Growth In Grace

(Archibald Alexander,  1844)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Growth in grace is evidenced by a more habitual vigilance against besetting sins and temptations, and by greater self-denial in regard to personal indulgence. A growing conscientiousness in regard to what may be called minor Christian duties is also a good sign. (The counterfeit of this is an over-scrupulous conscience, which sometimes haggles at the most innocent gratifications, and has led some to hesitate about taking their daily food.)

Increasing spiritual-mindedness is a sure evidence of progress in piety; and this will always be accompanied by increasing deadness to the world.

Continued aspirations for God, indicate the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, by whose agency all progress in sanctification is made.

Increasing solicitude for the salvation of men, sorrow on account of their sinful and miserable condition, and a disposition tenderly to warn sinners of their danger evidence a growing state of piety.

It is also a strong evidence of growth in grace, when you can bear injuries and provocations with meekness, and when you can from the heart desire the temporal and eternal welfare of your bitterest enemies.

An entire and confident reliance on the promises and providence of God, however dark may be your horizon, or however many difficulties environ you is a sign that you have learned to live by faith.

Humble contentment with your condition, though it is one of poverty and obscurity shows that you have profited by sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Diligence in the duties of our secular calling, with a view to the glory of God, is an evidence not to be despised.

Indeed, there is no surer standard of spiritual growth than a habit of aiming at the glory of God in everything.

Increasing love to the brethren is a sure sign of growth; for as brotherly love is a proof of the existence of grace, so is the exercise of such love a proof of vigor in the divine life.

A victory over besetting sins by which the person was frequently led away shows an increased vigor in grace.

Sometimes the children of God grow faster when in the fiery furnace than elsewhere. As metals are purified by being cast into the fire, so saints have their dross consumed and their graces brightened by being cast into the furnace of affliction.

 

A Tale of Two Dogs.

 

     I am an adoring fan of Golden Retrievers! I have had the opportunity of being the master of two goldens; “Augustine the Defender of Grace” (this namesake may be a bit misleading!) and my current goldie, a one year old, “Phoebe the Radiant One” (taken from Romans 16:1). A couple of days ago as I was taking Phoebe for her morning walk and observing her off leash on a back trail I couldn’t help but connect some of her actions with my recent meditations in the Gospel of John.

 

NIV John 10:5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”   and… 

NIV John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  and…

NIV John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

 

Although shepherd/sheep and master/servants are the paired subjects in these verses, I am sure you can see how there are some obvious parallels to the owner or master/dog relationship. The very basic training for a dog involves things such as learning to heel; that is to follow closely to his master, walk calmly at his master’s side and trust his master to lead him safely in spite of noises or other stimuli that might be frightening. Also, to come when he is called and not to stray or run off chasing after someone or something that may potentially harm him. Finally, to respect and obey his owner by virtue of the relationship that is there. Where, because the dog is totally dependent upon his owner, he therefore returns love and companionship with an enthusiastic desire to please his master. Right? These are just some of the basics we think of when we get a dog.

     Phoebe energetically applies herself in all these areas and so she pleases me greatly! For the most part she follows me, listens to me and obeys me. Even when she is off leash, much of the time, she stays right by my side as if the leash were still attached. When she does rush ahead or lag behind, it is only for a short distance and then she rushes back to me. If I call her she is there quickly with a look in her eyes as if she is desiring to immediately respond to my every wish. If a stranger or some other animal or any distraction comes her way she looks to me immediately for protection or permission to go ahead and investigate. She looks to me; I am her master, owner, protector, friend and she loves to walk with me. Her faithfulness to me, truly pleases me!

 

     Now Augie on the other hand was, well did you see the movie “Marley and Me“? He was a large male with a dominant spirit. He would purposely put his big ol paw on top of my foot as if to show who is the real master. He would not heel, he would drag me unconcerned about my personal desires or the pain he was inflicting on my arm joints as he would lurch ahead!  I rarely would consider letting him off leash, I know there was no way he would follow me, listen to me or obey me. He would rush ahead to see what was around the bend ignoring my calls to “heel”, “stop” or “Augie, get back here!” Oh, if I played “fetch” constantly with him he would stay with me; unless or until some better distraction came along. As far as looking to me for protection when something fearful came along, such as a “goblin of a garbage can” next to the curb; well not a chance. He would head for the hills paying no attention to my plea, “Augie, it’s only a garbage can you stupid dog!” He would constantly get into trouble and it seemed that I was not pleased with him very much of the time when we would go for a walk. 

 

      I am sure you are getting the picture, it is a simple lesson isn’t it? Of course there are many areas where the comparison falls far short. Sort of like the parables that Jesus taught. They were simple little stories, but with profoundly important lessons for us. Here is a parable, “The Tale of Two Dogs”. The lesson concerns walking with our Lord, our Master, in a way that pleases Him. His sheep (or dogs if you will) follow Him, listen to Him, long to be by His side enjoying the walk with Him. He is our Benevolent Master, who could ask for more? Yet we have a lot of “Augie” in us too don’t we. We rush ahead or lag behind. We sometimes allow other things to distract us from Him, from His side. To be fair, I am a much better master with Phoebe than I was with Augie. I am older, more patient and hopefully a little wiser now than I was with “Aug dog”. And to be perfectly truthful, Phoebe is not a perfect dog either by any stretch of the imagination. However our Jesus is the perfect Master so I cannot use that as an excuse for failure to follow. I will never in this life be the perfect follower, but oh, how I want to be more like Phoebe than like Augie. So I also as the Apostle Paul stated…  

NIV 2 Corinthians 5:9a So we make it our goal to please him…

 

 

 

    

 

     Just like many of you {certainly most Christian families I would think} at our family gathering we went around our table this Thanksgiving and had each one share; “What I am most thankful for this Thanksgiving”. I read many posts on Face Book in regards to this theme and saw the question asked and dramatized in many ways on television also. So what about you? How did you answer this question in front of your family members? Family gatherings that probably included both professing believers and non believers as well. If your family did not do this, then answer the question right now, even before you read any further in this blog. What is it that you are most thankful for this year?

