From “Days of Heaven on Earth” by A. B. Simpson

“Therefore, choose” (Deu_30:19)

Men are choosing every day the spiritual or earthly. And as we choose we are taking our place unconsciously with the friends of Christ, or the world. It is not merely what ye say, it is what we prefer.

When Solomon made his great choice at Gibeon, God said to him, “Because this was in thine heart to ask wisdom, therefore will I give it unto thee, and all else besides that thou didst not choose.” It was not merely that he said it because it was right to say, and would please God if he said it. But it was the thing his heart preferred, and God saw it in his heart and gave it to him with all besides that he had not chosen. What are we choosing, beloved? It is our choice that settles our destiny. It is not how we feel, but how we purpose. Have we chosen the good part? Have we said, “Whatever else I am or have, let me be God’s child, let me have His favor and blessing, let me please Him?” Or have we said, “I must have this thing, and then I will see about religion.” Alas, God has seen what was in thine heart, and perhaps He has already said, “They have their reward.”

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From “The Word For You Today” by Bruce Christian, “Doing God’s Will”

     Remember it’s not you doing it, but God doing it through you.  It’s about being willing.  Please check out the new poll in the sidebar and vote, and leave a comment if you want.

 

Doing God’s Will

 

     Often when we’re starting out, we dream of doing earth-changing things and the thought of tackling them intimidates us.  That is yet another reason to start small.  Don’t try to help everyone, just try to help someone!  Do that, and in time you may find yourself living what St. Francis of Assisi described when he said, “Start doing what is necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly, you are doing the impossible.”  Even if you never get to do big things, you can find great fulfillment in doing right things.  Every act of kindness, no matter how small, is worth doing.
     One leader writes, “”Little did I realize when I started with a desire to add significance to others, that it would add significance to me!  Now I understand.  We should not receive anything without giving, and we cannot give anything without receiving.”  The truth is your dream isn’t worthy of your life if it doesn’t bless others.  President Woodrow Wilson stated, “You are not here merely to make a living.  You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement.  You are here to enrich the world, and you improverish yourself if you forget the errand.”  There’s an old Middle Eastern blessing that says, “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.  May you live your life so that when you die, the world will cry and you will rejoice.”  And that will surely happen if you live by the scriptural truth, “I desire to do your will, O my God.”

From “The Word For You Today” by Bruce Christian, “Maximize This Day”

     I discovered this author quite by accident, but know that it really was no accident.  Sometimes we need a little reminder.  I did.  Perhaps you do too. 

 MAXIMIZE THIS DAY 

    God determines the number of your days, but you determine how they are spent.  The Psalmist said “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow is a promissory note, today is all you’ve got.  And you can begin your life over today, if you live by these words: “Today I will delete from my diary two days-yesterday and tomorrow.  Yesterday was for learning; tomorrow will be a consequence of what I do today.  Today I will face life with the conviction that this day will never return, that it may be the last opportunity I’ll have to contribute because there’s no guarantee I’ll see tomorrow.  Today I will be courageous enough not to let opportunity pass me by; my only alternative will be to succeed.  Today I will invest my most valuable resource; my time, into my most important possession the life God has given me.  I’ll spend each minute purposefully, making today a unique opportunity.  I’ll tackle each obstacle knowing that with God’s help I can overcome it.  Today I will resist doubt and pessimism and warm my world with a smile.  I’ll maintain a strong faith, expect nothing but the best, take time to be happy, see every task as an opportunity to honor the Lord, and endeavor to leave His footprints on the hearts of those I meet.”  John Boykin wrote, “Time is your life-nothing more, nothing less.  The way you spend your hours and your days, is the way you spend your life.”  So pray, “Lord, help me to maximize this day.”

From “Light and Truth: Bible Thoughts and Themes” by Horatious Bonar

     Sometimes, I think we forget or fail to realize who God is, and just how great He is, and therein, I think, lies the root of the biggest and greatest problems we have both as a country and as human beings.  In many ways I think people tend to make God less so that that they can be less, and do more of what they want to do.  You don’t have to answer to a God or pay much attention to one who is like you and does and feels the same way as you.  How wrong we are to think that God is anything like us in any way, or that we won’t have to some day give an account of our lives.  God is in indeed great.   Let Bonar’s words remind you. 

