spirit and save us from the restless fret and trying to do too much ourselves4 ,wait1 and every wrong will righten1 ,wait1 and every cloud will brighten1 ,if you only wait4 ,,september #af4 8,i will never leave ,thee nor forsake ,thee0 7,heb4 xiii4 #e74 ,it is most cheering thus to know that although we err and bring upon ourselves many troubles that might have been easily averted1 yet ,god does not forsake even ,his mistaken child1 but on his humble repentance and supplication is ever really both to pardon and deliver4 ,let us not give up our faith because we have perhaps stepped out of the path in which ,he would have led us4 ,the ,israelites did not follow when ,he called them into the ,land of ,promise1 yet ,god did not desert them2 but during the forty years of their wandering ,he walked by their side bearing their backsliding with patient compassion1 and waiting to be gracious unto them when another generation should have come4 8,in all their afflictions ,he was afflicted1 but the ,angel of ,his presence saved them2 ,he bare them and carried them all the days of old40 ,and so yet1 while our wanderings bring us many sorrows and lose us many blessings1 to the heart which truly chooses ,his1 ,he has graciously said3 8,i will never leave thee nor forsake thee40 ,,september #ag4 8,thy people shall be a freewill offering in the day of ,thy power0 7,ps4 cx4 #c74 ,this is what the term consecration properly means4 ,it is the voluntary surrender or self-offering of the heart1 by the constraint of love to be the ,lord's4 ,its glad expression is1 8,i am my ,beloved's40 ,it must spring1 of course1 from faith4 ,there must be the full confidence that we are safe in this abandonment1 that we are not falling over a precipice1 or surrendering ourselves to the hands of a judge1 but that we are sinking into a ,father's arms and stepping into an infinite inheritance4 ,oh1 it is an infinite inheritance4 ,oh1 it is an infinite privilege to be permitted thus to give ourselves up to ,one who pledges ,himself to make us all that we would love to be1 nay1 all that ,his infinite wisdom1 power and love will delight to accomplish in us4 ,it is the clay yielding itself to the potter's hands that it may be shaped into a vessel of honor1 and meet for the ,master's use4 ,it is the poor street waif consenting to become the child of a prince that he may be educated and provided for1 that he may be prepared to inherit all the wealth of his guardian4 ,,september #ah4 8,we walk by faith1 not by sight0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 v4 #g74 ,there are heavenly notes which have power to break down walls of adamant and dissolve mountains of difficulty4 ,the song of ,paul and ,silas burst the fetters of the ,philippian gaol2 the choir of ,jehoshaphat put to flight the armies of the ,ammonites1 and the song of faith will disperse our adversaries and lift our sinking hearts into strength and victory4 ,beloved1 is it the dark hour with us8 the winter of barrenness and gloom8 ,oh1 let us remember that it is ,god's chosen time for the education of faith and that ,he conceals beneath the surface1 precious and untold harvests of unthought-of fruit6 ,it will not be always winter1 it will not be always night1 and when the morning comes and spring spreads its verdant mantle over the barren fields then we shall be glad that we did not disappoint our ,father in the hour of testing1 but that faith had already claimed and seen in the distance the glad fruition which sight now beholds1 with a rapture even less than the vision of naked faith4 ,lord1 help me to believe when ,i cannot see1 and learn from my trials to trust ,thee more4 ,,september #ai4 8,in due season we shall reap if we faint not0 7,gal4 vi4 #i74 ,if the least of us could only anticipate the eternal issues that will probably spring from the humblest services of faith1 we should only count our sacrifices and labors unspeakable heritages of honor and opportunity1 and would cease to speak of trials and sacrifices for ,god4 ,the smallest grain of faith is a deathless and incorruptible germ1 which will yet plant the heavens and cover the earth with harvests of imperishable glory4 ,lift up your head1 beloved1 the horizon is wider than the little circle that you can see4 ,we are living1 we are suffering1 we are laboring1 we are trusting1 for the ages yet to come4 8,let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not10 and with tears of transport we shall cry some day1 8,oh1 how great is thy goodness which ,thou hast laid up for them that fear ,thee1 which ,thou hast wrought for them that trust in ,thee before the sons of men40 ,help me to-day to live under the powers of the world to come1 and to live as a man in heaven walking upon the earth4 ,,september #bj4 8,they shall not be ashamed that wait0 7,isa4 xlix4 #bc74 ,often ,he calls us aside from our work for a season and bids us be still and learn ere we go forth again to minister4 ,especially is this so when there has been some serious break1 some sudden failure and some radical defect in our work4 ,there is no time lost in such waiting hours4 ,fleeing from his enemies the ancient knight found that his horse needed to be reshod4 ,prudence seemed to urge him without delay1 but higher wisdom taught him to halt a few minutes at the blacksmith's forge by the way to have the shoe replaced1 and although he heard the feet of his pursuers galloping hard behind1 yet he waited those minutes until his charger was refitted for his flight1 and then1 leaping into his saddle just as they appeared a hundred yards away1 he dashed away from them with the fleetness of the wind1 and knew that his halting had hastened his escape4 ,so often ,god bids us tarry ere we go1 and fully recover ourselves for the next great stage of the journey and work4 ,lord1 teach me to be still and know that ,thou art ,god and all this day to walk with ,god4 ,,september #ba4 8,faint1 yet pursuing0 7,judges viii4 #d74 ,it is a great thing thus to learn to depend upon ,god to work through our feeble resources1 and yet1 while so depending1 to be absolutely faithful and diligent1 and not allow our trust to deteriorate into supineness and indolence4 ,we find no sloth or negligence in ,gideon1 or his three hundred2 though they were weak and few1 they were wholly true1 and everything in them ready for ,god to use to the very last4 8,faint yet pursuing0 was their watchword as they followed and finished their glorious victory1 and they rested not until the last of their enemies were destroyed1 and even their false friends were punished for their treachery and unfaithfulness4 ,so ,god still calls the weakest instruments1 but when ,he chooses and enables them they are no longer weak1 but 8mighty through ,god10 and faithful through ,his grace to every trust and opportunity2 8trusting10 as ,dr4 ,chalmers used to say1 8as though all depended upon ,god1 and working as though all depended upon themselves40 ,teach me1 my blessed ,master1 to trust and obey4 ,,september #bb4 8,we see not yet all things put under ,him1 but we see ,jesus0 7,heb4 ii4 #h1 #i74 ,how true this is to us all6 ,how many things there are that seem to be stronger than we are1 but blessed be ,his name6 they are all in subjection under ,him1 and we see ,jesus crowned above them all2 and ,jesus is our ,head1 our representative1 our other self1 and where ,he is we shall surely be4 ,therefore when we fail to see anything that ,god has promised1 and that we have claimed in our experience1 let us look up and see it realized in ,him1 and claim it in ,him for ourselves4 ,our side is only half the circle1 the heaven side is already complete1 and the rainbow of which we see not the upper half1 shall one day be all around the throne and take in the other hemisphere of all our now unfinished life4 ,by faith1 then1 let us enter into all our inheritance4 ,let us lift up our eyes to the north and to the south1 to the east and to the west1 and hear ,him say1 8,all the land that thou seest will ,i give thee40 ,let us remember that the circle1 is complete1 that the inheritance is unlimited1 and that all things are put under ,his feet4 ,,september #bc4 8,i am the ,lord that healeth thee0 7,ex4 xv4 #bf74 ,it is very reasonable that ,god should expect us to trust ,him for our bodies as well as our souls1 for if our faith is not practical enough to bring us temporal relief1 how can we be educated for real dependence upon ,god for anything that involves serious risk8 ,it is all very well to talk about trusting ,god for the distant and future prospect of salvation after death6 ,there is scarcely a sinner in a ,christian land that does not trust to be saved some day1 but there is no grasp in faith like this4 ,it is only when we come face to face with positive issues and overwhelming forces that we can prove the reality of ,divine power in a supernatural life4 ,hence as an education to our very spirits as well as a gracious provision for our temporal life1 ,god has trained ,his people from the beginning to recognize ,him as the supply of all their needs1 and to look to ,him as the ,physician of their bodies and ,father of their spirits4 ,beloved1 have you learned the meaning of ,jehovah-rophi1 and has it changed your ,marah of trial into an ,elim of blessing and praise8 ,,september #bd4 8,he calleth things that are not as though they were0 7,rom4 iv4 #ag74 ,the ,word of ,god creates what it commands4 ,when ,christ says to any of us 8,now are ye clean through the word which ,i have spoken unto you10 ,we are clean4 ,when ,he says 8no condemnation0 there is none1 though there has been a lifetime of sin before4 ,and when ,he says1 8mighty through ,god to the pulling down of strongholds10 then the weak are strong4 ,this is the part of faith1 to take ,god at ,his ,word1 and then expect ,him to make it real4 ,a ,french commander thanked a common soldier who had saved his life and called him captain1 although he was but a private1 but the man took the commander at his word1 accepted the new name and was thereby constituted indeed a captain4 ,shall we thus take ,god's creating word of justification1 sanctification1 power and deliverance and thus make real the mighty promise1 8,he giveth power to the faint1 and to them that have no might ,he increaseth strength2 for they that wait on the ,lord shall renew their strength40 ,,september #be4 8,the faith of the ,son of ,god0 7,gal4 ii4 #bj74 ,let us learn the secret even of our faith4 ,it is the faith of ,christ1 springing in our heart and trusting in our trials4 ,so shall we always sing1 8,the life that ,i now live ,i live by the faith of the ,son of ,god1 who loved me and gave ,himself for me40 ,thus looking off unto ,jesus1 8the ,author and ,finisher of our faith10 we shall find that instead of struggling to reach the promises of ,god1 we shall lie down upon them in blessed repose and be borne up by them with the faith which is no more our own than the promises upon which it rests4 ,each new need will find us leaning afresh on ,him for the grace to trust and to overcome4 ,further we see here the true spirit of prayer4 ,it is the ,spirit of ,christ in us4 8,in the midst of the church will ,i sing praises unto thee40 ,christ still sings these praises in the trusting heart and lifts our prayers into songs of victory6 ,this is the true spirit of prayer1 like ,paul and ,silas in the prison at ,philippi1 turning prayer into praise1 night into day1 the night of sorrow into the morning of joy1 and when ,he is in us1 the spirit of faith1 ,he will also become the spirit of praise4 ,,september #bf4 8,i will be with ,him in trouble0 7,ps4 xci4 #ae74 ,the question often comes1 8,why didn't ,he help me sooner60 ,it is not ,his order4 ,he must first adjust you to the situation and cause you to learn your lesson from it4 ,his promise is1 8,i will be with him in trouble2 ,i will deliver him and honor him40 ,he must be with you in the trouble first until you grow quiet4 ,then ,he will take you out of it4 ,this will not come till you have stopped being restless and fretful about it and become calm and trustful4 ,then ,he will say1 8,it is enough40 ,god uses trouble to teach ,his children precious lessons4 ,they are intended to educate us4 ,when their good work is done a glorious recompense will come to us through them4 ,there is a sweet joy and opportunity in them4 ,he does not regard them as difficulties but as opportunities4 ,they have come to give ,god a greater interest in you1 and to show how ,he can deliver you from them4 ,we cannot have a mercy worth praising ,god for without difficulty4 ,god is as deep1 and long1 and high1 as our little world of circumstances4 ,,september #bg4 8,the glorious liberty of the children of ,god0 7,rom4 viii4 #ba74 ,are you above self and self-pleasing in every way8 ,have you got above circumstances so that you are not influenced by them8 ,are you above sickness and the evil forces around that would drag down your physical life into the quicksands8 ,these forces are all around1 and if yielded to would quickly swamp us4 ,god does not destroy sickness1 or its power to hurt1 but ,he lifts us above it4 ,are you above your feelings1 moods1 emotions and states8 ,can you sail immovable as the stars through all sorts of weather8 ,a harp will give out sweet music or discordant sounds as different fingers touch the strings4 ,if the devil's hand is on your harp strings what hideous sounds it will give4 ,let the fingers of the ,lord sweep it1 and it will breathe out celestial music4 ,are you lifted above people1 so that you are not bound by or to any one except in the dear ,lord1 and are you standing free in ,his glorious life8 8,i am risen with ,christ1 ,i am dwelling above2 ,i am walking with ,jesus below1 ,i am shedding the light of ,his glory and love ,around me wherever ,i go40 ,,september #bh4 8,the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold0 7,i4 ,peter i4 #g74 ,our trials are great opportunities4 ,too often we look on them as great obstacles4 ,it would be a heaven of rest and an inspiration of unspeakable power if each of us would henceforth recognize every difficult situation as one of ,god's chosen ways of proving to us ,his love and power1 and if instead of calculating upon defeat we should begin to look around for the messages of ,his glorious manifestations4 ,then indeed would every cloud become a rainbow1 and every mountain a path of ascension and a scene of transfiguration4 ,if we will look upon the past1 many of us will find that the very time our heavenly ,father has chosen to do the kindest things for us and give us the richest blessings has been the time when we were strained and shut in on every side4 ,god's jewels are often sent us in rough packages and by dark liveried servants1 but within we find the very treasures of the ,king's palace and the ,bridegroom's ,love4 ,fire of ,god1 thy work begin1 ,burn up the dross of self and sin2 ,burn off my fetters1 set me free1 ,and through the furnace walk with me4 ,,september #bi4 8,call not thou common0 7,acts x4 #ae74 8,there is nothing common of itself0 7,rom4 xiv4 #ad74 ,we can bring ,christ into common things as fully as into what we call religious services4 ,indeed1 it is the highest and hardest application of ,divine grace1 to bring it down to the ordinary matters of life1 and therefore ,god is far more honored in this than even in things that are more specially sacred4 ,therefore1 in the twelfth chapter of ,romans1 which is the manual of practical consecration1 just after the passage that speaks of ministering in sacred things1 the apostle comes at once to the common1 social and secular affairs into which we are to bring our consecration principles4 ,we read3 8,be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love2 in honor preferring one another2 not slothful in business2 fervent in spirit2 serving the ,lord40 ,god wants the ,levites scattered all over the cities of ,israel4 ,he wants your workshop1 factory1 kitchen1 nursery1 editor's room and printing-office1 as much as your pulpit and closet4 ,he wants you to be just as holy at high noon on ,monday or ,wednesday1 as in the sanctuary on ,sabbath morning4 ,,september #cj4 8,in the secret places of the stairs0 7,song of ,solomon ii4 #ad74 ,the dove is in the cleft of the rock--the riven side of our ,lord4 ,there is comfort and security there4 ,it is also in the secret places of the stairs4 ,it loves to build its nest in the high towers to which men mount the winding stairs for hundreds of feet above the ground4 ,what a glorious vision is there obtained of the surrounding scenery4 ,it is a picture of ascending life4 ,to reach its highest altitudes we must find the secret places of the stairs4 ,that is the only way to rise above the natural plane4 ,our life should be one of quiet mounting with occasional resting places2 but we should be mounting higher step by step4 ,everybody does not find this way of secret ascent4 ,it is for ,god's chosen ones4 ,the world may think you are going down4 ,you may not have as much public work to do as formerly4 8,blessed are the poor in spirit40 ,it is a secret1 hidden life4 ,we may be hardly aware that we are growing1 till some day a test comes and we find we are established4 ,have you got above the power of sin so that ,christ is keeping you from wilful disobedience8 ,does it give you a shudder to know the consciousness of sin8 ,are you lifted above the world8 ,,october #a4 8,that in the ages to come ,he might show the exceeding riches of ,his grace0 7,eph4 ii4 #g74 ,christ's great purpose for ,his people is to train them up to know the hope of their calling1 and the riches of the glory of their inheritance and what the exceeding greatness of ,his power toward us who believe4 ,let us prove1 in all our varied walks of life1 and scenes of conflict1 the fulness of ,his power and grace and thus shall we know 8,in the ages to come the exceeding riches of ,his grace in ,his kindness to us in ,jesus ,christ40 ,beloved1 are you thus following your ,teacher in the school of faith1 and finishing the education which is by and by to fit you for 8a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory08 ,this is only the ,school of ,faith4 ,little can we now dream what these lessons will mean for us some day1 when sitting with ,him on ,his throne and sharing with ,him the power of ,god and the government of the universe4 ,let us be faithful scholars now and soon with ,him1 we too1 will have 8endured the cross despising the shame10 and shall 8sit down at the right hand of the throne of ,god40 ,,october #b4 8,moses gave not any inheritance2 the ,lord ,god of ,israel was their inheritance1 as ,he said unto them0 7,josh4 xiii4 #cc74 ,this is very significant4 ,god gave the land to the other tribes but ,he gave ,himself to the ,levites4 ,there is such a thing in ,christian life as an inheritance from the ,lord1 and there is such a thing as having the ,lord ,himself for our inheritance4 ,some people get a sanctification from the ,lord which is of much value1 but which is variable1 and often impermanent4 ,others have learned the higher lesson of taking the ,lord ,himself to be their keeper and their sanctity1 and abiding in ,him they are kept above the vicissitudes of their own states and feelings4 ,some get from the ,lord large measures of joy and blessing1 and times of refreshing4 ,others1 again1 learn to take the ,lord ,himself as their joy4 ,some people are content to have peace with ,god1 but others have taken 8the peace of ,god that passeth all understanding40 ,some have faith in ,god1 while others have the faith of ,god4 ,some have many touches of healing from ,god1 others1 again1 have learned to live in the very health of ,god ,himself4 ,,october #c4 8,the little foxes that spoil the vines0 7,song of ,solomon1 ii4 #ae74 ,there are some things good1 without being perfect4 ,you don't need to have a whole regiment cannonading outside your room to keep you awake4 ,it is quite enough that your little alarm clock rings its little bell4 ,it is not necessary to fret about everything2 it is quite enough if the devil gets your mind rasped with one little worry1 one little thought which destroys your perfect peace4 ,it is like the polish on a mirror1 or an exquisite toilet table1 one scratch will destroy it2 and the finer it is the smaller the scratch that will deface it4 ,and so your rest can be destroyed by a very little thing4 ,perhaps you have trusted in ,god about your future salvation2 but have you about your present business or earthly cares1 your money and your family8 ,what is meant by the peace that passeth all understanding8 ,it does not mean a peace no one can comprehend4 ,it means a peace that no amount of reasoning will bring4 ,you cannot get it by thinking4 ,there may be perfect bewilderment and perplexity all round the horizon1 but yet your heart can rest in perfect security because ,he knows1 ,he loves1 ,he leads4 ,,october #d4 8,instead of the brier1 the myrtle tree0 7,isa4 lv4 #ac74 ,god's sweetest memorial is the transformed thorn and the thistle blooming with flowers of peace and sweetness1 where once grew recriminations4 ,beloved1 ,god is waiting to make just such memorials in your life1 out of the things that are hurting you most to-day4 ,take the grievances1 the separations1 the strained friendships and the broken ties which have been the sorrow and heartbreak of your life1 and let ,god heal them1 and give you grace to make you right with all with whom you may be wrong1 and you will wonder at the joy and blessing that will come out of the things that have caused you nothing but regret and pain4 8,blessed are the peacemakers1 for they shall be called the children of ,god40 ,the everlasting employment of our blessed ,redeemer is to reconcile the guilty and the estranged from ,god1 and the highest and most ,christ-like work that we can do is1 to be like ,him4 ,shall we go forth to dry the tears of a sorrowing world1 to heal the broken-hearted1 to bind up the wounds of human lives1 and to unite heart to heart1 and earth to heaven8 ,,october #e4 8,he hath triumphed gloriously0 7,ex4 xv4 #a74 ,beloved1 ,god calls us to victory4 ,have any of you given up the conflict1 have you surrendered8 ,have you said1 8,this thing is too much08 ,have you said1 8,i can give up anything else but this08 ,if you have1 you are not in the land of promise4 ,god means you should accept every difficult thing that comes in your life4 ,he has started with you1 knowing every difficulty4 ,and if you dare to let ,him1 ,he will carry you through not only to be conquerors1 but 8more than conquerors40 ,are you looking for all the victory8 ,god gives ,his children strength for the battle and watches over them with a fond enthusiasm4 ,he longs to fold you to ,his arms and say to you1 8,i have seen thy conflict1 ,i have watched thy trials1 ,i have rejoiced in thy victory2 thou hast honored ,me40 ,you know ,he told ,joshua at the beginning1 8,there shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life2 as ,i was with ,moses1 so shall ,i be with thee3 ,i will not fail thee1 nor forsake thee40 ,and again1 ,he says to us1 8,fear thou not1 for ,i am with thee40 ,,october #f4 8,ephraim1 he hath mixed himself0 7,hos4 vii4 #h74 ,it is a great thing to learn to take ,god first1 and then ,he can afford to give us everything else1 without the fear of its hurting us4 ,as long as you want anything very much1 especially more than you want ,god1 it is an idol4 ,but when you become satisfied with ,god1 everything else so loses its charm that ,he can give it to you without harm1 and then you can take just as much as you choose1 and use it for ,his glory4 ,there is no harm whatever in having money1 houses1 lands1 friends and dearest children1 if you do not value these things for themselves4 ,if you have been separated from them in spirit1 and become satisfied with ,god ,himself1 then they will become to you channels to be filled with ,god to bring ,him nearer to you4 ,then every little lamb around your household will be a tender cord to bind you to the ,shepherd's heart4 ,then every affection will be a little golden cup filled with the wine of ,his love4 ,then every bank1 stock and investment will be but a channel through which you can pour out ,his benevolence and extend ,his gifts4 ,,october #g4 8,he opened not ,his mouth0 7,isa4 liii4 #g74 ,how much grace it requires to bear a misunderstanding rightly1 and to receive an unkind judgment in holy sweetness6 ,nothing tests a ,christian character more than to have some evil thing said about him4 ,this is the file that soon proves whether we are electro-plate or solid gold4 ,if we could only know the blessings that lie hidden in our lives1 we would say1 like ,david1 when ,shimei cursed him1 8,let him curse2 it may be the ,lord will requite me good for his cursing this day40 ,some people get easily turned aside from the grandeur of their life-work by pursuing their own grievances and enemies1 until their life gets turned into one little petty whirl of warfare4 ,it is like a nest of hornets4 ,you may disperse the hornets1 but you will probably get terribly stung1 and get nothing for your pains1 for even their honey is not worth a search4 ,god give us more of ,his ,spirit1 who1 when reviled1 reviled not again2 but committed ,himself to ,him that judgeth righteously4 ,consider ,him that endured such contradiction of sinners against ,himself4 ,,october #h4 8,there failed not aught of any good thing which the ,lord had spoken0 7,josh4 xxi4 #de74 ,some day1 even you1 trembling1 faltering one1 shall stand upon those heights and look back upon all you have passed through1 all you have narrowly escaped1 all the perils through which ,he guided you1 the stumblings through which ,he guarded you1 and the sins from which ,he saved you2 and you shall shout1 with a meaning you cannot understand now1 8,salvation unto ,him who sitteth upon the throne1 and unto the ,lamb40 ,some day ,he will sit down with us in that glorious home1 and we shall have all the ages in which to understand the story of our lives4 ,and ,he will read over again this old marked ,bible with us1 ,he will show us how ,he kept all these promises1 ,he will explain to us the mysteries that we could not understand1 ,he will recall to our memory the things we have long forgotten1 ,he will go over again with us the book of life1 ,he will recall all the finished story1 and ,i am sure we will often cry3 8,blessed ,christ6 you have been so true1 you have been so good6 ,was there ever love like this80 ,and then the great chorus will be repeated once more--8,there failed not aught of any good thing that ,he hath spoken2 all came to pass40 ,,october #i4 8,peace be unto you0 7,john xx4 #ai1 #ba74 ,this is the type of ,his first appearing to our hearts when ,he comes to bring us ,his peace and to teach us to trust ,him and love ,him4 ,but there is a second peace which ,he has to give4 ,jesus said unto them again1 8,peace be unto you40 ,there is a 8peace10 and there is an 8again peace40 ,there is a peace with ,god1 and there is 8the peace of ,god that passeth understanding40 ,it is the deeper peace that we need before we can serve ,him or be used for ,his glory4 ,while we are burdened with our own cares1 ,he cannot give us ,his4 ,while we are occupied with ourselves1 we cannot be at leisure to serve ,him4 ,our minds will be so filled with our own anxieties that we would not be equal to the trust which ,he requires of us1 and so1 before ,he can entrust us with ,his work1 ,he wants to deliver us from every burden and anxiety4 8,peace1 perfect peace1 in this dark world of sin1 ,the blood of ,jesus whispers peace within4 ,peace1 perfect peace1 by thronging duties pressed1 ,to do the will of ,jesus1 this is rest40 ,,october #aj4 8,if ye1 through the ,spirit1 do mortify the deeds of the body1 ye shall live0 7,rom4 viii4 #ac74 ,the ,holy ,spirit is the only one who can kill us and keep us dead4 ,many ,christians try to do this disagreeable work themselves1 and they are going through a continual crucifixion1 but they can never accomplish the work permanently4 ,this is the work of the ,holy ,spirit1 and when you really yield yourself to the death1 it is delightful to find how sweetly ,he can slay you4 ,by the touch of the electric spark they tell us life is extinguished almost without a quiver of pain4 ,but1 however this may be in natural things1 we know the ,holy ,spirit can touch with celestial fire the surrendered thing1 and slay it in a moment1 after it is really yielded up to the sentence of death4 ,that is our business1 and it is ,god's business to execute that sentence1 and to keep it constantly operative4 ,don't let us live in the pain of perpetual and ineffectual suicide1 but reckoning ourselves dead indeed1 let us leave ourselves in the hands of the blessed ,holy ,spirit1 and ,he will slay whatever rises in opposition to ,his will1 and keep us true to our heavenly reckoning1 and filled with ,his resurrection life4 ,,october #aa4 8,and ,he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the ,spirit1 because ,he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of ,god0 7,rom4 viii4 #bg74 ,the ,holy ,spirit becomes to the consecrated heart the ,spirit of intercession4 ,we have two ,advocates4 ,we have an ,advocate with the ,father1 who prays for us at ,god's right hand2 but the ,holy ,spirit is the ,advocate within1 who prays in us1 inspiring our petitions and presenting them1 through ,christ1 to ,god4 ,we need this ,advocate4 ,we know not what to pray for1 and we know not how to pray as we ought1 but ,he breathes in the holy heart the desires that we may not always understand1 the groanings which we could not utter4 ,but ,god understands1 and ,he1 with a loving ,father's heart1 is always searching our hearts to find the ,spirit's prayer1 and to answer it4 ,he finds many a prayer there that we have not discovered1 and answers many a cry that we never understood4 ,and when we reach our home and read the records of life1 we shall better know and appreciate the infinite love of that ,divine ,friend1 who has watched within as the ,spirit of prayer1 and breathed out our every need to the heart of ,god4 ,,october #ab4 8,the law of the ,spirit of life in ,christ ,jesus hath made me free0 7,rom4 viii4 #b74 ,the life of ,jesus ,christ brought into our heart by the ,holy ,spirit1 operates there as a new law of divine strength and vitality1 and counteracts1 overcomes and lifts us above the old