Jehovah Incomparable # 2 (and others)
He kindly visits them, as though they had never carried themselves unkindly toward Him; and constantly blesses them with spiritual, holy, and eternal blessings. He clothes them with the garments of His righteousness, beautifies them with the graces of His Spirit, comforts them with the promises of His love, acknowledges them at His throne of grace when they call upon His name, defends them against their cruel and malicious foes, tenderly expostulates with them when they wander from Him, mercifully warns them to cleave close to Himself, wisely corrects them when they wickedly stray, and will crown them with glory at the end of their race!
And what returns does He frequently get for His kindness and love? Alas! alas! Too often, ingratitude, rebellion, hardness of heart, alienation of affection, forgetfulness of His mercies, and following after other lovers rather than Himself!
"O Lord, there is none like You!"
Lord, one thing I want - more holiness grant,
For more of Your mind and Your image I pant;
While onward I move, to Canaan above,
Come fill me with holiness, fill me with love.
Oh give me to know more of You below;
Thus fit me for Heaven, and glory bestow;
My harp shall be tuned, the Lamb shall be crowned
Salvation to Jesus! through Heaven shall resound!
~James Smith~
(The End)
____________________
Sin's Presence
There are two sides to a Christian's life: a light side - and a dark side; an elevating side - and a depressing one. His experience is neither all joy - nor all grief; but a combining of both. It was so with the apostle Paul: "As sorrowful - yet always rejoicing" (2 Cor. 6:10). When a person is regenerated, he is not there and then taken to heaven - but he is given both a pledge and a foretaste of it. Nor is sin then eradicated from his being, though its dominion over him is broken. It is indwelling corruption which casts its dark shadow over his joy!
The varied experiences of the believer are occasioned by Christ's presence - and sin's presence. If, on the one hand, it be blessedly true that Christ is with him all the days, even unto the end; on the other hand, it is solemnly true that sin indwells him all his days, even unto the end of his earthly history! Said Paul, "evil is present with me"; and that, not only occasionally - but sin "dwells in me" (Romans 7:20-21). Thus, as God's people feed upon the Lamb, it is "with bitter herbs they shall eat it" (Exodus 12:8).
The Christian's consciousness of indwelling sin, his mourning over its defiling influence, his sincere efforts to strive against its solicitations, his penitent confessions to God of his failure to master this inveterate foe - are among the unmistakable evidences that he is a regenerate person. For certain it is, that none who id dead in trespasses and sins realizes there is a sea of iniquity within his heart, defiling his very thoughts and imagination; still less does he make conscience of the same and lament it.
Let the believer recall his own case: in the days of his unregeneracy, he was not cast down by what now distresses! We are bidden to "remember" what we were "in time past", and then contrast the "But now" (Eph. 2:11-13), that we may be shamed over the former - and rejoice and give thanks for the latter.
It is cause for fervent praise if your eyes have been opened to see "the sinfulness of sin," and your heart to feel its obnoxiousness. Since it was not always thus, a great change has taken place - you have been made the subject of a miracle of grace. But the continuance of indwelling sin presents a sore and perplexing problem to the Christian. That nothing is too hard for the Lord - he is full assured. Why then is evil allowed to remain present with him? Why is he not rid of this hideous thing - which he so much loathes and hates? Why should this horrible depravity be allowed to disturb his peace and mar his joy? Why does not the God of all grace rid him of this harassing tyrant?
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Simplicity In Preaching # 1
Simplicity In Preaching # 1
King Solomon says, in the book of Ecclesiastes, "Of making many books there is no end." (12:12). There are few subjects about which that saying is more true than that of preaching. The volumes which have been written in order to show ministers how to preach are enough to make a small library. In sending forth one more little treatise, I only propose to touch one branch of the subject. I do not pretend to consider what should be the substance and matter of a sermon. I purposely leave alone such points as "gravity, unction, liveliness, warmth," and the like, or the comparative merits of written or extemporaneous sermons. I wish to confine myself to one point, which receives far less attention than it deserves. That point is simplicity in language and style.
I ought to be able to tell my readers something about "simplicity," if experience will give any help. I began preaching forty-five years ago, when I first took orders in a poor rural parish, and a great portion of my ministerial life has been spent in preaching to laborers and farmers. I know the enormous difficulty of preaching to such hearers, of making them understand one's meaning, and securing their attention. So far as concerns language and composition, I deliberately say that I would rather preach before the University at Oxford or Cambridge, or the Temple, or Lincoln's Inn, or the Houses of Parliament, than I would address an agricultural congregation on a fine hot afternoon in the month of August. I have heard of a laborer who enjoyed Sunday more than any other day in the week, "Because," he said, "I sit comfortably in church, put up my legs, have nothing to think about, and just go to sleep." Some of my younger friends in the ministry may some day be called to preach to such congregation as I have had, and I shall be glad if they can profit by my experience.
Before entering on the subject, I wish to clear the way by making four prefatory remarks.
1. For one thing, I ask all my readers to remember that to attain simplicity in preaching is of the utmost importance to every minister who wishes to be useful to souls. Unless you are simple in your sermons you will never be understood, and unless you are understood you cannot do good to those who hear you. It was a true saying of Quintilian, "If you do not wish to be understood, you deserve to be neglected." Of course the first object of a minister should be to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but "the truth as it is in Jesus." But the next thing he ought to aim at is, that his sermon may be understood; and it will not be understood by most of his hearers if it is not simple.