Jehovah’s Greatness. 

“Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet.”- Act_7:48. 

“Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord: do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.”- Jer_23:23-24.

It is of the greatness of Jehovah that these words speak. It is with a great God that we have to do; as great as He is loving, and wise, and true, and holy. “Ascribe ye greatness to our God.” Creation says that God is great; sun, moon, and stars; sea and mountains; storms and earthquakes. The Law says God is great. Heaven says God is great. Hell says God is great. The Cross says God is great. The Gospel says God is great. There is nothing little about Him-His works, His words, His ways, His judgments, His mercies. All are on a mighty scale. He is a great God.

I. He is all-present. He is here, He is yonder; as much yonder as here; on the sea and the dry land; at home and abroad, the same Jehovah everywhere. We are as near Him in the road, in the market, in the shop, in the fields, in the railway carriage, in the ship, as in the closet and the church. He is omnipresent-present everywhere; present Himself truly; not representatively, but really and personally; as much in the desert as in Canaan; as much in India as in Britain. It is with an all-present God that we have to do. In Him we live and move.

II. He is all-seeing. His eye is everywhere; at all times; in all regions and places. As really as every man sees and knows himself, so really does God see and know every man. He sees into the darkest chamber, the deepest dungeon, the most secret cave; on the sea or under the sea, on the mountains or under them, is the same to that eye which is as a damning fire. Who can hide from Him?

III. He is all-filling. It is not merely that He is everywhere, and sees everything; but He fills everything, every place, heaven and earth; more fully and powerfully than light or air He fills everything. Where can we find an empty spot, a void in the universe, a place that is not filled with God? They may be empty of everything else, but they are full of Him. He is the fullness that filleth all in all.

(1.) Let us be reverent and solemn. Levity and folly cannot dwell in His presence, reverence and godly fear are what He expects. Bow reverently before Him, and speak reverently of Him; worship Him. “The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”

(2.) Let us be humble. He is not our equal, but infinitely far above us. It becomes us to lie low. We are creatures, we are sinners; let us lie lowly. Abjure high thoughts of self. Learn our poverty and helplessness.

(3.) Let us lean on Him. He is so near, so very near; near in all His power, and greatness, and love. Let us rest on Him. His arm is ever stretched out for us to lean upon, for support, for defense, for rest. The greater He is, the more suited to be the prop of such feeble sinners. His strength suits our weakness.

(4.) Let us beware of insincerity in dealing with Him. He sees and fills everything. All things are naked and open in the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. He sees us through and through; searches us. We cannot impose on Him. Of what use is an insincere religion, a hollow profession, lip worship, with Him? What mockery is there in all such hypocrisy! Were God not so great, we might indulge in dishonest service, eye-service; but with so great a God, we must be sincere. A heathen may be a hypocrite, for his god cannot search him; but our God sees us through. Let us be sincere before Him.

(5.) Let us beware of superficial religion. A man may be superficial even when not insincere. But with a God like this, how deep, how real, should our religion be! Let our faith, our repentance, our love, be deep: let them go down to the very depths of our inner man. Let us not be deceived. God is not mocked.

(6.) Let the wicked tremble. With what a great and terrible God they have to do! This God is their Judge; He will one day arrest them; one day take vengeance on them. He is infinitely great-all-present, all-seeing, all-filling. What a God is this! Shall we not fear before Him? Shall we not tremble at the thought of being unreconciled? With such a God for our enemy, what hope have we of safety? He is a God of love, yet no less of holiness and judgment.

　

　

 

Taken From C.H. Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook”

     If we could only realize how fortunate we are to live under the grace of God through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and what a gift we have in prayer, that we have the right and the privilege to come before our Father and petition Him on the behalf of those we love and care about, and for a world gone mad.  Praise Him for loving and shielding us each an every day.