law of sin and death4 ,let us illustrate these two laws by a simple comparison4 ,look at my hand4 ,by the law of gravitation it naturally falls upon the desk and lies there1 attracted downward by that natural law which makes heavy bodies fall to the earth4 ,but there is a stronger law than the law of gravitation--my own life and will4 ,and so through the operation of this higher law--the law of vitality--,i defy the law of gravitation1 and lift my hand and hold it above its former resting-place1 and move it at my will4 ,the law of vitality has made me free from the law of gravitation4 ,precisely so the indwelling life of ,christ ,jesus1 operating with the power of a law1 lifts me above1 and counteracts the power of sin in my fallen nature4 ,,october #ac4 8,the carnal mind is enmity against ,god0 7,rom4 viii4 #g74 ,the flesh is incurably bad4 8,it is not subject to the law of ,god1 neither1 indeed1 can be40 ,it never can be any better4 ,it is no use trying to improve the flesh4 ,you may educate it all you please4 ,you may train it by the most approved methods1 you may set before it the brightest examples1 you may pipe to it or mourn to it1 treat it with encouragement or severity2 its nature will always be incorrigibly the same4 ,like the wild hawk which the little child captures in its infancy and tries to train in the habits of the dove1 before you are aware it will fasten its cruel beak upon the gentle fingers that would caress it1 and show the old wild spirit of fear and ferocity4 ,it is a hawk by nature1 and it can never be made a dove4 8,for the carnal mind is enmity against ,god4 ,it is not subject to the law of ,god1 neither1 indeed1 can be40 ,the only remedy for human nature is to destroy it1 and receive instead the divine nature4 ,god does not improve man4 ,he crucifies the natural life with ,christ1 and creates the new man in ,christ ,jesus4 ,,october #ad4 8,get thee1 behind me1 ,satan0 7,matt4 xvi4 #bc74 ,when your old self comes back1 if you listen to it1 fear it1 believe it1 it will have the same influence upon you as if it were not dead2 it will control you and destroy you4 ,but if you will ignore it and say3 8,you are not ,i1 but ,satan trying to make me believe that the old self is not dead2 ,i refuse you1 ,i treat you as a demon power outside of me1 ,i detach myself from you02 if you treat it as a wife would her divorced husband1 saying3 8,you are nothing to me1 you have no power over me1 ,i have renounced you1 in the name of ,jesus ,i bid you hence10--lo6 the evil thing will disappear1 the shadow will vanish1 the wand of faith will lay the troubled spirit1 and send it back to the abyss1 and you will find that ,christ is there instead1 with ,his risen life1 to back up your confidence and seal your victory4 ,satan can stand anything better than neglect4 ,if you ignore him he gets disgusted and disappears4 ,jesus used to turn ,his back upon him and say1 8,get thee behind ,me1 ,satan40 ,so let us refuse him1 and we shall find that he will be compelled to act according to our faith4 ,,october #ae4 8,faith is the evidence of things not seen0 7,heb4 xi4 #a74 ,true faith drops its letter in the post-office box1 and lets it go4 ,distrust holds on to a corner of it1 and wonders that the answer never comes4 ,i have some letters in my desk that have been written for weeks1 but there was some slight uncertainty about the address or the contents1 so they are yet unmailed4 ,they have not done either me or anybody else any good yet4 ,they will never accomplish anything until ,i let them go out of my hands and trust them to the postman and the mail4 ,this is the case with true faith4 ,it hands its case over to ,god1 and then ,he works4 ,that is a fine verse in the thirty-seventh ,psalm3 8,commit thy way unto the ,lord1 trust also in ,him1 and ,he worketh40 ,but ,he never worketh until we commit4 ,faith is a receiving1 or still better1 a taking of ,god's proffered gifts4 ,we may believe1 and come1 and commit1 and rest1 but we will not fully realize all our blessing until we begin to receive and come into the attitude of abiding and taking4 ,,october #af4 8,whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated1 ,i will make thee a joy0 7,isa4 lx4 #ae74 ,god loves to take the most lost of men1 and make them the most magnificent memorials of ,his redeeming love and power4 ,he loves to take the victims of ,satan's hate1 and the lives that have been the most fearful examples of his power to destroy1 and to use them to illustrate and illuminate the possibilities of ,divine mercy and the new creations of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,he loves to take the things in our own lives that have been the worst1 the hardest and the most hostile to ,god1 and to transform them so that we shall be the opposites of our former selves4 ,the sweetest spirits are made out of the most stormy and self-willed1 the mightiest faith is created out of a wilderness of doubts and fears1 and the ,divinest love is transformed out of stony hearts of hate and selfishness4 ,the grace of ,god is equal to the most uncongenial temperaments1 to the most unfavorable circumstances2 and its glory is to transform a curse into blessing1 and show to men and angels of ages yet to come1 that 8where sin abounded1 there grace did much more abound40 ,,october #ag4 8,abraham believed ,god0 7,rom4 iv4 #c74 ,abraham's faith reposed on ,god ,himself4 ,he knew the ,god he was dealing with4 ,it was a personal confidence in one whom he could utterly trust4 ,the real secret of ,abraham's whole life was that he was the friend of ,god1 and knew ,god to be his great1 good and faithful ,friend1 and1 taking ,him at ,his word1 he had stepped out from all that he knew and loved1 and gone forth upon an unknown pathway with none but ,god4 ,beloved1 are we trusting not only in the word of ,god1 but have we learned to lean our whole weight upon ,himself1 the ,god of infinite love and power1 our covenant ,god and everlasting ,friend8 ,we are told that ,abraham glorified ,god by this life of faith4 ,the true way to glorify ,god is to let the world see what ,he is1 and what ,he can do4 ,god does not want us so much to do things1 as to let people see what ,he can do4 ,god is not looking for extraordinary characters as ,his instruments1 but ,he is looking for humble instruments through whom ,he can be honored throughout the ages4 ,,october #ah4 8,all things are naked and open unto the eyes of ,him with whom we have to do0 7,heb4 iv4 #ac74 ,the literal translation of this phrase is1 all things are stripped and stunned4 ,this is the force of the ,greek words4 ,the figure is that of an athlete in the ,coliseum who has fought his best in the arena1 and has at length fallen at the feet of his adversary1 disarmed and broken down in helplessness4 ,there he lies1 unable to strike a blow1 or lift his arm4 ,he is stripped and stunned1 disarmed and disabled1 and there is nothing left for him but to lie at the feet of his adversary and throw up his arms for mercy4 ,now this is the position that ,god wants to bring us to1 where we shall cease our struggles and our attempts at self-defence or self-improvement1 and throw ourselves helplessly upon the mercy of ,god4 ,this is the sinner's only hope1 and when he thus lies at the feet of mercy1 ,jesus is ready to lift him up and give him that free salvation which is waiting for all4 ,this1 too1 is the greatest need of the ,christian seeking a deeper and higher life1 to come to a full realization of his nothingness and helplessness1 and to lie down1 stripped and stunned at the feet of ,jesus4 ,,october #ai4 8,denying ungodliness0 7,titus ii4 #ab74 ,let us say1 8,no10 to the flesh1 the world and the love of self1 and learn that holy self-denial in which consists so much of the life of obedience4 ,make no provision for the flesh2 give no recognition to your lower life4 ,say 8,no0 to everything earthly and selfish4 ,how very much of the life of faith consists in simply denying ourselves4 ,we begin with one great 8,yes10 to ,god1 and then we conclude with an eternal 8,no10 to ourselves1 the world1 the flesh and the devil4 ,if you look at the ten commandments of the ,decalogue1 you will find that nearly every one of them is a 8,thou shalt not40 ,if you read the thirteenth chapter of ,first ,corinthians1 with its beautiful picture of love1 you will find that most of the characteristics of love are in the negative1 what love 8does not1 thinks not1 says not1 is not40 ,and so you will find that the largest part of the life of consecration is really saying1 8,no40 ,i am not my own1 ,i belong to ,him4 ,i am ,his alone1 ,i belong to ,him4 ,,october #bj4 8,let us not be weary in well-doing0 7,gal4 vi4 #i74 ,if ,paul could only know the consolation and hope that he has ministered to the countless generations who have marched along the pathway from the cross to the ,kingdom above1 he would be willing to go through a thousand lives and a thousand deaths such as he endured for the blessing that has followed since his noble head rolled in the dust by the ,ostian gate of ,rome4 ,and if the least of us could only anticipate the eternal issues that will probably spring from the humblest services of faith1 we should only count our sacrifices and labors unspeakable heritages of honor and opportunity1 and would cease to speak of trials and sacrifices made for ,god4 ,the smallest grain of faith is a deathless and incorruptible germ1 which will yet plant the heavens and cover the earth with harvests of imperishable glory4 ,lift up your head1 beloved1 the horizon is wider than the little circle that you can see4 ,we are living1 we are suffering1 we are laboring1 we are trusting1 for the ages yet to come6 ,,october #ba4 8,who shall separate us from the love of ,christ80 7,rom4 viii4 #ce74 ,and then comes the triumphant answer1 after all the possible obstacles and enemies have been mentioned one by one1 8,nay1 in all these things we are more than conquerors1 through ,him that loved us40 ,our trials will be turned to helps2 our enemies will be taken prisoners and made to fight our battles4 ,like the weights on yonder clock1 which keep it going1 our very difficulties will prove incentives to faith and prayer1 and occasions for ,god becoming more real to us4 ,we shall get out of our troubles not only deliverance but triumph1 and in all these things be even more than conquerors through ,him that loved us4 ,our security depends not upon our unchanging love1 but on the love of ,god in ,christ ,jesus toward us4 ,it is not the clinging arms of the babe on the mother's breast that keep it from falling1 but the strong arms of the mother about it which will never let it go4 ,he has loved us with an everlasting love1 and although all else may change1 yet ,he will never leave us nor forsake us4 ,,october #bb4 8,touched with the feeling of our infirmities0 7,heb4 iv4 #ae74 ,some of us know a little what it is to be thrilled with a sense of the sufferings of others1 and sometimes1 the sins of others1 and sins that seem to saturate us as they come in contact with us1 and throw over us an awful sense of sin and need4 ,this is1 perhaps1 intended to give us some faint conception of the sympathy that ,jesus felt when ,he had taken our sins1 our sicknesses and our sorrows4 ,let us not hesitate to lay them on ,him6 ,it is far easier for ,him to bear them off us than to bear them with us4 ,he has already borne them for us1 both in ,his life and in ,his death4 ,let us roll the burden upon ,him1 and let it roll away1 and then1 strong in ,his strength1 and rested in ,his life and love1 let us go forth to minister to others the sympathy and help which ,he has so richly given us4 ,the world is full of sorrow1 and they that have known its bitterness and healing are ,god's ministers of consolation to a weeping world4 ,o1 the tears that flow around us1 ,let us wipe them while we may2 ,bring the broken hearts to ,jesus1 ,he will wipe their tears away4 ,,october #bc4 8,how long halt ye between two opinions80 7,i4 ,kings xviii4 #ba74 ,it is strange that people will not get over the idea that a consecrated life is a difficult one4 ,a simple illustration will answer this foolish impression4 ,suppose a street car driver were to say1 8,it is much easier to run with one wheel on the track and the other off10 his line would soon be dropped by the public1 and they would prefer to walk4 ,of course1 it is ever so much easier to run with both wheels on the track1 and always on the track1 and it is much easier to follow ,christ fully than to follow with a half heart and halting step4 ,the prophet was right in his pungent question1 8,how long halt ye between two opinions80 ,the undecided man is a halting man4 ,the halting man is a lame man and a miserable man1 and the out-and-out ,christian is the admiration of men and angels1 and a continual joy to himself4 ,say1 is it all for ,jesus1 ,as you so often sing2 ,is ,he your ,royal ,master1 ,is ,he your heart's true ,king8 ,,october #bd4 8,first gave their ownselves to the ,lord1 and unto us by the will of ,god0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 viii4 #e74 ,it is essential1 in order to be successful in ,christian work1 that you shall be loyal not only to ,god1 but to the work with which you are associated4 ,the more deeply one knows the ,lord the easier it is to get along with ,him4 ,superficial ,christians are apt to be crotchetty4 ,mature ,christians are so near the ,lord that they are not afraid of missing ,his guidance1 and not always trying to assert their loyalty to ,him and independence of others4 ,the ,corinthians1 who had given themselves first to the ,lord1 had no difficulty in giving themselves to ,his ,apostle by the will of ,god4 ,it is delightful to work with true hearts on whom we can utterly depend4 ,god give us the spirit of a sound mind and the heart to 8help along40 ,you can help by holy prayer1 ,helpful love and joyful song2 ,o1 the burdens you may bear2 ,o1 the sorrows you may share2 ,o1 the crowns you may yet may wear1 ,if you help along4 ,,october #be4 8,now it is high time to awake out of sleep4 ,let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light0 7,rom4 xiii4 #aa1 #ab74 ,let us wake out of sleep2 let us be alert2 let us be alive to the great necessities that really concern us4 ,let us put off the garments of the night and the indulgences of the night2 the loose robes of pleasure and flowing garments of repose2 the festal pleasures of the hours of darkness are not for the children of the day4 ,let us cast off the works of darkness4 ,let us arm ourselves for the day4 ,before we put on our clothes1 let us put on our weapons1 for we are stepping out into a land of enemies and a world of dangers2 let us put on the helmet of salvation1 the breastplate of faith and love1 and the shield of faith1 and stand armed and vigilant as the dangers of the last days gather around us4 ,let us put on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is our robe of day4 ,not our own works or righteousness1 but the person and righteousness of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who gave us ,his very life1 and becomes to us our ,all-,sufficiency4 ,,october #bf4 8,go out into the highways and compel them to