2. The next thing I will say, by way of prefatory remark, is, that to attain simplicity in preaching is by no means an easy matter. No greater mistake can be made than to suppose this. "To make hard things seem hard,": to use the substance of a saying of Archbishop Usher's, "is within the reach of all, but to make hard things seem easy and intelligible is a height attained by very few speakers." One of the wisest and best of the Puritans said two hundred years ago, "That the greater part of preachers shoot over the heads of the people." This is true also in 1837! I fear a vast proportion of what we preach is not understood by our hearers any more than if it were Greek. When people a simple sermon, or read a simple tract, they are apt to say, "How true! how plain! how easy to understand!" and to suppose that any one can write in that style. Allow me to tell my readers that it is an extremely difficult thing to write simple, clear, perspicuous, and forcible English. Look at the sermons of Charles Bradley, of Clapham. A sermon of his reads most beautifully. It is so simple and natural, that anyone feels at once that the meaning is as clear as the sun at noonday. Every word is the right word, and every word is in its right place. Yet the labor those sermons cost Mr. Bradley was very great indeed. Those who have read Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield attentively, can hardly fail to have noticed the exquisite naturalness, ease, and simplicity of its language. And yet it is known that the pains and trouble and time bestowed upon that work were immense. Let the Vicar of Wakefield be compared with Johnson's Rasselas, which was written off in a few days, it is said, under high pressure - and the difference is at once apparent. In fact, to use very long words, to seem very learned, to make people go away after a sermon saying, "How fine! how clever! how grand!" all this is very easy work. But to write what will strike and stick, to speak or to write that which at once pleases and is understood, and becomes assimilated with a hearer's mind and a thing never forgotten - that, we may depend upon it, is a very difficult thing and a very rare attainment.
3. Let me observe, in the next place, that when I talk of simplicity in preaching, I would not have my readers suppose I mean childish preaching. If we suppose the poor like that sort of sermon, we are greatly mistaken. If our hearers once imagine we consider them a parcel of ignorant folks for whom any kind of "infants food" is good enough, our chance of doing good is lost altogether. People do not like even the appearance of condescending preaching. They feel we are not treating them as equals, but inferiors. Human nature always dislikes that. They will at once put up their backs, stop their ears, and take offence - and then we might as well preach to the winds.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
King Solomon says, in the book of Ecclesiastes, "Of making many books there is no end." (12:12). There are few subjects about which that saying is more true than that of preaching. The volumes which have been written in order to show ministers how to preach are enough to make a small library. In sending forth one more little treatise, I only propose to touch one branch of the subject. I do not pretend to consider what should be the substance and matter of a sermon. I purposely leave alone such points as "gravity, unction, liveliness, warmth," and the like, or the comparative merits of written or extemporaneous sermons. I wish to confine myself to one point, which receives far less attention than it deserves. That point is simplicity in language and style.
I ought to be able to tell my readers something about "simplicity," if experience will give any help. I began preaching forty-five years ago, when I first took orders in a poor rural parish, and a great portion of my ministerial life has been spent in preaching to laborers and farmers. I know the enormous difficulty of preaching to such hearers, of making them understand one's meaning, and securing their attention. So far as concerns language and composition, I deliberately say that I would rather preach before the University at Oxford or Cambridge, or the Temple, or Lincoln's Inn, or the Houses of Parliament, than I would address an agricultural congregation on a fine hot afternoon in the month of August. I have heard of a laborer who enjoyed Sunday more than any other day in the week, "Because," he said, "I sit comfortably in church, put up my legs, have nothing to think about, and just go to sleep." Some of my younger friends in the ministry may some day be called to preach to such congregation as I have had, and I shall be glad if they can profit by my experience.
Before entering on the subject, I wish to clear the way by making four prefatory remarks.
1. For one thing, I ask all my readers to remember that to attain simplicity in preaching is of the utmost importance to every minister who wishes to be useful to souls. Unless you are simple in your sermons you will never be understood, and unless you are understood you cannot do good to those who hear you. It was a true saying of Quintilian, "If you do not wish to be understood, you deserve to be neglected." Of course the first object of a minister should be to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but "the truth as it is in Jesus." But the next thing he ought to aim at is, that his sermon may be understood; and it will not be understood by most of his hearers if it is not simple.
2. The next thing I will say, by way of prefatory remark, is, that to attain simplicity in preaching is by no means an easy matter. No greater mistake can be made than to suppose this. "To make hard things seem hard,": to use the substance of a saying of Archbishop Usher's, "is within the reach of all, but to make hard things seem easy and intelligible is a height attained by very few speakers." One of the wisest and best of the Puritans said two hundred years ago, "That the greater part of preachers shoot over the heads of the people." This is true also in 1837! I fear a vast proportion of what we preach is not understood by our hearers any more than if it were Greek. When people a simple sermon, or read a simple tract, they are apt to say, "How true! how plain! how easy to understand!" and to suppose that any one can write in that style. Allow me to tell my readers that it is an extremely difficult thing to write simple, clear, perspicuous, and forcible English. Look at the sermons of Charles Bradley, of Clapham. A sermon of his reads most beautifully. It is so simple and natural, that anyone feels at once that the meaning is as clear as the sun at noonday. Every word is the right word, and every word is in its right place. Yet the labor those sermons cost Mr. Bradley was very great indeed. Those who have read Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield attentively, can hardly fail to have noticed the exquisite naturalness, ease, and simplicity of its language. And yet it is known that the pains and trouble and time bestowed upon that work were immense. Let the Vicar of Wakefield be compared with Johnson's Rasselas, which was written off in a few days, it is said, under high pressure - and the difference is at once apparent. In fact, to use very long words, to seem very learned, to make people go away after a sermon saying, "How fine! how clever! how grand!" all this is very easy work. But to write what will strike and stick, to speak or to write that which at once pleases and is understood, and becomes assimilated with a hearer's mind and a thing never forgotten - that, we may depend upon it, is a very difficult thing and a very rare attainment.