     Given below is an article from an e-newsletter meant to encourage some serious thought about our answers; about what it is that holds the place of being ”most thankful for” in our hearts. I have shared it in its entirety and included the web address of the site I received it from at the end of the article.  

 

 

Shepherd Press
Newsletter 76
 November 25, 2009

 

53% More Thankful This Year

 

A recent Rasmussen poll found that fifty-three percent (53%) of Americans say they are more thankful this Thanksgiving than they were last year at this time. Digging a little deeper into the contents of the poll, I found a question about religion and thankfulness. The poll found that the plurality (41%) of adults say their religious faith is what they are most thankful for, after family and health. In other words, the thing that most adults are thankful for after their family and health is their religious faith. These findings in the poll point to a sharp distinction between religious faith and biblical Christianity. The first commandment says that there shall be no other gods before the one true God. Clearly, from the results of this poll, family and health occupy the place of most importance to most Americans. While it is important to interpret polls carefully and to look closely at the way questions are stated, this result resonates with the trend of American culture. Our religion is something that serves us and satisfies what we want. The immediate, in this case health and family, are those things that truly dominate our lives. These things hold the place of first importance, a place that God reserves for himself alone. Health and family are good things, but they must not surpass fidelity to God as the very core of what is important in life.

 

Thanksgiving Day marks the beginning of the holiday season. This time of year is a mixture of emotional ups and downs. Folks are happy to give and receive gifts, but they are also worried about how they will pay for these same gifts. People look forward to seeing family and friends, but then are reminded of all the personal issues they have with these same family and friends. Parties and celebrations abound, but these occasions are colored by hangovers and other manifestations of sensual indulgence. Church attendance will spike upwards at Christmas, but will quickly fall back to normal levels in January.

 

At least one reason for this trend is reflected in the Rasmussen poll that analyzes our thankfulness. For the vast majority of Americans, something or someone other than God dominates their lives. It is important for Christians to consider if we have followed the culture in this. Is something other than God the core value that dominates your life? What you are thankful for reveals the attitude of your heart. You are like the world—actually you are loving the world—if God is just one of the things that your mind tallies up in a list of things to for which to be thankful. God is not interested in sharing space with anything or anyone other than himself. This doesn’t mean you can’t be thankful for the good things God brings to you, but God must be unique. He must be first in your gratitude and affections. Everything else, including health and family, should be on another list entirely. It is not a good sign when God is added to the things we are grateful for about life.

 

In the Psalm 100, we are instructed that God is to receive praise and thanks simply for being who he is. His great character alone is to be the basis of our worship, praise and gratitude. He will not share his glory with another. The more deeply your life is tied to the pursuit of the person of God and the more you delight in the relationship you have with him, the less like the world you will become. Stability and security will increase as the focus of your gratitude shifts away from people, things and circumstance and moves toward the awesome wonder of your God. This is a theme that your family needs to hear this holiday season. God cannot be evaluated by polls or moods. Pray for faithfulness to the person of God. This holiday season, witness to the uniqueness of Christ in the way you celebrate.

 

 

http://shepherdpress.com/

 

    

     Well, we have completed the first month of 2010. How have you been doing with your “resolutions” thus far? I had decided this year to be much more disciplined with my journal. I have only seven entries thus far, not so good. As I was considering the “whys” of my failure I came across this sober reminder regarding the use of the Lord’s time! I take it as a loving encouragement to persevere. I will need to make some practical changes in order to fulfill my personal discipline of journaling, but the lesson goes way beyond a simple resolution to be disciplined with a book and pen. I hope this will be a great reminder to all my fellow believers who read this entry of the fact that our time is really not ours, but the Lord’s. He considers every minute of it very valuable! 

How are you doing in “Redeeming the Time”?     

 

We Fritter Away Days, Weeks, Months!  

 (J. R. Miller, “The Sacredness of Opportunity“)

 

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16

“Gather up the fragments that are left over. Let nothing be wasted!” John 6:12

“Time is short!” 1 Corinthians 7:29

Time is made up of golden minutes not one of which we should allow to be wasted! The Master said that for every idle word that men speak they must give account. This can be no less true of idle minutes or hours.

Most of us live as if we had a thousand years to stay here in this world! We loiter away the golden hours of our little days as if the days were never to end! We do not see how swiftly the sun is whirling toward his setting, while our work is but half done, our task perhaps scarcely begun!

We fritter away days, weeks, months not noticing how our one little opportunity of living in this world is being worn off, as the sea eats away a crumbling bank until its last shred is gone! We set slight value on time, forgetting that we have only a hand-breadth of it and then comes eternity!

Many of us fail to appreciate the value of ‘single days’. “A day is too short a space,” we say, “that it cannot make much difference if one, just one, is wasted or idled away in pleasure!” Yet the days are links in a chain, and if one link is broken, the chain is broken. In God’s plan for our life each little day has its own load of duty.

How these lost days shame us as they turn their reproachful eyes upon us, out of the irrevocable past!

Many people are wasteful of time. They fail to realize its value. They appear to have it in such abundance that they dream it can never end. They do not know that a day lost may mean misfortune or failure for them sometime in the future. They do not know that squandered hours, minutes spent in idleness may cost them the true success of their life, bringing failure or disaster!

They should not make the mistake of imagining they have so much time that they can afford to let days or hours or even minutes be wasted. They cannot afford to lose one golden minute of any day. We do not know what momentous issues, affecting all our future are involved in any quietest hour of any common-place day. There is ‘a time for everything’, but the time is short, and when it is gone, and the thing is not done; it never can be done!

What you make of your life you must make in a few years at the most; for the human span is short and any day may be your last one! Every day that passes leaves life’s margin a little less for each of us. Our allotment of time is ever shortening!

There are a great many things it is not worth our while to do. Some of us spend our days in poor trivialities which bless no one, and which will add no lustre to our crown.

Therefore, waste no opportunity! Squander no moment! There is just time enough for you to live your life well if you spend every moment of it in earnest, faithful duty. One hour lost will leave a flaw. A life thus lived in unbroken diligence and faithfulness, will have no regrets when the end comes.