come in0 7,luke xiv4 #bc74 ,in the great parable in the fourteenth chapter of ,luke1 giving an account of the great supper an ancient lord prepared for his friends and neighbors1 and to which1 when they asked to be excused1 he invited the halt and the lame from the city slums and the lepers from outside the gate1 there is a significant picture and object lesson of the program of ,christianity in this age4 ,in the first place1 it is obvious to every thoughtful mind that the ,master is beginning to excuse the ,gospel-hardened people of ,christian countries4 ,it is getting constantly more difficult to interest the unsaved of our own land1 especially those that have been accustomed to hear the ,gospel and the things of ,christ4 ,they have asked to be excused from the ,gospel feast1 and the ,lord is excusing them4 ,at the same time1 two remarkable movements indicated in the parable are becoming more and more manifest in our time4 ,one is the ,gospel for the slums and the neglected classes at home2 the other is the ,gospel for the heathen or the neglected classes abroad4 ,,october #bg4 8,behold1 ,i am the ,lord1 the ,god of all flesh2 is there anything too hard for ,me80 7,jer4 xxxii4 #bg47 ,cyrus1 the ,king1 was compelled to fulfil the vision of ,jeremiah1 by making a decree1 the instant the prophecy had foretold1 declaring that ,jehovah had bidden him rebuild ,jerusalem and invite her captives to return to their native home4 ,so ,jeremiah's faith was vindicated and ,jehovah's prophecy gloriously fulfilled1 as faith ever will be honored4 ,oh1 for the faith1 that in the dark present and the darker future1 shall dare to subscribe the evidences and seal up the documents if need be1 for the time of waiting1 and then begin to testify to the certainty of its hope like the prophet of ,anathoth6 ,the word ,anathoth has a beautiful meaning1 8echoes40 ,so faith is the 8echo0 of ,god and ,god always gives the 8echo0 to faith1 as ,he answers it back in glorious fulfilment4 ,oh1 let our faith echo also the brave claim of the ancient prophet and take our full inheritance1 with his glorious shout1 8,oh1 ,lord1 ,thou art the ,god of all flesh1 is there anything too hard for the ,lord80 and back like an echo will come the heavenly answer to our heart1 8,i am the ,god of all flesh1 is there anything too hard for ,me80 ,,october #bh4 8,thou good servant1 because thou hast been faithful in a very little1 have thou authority over ten cities0 7,luke xix4 #ag74 ,it is not our success in service that counts1 but our fidelity4 ,caleb and ,joshua were faithful and ,god remembered it when the day of visitation came4 ,it was a very difficult and unpopular position1 and all of us are called in the crisis of our lives to stand alone and in this very matter of trusting ,god for victory over sin and our full inheritance in ,christ we have all to be tested as they4 ,our brethren even in the church of ,god1 while admitting in the abstract the loveliness and advantages of such an ideal life1 tell us as they told ,israel that it is impracticable and impossible1 and many of us have to stand alone for years witnessing to the power of ,christ to save ,his people to the uttermost and like ,caleb following ,him wholly1 if alone4 ,but this is the real victory of faith and the proof of our uncompromising fidelity4 ,let us not therefore complain when we suffer reproach for our testimony or stand alone for ,god1 but thank ,him that ,he so honors us1 and so stand the test that ,he can afterwards use us when the multitudes are glad to follow4 ,,october #bi4 8,whatsoever ye shall ask the ,father in my name1 ,he will give it you0 7,john xvi4 #bc74 ,two men go to the bank cashier1 both holding in their hands a piece of paper4 ,one is dressed in expensive style1 and presents a gloved and jeweled hand2 the other is a rough1 unwashed workman4 ,the first is rejected with a polite sentence1 and the second receives a thousand dollars over the counter4 ,what is the difference8 ,the one presented a worthless name2 the other handed in a note endorsed by the president of the bank4 ,and so the most virtuous moralist will be turned away from the gates of mercy1 and the vilest sinner welcomed in if he presents the name of ,jesus4 ,what shall we give to infinite purity and righteousness8 ,jesus6 ,no other gift is worthy for ,god to receive4 ,and ,he has given ,him to us for this very end1 to give back as our substitute and satisfaction4 ,and ,he has 8testified0 of this gift what ,he has of no other1 namely1 that in ,him ,he is well pleased and all who receive ,him 8are accepted in the ,beloved40 ,shall we accept the testimony that ,god is satisfied with ,his ,son8 ,shall we be satisfied with ,him8 ,,october #cj4 8,dwell deep0 7,jer4 xlix4 #h74 ,god's presence blends with every other thought and consciousness1 flowing sweetly and evenly through our business plans1 our social converse our heart's affections1 our manual toil1 our entire life1 blending with all1 consecrating all1 and conscious through all1 like the fragrance of a flower1 or the presence of a friend consciously near1 and yet not hindering in the least the most intense and constant preoccupation of the hands and brain4 ,how beautiful the established habit of this unceasing communion and dependence1 amid and above all thoughts and occupations6 ,how lovely to see a dear old saint folding away his books at night and humbly saying1 8,lord ,jesus1 things are still just the same between us10 and the falling asleep in ,his keeping4 ,so let us be stayed upon ,him4 ,let us grow into ,him with all the root and fibers of our being4 ,he will not get tired of our friendship4 ,he will not want to put us off sometimes4 ,beautiful the words of the suffering saint3 8,he never says good-bye40 ,he stays4 ,so let us be stayed on ,him4 ,,october #ca4 8,my grace is sufficient for thee2 for ,my strength is made perfect in weakness0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 xii4 #i74 ,god allowed the crisis to close around ,jacob on the night when he bowed at ,peniel in supplication to bring him to the place where he could take hold of ,god as he never would have done2 and from that narrow pass of peril ,jacob came enlarged in his faith and knowledge of ,god1 and in the power of a new and victorious life4 ,he had to compel ,david1 by a long and painful discipline of years1 to learn the almighty power and faithfulness of his ,god1 and to grow up into the established principles of faith and godliness1 which were indispensable for his subsequent and glorious career as the king of ,israel4 ,nothing but the extremities in which ,paul was constantly placed could ever have taught him1 and taught the church through him1 the full meaning of the great promise he so learned to claim1 8,my grace is sufficient for thee40 ,and nothing but our trials and perils would ever have led some of us to know ,him as we do1 to trust ,him as we have1 and to draw from ,him the measures of grace which our very extremities made indispensable4 ,,november #a4 8,we will come unto him and make our abode with him0 7,john xiv4 #bc74 ,this idea of trying to get a holiness of your own1 and then have ,christ reward you for it1 is not ,his teaching4 ,oh1 no2 ,christ is the holiness2 ,he will bring the holiness1 and come and dwell in the heart forever4 ,when one of our millionaires purchases a lot1 with an old shanty on it1 he does not fix up the old shanty1 but he gets a second-hand man1 if he will have it1 to tear it down1 and he puts a mansion in its place4 ,it is not fixing up the house that you need1 but to give ,christ the vacant lot1 and ,he will excavate below our old life and build a house where ,he will live forever4 ,now that is what we mean when we say that ,christ will be the preparation for the blessing1 and make way for ,his own approach4 ,it is as when a great ,assyrian king used to set out on a march4 ,he did not command the people to make a road1 but he sent on his own men1 and they cut down the trees and filled the broken places1 and levelled the mountains4 ,so ,he will1 if we will let ,him1 be the ,coming ,king1 the ,author and ,finisher of our faith4 ,,november #b4 8,bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of ,christ0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 x4 #e74 ,if we would abide in ,christ we must have no confidence in self4 ,self-repression must be ever the prime necessity of divine fulness and efficiency4 ,now you know how quickly you spring to the front when any emergency arises4 ,when something in which you are interested comes up1 you say what you think under some sudden impulse1 and then perhaps you have weeks of taking back your thought and taking the ,lord's instead4 ,it is only when we get out of the way of the ,lord that ,he can use us4 ,so1 be out of self1 always suspending your will about everything until you have looked at it and said3 8,lord1 what is your will8 ,what is your thought about it80 ,those who thus abide in ,christ have the habit of reserve and quiet2 they are not rattling and reckless talkers1 they will not always have an opinion about everything1 and they will not always know what they are going to do4 ,there will be a deferential holding back of judgment1 and walking softly with ,god4 ,it is our headlong1 impulsive spirit that keeps us so constantly from hearing and following the ,lord4 ,,november #c4 8,this is my ,beloved1 and this is my ,friend0 7,song of ,solomon v4 #af74 ,he is our ,friend4 8,which of you shall have a friend at night80 ,this has deep significance through the experience of each one of us4 ,who has not had a friend1 and more of a friend in some respects than even a father8 ,there are some intimacies not born of human blood that are the most intense and lasting bonds of earthly love4 ,one by one let us count them over and recall each act and bond of love1 and think of all that we may trust them for and all in which they stood by us1 and then as we concentrate the whole weight of recollection and affection1 let us put ,god in that place of confidence and think ,he is all that and infinitely more4 ,our ,friend6 ,the one who is personally interested in us2 who has set ,his heart upon us2 who has come near to us in the tender and delicate intimacy of unspeakable fellowship2 who gave us such invaluable pledges and promises2 who has done so much for us1 and who is ever ready to take any trouble or go to any expense to aid us--to ,him we are coming in prayer1 our ,heavenly ,friend4 ,,november #d4 8,hath the ,lord as great delight in burnt offerings as in obeying the voice of the ,lord80 7,i4 ,sam4 xv4 #bb74 ,many a soul prays for sanctification1 but fails to enter into the blessing because he does not intelligently understand and believingly accept ,god's appointed means by ,jesus ,christ and the indwelling of the ,spirit4 ,many a prayer for the salvation of others is hindered because the very friend takes the wrong course to bring about the answer1 and resorts to means which are wholly fitted to defeat his worthy object4 ,we know many a wife who is pleading for her husband's soul1 and hoping to win him by avoiding anything that may offend him1 and yielding to all his worldly tastes in the vain hope of attracting him to ,christ4 ,far more effective would be an attitude of fidelity to ,god and fearless testimony to ,him1 such as ,god could bless4 ,many a congregation wonders why it is so poor and struggling4 ,it may be found that its financial methods are wholly unscriptural and often unworthy of ordinary self-respect4 ,when we ask ,god for any blessing1 we must allow ,him to direct the steps which are to bring the answer4 ,,november #e4 8,i in them1 and ,thou in ,me0 7,john xvii4 #bc74 ,if we would be enlarged to the full measure of ,god's purpose1 let us endeavor to realize something of our own capacities for ,his filling4 ,we little know the size of a human soul and spirit4 ,never1 until ,he renews1 cleanses and enters the heart can we have any adequate conception of the possibilities of the being whom ,god made in ,his very image1 and whom ,he now renews after the pattern of the ,lord ,jesus ,himself4 ,we know1 however1 that ,god has made the human soul to be ,his temple and abode1 and that ,he knows how to make the house that can hold ,his infinite fulness4 ,we know something of this as all our nature quickens into spring tide life at the coming of the ,holy ,spirit1 and as from time to time new baptisms awaken the dormant powers and susceptibilities that we did not know we possessed4 ,oh1 let us give ,him the right to make the best of us1 and1 with wonder filled1 we shall some day behold the glorious temple which ,he has reared1 and shall say1 8,lord1 what is man that ,thou hast set ,thine heart upon ,him80 ,,november #f4 8,bless the ,lord1 ,o1 my soul0 7,ps4 ciii4 #a74 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul2 and all that is within me be stirred up to magnify ,his holy name4 8,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1 and forget not all ,his benefits2 who forgiveth all thine iniquities2 who healeth all thy diseases2 who redeemeth thy life from destruction2 who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies2 who satisfieth thy mouth with good things1 so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's40 ,who so well can sing this thanksgiving song as we1 rejoicing as most of us do1 we trust1 in this full salvation1 and praising ,god for the glorious health of a risen ,lord and a continual youth8 ,this psalm and its opening verses is in the very center of the ,scriptures by an exact count of letters and verses4 ,so let it stand in our lives1 as we look backward and forward and upward in grateful thanksgiving as we sing in its closing strains1 8,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1 and all that is within me1 bless ,his holy name40 ,lord1 center my heart in ,thee and in the spirit of love and praise4 ,,november #g4 8,i will strengthen thee2 yea1 ,i will help thee2 yea1 ,i will uphold thee0 7,isa4 xli4 #aj74 ,god has three ways of helping us3 ,first1 ,he says1 8,i will strengthen thee02 that is1 ,i will make you a little stronger yourself4 ,and secondly1 8,i will help thee02 that is1 ,i will add ,my strength to your strength1 but you shall lead and ,i will help you4 ,but thirdly1 when you are ready1 8,i will uphold thee with the right hand of ,my righteousness02 that is1 ,i will lift you up bodily and carry you altogether1 and it will neither be your strength or ,my help1 but ,my complete upholding4 ,hence it must be quite true1 that when we come to the end of our strength1 we come to the beginning of ,his1 and that in ,him the weakest are the strongest1 and the most helpless the most helped4 8,he giveth power to the faint10 but to 8them that have no might0 at all 8,he gives more strength10 and ,his word forever is1 8,my grace is sufficient for thee40 ,the answer is a paradox of contradictions1 and yet the most practical truths1 8,most gladly1 therefore1 will ,i glory in my infirmities1 that the power of ,christ may rest upon me2 for when ,i am weak1 then am ,i strong40 ,,november #h4 8,for the law of the ,spirit of life in ,christ ,jesus hath made me free0 7,rom4 viii4 #b74 ,there is a natural law of sin and sickness1 