3. Let me observe, in the next place, that when I talk of simplicity in preaching, I would not have my readers suppose I mean childish preaching. If we suppose the poor like that sort of sermon, we are greatly mistaken. If our hearers once imagine we consider them a parcel of ignorant folks for whom any kind of "infants food" is good enough, our chance of doing good is lost altogether. People do not like even the appearance of condescending preaching. They feel we are not treating them as equals, but inferiors. Human nature always dislikes that. They will at once put up their backs, stop their ears, and take offence - and then we might as well preach to the winds.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
Jehovah Incomparable! # 1
Jehovah Incomparable! # 1
"O Lord, there is none like You!" (1 Chronicles 17:20).
Truly, our God is without a parallel! We have read of many gods and of many lords - but who is like unto the Lord our God?
When we consider His revealed character, made known for our comfort, benefit, and blessedness - we must say "O Lord, there is none like You!"
We have broken His law, dishonored His name, despised His authority, scorned His warnings, and rejected His invitations - yet (wonder, O heavens! be astonished, O earth!) He comes down to us in Christ, imputes our sins to Him, makes over His righteousness to us, and sends the Gospel to assure us that He is LOVE!
He satisfies His justice in the life, sufferings, and death of the dear atoning Saviour; and He determines to display the full extent of His love, in dealing with poor worthless sinners.
The Son of His love is treated as the object of His hatred - that we might be dealt with as children of His grace, He stoops to the lowest - to raise us to the highest! He invites us kindly, promises faithfully; swears solemnly, and carries Himself lovingly - to make us happy and blessed. He bears with our sins, relives our distresses, and draws us to Himself by every tender and alluring means!
"O Lord, there is none like You!"
Your love is astonishing, your condescension is boundless, your grace surpasses thought, your patience is exceeding great, Your compassion is everlasting, and your faithfulness is immutable!
"Oh tell me, Lord, that you are mine,
What can I wish beside
My soul shall at the fountain live
When all the streams are dried!"
But if we consider the dealings of the Lord, we shall see that there is none like Him. He could dash His enemies to hell with one word, and drive them to despair. But instead of this, He constantly provides for them - and many of them are fed by Him with the richest blessings of His providence. He spreads their tables, supplies their needs, and pours in His favors upon them abundantly - though they blaspheme His name, despise the mention of His grace, and bid Him to depart from them, in disdain.
He preserves them from a variety of dangers, which would otherwise hurry them out of time into eternity. He warns them of their dangerous condition, by the word of His grace, the ministers of the gospel, and the dispensation of His providence.
He bears with them from day to day, and does not allow their wickedness to arouse His ire, to their immediate destruction. Who, besides Jehovah, would thus feed, preserve, warn, and bear with such obstinate, careless, provoking wretches? Surely none!
"What base rebellious wretches they;
And God is strangely kind!"
When, in His own time, any of His enemies are brought to discover their wickedness, feel their danger, desire to escape their deserved doom, and apply to Him - He freely pardons them, and forgets all their past unkindness!
When the monster of a man hung by the side of Jesus on the Cross, mocking His dying agonies, reviling His dear name, and endeavoring to add to His tremendous sorrows - Jesus was as silent as one who heard not, as patient as one who felt not, and as kind as one who had been treated with all possible respect! For, no sooner does the bold blasphemer cry, "Lord remember me!" than Jesus answers, "Today shall you be with me in paradise!"
And can you, O my Saviour, freely and fully pardon such a wretch as that? Can you take him in Your arms, to paradise? Can you forget his scarlet crimes, the insults he offered, and the daring wickedness manifested by him but a few minutes before? O Lord, who is like unto You?!
The vile thief enters Heaven to the astonishment of angels, the confusion of devils, the wonder of glorified saints, and the honor of the dear, dear Redeemer!
Nor was this a solitary instance - but it was an example of what He could do, and what he intended to do. It exhibits His pardoning grace in its real nature and true colors. It shows us what Jesus is, and how He will carry Himself toward all who seek pardon and salvation at His throne. He not only fully pardons the penitent - but He cordially accepts him! He receives him as one of the dear objects of His love, and says to each and every one such, "I have blotted out your sins as a cloud, and your iniquities as a thick cloud! Return unto me, for I have redeemed you; and I will be merciful to your unrighteousness, and your sins and your iniquities will I remember no more!"
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
"O Lord, there is none like You!" (1 Chronicles 17:20).
Truly, our God is without a parallel! We have read of many gods and of many lords - but who is like unto the Lord our God?
When we consider His revealed character, made known for our comfort, benefit, and blessedness - we must say "O Lord, there is none like You!"
We have broken His law, dishonored His name, despised His authority, scorned His warnings, and rejected His invitations - yet (wonder, O heavens! be astonished, O earth!) He comes down to us in Christ, imputes our sins to Him, makes over His righteousness to us, and sends the Gospel to assure us that He is LOVE!
He satisfies His justice in the life, sufferings, and death of the dear atoning Saviour; and He determines to display the full extent of His love, in dealing with poor worthless sinners.