October 26

“Because of Us ”

Mat_24:22

For the sake of His elect the LORD withholds many judgments and shortens others. In great tribulations the fire would devour all were it not that Out of regard to His elect the LORD damps the flame. Thus, while He saves His elect for the sake of Jesus, He also preserves the race for the sake of His chosen.

What an honor is thus put upon saints! How diligently they ought to use their influence with their LORD! He will hear their prayers for sinners and bless their efforts for their salvation. He blesses believers that they may be a blessing to those who are in unbelief. Many a sinner lives because of the prayers of a mother, or wife, or daughter to whom the LORD has respect.

Have we used aright the singular power with which the LORD entrusts us? Do we pray for our country, for other lands, and for the age? Do we, in times of war, famine, pestilence, stand out as intercessors, pleading that the days may be shortened? Do we lament before God the outbursts of infidelity, error, and licentiousness? Do we beseech our LORD Jesus to shorten the reign of sin by hastening His own glorious appearing? Let us get to our knees and never rest till Christ appeareth.

Taken from F.B. Meyer’s “True Vine.”

     You know I’m very blessed.  I seldom have bad days.  I think the reason I have so many good days is because I always try to spend them with my Lord.  You know when you’re loved, and know it, it’s very easy to love others.  May you find this devotion as much of a blessing as I have . . . .    

October 25

　

” This is My Commandment, That Ye Love One Another, Even as I Have Loved You ”

–

Joh_15:12

 

This is the second time our Lord uses the expression—Even as I. The first time it was of His relation to the Father, keeping His commandments, and abiding in His love. Even so we are to keep Christ’s commandments, and abide in His love. The second time He speaks of His relation to us as the rule of our love to our brethren: “Love one another, as I have loved you.” In each case His disposition and conduct is to be the law for ours. It is again the truth we have more than once insisted on—perfect likeness between the Vine and the branch.

Even as I

—But is it not a vain thing to imagine that we can keep His commandments, and love the brethren, even as He kept His Father’s, and as He loved us? And must not the attempt end in failure and discouragement? Undoubtedly, if we seek to carry out the injunction in our strength, or without a full apprehension of the truth of the Vine and its branches. But if we understand that the “even as I” is just the one great lesson of the parable, the one continual language of the Vine to the branch, we shall see that it is not the question of what we feel able to accomplish, but of what Christ is able to work in us. These high and holy commands—”Obey, even as I! Love, even as I”—are just meant to bring us to the consciousness of our impotence, and through that to waken us to the need and the beauty and the sufficiency of what is provided for us in the Vine. We shall begin to hear the Vine speaking every moment to the branch: “Even as I. Even as I: My life is your life; and have a share in all My fullness; the Spirit in you, and the fruit that comes from you, is all just the same as in Me. Be not afraid, but let your faith grasp each “Even as I” as the divine assurance that because I live in you, you may and can live like Me.”

But why, if this really be the meaning of the parable, if this really be the life a branch may live,who do so few realize it? Because they do not know the heavenly mystery of the Vine. They know much of the parable and its beautiful lessons. But the hidden spiritual mystery of the Vine in His divine omnipotence and nearness, bearing and supplying them all the day—this they do not know, because they have not waited on God’s Spirit to reveal it to them.

Love one another, even as I have loved you

—”Ye, even as I.” How are we to begin if we are really to learn the mystery? With the confession that we need to be brought to an entirely new mode of life, because we have never yet known Christ as the Vine in the completeness of His quickening and transforming power. With the surrender to be cleansed from all that is of self, and detached from all that is in the world, to live only and wholly as Christ lived for the glory of the Father. And then with the faith that this “even as I” is in very deed what Christ is ready to make true, the very life the Vine will maintain in the branch wholly dependent upon Him.

Even as I

. Ever again it is, my blessed Lord, as the Vine, so the branch—one life, one spirit, one obedience, one joy, one love.

Lord Jesus, in the faith that Thou art my Vine, and that I am Thy branch, I accept Thy command as a promise, and take Thy “even as I” as the simple revelation of what Thou dost work in me. Yea, Lord, as Thou hast loved, I will love.