and if we just let ourselves go and sink into the trend of circumstances we shall go down and sink under the power of the tempter4 ,but there is another law of spiritual life and of physical life in ,christ ,jesus to which we can rise and through which we can counterpoise and overcome the other law that bears us down4 ,but to do this requires real spiritual energy and fixed purpose and a settled posture and habit of faith4 ,it is just the same when we bind the power in our factory4 ,we must turn the belt on and keep it on4 ,the power is there1 but we must keep the connection and while we do so the law of this higher power will work and all the machinery will be in operation4 ,there is a spiritual law of choosing1 believing1 abiding and holding steady in our walk with ,god which is essential to the working of the ,holy ,ghost either in our sanctification or healing4 ,there is a word that saves the soul1 8,i will trust02 ,it makes the sick and suffering whole4 8,i will trust40 ,,november #i4 8,because ,i live ye shall live also0 7,john xiv4 #ai74 ,after having become adjusted to our ,living ,head and the source of our life1 now our business is to abide1 absorb and grow1 leaning on ,his strength1 drinking in ,his life1 feeding on ,him as the ,living ,bread1 and drawing all of our resources from ,him in continual dependence and communion4 ,the ,holy ,spirit will be the great ,teacher and ,minister in this blessed process4 ,he will take of the things of ,christ and show them unto us1 and ,he will impart them through all the channels and functions of our spiritual organism4 ,as we yield ourselves to ,him ,he will breathe ,his own prayer of communion1 drawing out our hearts in longings and hungerings1 which are the pledge of their own fulfilment1 calling us apart in silent and wordless prayer and opening every pore1 organ1 sense and sensibility of our spiritual being to take in ,his life4 ,as the lungs absorb the oxygen of the atmosphere1 as the senses breathe in the sweet odors of the garden1 so the heart instinctively receives and rejoices in the affection and fellowship of the beloved ,one by our side4 ,thus we become like a tree planted by the rivers of waters4 ,,november #aj4 8,but prayer was made without ceasing1 of the church unto ,god for him0 7,acts xii4 #e74 ,but prayer is the link that connects us with ,god4 ,this is the bridge that spans every gulf and bears us over every abyss of danger or of need4 ,how significant the picture of the apostolic church3 ,peter in prison1 the ,jews triumphant1 ,herod supreme1 the arena of martyrdom awaiting the dawning of the morning to drink up the apostle's blood1--everything else against it4 8,but prayer was made unto ,god without ceasing40 ,and what the sequel8 ,the prison open1--the apostle free1--the ,jews baffled1--the wicked king eaten of worms1 a spectacle of hideous retribution1 and the ,word of ,god rolling on in greater victory4 ,do we know the power of our supernatural weapon8 ,do we dare to use it with the authority of a faith that commands as well as asks8 ,god baptize us with holy audacity and ,divine confidence4 ,he is not wanting great men1 but ,he is wanting men that will dare to prove the greatness of their ,god4 ,but ,god6 ,but prayer6 ,,november #aa4 8,reckon yourselves dead1 indeed0 7,rom4 vi4 #aa74 ,our life from the dead is to be followed up by the habit and attitude henceforth which is the logical outcome of all this4 8,reckon yourselves dead indeed1 unto sin1 but alive unto ,god through ,jesus ,christ1 and yield yourselves unto ,god10 not to die over again every day1 8but1 as those who are alive from the dead1 and your members as instruments of righteousness unto ,god40 ,further ,his resurrection life is given to fit us for 8the fellowship of ,his sufferings and to be made conformable unto ,his death40 ,it is intended to enable us to toil and suffer with rejoicing and victory4 ,we 8mount up with wings as eagles10 that we may come back to 8run and not be weary1 to walk and not faint40 ,but let us not mistake the sufferings4 ,they do not mean our sufferings1 but ,his4 ,they are not our struggles after holiness1 our sicknesses and pains1 but those higher sufferings which1 with ,him1 we bear for others1 and for a suffering church and a dying world4 ,may ,god help us1 henceforth1 never to have another sorrow for ourselves1 and put us at leisure1 in the power of ,his resurrection1 to bear ,his burdens and drink ,his cup4 ,,november #ab4 8,the earnest of the ,spirit in our hearts0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 i4 #bb74 ,life in earnest4 ,what a rare1 what a glorious spectacle6 ,we see it in the ,son of ,god1 we see it in ,his apostle1 we see it in every noble1 consecrated and truly successful life4 ,without it there may be a thousand good things1 but they lack the golden thread that binds them all into a chain of power and permanence4 ,they are like a lot of costly and beautiful beads on a broken string1 that fall into confusion1 and are lost in the end for want of the bond that alone could bind them into a life of consistent and lasting power4 ,o for the baptism of fire6 ,o for 8,,the ,,earnest1 ,,the ,,spirit60 ,o for lives that have but one thing to do or care for6 ,o for the depth and everlasting strength of the heart of ,christ within our breast1 to love1 to sacrifice1 to realize1 to persevere1 to live and die like ,him6 ,we are going forth with a trust so sacred1 ,and a truth so divine and deep1 ,with a message clear and a work so glorious1 ,and a charge--such a charge--to keep4 ,let it be your greatest joy1 my brother1 ,that the ,lord can count on you2 ,and if all besides should fail and falter1 ,to your trust be always true4 ,,november #ac4 8,delight thyself in the ,lord0 7,ps4 xxxvii4 #d74 ,daniel's heart was filled with ,god's love for ,his work and kingdom and his prayers were the mightiest forces of his time1 through which ,god gave to him the restoration of ,israel to their own land1 and the acknowledgment by the rulers of the world of the ,god of whom he testified and for whom he lived4 ,there is a beautiful promise in the thirty-seventh ,psalm1 8,delight thyself in the ,lord1 and ,he will give thee the desires of thine heart10 which it is1 perhaps1 legitimate to translate1 that not only does it mean the fulfilment of our desires1 but even the inspiration of our desires1 the inbreathing of ,his thoughts into us1 so that our prayers shall be in accord with ,his will and so shall bring back to us the unfailing answer of ,his mighty providence4 ,teach me ,thy thoughts1 ,o ,god6 ,think ,thou1 ,thyself1 in me1 ,then shall ,i only always think ,thine own thoughts after ,thee4 ,teach me ,thy thoughts1 ,o ,god6 ,show me ,thy plan divine3 ,save me from all my plans and works1 ,and lead me into ,thine4 ,,november #ad4 8,the things which are seen are temporal0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 iv4 #ah74 ,how strong is the snare of the things that are seen1 and how necessary for ,god to keep us in the things that are unseen6 ,if ,peter is to walk on the water1 he must walk2 if he is going to swim1 he must swim1 but he cannot do both4 ,if the bird is going to fly it must keep away from the fences and the trees1 and trust to its buoyant wings4 ,but if it tries to keep within easy reach of the ground1 it will make poor work of flying4 ,god had to bring ,abraham to the end of his own strength1 and to let him see that in his own body he could do nothing4 ,he had to consider his own body as good as dead1 and then take ,god for the whole work1 and when he looked away from himself1 and trusted ,god alone1 then ,he became fully persuaded that what ,he had promised1 ,he was able also to perform4 ,this is what ,god is teaching us1 and ,he has to keep away encouraging results until we learn to trust without them1 and then ,he loves to make ,his word real in fact as well as faith4 ,let us look only to ,him to-day to do all things as ,he shall choose and in the way ,he shall choose4 ,,november #ae4 8,oh1 man of desires0 7margin7 7,dan4 x4 #aa74 ,this was the divine character given to ,daniel of old4 ,it is translated in our version1 8,o man1 greatly beloved40 ,but it literally means 8,o man of desires60 ,this is a necessary element in all spiritual forces4 ,it is one of the secrets of effectual prayer1 8,what things soever ye desire1 when ye pray1 believe that ye receive them40 ,the element of strong desire gives momentum to our purposes and prayers4 ,indifference is an unwholesome condition2 indolence and apathy are offensive both to ,god and nature4 ,and so in our spiritual life1 ,god often has to wake us up by the presence of trying circumstances1 and push us into new places of trust by forces that we must subdue1 or sink beneath their power4 ,there is no factor in prayer more effectual than love4 ,if we are intensely interested in an object1 or an individual1 our petitions become like living forces1 and not only convey their wants to ,god1 but in some sense convey ,god's help back to them4 ,may ,god fill us to-day with the heart of ,christ that we may glow with the ,divine fire of holy desire4 ,,november #af4 8,watch therefore1 for ye know neither the day0 7,matt4 xxv4 #ac74 ,jesus illustrates the unexpectedness of ,his coming by the figure of a thief entering a house when the master was not there4 ,life1 like the old ,jewish night1 may be divided into three watches1 youth1 maturity1 old age4 ,the summons to meet ,god may come to us in either of these watches4 ,a writer tells us of his experience with a camping party1 of which he was a member1 and which1 he tells us1 always arranged to have watches at night4 8,we became especially careful after what ,i am about to narrate happened4 ,during the first night1 from sunset to sunrise1 we had in turn carefully guarded our camp4 ,but when the next night came1 so impressed were we with the orderly character of the neighborhood1 that we concluded that no guard was needed until bedtime4 ,within our main tent the evening was spent in story-telling1 singing and general amusement4 ,when the hour to retire arrived1 it was discovered that our other tents had been robbed and everything of value stolen4 ,the work was done before we thought a guard necessary40 ,it is never too soon to begin watching against sin4 ,,november #ag4 8,the ark of the covenant of the ,lord went before them0 7,num4 x4 #cc74 ,god does give us impressions but not that we should act on them as impressions4 ,if the impression be from ,god1 ,he will ,himself give sufficient evidence to establish it beyond the possibility of a doubt4 ,how beautifully we read1 in the story of ,jeremiah1 of the impression that came to him respecting the purchase of the field of ,anathoth1 but ,jeremiah did not act upon this impression until after the following day1 when his uncle's son came to him and brought him external evidence by making a proposal for the purchase4 ,then ,jeremiah said3 8,i knew this was the word of the ,lord40 ,he waited until ,god seconded the impression by a providence1 and then he acted in full view of the open facts1 which could bring conviction unto others as well as himself4 ,god wants us to act according to ,his mind4 ,we are not to ignore the ,shepherd's personal voice1 but like ,paul and his companions at ,troas1 we are to listen to all the voices that speak1 and 8gather0 from all the circumstances1 as they did1 the full mind of the ,lord4 ,,november #ah4 8,and ,he that sat upon the throne said1 ,it is done0 7,rev4 xxi4 #e1 #f74 ,great is the difference between action and transaction4 ,we may be constantly acting without accomplishing anything1 but a transaction is action that passes beyond the point of return1 and becomes a permanent committal4 ,salvation is a transaction between the soul and ,christ in which the matter passes beyond recall4 ,sanctification is a great transaction in which we are utterly surrendered1 irrevocably consecrated and wholly committed to the ,holy ,ghost1 and then ,he comes and seals the transaction and undertakes the work4 ,our covenant for our ,lord's healing should be just as explicit1 definite and irrevocable4 ,and so of the covenants to which ,god is leading ,his children from time to time in regard to other matters of obedience and service4 ,god grant that during this hallowed day many a consecrated life may be able to say with new significance and permanence1 8',tis done1 the great transaction's done40 ,for the living ,vine is ,jesus1 ,in whose fulness we may hide2 ,and find our life and fruitfulness ,as we in ,him abide4 ,,november #ai4 8,we would see ,jesus0 7,john xii4 #ba74 ,when any great blessing is awaiting us1 the devil is sure to try and make it so disagreeable to us that we shall miss it4 ,it is a good thing to know him as a liar1 and remember1 when he is trying to prejudice us strongly against any cause1 that very likely the greatest blessing of our life lies there4 ,spurgeon once said that the best evidence that ,god was on our side is the devil's growl1 and we are generally pretty safe in following a thing according to ,satan's dislike for it4 ,beloved1 take care1 lest in the very line where your prejudices are setting you off from ,god's people and ,god's truth1 you are missing the treasures of your life4 ,take the treasures of heaven no matter how they come to you1 even if it be as earthly treasures generally are1 like the kernel inside the rough shell1 or the gem in the bosom of the hard rock4 ,i have seen ,jesus and my heart is dead to all beside1 ,i have seen ,jesus1 and my wants are all1 in ,him1 supplied4 ,i have seen ,jesus1 and my heart1 at last1 is satisfied1 ,since ,i've seen ,jesus4 ,,november #bj4 8,the disciple whom ,jesus loved leaned on ,his breast0 7,john xxi4 #bj74 ,an ,american gentleman once visited the saintly ,albert ,bengel4 ,he was very desirous to hear him pray4 ,so one night he lingered at his door1 hoping to overhear his closing devotions4 ,the rooms were adjoining and the doors ajar4 ,the good man finished his studies1 closed his books1 knelt down for a moment and simply said3 8,dear ,lord ,jesus1 things are still the same between us10 and then sweetly fell asleep4 ,so close was his communion with his ,lord that labor did not interrupt it1 and prayer was not necessary to renew it4 ,it was a ceaseless1 almost unconscious presence1 like the fragrance of the summer garden1 or the presence of some dear one by our side whose presence we somehow feel1 even though the busy hours pass by and not a word is exchanged4 8,o blessed fellowship1 divine1 ,o joy1 supremely sweet1 ,companionship with ,jesus here1 ,makes life with joy replete2 ,o wondrous grace1 ,o joy sublime1 ,i've ,jesus with me all the time40 ,,november #ba4 8,consider the lilies how they grow0 7,matt4 vi4 #bh74 ,it is said that a little fellow was found one day by his mother1 standing by a tall sunflower1 with his feet stuck in the ground4 ,when asked by her1 8,what in the world are you doing there80 he naively answered1 8,why1 ,i am trying to grow to be a man40 ,his mother laughed heartily at the idea of his getting planted in the ground in order to grow1 like the sunflower1 and then1 patting him gently on the head1 8,why1 ,harry1 that is not the way to grow4 ,you can never