The Son of His love is treated as the object of His hatred - that we might be dealt with as children of His grace, He stoops to the lowest - to raise us to the highest! He invites us kindly, promises faithfully; swears solemnly, and carries Himself lovingly - to make us happy and blessed. He bears with our sins, relives our distresses, and draws us to Himself by every tender and alluring means!
"O Lord, there is none like You!"
Your love is astonishing, your condescension is boundless, your grace surpasses thought, your patience is exceeding great, Your compassion is everlasting, and your faithfulness is immutable!
"Oh tell me, Lord, that you are mine,
What can I wish beside
My soul shall at the fountain live
When all the streams are dried!"
But if we consider the dealings of the Lord, we shall see that there is none like Him. He could dash His enemies to hell with one word, and drive them to despair. But instead of this, He constantly provides for them - and many of them are fed by Him with the richest blessings of His providence. He spreads their tables, supplies their needs, and pours in His favors upon them abundantly - though they blaspheme His name, despise the mention of His grace, and bid Him to depart from them, in disdain.
He preserves them from a variety of dangers, which would otherwise hurry them out of time into eternity. He warns them of their dangerous condition, by the word of His grace, the ministers of the gospel, and the dispensation of His providence.
He bears with them from day to day, and does not allow their wickedness to arouse His ire, to their immediate destruction. Who, besides Jehovah, would thus feed, preserve, warn, and bear with such obstinate, careless, provoking wretches? Surely none!
"What base rebellious wretches they;
And God is strangely kind!"
When, in His own time, any of His enemies are brought to discover their wickedness, feel their danger, desire to escape their deserved doom, and apply to Him - He freely pardons them, and forgets all their past unkindness!
When the monster of a man hung by the side of Jesus on the Cross, mocking His dying agonies, reviling His dear name, and endeavoring to add to His tremendous sorrows - Jesus was as silent as one who heard not, as patient as one who felt not, and as kind as one who had been treated with all possible respect! For, no sooner does the bold blasphemer cry, "Lord remember me!" than Jesus answers, "Today shall you be with me in paradise!"
And can you, O my Saviour, freely and fully pardon such a wretch as that? Can you take him in Your arms, to paradise? Can you forget his scarlet crimes, the insults he offered, and the daring wickedness manifested by him but a few minutes before? O Lord, who is like unto You?!
The vile thief enters Heaven to the astonishment of angels, the confusion of devils, the wonder of glorified saints, and the honor of the dear, dear Redeemer!
Nor was this a solitary instance - but it was an example of what He could do, and what he intended to do. It exhibits His pardoning grace in its real nature and true colors. It shows us what Jesus is, and how He will carry Himself toward all who seek pardon and salvation at His throne. He not only fully pardons the penitent - but He cordially accepts him! He receives him as one of the dear objects of His love, and says to each and every one such, "I have blotted out your sins as a cloud, and your iniquities as a thick cloud! Return unto me, for I have redeemed you; and I will be merciful to your unrighteousness, and your sins and your iniquities will I remember no more!"
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, December 14, 2019
The Glory of God !
The Glory of God
Thou knowest Lord, that that is no mere platitude with us, we do need Thee, and we need Thee this very moment. We can do nothing without Thee, neither speak, nor understand. Thou art the answer to our need. And we do not put the emphasis upon blessing us firstly, get something for Thyself. And if by blessing us, Thou canst be blessed, that is the governing thing. Lord help us... for His Name's sake, amen.
One could spend minutes talking about ourselves, about our meeting again after this long time; the joy of renewed fellowship. One looks upon faces long-remembered, and sees others, but we want the Lord to have all the moments. So we shall not be engaged with what after all would be very sincere and of real joy in Him, but let us get straight to His Word shall we? For I believe He has something to say to us.
Will you please take the gospel by John, chapter 11. Chapter 11 in the gospel by John, and with a swift glance down the page you will take in what is here on record. I just want you to pinpoint two places. Verse 4: "Jesus said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby".
And verse 40: "Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?"
"For the glory of God... thou shouldest see the glory of God."
You probably know chapters 11 to 17 of this gospel are chapters of summation and consummation. That is, a gathering up of everything into finality, and what comes out in great clearness in this consummate part of the gospel is the priority which governed the whole life, teaching, and work of the Lord Jesus. It seems that that is what John had in mind in writing, for he places this priority right at the beginning of this gospel, worked steadily along that line, and then brings it all out in this full and conclusive way at the end. Although for thirty years and more the Lord Jesus had been governed by this priority, there came a point, a crisis point in His life at which He made a complete adjustment of everything upon this one thing that we are calling the priority, where He determined that everything should be focused upon this, and that there should be no deviation at any point from this priority.
And what was it? The glory of His Father - the glory of God. "Thou shouldest see the glory of God..." that was His all-inclusive priority.
"For the glory of God... thou shouldest see the glory of God."
You probably know chapters 11 to 17 of this gospel are chapters of summation and consummation. That is, a gathering up of everything into finality, and what comes out in great clearness in this consummate part of the gospel is the priority which governed the whole life, teaching, and work of the Lord Jesus. It seems that that is what John had in mind in writing, for he places this priority right at the beginning of this gospel, worked steadily along that line, and then brings it all out in this full and conclusive way at the end. Although for thirty years and more the Lord Jesus had been governed by this priority, there came a point, a crisis point in His life at which He made a complete adjustment of everything upon this one thing that we are calling the priority, where He determined that everything should be focused upon this, and that there should be no deviation at any point from this priority.