 

    

      In just a very few days, I will be having a birthday! Especially neat is the fact that my Mother and my oldest Son share the same birth-date with me; Happy Birthday Mom and Ry! What is truly incredible to me is that I will actually be “The Double Nickle”; 55 years old! When did that happen? How did that happen? I didn’t see that coming! Where did the years, all those years, go? Well it is true! I am really going to be 55; and in such a youth crazed culture in which we find ourselves I need some biblical perspective on it. A favorite writer of mine, James Russell Miller who lived 1840-1912, supplied it for me so I thought that I would share it with all of my blog reading friends!

     By the way no presents please, just pray for me that, Lord willing, the “growth” described below will be true of my 55th year on earth.

Soli Deo Gloria 

 

  

OUR BIRTHDAYS!

J. R. Miller, “The Beauty of Every Day” 1910

     Some people come to birthdays regretfully. They do not like to think that they are growing older. But there is no reason for regret, if only we are living our years as we should live them, as we may live them. Empty years are a dishonor. Years filled with sin are blots in the calendar. We should be ashamed to come to a birthday at the close of a year of idleness, indolence, neglect, or unfaithfulness. Jesus said we must give account for every idle word we speak. It will be an unhappy reckoning that we must make, after an idle year, or for idle hours and days in a year.

     But there need never be a shadow of regret in coming to a birthday, when we have lived our best through all the days. If we go through a year walking with God we shall come to its close with enlarged life, with nobler character, with richer virtues in every way a more godly man or woman.

     Growth is a law of life. When growth ceases, death is beginning. God counts our age, not by our birthdays, but by the advances which His eye sees in our inner life. Growth, too, is not marked by height or weight or by accumulations of money or property or earthly honor, but by an increase in godly character.

 

God’s Children let this word of reminder go with you throughout the day!                

 

He Could Not Love You More!      (Charles Spurgeon)

“I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself!” Jeremiah 31:3   He loved you without beginning. Before years, and centuries, and millenniums began to be counted your name was on His heart! Eternal thoughts of love have been in God’s bosom towards you. He has loved you without a pause; there never was a minute in which He did not love you. Your name once engraved upon His hands has never been erased, nor will He ever blot it out of the Book of Life. Since you have been in this world He has loved you most patiently. You have often provoked Him; you have rebelled against Him times without number, yet He has never stayed the outflow of His heart towards you; and, blessed be His name He never will. You are His, and you always shall be His. God’s love to you is without boundary. He could not love you more for He loves you like a God; and He never will love you less. All His heart belongs to you!   “As the Father has loved Me so have I loved you!” John 15:9

I have been reading from the pen and therefore the mind of John Newton lately. I thank God for raising up this servant of His and using him in my life today so many years after his passing from this earth and going home to our Savior. I submit this quotation to you for your edification.

 

From, Wise Counsel, John Newton’s letters to John Ryland Jr.; pg 123 &124 Upon the occasion of Ryland’s frustration at seeing no progress with his then third prospect for a wife. 

“But if you cannot tell your complaints to me, you tell them to the Lord, which is a thousand times better. If it is a day of trouble with you then the promise, Psalm 50:15, is provided for you, and you have as much right to plead it, as you have to open a letter directed to J. Ryland junr. (exchange for your name here!)

I must refer the long delay, and every other possible grievance, to the scriptures of truth. If we were not creatures we might have a right to choose, if we were not sinners we might perhaps venture to complain of sufferings. If the Lord were not wise he might mistake our case; if He were not good he might deal hardly with us. If this life were our all, delays and crossings for one, two or three years would be of great importance. But reverse all these suppositions, say that we are creatures, sinful pardoned creatures, bought with the blood of Jesus, that our Saviour is our shepherd, that He is infinitely wise and good in himself, and has engaged his wisdom and goodness in our behalf; that He suffered for us, and calls us by grace that we may suffer for him (Acts 9:16); say farther that every event we are concerned in is under his immediate direction, and all to work for good; that what we call heavy is light and the long and tedious but momentary, as to our true existence and when compared with the weight of glory, and the length of eternity to which they lead. Let all these truths be planted like so many cannon in your defence and see whether self will and unbelief will dare to look them in the face.

Soli Deo Gloria

 

    When the town bully came around and caused trouble, what child didn’t utter this threatening warning as they ran off to Dad for help, “I’m gonna go tell my Dad on you!”. Enjoy reading this “Grace Gem”; because for the true believer, things haven’t changed all that much. Oh, and our Dad most definitely is bigger than any other Dad!

 

Run to Your Father!   (James Smith, “Precious Things from the Everlasting Hills” 1853)

“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven” Matthew 6:9

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

Beloved, we have a heavenly Father.
He has adopted us into His family.
He not only wears a father’s name, but he has a father’s heart.
He loves every believer with a father’s love.
He watches over each of His children with a father’s care.
Yes, we have a Father and He is always near us.
His heart is ever disposed to do us good.
He will not withdraw His eye from us!
He bids us . . .
  to cast every care upon Him,
  to expect every blessing from Him, and
  to carry everything that troubles us, to Him.

Does providence frown on us, perplex, and trouble us? Let us not fret, complain, or forebode, but go and tell Father!

Does Satan tempt, suggest evil thoughts, or endeavor to mislead us? Let us not parley with him, be alarmed at him, or yield to him, but go at once and tell Father!

Everything, whether painful or pleasant should lead us to our Father in heaven. He loves to listen to our broken prayers. He loves to sympathize with us. He never chides us for coming too often, or refuses to listen to us. Happy child, who has such a Father! And wise is that child who carries everything to his Father who tells Him all, keeping nothing from Him.  When we carry our cares or our troubles to Him, He says, “Leave them with Me. I will manage them. I will settle them.”

Christian, run to your Father from every foe and from every danger! Tell your Father everything that vexes, grieves, or troubles you. Trust your Father to manage all your affairs. Honor your Father, by consulting Him on all matters, by confiding to Him all your secrets, and by making His written Word your daily rule on all points.

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” With childlike simplicity, filial confidence, and honest hearts they go and tell their Father!