grow bigger by trying4 ,just come right in1 and eat lots of good food1 and have plenty of play1 and you will soon grow to be a man without trying so hard40 ,well1 ,harry's mother was right4 ,mrs4 ,h4 ,w4 ,smith never said a sweeter thing than when she answered the question--8,how do the lilies grow80 by simply adding1 8,they grow without trying40 ,our sweetest spiritual life is the life of self-unconsciousness through which we become so united to ,christ1 and live continually on ,his life1 nourished1 fed and constantly filled with ,his ,spirit and presence and all the fulness of ,his imparted life4 ,,november #bb4 8,cast the beam out of thine own eye0 7,matt4 vii4 #e74 ,greater than the fault you condemn and criticise is the sin of criticism and condemnation4 ,there is no place we need such grace as in dealing with an erring one4 ,a lady once called on us on her way to give an erring sister a piece of her mind4 ,we advised her to wait until she could love her a little more4 ,only ,he who loved sinners well enough to die for them can deal with the erring4 ,we never see all the heart4 ,he does1 and ,he can convict without condemning1 and reprove without discouraging4 ,oh1 for more of the heart of ,christ6 ,take care1 brother1 how you speak of another's fault4 ,ere you know1 you may be in the same or deeper condemnation4 ,very significantly does the ,master say that the man that sees a mote in his brother's eye1 usually has a rafter in his own eye6 ,one of the two unpardonable sins of the ,bible is unforgiving lovelessness4 8,give me a heart like ,thine1 ,give me a heart like ,thine1 ,by ,thy wonderful power1 ,by ,thy grace every hour1 ,give me a heart like ,thine40 ,,november #bc4 8,it is high time to awake out of sleep0 7,rom4 xiii4 #aa74 ,one of the greatest enemies to faith is indolence4 ,it is much easier to lie and suffer than to rise and overcome2 much easier to go to sleep on a snowbank and never wake again1 than to rouse one's self and shake off the lethargy and overcome the stupor4 ,faith is an energetic art2 prayer is intense labor2 the effectual working prayer of the righteous man availeth much4 ,satan tries to put us to sleep1 as he did the disciples in the garden2 but let us not sleep as do others1 but let us wake and be sober1 continuing in prayer and watching therein with all perseverance1 stirring up ourselves to take hold of ,his strength1 8not slothful1 but followers of them1 who1 through patience1 inherit the promise40 ,it is the wind that carries the ship across the waves2 but the wind is powerless unless the hand of the boatman is held firmly upon the rudder1 and that rudder is set hard against the wind4 ,in like manner we hold the rudder1 ,god fills the sails4 ,it is not the rudder that carries the ship2 but it is the rudder which catches the wind that carries the ship1 so ,god keeps us in perfect peace while we are stayed upon ,him4 ,,november #bd4 8,i can do all things through ,christ0 7,phil4 iv4 #ac74 ,a dear sister said one day3 8,i have so much work to do that ,i have not time to get strength to do it by waiting on the ,lord40 ,surely that was making bricks without straw1 and even if it was the name of the ,lord and the church1 it was the devil's bondage4 ,god sends not ,his servants on their own charges2 but 8,he is able to make all grace abound towards us1 that we1 always having all sufficiency in all things1 may abound unto every good work40 ,the old story of the chieftain1 fleeing from his foes and almost overtaken1 but stopping in the midst of his flight to get a shoe upon his horse that he might fly more successfully is a true type and lesson for ,christian workers4 ,the old ,latin motto festina lente1 8make haste slowly10 has a great lesson for us4 ,the more work we have to do1 the more frequently we have to drop our head upon our desk and wait a little for heavenly aid and love1 and then press on with new strength4 ,one hour baptized in the love of the ,holy ,ghost is worth ten battling against wind and tide without the heavenly life4 ,,november #be4 8,judge nothing before the time1 until the ,lord come0 7,i4 ,cor4 iv4 #e74 ,nothing will more effectually arrest the working of the ,spirit in the heart than the spirit of criticism4 ,at the end of a meeting a young minister came forward and told us of the great blessing he had received that afternoon1 and the baptism of the ,holy ,spirit that had come into his heart and being1 setting him free from the bondage of years4 ,and then he added1 8,it all came through your answer to that question1 #8,will a criticizing spirit hinder the ,holy ,ghost from filling the heart8' 0 ,as the question was asked and answered1 he said1 8,i was sitting in the church criticizing a good deal that was going on1 objecting to this thing and to that thing1 finding fault with the expressions1 and praises and testimonies1 and feeling thoroughly unhappy4 ,the ,lord brought the answer home to my heart and convicted me of my sin1 and there and then ,i laid it down and began to see the good instead of the evil4 ,blessing fell upon me and my soul was filled with joy and praise1 and ,i saw where my error lay1 that for years ,i had been trying to see the truth with my head instead of my heart40 ,,november #bf4 8,he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit0 7,john xv4 #b74 ,one day we passed a garden4 ,the gardener had finished his pruning1 and the wounds of the knife and saw were beginning to heal1 while the warm ,april sun was gently nourishing the stricken plant into fresh life and energy4 ,we thought as we looked at that plant how cruel it would be to begin next week and cut it down again4 ,it would bleed to death4 ,now1 the gardener's business is to revive and nourish into life4 ,its business is not to die1 but to live4 ,so1 we thought1 it is with the discipline of the soul4 ,it1 too1 has its dying hour2 but it must not be always dying4 ,rather reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin and alive unto ,god through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord ,everlasting4 ,breathe ,thine own breath through all my mortal frame1 ,help me ,thy resurrection life to claim1 ,which1 'mid all changes1 still abides the same1 ,and lead me in the way ,everlasting4 ,give me the heavenly foretaste here1 ,i pray2 ,let faith foredate the everlasting day1 ,and walking in its glory all the way1 ,o1 lead me in the way ,everlasting6 ,,november #bg4 8,and the remnant of the oil 444 shall pour upon the head0 7,lev4 xiv4 #ah74 ,in the account of the healing of the ,hebrew leper there is a beautiful picture of the touching of his ears1 hands and feet1 with the redeeming blood and the consecrating oil1 as a sign that his powers of understanding1 service1 and conduct were set apart to ,god1 and divinely endued for the ,master's work and will4 ,but after all this1 we are significantly told that 8the rest of the oil0 was to be poured upon his head4 ,the former anointing was from the oil in the hand of the priest1 but the latter was to be from the log1 or vessel of oil itself4 ,it was to be literally emptied over him1 until he was bathed with all its contents4 ,it is a figure of the large and boundless baptism of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,it speaks of something more even than the ordinary experiences of the consecrated ,christian4 ,it tells of the abundant and redundant supply which ,god has for us out of ,his illimitable fulness4 ,have we received 8the rest oil08 ,are we filled with the ,spirit1 and letting the overflow bless others8 ,,november #bh4 8,without ,me ye can do nothing0 7,john xv4 #e74 ,how much can ,i do for ,christ8 ,we are accustomed to say4--,as much as ,i can4 ,have we ever thought we can do more than we can8 ,this thought was lately suggested by the remarks of a ,christian friend1 who told how ,god had laid it upon her heart to do something for ,his cause which was beyond her power1 and when she dared to obey ,him1 ,he gave her the assurance of ,his power and resources1 and so marvelously met her faith that she was enabled to do more than she could otherwise1 and accomplish her heart's desire1 and see a work fulfilled to which her resources were unequal4 ,the apostle says1 8,i can do all things through ,christ1 who is my strength10 and yet ,he says we are not able to think anything1 as of ourselves4 ,oh1 blessed insufficiency6 ,oh1 blessed ,all-,sufficiency6 ,oh1 blessed nothingness1 which brings us all things6 ,oh1 blessed faith1 whose rich dowry is1 8,all things are possible to him that believeth06 ,o to be found of ,him in peace1 ,spotless and free from blame4 ,,november #bi4 8,could ye not watch with ,me one hour80 7,matt4 xxvi4 #dj47 ,a young lady whose parents had died while she was an infant1 had been kindly cared for by a dear friend of the family4 ,before she was old enough to know him1 he went to ,europe4 ,regularly he wrote to her through all his years of absence1 and never failed to send her money for all her wants4 ,finally word came that during a certain week he would return and visit her4 ,he did not fix the day or the hour4 ,she received several invitations to take pleasant trips with her friends during that week4 ,one of these was of so pleasant a nature that she could not resist accepting it4 ,during her trip1 he came1 inquired as to her absence1 and left4 ,returning she found this note3 8,my life has been a struggle for you1 might you not have waited one week for me80 ,more she never heard1 and her life of plenty became one of want4 ,jesus has not fixed the day or hour of ,his return1 but ,he has said1 8,watch10 and should ,he come to-day1 would ,he find us absorbed in thoughtless dissipation8 ,may we be found each day1 in the expectant attitude of those watching for a loved one4 ,,november #cj4 8,in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves0 7,phil4 ii4 #c74 ,when the apostle speaks of 8the deep things of ,god10 he means more than deep spiritual truth4 ,there must be something before this4 ,there must be a deep soil and a thorough foundation4 ,very much of our spiritual teaching fails1 because the people to whom we give it are so shallow4 ,their deeper nature has never been stirred4 ,the beatitudes begin at the bottom of things1 the poor in spirit1 the mourners1 and the hungry hearts4 ,suffering is essential to profound spiritual life4 ,we need not go to a monastery or a leper hospital to find it4 ,the first real opportunity for unselfishness will bring into your life the anguish of crucifixion1 unless you are born of some different race from ,adam's4 ,it is because men and women have not faced this that they know so little of suffering and death4 ,we must have deep convictions4 ,truth must be to us a necessity1 and principle a part of our very being4 ,lord1 make me poor in spirit4 ,lord help me to be even as ,thou wert when on earth1 always the lowest1 and therefore 8highly exalted40 ,,december #a4 8,as ,he is1 so are we in this world0 7,i4 ,john iv4 #ag74 ,jesus will come into the surrendered heart and unite ,himself with it1 impart to it ,his own life and being and become anew from day to day1 the supply of its spiritual needs and the substitute for its helplessness4 ,our part is simply to yield ourselves fully recognizing our own worthlessness and then take ,jesus ,himself to live in us and be1 moment by moment1 our strength1 purity and victory4 ,one in ,his death on the tree1 ,one as ,he rose from the dead2 ,i from the curse am as free ,e'en as my glorious ,head4 ,one in ,his merits ,i stand1 ,one as ,i ,pray in ,his name1 ,all that ,his worth can demand ,i may with confidence claim4 ,one on the ,throne by ,his side1 ,one in ,his ,sonship divine1 ,one as the ,bridegroom and ,bride1 ,one as the ,branch and the ,vine4 ,all that ,he has shall be mine1 ,all that ,he is ,i shall be2 ,robed in ,his glory divine1 ,i shall be even as ,he4 ,,december #b4 8,looking diligently lest any man fail0 7,heb4 xii4 #ae74 ,it is not losing all1 but coming short we are to fear4 ,we may not lose our souls1 but we may lose something more precious than life--,his full approval1 ,his highest choice1 and our incorruptible and star-gemmed crown4 ,it is the one degree more that counts1 and makes all the difference between hot water--powerless in the boiler--and steam--all alive with power1 and bearing its precious freight across the continent4 ,i want1 in this short life of mine1 ,as much as can be pressed ,of service true for ,god and man1 ,help me to be my best4 ,i want to stand when ,christ appears ,and hear my name confessed ,numbered among the hidden ones1 ,his holiest and best4 ,i want1 among the victor throng1 ,to have my name confessed2 ,and hear my ,master say at last1 ,well done1 you did your best4 ,give me1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy highest choice2 ,let others take the rest3 ,their good things have no charm for me1 ,for ,i have got ,thy best4 ,,december #c4 ,thy thoughts are very deep 7,ps4 xcii4 #e74 ,when a ,roman soldier was told by his guide that if he insisted on taking a certain journey it would probably be fatal he answered1 8,it is necessary for me to go1 it is not necessary for me to live40 ,that was depth4 ,when we are convicted like that we shall come to something4 ,the shallow nature lives in its impulses1 its impressions1 its intuitions1 its instincts1 and very largely in its surroundings4 ,the profound character looks beyond all these and moves steadily on1 sailing past all the storms and clouds into the clear sunshine which is always on the other side1 and waiting for the afterwards which always brings the reversion of sorrow and seeming defeat and failure4 ,when ,god has deepened us1 then ,he can give us ,his deeper truths1 ,his profoundest secrets1 and ,his mightier trusts4 ,lord1 lead me into the depths of ,thy life and save me from a shallow experience4 ,on to broader fields of holy vision2 ,on to loftier heights of faith and love2 ,onward1 upward1 apprehending wholly1 ,all for which ,he calls thee from above4 ,,december #d4 8,from me is thy fruit found0 7,hos4 xiv4 #h74 ,nothing keeps us from advancement more than ruts and drifts1 and wheel-tracks into which our chariots roll and then move on in the narrow line with unchanging monotony1 currents in life's stream on which we are borne in the old direction until the law of habit almost makes advance impossible4 ,the true remedy for this is to commence at nothing2 taking ,christ afresh to be the ,alpha and ,omega for a deeper1 higher1 ,divine experience1 waiting even for ,his conception of thought1 desire1 prayer1 and afraid lest our highest thought should be below ,his great plan of wisdom and love4 ,o ,comforter gentle and tender1 ,o holy and heavenly ,dove1 ,we're yielding our heart in surrender1 ,we're waiting ,thy fulness to prove4 ,o come as the heart-searching fire1 ,o come as the sin-cleansing flood2 ,consume us with holy desire1 ,and fill with the fulness of ,god4 ,anoint us with gladness and healing2 ,baptize us with power from on high2 ,o come with filling and sealing ,while low at the ,thy footstool we lie4 ,,december #e4 8,with a perfect heart to make ,david ,king0 7,i4 ,chron4 xii4 #ch74 8,what is the supreme purpose of our life8 ,they were all of one heart to make ,david