And what was it? The glory of His Father - the glory of God. "Thou shouldest see the glory of God..." that was His all-inclusive priority.
The Glory of His Father
As I have said, John struck that keynote right at the beginning when, writing after it was all over and seeing the whole content and significance of that life, work, teaching, and conduct, he started off by saying: "And we beheld His glory, glory as of an only begotten of the Father" (1:14). That is bringing the Father right into view in the matter of glory. And then John went on writing the Gospel, like a great harmony or symphony tuned to that keynote, and all the way through keeping true to that - the glory of the Father.
And I believe, dear friends, that that is the keynote that the Lord wants that I should strike here, today. It is with me a very considerable burden in these days. Let us come to the Lord Jesus for a few minutes in this matter.
And I believe, dear friends, that that is the keynote that the Lord wants that I should strike here, today. It is with me a very considerable burden in these days. Let us come to the Lord Jesus for a few minutes in this matter.
There was, as I have said, that hour of His great committal, His great committal took place at His baptism. He there and then committed Himself utterly, utterly to the glory of His Father. He gathered every detail of His life from that moment and centred it in this thing, as though He were saying: 'From this moment, not one deflection from that motive, that object: My Father's glory to govern everything.' And so it was, and so it was.
Firstly in His own personal, inner life, His secret walk with His Father. It's a most impressive thing as you read through this gospel, you find all the way along that everything is coming out of His personal, secret life with His Father. "The Son", He said, "can do nothing out from Himself, but what He seeth the Father doing". "He seeth the Father doing..." mysterious language, but those who know anything about Life in the Spirit know what it means. "Seeth the Father doing; that doeth He", and not in His own way, but "in like manner"; in like manner as the Father. How meticulous, how exact! His committal as to His own relationship with God His Father meant nothing of Himself, only what He knew in His own heart and His own secret history with God, that the Father wanted Him to do and to say. There was the background: the inner sanctuary life with the Father maintained unbroken.
As to His conduct, He behaved Himself on this ground that: 'How I behave, how I conduct Myself is going to be altogether a matter of how it touches My Father's glory. The impression I make upon others, what they see in Me and about Me, must never for one moment veil the glory of My Father, hide that glory, detrimentally affect that glory. My behaviour must always be for the glory of My Father.' This was as to Himself and His conduct, His walk. You know, John made a note of that, this walking business - not just an outward progress. John said: "as He walked" as He walked... there was something about His very movements that were governed, and His walk, His movements, His behaviour - always for the glory of His Father.
His work and His words, as we have quoted Him: "The works that I do, I do not from Myself, it's the Father Who doeth the work! The words that I speak, they are not of Myself, but My Father."
His times for doing things. Ofttimes we read that He put back suggestions from others that He should do things now, at this time. To come on that again, as we shall come on many of these things again as we go on today, but when something seemed to be demanded of Him, and people expected Him to do it at that time, He put it back: "Mine hour is not yet come" but very quickly afterwards He did it; because He was waiting. In His spirit He was saying: 'Father, is this Your time? Is this Your time?' Because you know, dear friends, you can do a right thing at the wrong time and it doesn't just work out. There are a lot of things, and it is just not the time for them. You remember the great incidents with the apostle Paul: "He assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered him not", to preach the word in Asia, but he was "forbidden of the Holy Ghost" and diverted, that was not the time, but Asia and Bithynia got it subsequently, in God's time. And when God's time is registered, things are very much more fruitful, you don't waste time. When we do things so often in our own time, well, we only put off things till God's time, nothing happens until God wants them done. That's by the way, but the Lord Jesus was like that: "Mine hour is not yet". "Mine hour is not yet" and yet the hour seemed to come so quickly afterwards. But here He is, moving, speaking, working, timing, by His fellowship with the Father. He brought everything else on to that ground.
Now before I can go on any further I must return you to the definition of that word. It may be in this place that I have given this definition I don't know, but I do not know of a better. What does glory mean where God is concerned? What is the meaning of the word 'glory' when it relates to God? It just means this, dear friends, the... shall I call it the rebound of God's complete satisfaction, when things have answered to God's nature, God's mind, God is so satisfied, God is delighted, God is well-pleased, there comes out to that which answers to Him, something of God's own satisfaction, God's pleasure. You can put that to the test in more ways than one in your own lives, but take your Bible and begin at the beginning.
Have I, on the side of the Scripture at any rate, proved the definition that glory is the expression of God's perfect satisfaction?
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(The End)
The Thanksgiving Habit # 2
The Thanksgiving Habit # 2
If we find that we have been leaving thanksgiving out of our lives, if we have been allowing ourselves to grumble instead of praise, if we have indulged in unhappiness instead of in gladness - we should instantly set about the breaking of a new path, a thanksgiving path. it will not be easy at first, for gloomy dispositions when long indulged persist in staying in our lives. But they can be conquered, and we should not pause in our effort until we have trained ourselves entirely away from everything that is cheerless and ungrateful, into the ways of joy and song.
There are many encouragements to a life of thanksgiving. For one thing, it makes life much happier. The person who indulges in fretting and complaining - is missing much that is loveliest, both in character and in experience. The tendency of such a life is toward gloom and depression, and these qualities in the heart soon show themselves on the face and in the manner. Light is the emblem of a beautiful life - but ingratitude is darkness rather than light. If we would be happy - we must train ourselves to be grateful. Ingratitude makes life dreary for us.