 

     My Father, Lyle (Bob) E. Southworth went to be with our Lord Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, 2010. It was after a very difficult and prolonged illness due to a series of strokes that slowly stole away all the faculties of life from him. We had his Memorial Service yesterday, Saturday, Nov. 5th and shall commit his body to the grave tomorrow, Monday, Nov. 7th. We feel, as we rightly should, a great sense of loss, but praise our Lord it is a sorrow that is not without hope {I Thess. 4:13-18}! We rejoice with my Dad as he has finished his race here on earth and is enjoying the rest of heaven with Jesus.

     As committed followers of Jesus Christ as we endure all our trials and losses here in this life, as we suffer them personally or as we watch our loved ones endure them, there is comforting help in right thinking. I offer this letter of A. Pink written to his friend as a help to us all who are now or will be at some point in a great time of difficulty. May the Lord use it as a healing agent in our lives.

LETTER TO A STRICKEN SOUL

 

My dear brother,

My heart goes out to you in sympathy in this dark hour, and I feel my helplessness to comfort you. The loss you have sustained is far greater than any human creature can make up, your suffering is too acute for any fellow-mortal to alleviate. I may endeavor to pour into your sorely wounded heart something of ‘the balm of Gilead,’ but only the great Physician can give any efficacy to the same. I can do little more than point you to Him who alone can ‘bind up the broken-hearted’. Jesus is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. Unburden yourself to Him.

May divine grace be given you, so that you shall be enabled to meekly acquiesce unto whatever our all-wise God may appoint. It is in heart-submission to God’s providential dealings with us, that true religion largely consists. Your acute sorrow is among the ‘all things’ which work together for good to those who love God. If the Spirit of God is pleased to sanctify this affliction unto you, it will prove a real blessing in disguise. May I suggest several lines of meditation which, if pursued by you and blessed to you by God, will enable you to improve this affliction.

1. Learn anew the terribleness of sin. ‘Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.’ (Romans 5:12) Yes, had sin never entered this world, no graves would have ever been dug in it. Every funeral should be a forceful reminder to us of what the Fall has brought in! Every funeral ought to beget in us a deeper hatred of sin. It was sin which necessitated the death of God’s beloved Son. Then how we should loathe it, seek grace to resist its evil solicitations, and follow hard after its opposite – holiness.

2. See the great importance of holding all God’s temporal mercies with a light hand. The best of them are only loaned us for a season, and we know not how early we shall be called to relinquish them. It is the part of wisdom for us to recognize and remember this while they are in our hands: not to grasp them too tightly, nor to look upon them as ours to enjoy forever in this perishing world. Holy Writ bids us to ‘rejoice with trembling’, for that which delights my heart this morning may be taken from me before the shadows of nightfall. The more I live with this fact before me, the less shall I feel the loss when it comes!

3. Endeavor to get your heart more weaned from this perishing world. ‘Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.’ (Col.3:2) But we are slow to heed this exhortation, and often God has to use drastic means to bring us to a compliance with it. It is for our own good as well as His glory, that we do so. It is only heavenly things which abide; then let us seek grace to have our hearts more and more set upon them.

4. Seek to demonstrate the reality of true religion.Only the real child of God is enabled to say, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord. ‘Earnestly seek supernatural help from above, dear brother, that you maybe enabled to manifest the sufficiency of Divine grace to strengthen and support–to show you do have a peace and comfort which the Christless are strangers to. Sorrow not as others do, who have no hope. Doubt not the Lord’s goodness. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. “Psalm 55:22

Yours by God’s abounding mercy,
A. W. Pink

 

From the diary of Ruth Bryan; 1805-1860

 

1830
Be pleased, dear Lord, to grant me during the present year more of Your gracious presence, more tenderness of conscience and fear of offending You; more humility, stronger faith, and more entire devotedness to Your cause. Enable me to leave my temporal concerns entirely with You, to walk by faith, to have my treasure in heaven, and to manifest by my conduct that I am Your disciple. Let me not grow cold or lukewarm, but may “I lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset me, and may I run with patience the race set before me, looking unto Jesus. Amen.”

1832
“Here I raise my Ebenezer.” Thus far the Lord has brought me. Though the past has been a year of multiplied transgressions and backslidings, I trust, through His abundant mercy, my face is still Zionward, and that my prevailing desire is to be devoted entirely to His service. Take me, dearest Lord, and form me for Your own glory. I feel much bodily weakness. Oh, that through the crevices of this frail tabernacle, I may see some of the glories of the eternal world!

1840
Most dear and precious Christ, I had not thought to see another new-year’s day, but hoped before now to have beheld You face to face! Like him of old, who was possessed of a legion of demons, I besought that I might be with You. But for a season, You have seen good to withhold the full answer to my request. “May Your will be done!” Glorify Yourself in me, and be much, very much with me, until You shall say, “Arise, my love, and come away,” to be with Me forever! I desire most humbly and unreservedly, in Your own strength, to yield to Your Divine disposal all I have and am, and to continually lose my wish and will, in Yours. I would lay at Your feet all creatures and created good, with every seeming evil and embrace Yourself, my Jesus, as my joy, portion, happiness, wisdom, strength, peace yes, my all in all for the coming year, or so much of it as I tarry upon earth; and then, as my joyful, blissful portion through eternity! Oh, lead me, Holy Comforter, more into Christ and out of SELF! I have had much of blessing, but I long and pray for more; in Jesus’ name. Enlarge my expectations more, I beg You and more I shall receive. “Lord, increase my faith.”

1842
Precious Christ, I come with a large request for 1842: it is that You would be the “Alpha and Omega” of it. Do You not say, “Ask what I shall give you?” Yourself, Lord! You have most blessedly given Yourself to me. But I find sweet liberty to entreat more unfolding, revealing, and opening of Your glorious person, amazing work, and matchless love, than I have yet had; and more losing and treading down of SELF, too that I may be lost in Your fullness, and forgotten and forsaken in Your soul-absorbing glories. Oh! raise me higher, draw me nearer, that I may daily die, and You live in me more manifestly. I just give myself to You, to live on You, to live in You, to live for You, more and more than heretofore, and that by the power of the Spirit resting on me. I humbly ask that mine may be a large and still-increasing portion; that, under fresh anointings, You, most lovely Jesus, may be more fully known, more loved, more served; for it is to You the Holy Spirit leads, of You He testifies.