king40 ,is this our purpose1 to prepare the ,bride1 to prepare the world1 to prepare ,his way8 ,does it dwarf and dim all other ambitions1 all other cares8 ,does it fill and satisfy every capacity1 every power1 every desire8 ,does it absorb every moment1 every energy1 every resource8 ,does it give direction and tone to every plan and work of life8 ,does it decide for us the education of our children1 the investment of our means1 the friendships and associations of life1 the whole activity1 interest and outlook of our being8 ,are we in it1 spirit1 soul and body1 all we are1 all we do1 all we hope for--,,of ,,one ,,heart ,,to ,,make ,,jesus ,,king8 ,we're going forth united ,with loyal heart and hand1 ,to bear ,his royal banner ,aboard o'er every land4 ,from every tribe and nation ,we'll haste ,his ,bride to bring4 ,and ,oh1 with what glad welcome ,we'll make our ,jesus ,king4 ,,december #f4 8,humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of ,god1 that ,he may exalt you0 7,i4 ,peter v4 #f74 ,opposition is essential to a true equilibrium of forces4 ,the centripetal and centrifugal forces acting in opposition to each other keep our planet in her orbit4 ,the one propelling1 and the other repelling1 so act and react1 that instead of sweeping off into space in a pathway of desolation and destruction1 she pursues her even orbit around her solar center4 ,so ,god guides our lives4 ,it is not enough to have an impelling force--we need just as much a repelling force1 and so ,he holds us back by the testing ordeals of life1 by the pressure of temptation and trial1 by the things that seem to be against us1 but really are furthering our way and stablishing our goings4 ,let us thank ,him for both1 let us take the weights as well as the wings1 and thus divinely impelled1 let us press on with faith and patience in our high and heavenly calling4 ,lord1 help me to learn from all that comes to me this day ,thy highest will4 ,lord1 help me to-day to sink under ,thy blessed hand1 that ,thou mayest have ,thy way and will with me4 ,,december #g4 8,abide with us2 for it is toward evening0 7,luke xxiv4 #bi74 ,in ,his last messages to the disciples in the #adth and #aeth chapters of ,john1 the ,lord ,jesus clearly teaches us that the very essence of the highest holiness is1 8,abide in ,me1 and ,i in you1 for without ,me ye can do nothing40 ,the very purpose of the ,holy ,ghost whom ,he promised was to reveal ,him1 that at 8that day1 ye shall know that ,i am in the ,father1 and ye in ,me1 and ,i in you10 and the closing echo of ,his intercessory prayer was embraced in these three small but infinite words1 8,i in them40 ,is it for me to be cleansed by ,his power ,from the pollution of sin8 ,is it for me to be kept every hour ,by ,his abiding within8 ,is it for me to be perfectly whole ,thro' ,his anointing divine2 ,claiming in body1 and spirit1 and soul1 ,all of ,his fulness as mine8 ,wonderful promise so full and so free1 ,wonderful ,saviour1 ,oh1 how can it be1 ,cleansing and pardon and mercy for me8 ,yes1 it's for me1 for me4 ,,december #h4 8,is there no balm in ,gilead2 is there no physician there80 7,jer4 viii4 #bb74 ,divine healing is just divine life4 ,it is the headship of ,christ over the body4 ,it is the life of ,christ in the frame4 ,it is the union of our members with the very body of ,christ and the inflowing life of ,christ in our living members4 ,it is as real as ,his risen and glorified body4 ,it is as reasonable as the fact that ,he was raised from the dead and is a living man with a true body and a rational soul to-day1 at ,god's right hand4 ,that living ,christ belongs to us in all ,his attributes and powers4 ,we are members of ,his body1 ,his flesh and ,his bones1 and if we can only believe and receive it1 we may live upon the very life of the ,son of ,god4 ,lord1 help me to know the 8,lord for the body and the body for the ,lord40 ,there is healing in the promise1 ,there is healing in the blood1 ,there is strength for all our weakness ,in the risen ,son of ,god4 ,and the feeblest of ,his children1 ,all ,his glorious life may share2 ,he has healing balm in ,gilead1 ,he's the ,great ,physician there4 ,,december #i4 8,launch out into the deep0 7,luke v4 #d74 ,one of the special marks of the ,holy ,ghost in the ,apostolic ,church was the spirit ,of boldness4 ,one of the most essential qualities of the faith that is to attempt great things for ,god and expect great things from ,god1 is holy audacity4 ,where we are dealing with a supernatural ,being1 and taking from ,him things that are humanly impossible1 it is easier to take much than little2 it is easier to stand in a place of audacious trust than in a place of cautious1 timid clinging to the shore4 ,like wise seamen in the life of faith1 let us launch out into the deep1 and find that all things are possible with ,god1 and all things are possible unto him that believeth4 ,let us to-day attempt great things for ,god1 take ,his faith and believe for them and ,his strength to accomplish them4 ,the mercy of ,god is an ocean divine1 ,a boundless and fathomless flood2 ,launch out in the deep1 cut away the shore-line1 ,and be lost in the fulness of ,god4 ,oh1 let us launch out in this ocean so broad1 ,where the floods of salvation o'erflow1 ,oh1 let us be lost in the mercy of ,god1 ,till the depth of ,his fulness we know4 ,,december #aj4 8,according to the measure of the rule which ,god hath distributed0 7,,ii4 ,cor4 x4 #ac74 ,according to thy faith be it unto thee was ,christ's great law of healing and blessing in ,his earthly ministry4 ,this was what ,he meant when ,he said1 8,with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again40 ,these mighty measures are limited by the the measures that we bring4 ,god deals out ,his heavenly treasures to us in these glorious vessels1 but each of us must bring our drinking cup1 and according to its measure we shall be filled4 ,but even the measure of our faith may be a ,divine one4 ,thank ,god1 the little cup has become enlarged through the grace of ,jesus1 until from its bottom there flows a pipe into the great ocean1 and if that connection is kept open we shall find that our cup is as large as the ocean and never can be drained to the bottom4 ,for ,he has said to us1 8,have the faith of ,god10 and surely this is an illimitable measure4 ,let us claim the mighty promise1 ,let us light the torches dim2 ,let us join the glorious chorus1 ,nothing is too hard for ,him4 ,,december #aa4 8,i pray not for the world1 but for them0 7,john xvii4 #i74 ,how often we say we would like to get some strong spirit to pray for us1 and feel so helped when we think they are carrying us in their faith4 ,but there is ,one whose prayers never fail to be fulfilled and who is more willing to give them to us than any human friend4 ,his one business at ,god's right hand is to make intercession for ,his people1 and we are simply coming in the line of ,his own appointment and ,his own definite promise and provision1 when we lay our burdens upon ,him and claim ,his advocacy without doubt or fear4 8,seeing then that we have a great ,high ,priest that is passed into the heavens1 ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god1 let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may find help in time of need40 ,like a golden censer glowing1 ,filled with burning odors rare1 ,all my heart is upward flowing1 ,in a cloud of ceaseless prayer4 ,o'er the heavenly altar bending1 ,jesus interceding stands1 ,all our prayers to heaven ascending1 ,reach the ,father through ,his hands4 ,,december #ab4 8,to abide in the flesh is more needful for you1 and having this confidence1 ,i know that ,i shall abide0 7,phil4 i4 #bd1 #be74 ,one of the most blessed things about divine healing is that the strength it brings is holy strength1 and finds its natural and congenial outflow in holy acts and exercises4 ,mere natural strength seeks its gratification in natural pleasures and activities1 but the strength of ,christ leads us to do as ,christ would do1 and to seek our congenial employment in ,his holy service4 ,the life of ,christ in a human body saves it from a thousand temptations to self-indulgence and sin1 and not only gives us strength for higher service1 but also a desire for it1 and puts into it a zest and spring which gives it double power4 ,lord1 help us to-day to claim ,thy life and then give it for the help of others4 ,have you found the branch of healing8 ,pass it on4 ,have you felt the ,spirit's sealing1 ,pass it on4 ',twas for this ,his mercy sought you1 ,and to all ,his fulness brought you1 ,by the precious blood that bought you1 ,pass it on4 ,,december #ac4 8,he that abideth in ,me and ,i in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for apart from ,me ye can do nothing0 7,john xv4 #e74 ,so familiar are the vine and the branches1 it is not necessary to explain2 only the branches and the vine are one4 ,the vine does not say1 ,i am the central trunk running up and you are the little branches2 but ,i am the whole thing1 and you are the whole thing4 ,he counts us partakers of ,his nature4 8,apart from ,me ye can do nothing40 ,the husband and the wife1 and many more figures contribute to this marvelous ,christ teaching1 which has no parallel1 no precedent in any other teaching under the sun2 that ,christ is the life of ,his people1 and that we are absolutely linked with and dependent upon ,him4 ,all other systems teach how much man is and may become4 ,christianity shows how a man must lose all he is if he would come into full unity with ,christ in ,his life4 ,lord1 help me this day to abide in ,thee4 ,oh6 what a wonderful place ,jesus has given to me6 ,saved by ,his glorious grace1 ,i may be even as ,he4 ,,december #ad4 8,instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree0 7,isa4 lv4 #ac74 ,difficulties and obstacles are ,god's challenges to faith4 ,when hindrances confront us in the path of duty we are to recognize them as vessels for faith to fill with the fulness and all-sufficiency of ,jesus1 and as we go forward1 simply and fully trusting ,him1 we may be tested1 we may have to wait and let patience have her perfect work1 but we shall surely find at last the stone rolled away1 and the ,lord waiting to render unto us double for our time of testing1 and fulfil the promise1 8,instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree1 instead of the brier the myrtle tree1 and it shall be to the ,lord for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off40 ,oft there comes a wondrous message ,when my hopes are growing dim2 ,i can hear it through the darkness1 ,like some sweet and far-off hymn4 ,nothing is too hard for ,jesus1 ,no man can work like ,him4 ,when my way is closed in darkness ,and my foes are fierce and grim1 ,still it sings above the conflict ,like some glad1 victorious hymn3 ,nothing is too hard for ,jesus1 ,no man can work like ,him4 ,,december #ae4 8,when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the ,rock that is higher than ,i0 7,ps4 lxi4 #b74 ,the end of self is the beginning of ,god4 8,when the tale of bricks is doubled then comes ,moses40 ,that is the old ,hebrew way of putting it4 8,man's extremity is ,god's opportunity40 ,that is the proverbial expression of it4 8,when my heart is overwhelmed1 lead me to the rock that is higher than ,i40 ,that is ,david's way of expressing it4 8,we have no might against this company1 neither know we what to do40 ,no might1 no light--8but our eyes are upon ,thee10 that was ,jehoshaphat's experience of it4 8,mine eyes fail with looking upward4 ,i am oppressed1 ,lord1 undertake for me40 8,when ,i had great trouble ,i always went to ,god and was wondrously carried through2 but in my little trials ,i used to try to manage them myself1 and often most signally failed40 ,so ,miss ,havergal has expressed the experience of many a ,christian4 ,god wants us 8at our wit's end10 and then ,he will show ,his wisdom1 love and power4 ,how often we ask ,god to help1 and then begin to count up the human probabilities6 ,god's very blessings become a hindrance to us if we look from ,him to them4 ,,december #af4 8,i will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten1 the canker worm and the caterpillar and the palmer worm1 my great army1 which ,i sent among you0 7,joel ii4 #be74 ,a friend said to me once3 8,i have got to reap what ,i sowed1 for ,god has said3 #8,whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap4' ,then why don't you apply this in the spiritual world1 and compel the sinner to pay the penalty of his sins80 ,christ has borne this penalty1 and the same ,christ has borne the natural penalties1 too1 and delivered us out of condemnation in every sense4 ,physical sufferings come to us1 but not under the law of retribution1 but only as a ,divine discipline4 ,every penalty has been fulfilled by ,christ and every law satisfied1 and so far as we can have risen with ,him into the plane of spiritual and eternal life1 we are lifted above the mere realm of law1 and we enter into the full effects of ,his complete satisfaction of every claim against us4 ,so it is true that even the wreck that sin has brought upon our physical and temporal life is removed by ,his great atonement1 and the promise is made real to us1 8,i will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten40 ,,december #ag4 8,be careful for nothing0 7,phil4 iv4 #f74 ,what is the way to lay your burden down8 8,take ,my yoke upon you1 and learn of ,me2 for ,i am meek and and lowly of heart1 and ye shall find rest unto your souls40 8,for ,my yoke is easy and ,my burden is light40 ,that is the way to take ,his burden up4 ,you will find that ,his burden is always light4 ,yours is a very heavy one4 ,happy day if you have exchanged burdens and laid down your loads at ,his blessed feet to take up ,his own instead4 ,god wants to rest ,his workers1 and ,he is too kind to put ,his burden on hearts that are already bowed down with their own weight of cares4 ,are you fearing1 fretting or repining8 ,you can never know ,god's perfect peace4 ,on ,his bosom all your weight reclining4 ,all your anxious doubts and cares must cease4 ,would you know the peace that ,god has given8 ,would you find the very joy of heaven8 ,be careful for nothing1 ,be prayerful for everything1 ,be thankful for anything1 ,and the peace of ,god that passeth understanding ,shall keep your mind and heart4 ,,december #ah4 8,the faith of the ,son of ,god0 7,gal4 ii4 #bj74 ,faith is hindered most of all by what we call 8our faith10 and fruitless struggles to work out a faith which is but a make-believe and a desperate trying to trust ,god1 which must ever come short of ,his vast and glorious promises4 ,the truth is that the only faith that is equal to the stupendous promises of ,god and the measureless needs of our life1 is 8the faith of ,god0 ,himself1 the very trust which ,he will breathe into the heart which intelligently expects ,him as its power to believe1 as well as its power to love1 obey1 or perform any other exercise of the new life4 ,blessed be ,his name6 ,he has not given us a chain which reaches within a single link of our poor helpless heart1 but that one last link is fatal to all the chain4 ,nay1 the last link1 the one that fastens