Another reason for cultivating the thanksgiving spirit, is because of its influence on others. Nobody loves a sullen person. We are exhorted to think of "whatever things are lovely," and cheerlessness is not lovely. If we would have people like us, if we would attract them to us and have good influence over them - we must cultivate happiness in all our expressions. There are many people who have formed the habit of unhappiness. They may be good and honest - but they have not learned the lesson of gladness. And they are not helpful people. They are not diffusers of joy.
We are as responsible for our faces - as we are for our dispositions. If we go about with gloom on our countenances, we will cast shadows over others and make life harder for them. No one can be a real blessing to others, until he has mastered his gloom and has attained the thanksgiving face. No one can be of very much help to others, if he carries discontent and anxiety, on his countenance. We owe it to our friends, therefore, as well as to ourselves, to form the habit of thanksgiving.
There are those who have learned this lesson so well, that wherever they go they make happiness. Their lives are blessings.
It ought not to be hard to train one's self to be grateful. True, there are days when things may seem to go wrong - but it is only in the seeming. There is not doubt that all our circumstances being blessings, which we may have if we will. We think of the sunny days as being good days, and we call unpleasant weather bad. But if we understood it, we would know that God sends to the earth just as rich blessings in His clouds - as He does in His sunshine. A simple, childlike faith sees God in everything, and is ready always to give cheerful thanks, even when the reason for the thanksgiving may not be apparent.
Indeed, we shall some day see that many of the richest and best blessings of our lives, have come to us through experiences and circumstances which to us seemed adverse, and from which we shrank. There is an old promise which says that to those who love God - all things work together for their good. All we have to make sure of - is that we keep ourselves in the love of God. If we do this, everything which comes to us will bring its enriching in some way, and out of the painful things - our lives we will gather the best blessings and the deepest joys.
We shall not have many miles at the most - of the rough,steep road. In a few years we shall have gone over it all, and shall have come out into a place where there shall be nothing to vex or disturb us. And such gladness waits for us, such blessing, that one hour there - will make us forget all the sorrow and pain and toil of the way!
"Overflowing with thankfulness!" (Colossians 2:7).
"At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father!' (Ephesians 5:20).
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
If we find that we have been leaving thanksgiving out of our lives, if we have been allowing ourselves to grumble instead of praise, if we have indulged in unhappiness instead of in gladness - we should instantly set about the breaking of a new path, a thanksgiving path. it will not be easy at first, for gloomy dispositions when long indulged persist in staying in our lives. But they can be conquered, and we should not pause in our effort until we have trained ourselves entirely away from everything that is cheerless and ungrateful, into the ways of joy and song.
There are many encouragements to a life of thanksgiving. For one thing, it makes life much happier. The person who indulges in fretting and complaining - is missing much that is loveliest, both in character and in experience. The tendency of such a life is toward gloom and depression, and these qualities in the heart soon show themselves on the face and in the manner. Light is the emblem of a beautiful life - but ingratitude is darkness rather than light. If we would be happy - we must train ourselves to be grateful. Ingratitude makes life dreary for us.
Another reason for cultivating the thanksgiving spirit, is because of its influence on others. Nobody loves a sullen person. We are exhorted to think of "whatever things are lovely," and cheerlessness is not lovely. If we would have people like us, if we would attract them to us and have good influence over them - we must cultivate happiness in all our expressions. There are many people who have formed the habit of unhappiness. They may be good and honest - but they have not learned the lesson of gladness. And they are not helpful people. They are not diffusers of joy.
We are as responsible for our faces - as we are for our dispositions. If we go about with gloom on our countenances, we will cast shadows over others and make life harder for them. No one can be a real blessing to others, until he has mastered his gloom and has attained the thanksgiving face. No one can be of very much help to others, if he carries discontent and anxiety, on his countenance. We owe it to our friends, therefore, as well as to ourselves, to form the habit of thanksgiving.
There are those who have learned this lesson so well, that wherever they go they make happiness. Their lives are blessings.
It ought not to be hard to train one's self to be grateful. True, there are days when things may seem to go wrong - but it is only in the seeming. There is not doubt that all our circumstances being blessings, which we may have if we will. We think of the sunny days as being good days, and we call unpleasant weather bad. But if we understood it, we would know that God sends to the earth just as rich blessings in His clouds - as He does in His sunshine. A simple, childlike faith sees God in everything, and is ready always to give cheerful thanks, even when the reason for the thanksgiving may not be apparent.
Indeed, we shall some day see that many of the richest and best blessings of our lives, have come to us through experiences and circumstances which to us seemed adverse, and from which we shrank. There is an old promise which says that to those who love God - all things work together for their good. All we have to make sure of - is that we keep ourselves in the love of God. If we do this, everything which comes to us will bring its enriching in some way, and out of the painful things - our lives we will gather the best blessings and the deepest joys.
We shall not have many miles at the most - of the rough,steep road. In a few years we shall have gone over it all, and shall have come out into a place where there shall be nothing to vex or disturb us. And such gladness waits for us, such blessing, that one hour there - will make us forget all the sorrow and pain and toil of the way!
"Overflowing with thankfulness!" (Colossians 2:7).
"At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father!' (Ephesians 5:20).
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
Saturday, December 7, 2019
The Thanksgiving Habit # 1
The Thanksgiving Habit # 1
"O, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever!" (1 Chronicles 16:34).
"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus!" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The annual Thanksgiving Day in America, has grown to be a national festival. It is a day of rejoicing. It summons all the people to gratitude. It is fitting that a people who have received untold blessings, should set apart one day on which all should recall their mercies, think of God as the Giver of all and express their grateful feelings in words of praise.