Oh, do make this a large, rich, full year! You being increasingly honored in me, and I increasingly lost in You, and made an increasing blessing to Your dear people. An Ebenezer for past mercies befits me; large and magnificent have been Your bestowments; bountiful and constant Your favors to me a poor worthless nothing! “Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me what we human creatures will do to occupy our minds; or rather to disengage our minds from the truly worthy in order to mindlessly stagnate on the trivial. There is so much to divert our thinking from what is eternally important, what is THE GREATEST ENDEAVOR of life. In our pursuit of materialism, comforts, entertainment and fame we are kept from that which we were created for; beings that were purposefully made by God and in the image of God. What is that highest and only really satisfying purpose for all humans? To know Him, glorify Him and enjoy Him forever; truly THE GREATEST ENDEAVOR of life!  

 

C. H Spurgeon, January 7, 1855

 

“It has been said by someone that ‘the proper study of mankind is man.’ I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.

There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, “Behold I am wise.” But when we come to this master science, finding that our plumbline cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass’s colt; and with solemn exclamation, “I am but of yesterday, and know nothing.” No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God….

But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe…. The most excellent study for expanding the soul is the science of Christ, and Him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity.

And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead’s deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead. It is to that subject that I invite you this morning.”

These words, spoken over a century ago by C. H. Spurgeon (at that time, incredibly, only twenty years old) were true then, and they are true now. They make a fitting preface to The Greatest Endeavor for ones life. Taken from the book, Knowing God, by J. I. Packer. A book well worth giving up your favorite T.V. show for a month or two in order to read and meditate on God.

 

 

PERPLEXITY

 

James Smith, 1865

 

“What shall I say?” Isaiah 38:15

Such an exclamation escaped from the lips of Joshua, and it was the language of bitter disappointment, “O Lord, what shall I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?” Joshua 7:8. The same words were uttered by our adorable Lord when His soul was overwhelmed with grief, in the prospect of His agonies and bloody sweat, His cross and sacrificial death: “Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say?” John 12:27. Here it is the language of one who was filled with perplexity by the dispensations of Divine Providence. His soul was oppressed, his spirit mourned, and he compared his prayers to the chattering of a crane or a swallow.

Beloved, such is the case with us sometimes; our circumstances are so painful, so different from what we anticipated, that in bewilderment we exclaim, “What shall I say?”
 

First, we must say that God’s dealings are very mysterious. ”For My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways, My ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth — so are Myways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts!” Isaiah 55:8-9. His way is in the sea, and His path in the mighty waters, and His footsteps are not known. We looked for light — but behold darkness. We expected success — but we meet with failure. We anticipated prosperity — but we are plunged in adversity. Our purposes are broken off. Our plans are frustrated. Our skiesare clothed with clouds. We are forced to say, ”Truly, You are a God who hides Yourself!”
 

“What shall I say?”

Secondly, we must say that the words of Jesus are still true: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” He foresaw it. He appointed it. He foretold it. But we were very hesitant to believe it. However it may be with others — we did hope that it would be different with us. Or, we hope that past trials would suffice, and that we should be exempted in future. But, no, almost every day brings some new trial, some fresh trouble, some unexpected cross! O Savior, Your words are indeed true! It is “through much tribulation that we must enter into the kingdom of God.”
 

“What shall I say?”

Thirdly, we must say that some of God’s promises require strong faith to believe them. He has assured us that He will rejoice over us to do us good; that He will hear our prayers, and listen to our cries; that all things shall work together for our good. But where are the answers to our prayers now? How can these losses, crosses, difficulties, dangers, and disappointments — do us good? Where is His love, His zeal for my welfare, His tender mercy now? Is He still the same? Is He yet in one mind? Must I believe that this is the very best thing that could happen to me? Yes, His promises and His covenant relations require it. But, oh, how difficult! What strong faith it requires; and mine, oh, how weak! 

“What shall I say?”

Fourthly, we must say that God will do just as He pleases with His own children. He has the right, and He will exercise it. He will cross our wills, hedge up our paths, cut off our expectations, and give us wormwood and gall to drink.

And why? Because He loves to cause us pain — or takes pleasure in our sighs and sorrows? No! Oh, no! But because He consults our welfare. Because He is wiser than we are. Why am I poor — and my brother rich? Why am I sick — and my sister healthy? Why are my efforts crossed — and my neighbor’s crowned with success? Our Father refuses to answer such questions! He asks, “May I not do as I will with My own?” He kindly quiets us by the assurance, “You don’t understand now what I am doing — but someday you will.” Well did the patriarch exclaim, “He gives no account of any of His matters.”

Our Father wisely appoints the circumstances and lot of every one of His children. He has mapped out the path in which they are to travel. He has appointed their bounds, which they cannot pass. Then with Job we say, “He is in one mind, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me, and He has many more things like these in mind.” This is often deeply trying; but “what shall I say?” 

“What shall I say?”

Fifthly, we must say that the trial of faith is often very severe, exceedingly painful. Gold is the finest of metals, and is tried more than any other; but the trial of our faith is much more severe, thorough, and precious than gold. Never did the Holy Spirit work faith in a sinner’s heart — but the providence of God tried it. And when it is passing through the fire to be separated from all carnal, sensual dross — how exceedingly small it sometimes appears! Yes, sometimes when we seek it, it cannot be found. The fire causes the dross to rise to the top, and all we can see is fear, doubt, unbelief, self-pity, complaining, perplexity, envy, fretfulness, vexation, and pride!

We look for our faith, which before the trial appeared so healthy and so strong — but where is it?Untried faith is uncertain faith at best. Providence prepares the furnace, lights the fire, lays on the fuel — and our poor faith must pass through the ordeal. How difficult to say sometimes, “Though He slays me, yet will I trust in Him!” How difficult to believe that this rough road is the right road, which leads to the celestial city. But tried faith will be found unto honor, and glory, and praise at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Still, while the smoke of the furnace obscures our prospects, and theflames curl around our souls, we are often led to cry out, “What shall I say?” 

“What shall I say?”