on the human side is as ,divine as the link that binds the chain of promise in the heavens4 8,have the faith of ,god10 is ,his great command4 8,i live by the faith of the ,son of ,god0 is the victorious testimony of one who had proved it true4 ,lord1 teach me to have the faith of the ,son of ,god4 ,,december #ai4 8,god giveth grace unto the humble0 7,james iv4 #f74 ,one of the marks of highest worth is deep lowliness4 ,the shallow nature1 conscious of its weakness and insufficiency1 is always trying to advertise itself and make sure of its being appreciated4 ,the strong nature1 conscious of its strength1 is willing to wait and let its work be made manifest in due time4 ,indeed1 the truest natures are so free from all self-consciousness and self-consideration that their object is not to be appreciated1 understood or recompensed1 but to accomplish their true mission and fulfil the real work of life4 ,one of the most suggestive expressions used respecting the ,lord ,jesus is given by the evangelist ,john in the thirteenth chapter of ,his ,gospel1 where we read1 8,jesus1 knowing that ,he came from ,god1 and went to ,god1 riseth from supper and began to wash the disciples' feet40 ,it was because ,he knew ,his high dignity and ,his high destiny that ,he could stoop to the lowest place and that place could not degrade ,him4 ,god give to us the ,divine insignia of heavenly rank1 a bowed head1 a meek and lowly spirit4 ,,december #bj4 8,that ,i should be the minister of ,jesus ,christ to the ,gentiles1 ministering the ,gospel of ,god0 7,rom4 xv4 #af74 ,this is a very beautiful and practical conception of missionary work4 ,there is a great difference in being consecrated to our ,god4 ,we may be consecrated to our work and consecrated to our ,god4 ,we may be consecrated and fitted to do missionary work1 and utterly fail1 if ,he should call us to do something different4 ,but when we are consecrated to ,him1 we shall be ready for anything ,he may require of us1 and be as well qualified to serve ,him by the sick bed of a brother1 or even in the secular duties of home1 as in standing in the pulpit or leading a soul to ,christ4 ,paul's conception is holy work1 or a special sacrifice1 and directly unto ,christ1 and ,christ alone2 and he stood as one should stand at the altar of incense1 lifting up with holy hands the ,gentile nations unto ,god1 and laying all his work like fragrant incense before the throne1 pleased only with what would please his ,master1 and stand the test of ,his inspection1 and the seal of ,his approval in that glorious day4 ,this is the spirit of true service4 ,,december #ba4 8,give us day by day our daily bread0 7,luke xi4 #c74 ,it is very hard to live a lifetime at once1 or even a year1 but it is delightfully easy to live a day at a time4 ,day by day the manna fell1 so day by day we may live upon the heavenly bread1 and live out our life for ,him4 ,let us1 breath by breath1 moment by moment1 step by step1 abide in ,him1 and1 just as we take care of the days1 ,he will take care of the years4 ,god has given two precious promises for the days4 8,as thy days so shall thy strength be10 is ,his ancient covenant1 and the literal translation of our ,master's parting words to ,his disciples is1 8,lo1 ,i am with you all the days1 even unto the end of the age40 ,like the little water spider that goes down beneath the waters of the pool enclosed in a bubble of air1 and there builds its nest and rears its young1 and lives its little life in that bright sphere down beneath the slimy pool1 so let us in this dark world shut ourselves in with ,christ in the little circle of each returning day1 and so abide in ,him1 breathing the air of heaven and living in ,his love4 ,,december #bb4 8,my tongue also shall talk of ,thy righteousness all the day long0 7,ps4 lxxi4 #bd74 ,it is a simple law of nature1 that air always comes in to fill a vacuum4 ,you can produce a draught at any time1 by heating the air until it ascends1 and then the cold air rushes in to supply its place4 ,and so we can always be filled with the ,holy ,spirit by providing a vacuum4 ,this breath is dependent upon exhausting the previous breath before you can inhale a fresh one4 ,and so we must empty our hearts of the last breath of the ,holy ,spirit that we have received1 for it becomes exhausted the moment we have received it1 and we need a new supply1 to prevent spiritual asphyxia4 ,we must learn the secret of breathing out1 as well as breathing in4 ,now1 the breathing in will continue if the other part is rightly done4 ,one of the best ways to make room for the ,holy ,spirit is to recognize the needs that come into the life as vacuums for ,him to fill1 and we shall find plenty of needs all around us to be filled1 and as we pour out our lives in holy service1 ,he will pour ,his in--in full measure4 ,jesus1 empty me and fill me ,with ,thy fulness to the brim4 ,,december #bc4 8,out of the spoils won in battles1 did they dedicate to maintain the house of the ,lord0 7,i4 ,chron4 xxvi4 #bg74 ,physical force is stored in the bowels of the earth1 in the coal mines1 which came from the fiery heat that burned up great forests in ancient ages4 ,and so spiritual force is stored in the depths of our being1 through the very sufferings which we cannot understand4 ,some day we shall find that the deliverance we have won from these trials were preparing us to become true 8,great ,hearts0 in life's ,pilgrim's ,progress1 and to lead our fellow pilgrims triumphantly through trial to the city of the ,king4 ,but let us never forget that the source of helping other people must be victorious suffering4 ,the whining1 murmuring pang never does anybody any good4 ,paul did not carry a cemetery with him1 but a chorus choir of victorious praise1 and the harder the trial1 the more he trusted and rejoiced1 shouting from the very altar of sacrifice1 8,yea1 and if ,i be offered upon the service and sacrifice of your faith1 ,i joy and rejoice with you all40 ,lord1 help me this day to draw strength from all that comes to me4 ,,december #bd4 8,and seekest thou great things for thyself8 ,seek them not2 for behold ,i will bring evil upon all flesh1 saith the ,lord2 but thy life will ,i give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest0 7,jer4 xlv4 #e74 ,a promise given for hard places1 and a promise of safety and life in the midst of tremendous pressure1 a life for a prey4 ,it may well adjust itself to our own times1 which are growing harder as we near the end of the age1 and the tribulation times4 ,what is the meaning of 8a life for a prey08 ,it means a life snatched out of the jaws of the destroyer1 as ,david snatched the lamb from the lion4 ,it means not a place of security1 or of removal from the noise of the battle1 and the presence of our foes1 but it means a table in the midst of our enemies1 a shelter from the storm1 a fortress amid the foe1 a life preserved in the face of continual pressure1 ,paul's healing when pressed out of measure so that he despaired even of life1 ,paul's ,divine help when the thorn remained1 but the power of ,christ rested upon him and the grace of ,christ was sufficient4 ,lord1 give me my life for a prey1 and in the hardest places help me to-day to be victorious4 ,,december #be4 8,i bring you glad tidings0 7,luke ii4 #aj74 ,a ,christmas spirit should be a spirit of humanity4 ,beside that beautiful object lesson on the ,manger1 the ,cradle1 and the lowly little child1 what ,christian heart can ever wish to be proud8 ,it is a spirit of joy4 ,it is right that these should be glad tidings1 for1 8,behold1 ,i bring you glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all people40 ,it is a spirit of love4 ,it should be the joy that comes from giving joy to others4 ,the central fact of ,christmas is the ,christ who loved us1 and came to live among us and die for us1 and he or she has no right to share its joys who is living for himself or herself alone4 ,love is always sacrificial1 and so the ,christmas spirit will call us to a glad and full surrender1 first to ,god1 and then the joyful sacrifice of what we call our own for ,his glory and the good of others4 ,the ,christmas spirit is a spirit of worship4 ,it finds the ,magi at ,his feet with their gold and frankincense and myrrh4 ,let it find us there1 too4 ,the ,christmas spirit is a spirit of missions4 ,its glad tidings are for all people4 ,,december #bf4 8,the ,spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy0 7,james iv4 #e74 ,this beautiful passage has been unhappily translated in our ,revised ,version3 8,the ,spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy40 ,it ought to be1 8,the ,spirit that dwelleth in us loveth us to jealousy40 ,it is the figure of a love that suffers because of its intense regard for the loved object4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is so anxious to accomplish in us and for us the highest will of ,god1 and to receive from us the truest love for ,christ1 our ,divine ,husband1 that ,he becomes jealous when in any way we disappoint ,him1 or divide ,his love with others4 ,therefore1 it is said in the preceding passage1 8,ye adulterers and adulteresses1 know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with ,god80 ,oh1 shall we grieve so kind a ,friend8 ,shall we disappoint so loving a ,husband8 ,shall we not meet the blessed ,holy ,spirit with the love ,he brings us1 and give in return our undivided and unbounded affection8 ,was there ever a ,bridegroom so loving seeking our heart to gain8 ,,december #bg4 8,he sent forth the dove which returned not again unto him0 7,gen4 viii4 #ab74 ,first1 we have the dove going forth from the ark1 and finding no rest upon the wild and drifting waste of sin and judgment4 ,this represents the ,old ,testament period1 perhaps1 when the ,holy ,ghost visited this sinful world1 but could find no resting-place1 and went back to the bosom of ,god4 ,next1 we have the dove going forth and returning with the olive leaf in her mouth1 the symbol and the pledge of peace and reconciliation1 the sign that judgment was passed and peace was returning4 ,surely this may beautifully represent the next stage of the ,holy ,spirit's manifestation1 as going forth in the ministry and death of ,jesus ,christ1 to proclaim reconciliation to a sinful world4 ,there is a third stage1 when1 at length1 the dove goes forth from the ark and returns no more2 but it makes the world its home1 and builds its nest amid the habitations of men4 ,this is the third and present stage of the ,holy ,spirit's blessed work4 ,let us welcome the ,dove to a nest in our hearts4 ,,december #bh4 8,the ,holy ,ghost1 whom ,god hath given to them that obey ,him0 7,acts v4 #cb74 ,we can only know and prove the fulness of the ,spirit as we step out into the larger purposes and plans of ,christ for the world4 ,perhaps the chief reason why the ,holy ,spirit has been so limited in ,his work in the hearts of ,christians1 is the shameful neglect of the unsaved and unevangelized world by the great majority of the professed followers of ,christ4 ,there are millions of professing ,christians--and1 perhaps1 real ,christians--in the world1 who have never given one real1 earnest thought to the evangelization of the heathen world4 ,god will not give the ,holy ,spirit in ,his fulness for the selfish enjoyment of any ,christian4 ,his power is a great trust1 which we must use for the benefit of others and for the evangelization of the lost and sinful world4 ,not until the people of ,god awake to understand ,his real purpose for the salvation of men1 will the ,church ever know the fulness of her ,pentecost4 ,god's promised power must lie along the line of duty1 and as we obey the command1 we shall receive ,his promise in his fulness4 ,lord1 help me to understand ,thy plan4 ,,december #bi4 8,i have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of ,god0 7,acts xx4 #bg74 ,it is probable that ,god lets every human being1 that crosses our path1 meet us1 in order that we may have the opportunity of leaving some blessing in his path1 and dropping into his heart and life some influence that will draw him nearer to ,god4 ,it would be blessed1 indeed1 if we could meet every immortal soul1 at last1 that we have ever touched in the path of life1 and truly say1 8,i am pure from the blood of all men40 ,beloved1 is it so8 ,the servant that works in your household2 the man that sat beside you in the train2 the laborer that wrought for you1 and1 above all1 the members of your household and family1 your fellow-laborer in the shop or factory1 have you done your best to lead them to ,christ8 ,the early ,christians regarded every situation as an opportunity to witness for ,christ4 ,even when brought before kings and governors1 it never occurred to them that they were to try to get free1 but the ,master's message to them was1 8,it shall turn to you for a testimony40 ,it was simply an occasion to preach to kings and rulers1 whom otherwise they could not reach4 ,,december #cj4 8,that ,god would fulfil in you all the good pleasure of ,his goodness1 and the work of faith with power0 7,,ii4 ,thess4 i4 #aa74 ,our ,god is looking to-day for pattern men1 and when ,he gets a true sample1 it is very easy to reproduce it in a thousand editions1 and multiply it in other lives without limitation4 ,all the experiences of life come to us as tests1 and as we meet them1 our loving ,father is watching with intense and jealous love1 to see us overcome1 and if we fail ,he is deeply disappointed1 and our adversary is filled with joy4 ,we are a gazing-stock continually for angels and principalities1 and every step we take is critical and decisive for something in our eternal future4 ,when ,abraham went forth that morning to ,mount ,moriah1 it was an hour of solemn probation1 and when he came back he was one of ,god's tested men1 with the stamp of ,his eternal approbation4 ,god could say1 8,i know him1 that he will do judgment and justice1 that the ,lord may bring upon ,abraham all that ,he hath spoken40 ,god is looking for such men to-day4 ,lord1 help me to be such an one4 ,,december #ca4 8,i pray not that ,thou shouldst take them out of the world1 but that ,thou shouldst keep them from the evil0 7,john xvii4 #ae74 ,he wants us here for some higher purpose than mere existence4 ,that purpose is nothing else than to represent ,him to the world1 to be the messengers of ,his ,gospel and ,his will to men1 and by our lives to exhibit to them the true life1 and teach them how to live it themselves4 ,he is representing us yonder1 and our one business is to represent ,him here4 ,we are just as truly sent into this world to represent ,him as if we had gone to ,china as the ambassador of the ,american ,government4 ,while engaged in the secular affairs of life1 it is simply that we may represent ,him there1 carry on ,his business1 and have means to use for ,his affairs4 ,he came here from another realm1 and with a special message1 and when ,his work was done ,he was called to go home to ,his ,father's dwelling-place and ,his own4 ,lord1 help me to worthily represent ,thee4 ,and carry music in our heart ,through busy street and wrangling mart2 ,plying our daily task with busier feet1 ,because our souls a heavenly strain repeat4