But it is not intended that the other three hundred and sixty four days shall be empty of thanksgiving, because one is named as an especial day of rejoicing. We cannot crowd into any one day - all the thanks of a year. Indeed, on no one day can we be grateful for another day. No one person can give thanks for a whole company of people. So no one day can give thanks for any but itself. All the days should be thanksgiving days. Any that is not, lacks something, and stands as imperfect days in the calendar. We are told that we may count that day lost in which we do no kindness to anyone. In like manner may be set down as a lost day that one in which no songs of gratitude rises from our hearts and lips to God.
Anybody can be thankful on one day of the year. At least it ought to be possible for even the most gloomy and pessimistic person to rouse up to grateful feeling, on the high tide of an annual Thanksgiving Day. No doubt it is something to pipe even one little song in a whole year of discontent and complaining - the kind of living with which some people fill their years. God must be pleased to have some people grateful even for a few moments in a long period of time, and to hear them sing even once in a year. But that is not the way He would have us live. The ideal life is one that is always thankful, not only for a little moment on a particularly fine day. "Praise ls lovely," that is, beautiful - beautiful to God. The life which pleases Him is the one which always rejoices.
Nowhere in the Bible can we find either ingratitude or joylessness commanded or commended. All ungrateful feelings and dispositions are condemned. A great deal is said in disapproval of murmuring, discontent, worrying, and all forms of ingratitude. Again and again we are taught that joy is the keynote of a true life. It is not enough to rejoice when the sun shines, when all things are going well with us, when we are in the midst of prosperity; we are to rejoice as well when clouds hide the blue sky, when our circumstances seem to be adverse, or when we are passing through sufferings.
In one of the Psalms, the writer says: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." He had learned to sing in the hours of pain - as well as in the times of gladness. That is the way the Christian should live - nothing should hush his song or choke the voice of thanksgiving and praise.
The only way to get thanksgiving into its true place in our lives - is to have it grow into a habit. A habit is a well worn path. There was a first step over the course, breaking the way. Then a second person, finding the prints of feet, walked in them. A third followed, then a fourth, until at length there was a beaten path, and now thousands go upon it.
Likewise, one who has been full of miserable discontents, utterly lacking in gratitude, gets a new Divine impulse, and one day is really grateful for a few moments. The impulse comes again, and again he let his life flow toward gratitude. Persisting in the disposition, his heart returns again and again to its gladness, until by and by it has been lured altogether away from the old beaten paths of discontent, discouragement, and unhappiness, and runs always in the ways of thanksgiving.
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
"O, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever!" (1 Chronicles 16:34).
"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus!" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The annual Thanksgiving Day in America, has grown to be a national festival. It is a day of rejoicing. It summons all the people to gratitude. It is fitting that a people who have received untold blessings, should set apart one day on which all should recall their mercies, think of God as the Giver of all and express their grateful feelings in words of praise.
But it is not intended that the other three hundred and sixty four days shall be empty of thanksgiving, because one is named as an especial day of rejoicing. We cannot crowd into any one day - all the thanks of a year. Indeed, on no one day can we be grateful for another day. No one person can give thanks for a whole company of people. So no one day can give thanks for any but itself. All the days should be thanksgiving days. Any that is not, lacks something, and stands as imperfect days in the calendar. We are told that we may count that day lost in which we do no kindness to anyone. In like manner may be set down as a lost day that one in which no songs of gratitude rises from our hearts and lips to God.
Anybody can be thankful on one day of the year. At least it ought to be possible for even the most gloomy and pessimistic person to rouse up to grateful feeling, on the high tide of an annual Thanksgiving Day. No doubt it is something to pipe even one little song in a whole year of discontent and complaining - the kind of living with which some people fill their years. God must be pleased to have some people grateful even for a few moments in a long period of time, and to hear them sing even once in a year. But that is not the way He would have us live. The ideal life is one that is always thankful, not only for a little moment on a particularly fine day. "Praise ls lovely," that is, beautiful - beautiful to God. The life which pleases Him is the one which always rejoices.
Nowhere in the Bible can we find either ingratitude or joylessness commanded or commended. All ungrateful feelings and dispositions are condemned. A great deal is said in disapproval of murmuring, discontent, worrying, and all forms of ingratitude. Again and again we are taught that joy is the keynote of a true life. It is not enough to rejoice when the sun shines, when all things are going well with us, when we are in the midst of prosperity; we are to rejoice as well when clouds hide the blue sky, when our circumstances seem to be adverse, or when we are passing through sufferings.
In one of the Psalms, the writer says: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." He had learned to sing in the hours of pain - as well as in the times of gladness. That is the way the Christian should live - nothing should hush his song or choke the voice of thanksgiving and praise.
The only way to get thanksgiving into its true place in our lives - is to have it grow into a habit. A habit is a well worn path. There was a first step over the course, breaking the way. Then a second person, finding the prints of feet, walked in them. A third followed, then a fourth, until at length there was a beaten path, and now thousands go upon it.
Likewise, one who has been full of miserable discontents, utterly lacking in gratitude, gets a new Divine impulse, and one day is really grateful for a few moments. The impulse comes again, and again he let his life flow toward gratitude. Persisting in the disposition, his heart returns again and again to its gladness, until by and by it has been lured altogether away from the old beaten paths of discontent, discouragement, and unhappiness, and runs always in the ways of thanksgiving.
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
Set Up Waymarks # 2
Set Up Waymarks # 2
Let your waymarks be numerous, set them up at short distances; let them be visible, that others may see and be benfitted by them; let them be intelligible, that all may understand them; and let them be often reviewed, that you may derive much benefit from them.