Sixthly, we must say that patience and perseverance are required under our trials. We must not murmur, we must not complain — but patiently follow wherever the Lord leads, and quietly bear whatever the Lord lays on us. He will not lay on us more than we are able to bear; but with every temptation He will make a way for our escape, that we may be able to bear it. Patience must calm the spirit, quiet the heart, and close the mouth. Then shall we say with the Psalmist, “I was silent, I opened not my mouth, because You are the One who has done this!” Had it been man — it might have been wrong. Had it been chance — it might have been injurious. But it was You — and, therefore, it must be wise, holy, and kind.

We are required quietly to persevere, to go on, though the way is rugged, though the thorns pierce our feet, though we cannot see one step before us. We must walk by faith, not by sight, believing that we are safe — in the midst of danger; that we are right — though everything is perplexing; and that all will end well — for “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28. Still, though we try to exercise patience, and slowly press forward in the trying path, we shall be prompted at times to exclaim, ”What shall I say?”

“What shall I say?”

Seventhly, we must say that when Satan hinders us, none but God can effectually help us; therefore, we must look to Him. Satan is our sworn foe, our fierce and watchful enemy. If he cannot drive us back, he will try to hinder us, and make our work and our way bitter to our souls. His opposition is no child’s play. He is no feeble foe, or inexperienced opponent. He hindered Paul — and he has hindered us. He will always try to hinder us, either by lulling us asleep, attracting us from the right road, or blocking up our path with difficulties and temptations. With such a foe — so crafty, so cruel, so diligent, so determined — what can we do?

Do? Say with poor, tried and troubled Micah, “As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me!”

O Satan, you are a cursed and cruel foe; but your day is coming, and soon shall I place my foot on your accursed head; and in the faith of this I can now say, “Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” Still, Satanic influence, and Satanic hindrances, do often make us sigh out, “What shall I say?”

“What shall I say?”

Finally, we must say that however rough the road — the end will more than make up for its toils and trials, for the end shall be glorious. Yes, my soul, “there is an end, and your expectation shall not be cut off.” “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” I may now be in darkness — I may now be misrepresented — I may now foolishly question even God’s faithfulness; but “I will commit my way unto the Lord; I will trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass; for He shall bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness.”

I will say then, that God is faithful, that His Word is true, that His promises are sure, that His waysare right, and that His perfections shall be glorified, by-and-bye — by His dealings with me now. I will say, I have an Advocate above, Jesus Christ the righteous One — I have a staff on which I can lean, a hope that will not make me ashamed, a faith that will not fail, and a prospect, notwithstanding all, of a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for me, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay!

I will say, that I believe that I shall overcome, and be more than a conqueror over every foe — through Him which has loved me, and given Himself for me! Blessed be His holy name, for wisdomto guide, and grace to help me in all the past; I will now endeavor to confide in Him, and trust Him for all that is to come.

Why Does He Love Me?
(James Smith, “Loved and Blessed” 1860)

 

To love, and be loved is real happiness. Our highest honor, and our sweetest happiness below is to be beloved of God. For if God loves us then He will withhold no truly good thing from us.

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely for My anger has turned away from them!” Hosea 14:4

 

What will God do for His people? He will love them freely!

He will prefer you to all others setting His eye and His heart upon you.

He will take you into fellowship the nearest, dearest, sweetest fellowship with Himself.

He will make you happy with the persuasion of the facts . . .

that He has loved you with an everlasting love,

that He delights in His love to you, and

that He will forever love you freely!

 

O blessed state that the great, the infinite, the holy Lord God, will love a worm like me . . .

preferring me even to the angels;

indulging me with the freest, sweetest fellowship with Himself;

and sweetly persuading my soul of His eternal love to me!

 

Why does He love me? Just because He will. The cause, the reason is to be found in His loving heart, and sovereign will alone. Not because I am good, or amiable, or can repay His love for He loves freely, and fixes His love on the most unlikely and unworthy objects!

How precious the Lord’s people are to Him!

Notwithstanding all their unworthiness and sinfulness.

Notwithstanding all their departures from Him, and unkindness to Him.

There is nothing on earth, or in heaven, except His only begotten Son that is as precious to the heart of God, as His people are!

God’s love is always free and unchangeable. Everything outside of God will change, but His love is immutable!

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you!” Jeremiah 31:3

 

Lord, help me to believe the love which You have for me and to love You in return! O shed abroad Your sweet love in my heart, and fill that heart with glowing love to You!

A Curious Meditation

by James Smith, 1855

(Editor’s note: We are posting this complete article, because it is one of the most interesting and practical articles which we have read. If perused s-l-o-w-l-y, you will find it to be most helpful for your daily walk with God.)

As I was walking out for exercise in the fields one morning, having been pleading with God to give me some profitable subject for meditation I suddenly fell into this train of thought, which I afterwards wrote down; and, as it may interest and profit some, it is here inserted.

There are three things which I especially desire:

more communion with God,

more likeness to the Lord Jesus, and

more usefulness to his Church.

 

There are three things which I deprecate:

the withering of my gifts,

the decay of my graces, and

to become useless in the Lord’s vineyard.

 

There are three things which I dread:

that I should become a proud professor,

that I should become a lukewarm Christian, and

that I should fall into the hands of man.

 

There are three things which I sometimes wish for (but which God will never grant me on earth):

to be totally free from sin,

to be delivered from a daily cross,

and to be always happy.

 

There are three things which I feel sure of:

hatred by the world,

opposition by hypocrites, and

love by spiritual believers.

 

There are three foes which always oppose me:

the world,

the flesh, and

the devil.

 

There are three friends which will always stand by me:

a peaceful conscience,

the bride of Jesus, and

the Lamb of God.

 

There are three deaths which have been experienced by me:

a death in sin,

a death to sin,

a death to the law of God.

 

There are three lives which shall be lived by me:

a temporal life,

a spiritual life, and

an eternal life.

 

There are three things which burden me:

a body of sin and death,

the opposition I meet with, and

my own ingratitude.

 

There are three things which support me:

the Father’s love,

the Son’s redemption, and

the Spirit’s work.

 

There are three things which are a sore trial to me:

an irritable temper,

a flippant tongue, and

self-love.

 

There are three things which bring strong consolation to me:

the open fountain of Christ blood,

the promises of God, and

the Savior’s free invitation.

 

There are three things which are especially dear to me:

the Word of God,

the throne of grace, and

the ordinances of the Lord’s house.

 

There are three things lacking in me:

perfect penitence,

entire resignation, and

fervent love.

 

There are three books which are very useful to me:

the book of nature,

the book of Holy Scriptures, and

the book of my own experience.

 

There are three teachers which are employed to instruct me:

the Holy Spirit,

a special providence, and

the rod of God.

 

There are three things which are manifested in me:

the nature of sin,

the power of grace, and

the faithfulness of God.

 

There are three things which would be greatly useful to me:

more humility,

spiritual wisdom, and

enlightened zeal.

 

There are three things which characterize me:

weakness,

poverty, and

sinfulness.

 

Yet, there are three things which may be seen in me:

Christ’s strength,

God’s grace, and

the Spirit’s holiness.

 

There are three things which are feared by me:

a stiff neck,

a hard heart, and

a presumptuous spirit.

 

There are three things which are matter of joy to me:

the conversion of sinners,

that my name is written in heaven, and

the glory to be given me at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

 

There are three things which must be renounced by me:

preconceived opinions,

worldly wisdom, and

natural religion.

 

There are three things which must be held fast by me:

the Word of truth,

my confidence in God, and

my profession of the gospel.

 

There are three things which are especially required of me:

to do justly,

to love mercy, and

to walk humbly with my God.

 

There are three things which are promised to me:

tribulation in the world,

sufficient strength in Jesus, and

eternal life at the end of my course.

 

There are three things which the Lord observes and approves in me:

the work of faith,

the labor of love, and

the patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

There is a threefold deliverance which is effected for me:

from the dominion of sin,

from the present evil world, and

from my deserved doom.

 

There are three things which I would trample under foot:

unfounded prejudice,

vain distinctions, and

self-righteousness.

 

There are three things which I would aim at daily:

to exalt Christ,

to glorify God, and

to bring sinners to repentance.

 

There are three things which are still sure to me:

a rough road,

changing experiences, and

safety at last.

 

There are three things which are behind me:

a wicked life,

a broken law, and

the pit of destruction.

 

There are three things which are before me:

death,

perfect conformity to Jesus, and

eternal glory.

 

There are three things which are on my right hand:

Satan to resist me,

the Lord Jesus to save me, and

my own heart set on things above.

 

There are three things which are on my left hand:

the lust of the flesh,

the lust of the eye, and

the pride of life.

 

There are three things which I greatly admire:

the Savior’s person,

the promises of God, and

the instruments he employs in carrying on his work.

 

There are three things which much please me:

the doctrines of the gospel,

the witness of the Spirit, and

the light of God’s countenance.

 

There are three things which I delight in:

that Jehovah is my God,

the comfort he imparts to me, and

the riches of glory which are set before me.

 

There are three things which I hate:

the cant of hypocrites,

the flattery of friends, and

the pride of professors.

 

There are three things which are good for me:

to draw near to God,

to be afflicted, and

to sing praises unto the Lord.

 

There are three things which often disgust me:

Satan’s temptations,

the powerful working of unbelief, and

the conduct of religious professors.

 

There are three things which are prescribed to me:

to believe in God,

to love the saints, and

to observe the Lord’s ordinances.

 

There are three things which are too often neglected by me:

self-examination,

diligent reading of the Bible, and

secret prayer.

 

There are three things which are too deep for me to fully know:

the depravity of my heart,

the devices of Satan, and

the manner of the Spirit’s working.

 

There are three things which I wish to leave with the Lord:

to choose my lot in life,

to fight my battles, and

to supply all my needs.

 

There are three things which I do not consider worth having:

a form of godliness, without the power,

a name to live, while dead, and

the commendation of the enemies of Christ.

 

There are three things in which I glory:

the cross of Christ,

my saving knowledge of God, and

the everlasting gospel.

 

There are three things which have been taken from me:

proud free will,

vain boasting, and

enmity to God.

 

There are three things which abide with me:

faith,

hope, and

charity.

 

I am made up of three men:

corruption, the old man,

grace, the new man, and

the body, the outward man.

 

I fill a threefold office:

a prophet in the Church of Christ,

a priest before the altar, and

a king anointed to reign with Christ.

 

I wear a threefold garment:

the righteousness of the Lord Jesus,

the graces of the Holy Spirit, and

the garment of humility.

 

I have been condemned in three courts and yet justified in them all:

the court of conscience,

the Church of God, and

the court of God’s justice.

 

I have been justified three times:

at the resurrection of Christ my substitute,

when faith received his righteousness, and

when good works justified my faith before the world.

 

I am the subject of a threefold sanctification:

by the purpose of the Father,

by the blood of the Son, and

by the cleansing operations of the Holy Spirit.

 

I am a free man of three cities:

the present world,

the church below, and

the Jerusalem which is above.

 

I have been an eye-sore to three parties:

the devil,

the world, and

envious professors.

 

I shall have occupied three peculiar seats:

a dunghill by nature,

among the princes in the Church by grace, and

the throne of glory by special privilege.

 

I shall have three grand holidays:

one when the Holy Spirit sets my soul at liberty,

another when death sets me free from this mortal clay, and

and another when Jesus comes to be glorified in his saints.

 

I shall then have appeared in three different characters:

a vile rebel against God,

a supplicating sinner at mercy’s footstool, and

a justified son of God before his throne.

 

I shall have had three fathers:

a human father,

the devil, and

Jehovah himself.

 

I shall have received three laws:

the law of nature,

the moral law of God, and

the law of the Spirit of life.

 

I shall have passed through three gates:

the gate of hope,

the gate into Christ’s sheepfold, and

the gate of death.

 

I shall have walked in three ways:

the broad road of destruction,

the highway of holiness, and

Jesus Christ the only way to the Father.

 

I shall have conversed with three distinct classes of beings:

carnal men,

spiritual Christians, and

the Lord himself.

 

I shall have made three appearances:

once all black like the devil,

then speckled with nature and grace, and

then all pure whiter than the driven snow!

 

I shall have undergone three momentous changes:

one at regeneration when I passed from death unto life,

one at death when my soul shall be admitted into Heaven, and

one at the resurrection when my body shall be raised powerful, glorious, and immortal.

 

I view three things as pre-eminently excellent:

the fear of the Lord,

a sound judgment, and

Christ formed in the heart, as the hope of glory.

 

There are three things which I may covet:

the best gifts,

a contrite and humble spirit, and

to be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

There are three things which are removed from me:

the burden of sin,

the wrath of God, and

all condemnation.

 

There are three things which I do not know:

what is before me,

how God will provide for me, and

what I shall be.

 

There are three things which I do know:

that in my flesh dwells no good,

that though I was once blind, now I see, and

that I must needs die.

 

There are three things which are prepared for me:

a fountain to cleanse me,

a robe to adorn me, and

a mansion to receive me.

 

There are three things which await me:

a crown of righteousness,

a palm of victory, and

a throne of glory.

 

There are three things which shall be done for me:

God shall wipe away all tears from my eyes,

God shall remove all cause of pain and sorrow from my nature, and

the Lamb in the midst of the throne shall eternally satisfy me.

 

There are three things which shall never be known by me:

the frown of divine justice,

the curse of holy Jehovah, and

the power of God’s anger.

 

There are three things which are hurtful to me:

carnal ease,

the flattery of professors, and

fullness of bread.

 

There are three things which benefit me:

temptation,

affliction, and

opposition.

 

There are three things which are pursued by me:

to know more of the Lord,

to live in peace with all men, and

thorough sanctification.

 

Satan tries to thwart me in three things:

by spoiling my comforts,

hindering my usefulness, and

seeking to devour my soul.

 

Satan has three things to expect:

to be disappointed of his prey,

to be judged by the saints, and

to be eternally punished for his wickedness.

 

There are three things which I would never trust:

my own heart,

an arm of flesh, and

my treacherous memory.

 

There are three subjects which I should never meddle with:

the fall of the angels,

the origin of moral evil, and

how God will justify himself.

 

There are three things which I cannot understand:

the nature of God,

the cause of my election, and

how divinity and humanity constitute one person.

 

There are three things which I should often think of:

what I have been,

what I now am, and

what I shall be.

 

A threefold freedom is granted me:

from the law of God,

from the reign of sin, and

to make use of, and enjoy the Lord Jesus.

 

I am an heir of three worlds:

the natural,

the spiritual, and

the eternal.

 

There are three things which will never grieve me:

that I have been poor in this world,

that I have preached the gospel fully, and

that I am related to Jesus Christ.

 

There are three things which comprise all I wish:

to know God, and glorify him,

to see Jesus, and be like him; and

to be united to the saints, and be eternally happy.

 

There are three things which shall never be heard by me:

Christ reproaching me,

God disowning me, and

the devils triumphing in my everlasting destruction.

 

There are three things which shall be eternally enjoyed by me:

the love of God,

the presence of Jesus, and

the company of the saints.

 

There are three things which will eternally delight me:

to be filled with holiness,

to be employed in praising Jehovah, and

to have gained a complete victory over all my foes.

 

There are three things which must come down:

the pride of men,

the devil’s kingdom, and

the cause of error.

 

There are three things which will stand:

the house built on the Rock,

the purpose of God, and

the Messiah’s kingdom.

 

There are three things which cannot be removed:

the church of God,

the covenant of grace, and

the kingdom we receive.

 

There are three things which will stand the fiery trial:

genuine faith,

the Word of God, and

a real Christian.

 

Lost sinners are like Satan in three things:

their nature,

their employment, and

their end.

 

Three things make Hell:

the wrath of God,

the stings of a guilty conscience, and

black despair.

 

Three things prove a man a Christian:

worshiping God in the spirit,

rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and

having no confidence in the flesh.

 

Three things are never satisfied:

a doubting Christian,

a worldly miser, and

the man of pleasure.

 

Christ fills three offices:

a prophet, for the ignorant,

a priest, for the guilty, and

a king for the depraved.

 

Christ has been in three states:

ancient glory,

deep humiliation, and

merited dignity.

 

What more shall I say!

If you, reader, are a sincere Christian do three things daily:

search God’s Word,

be much at God’s throne, and

be diligent in God’s work.

 

If you are an unconverted sinner do three things immediately:

believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,

repent of every sin you have committed,

seek the witness and pledge of the Holy Spirit in your heart, so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

The Garment The Savior Always Wore!

(James Smith, “Christ Exalted, Saints Comforted, and Sinners Directed” 1855)

 

HUMILITY is a most precious grace it is filled with beauty, loveliness, and glory. This is the garment which the Savior always wore. This is the grace which gave such a charm to all that He did and said. It is one of our best garments, and without it the soul is generally naked. “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.” 1 Peter 5:5.

 

For lack of humility the Church is rent and torn with divisions.

For lack of humility believers bring many trials and crosses on themselves, and sow the bitter seeds of trouble and remorse.

If I were truly humble, I must be happy, for it is with such Jehovah dwells: “For this is what the high and lofty One says He who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and humble in spirit.” Isaiah 57:15.

To such He looks with esteem, love, and delight: “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My Word.” Isaiah 66:2.

“I hate pride and arrogance!” Proverbs 8:13.

Pride is . . .

most loathsome to God,

injurious to men, and

a stronghold of Satan within us.

 

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble!” James 4:6.

He keeps the proud at a distance, and will not allow them to approach him: “Though the Lord is great, He cares for the humble, but He keeps His distance from the proud!” Psalm 138:6.

He threatens them with everlasting destruction. “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished!” Proverbs 16:5

Lord, give me true humility, and let me be clothed with it from day to day!

Beware of a half-hearted religion…beware of following Christ to please relations and friends, to appear respectable & have the reputation of being religious.  Follow Christ for His own sake, if you follow Him at all.  Be thorough, be real, be honest, be wholehearted.  If you have any religion at all, let your religion be real. 

(J.C. Ryle, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots.)