The Reasons. "Set up waymarks" - or the road is bewildering. It is bewildering to you, and will be to others who come after. The season of captivity had been long, and the most aged were liable to forget. Temptations will be brought to bear upon all, and the strongest may need helps. The way must be reviewed, and by the help of the waymarks we may do it with comparative ease. Besides which, they will bear witness to God's faithfulness, be a lasting record of our deliverances, show the fallacy of our fears, prove the falsehood of foes, especially satan, assist others by marking out the road for them, and warning where there is danger to them.
Thus we shall not only serve our generation - but be of use to them that come after us... cheering many a drooping heart, comforting many a sorrowful spirit, and encouraging many a lagging discouraged pilgrim.
O that some who went before us, had set up a few more waymarks at some turnings in the road. What a benefit, what blessing, it might have been to us!
Blessed be God, that we have come safely thus far, and now for the benefit of those around us, those who may come after us - let us "set up waymarks."
Lost sinner, set up a waymark and note thereon how far you are from Heaven - and how near you are to hell. You have been wandering farther and farther from Heaven every year of your life, and you have been traveling toward hell as fast as you well could. You never were so far from Heaven as at this moment - nor were you ever so near to hell. In what solemn position then are you placed. Do make some memorandum then this day, and try to estimate your distance from the city of God - and your nearness to the regions of despair.
Backslider, set up a waymark, and indicate thereby how far you have wandered from God and godliness. Write thereon so far from God - and so far have I to return with weeping and with supplication. For every step you have taken from God - must be retraced, and retraced with a broken heart, if not with a weeping eye. many a heavy sigh, many a deep groan - will be uttered before you regain your former confidence and comfort. Many a soul-piercing pang will be felt before you regain your former peace.
Christian, set up a waymark, and inscribe thereon: so far from Babylon - so much nearer to your eternal home! Cheer up Christian, every day you are so much nearer to your eternal home! Never was the end of the journey so near as now; never were there so many troubles behind you, and so few before you as now. It is all up hill until we reach the celestial city, you will therefore find it more or less difficult unto the end. But, when you arrive at home, when you enter into the holy city, when you see Jesus, when you enjoy the presence of God - all will be well, and well forever!
Five minutes with Jesus - and what shall we think of all our earthly temptations, toils, trials, and troubles then? One hour in Heaven, with the certainty of being forever holy, and forever happy - what will all our earthly afflictions be then?
Then, then, shall we understand the apostle when he says, "I consider that the sufferings of this present life are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be conferred on us!" (Romans 8:18).
Blessed be God, that through His grace we ever left Babylon!
Blessed be God, that we are so far on our way to Zion!
Blessed be God, that every waymark adds to our assurance of arriving in safety at our heavenly home!
~James Smith~
(The End)
Let your waymarks be numerous, set them up at short distances; let them be visible, that others may see and be benfitted by them; let them be intelligible, that all may understand them; and let them be often reviewed, that you may derive much benefit from them.
The Reasons. "Set up waymarks" - or the road is bewildering. It is bewildering to you, and will be to others who come after. The season of captivity had been long, and the most aged were liable to forget. Temptations will be brought to bear upon all, and the strongest may need helps. The way must be reviewed, and by the help of the waymarks we may do it with comparative ease. Besides which, they will bear witness to God's faithfulness, be a lasting record of our deliverances, show the fallacy of our fears, prove the falsehood of foes, especially satan, assist others by marking out the road for them, and warning where there is danger to them.
Thus we shall not only serve our generation - but be of use to them that come after us... cheering many a drooping heart, comforting many a sorrowful spirit, and encouraging many a lagging discouraged pilgrim.
O that some who went before us, had set up a few more waymarks at some turnings in the road. What a benefit, what blessing, it might have been to us!
Blessed be God, that we have come safely thus far, and now for the benefit of those around us, those who may come after us - let us "set up waymarks."
Lost sinner, set up a waymark and note thereon how far you are from Heaven - and how near you are to hell. You have been wandering farther and farther from Heaven every year of your life, and you have been traveling toward hell as fast as you well could. You never were so far from Heaven as at this moment - nor were you ever so near to hell. In what solemn position then are you placed. Do make some memorandum then this day, and try to estimate your distance from the city of God - and your nearness to the regions of despair.
Backslider, set up a waymark, and indicate thereby how far you have wandered from God and godliness. Write thereon so far from God - and so far have I to return with weeping and with supplication. For every step you have taken from God - must be retraced, and retraced with a broken heart, if not with a weeping eye. many a heavy sigh, many a deep groan - will be uttered before you regain your former confidence and comfort. Many a soul-piercing pang will be felt before you regain your former peace.
Christian, set up a waymark, and inscribe thereon: so far from Babylon - so much nearer to your eternal home! Cheer up Christian, every day you are so much nearer to your eternal home! Never was the end of the journey so near as now; never were there so many troubles behind you, and so few before you as now. It is all up hill until we reach the celestial city, you will therefore find it more or less difficult unto the end. But, when you arrive at home, when you enter into the holy city, when you see Jesus, when you enjoy the presence of God - all will be well, and well forever!
Five minutes with Jesus - and what shall we think of all our earthly temptations, toils, trials, and troubles then? One hour in Heaven, with the certainty of being forever holy, and forever happy - what will all our earthly afflictions be then?
Then, then, shall we understand the apostle when he says, "I consider that the sufferings of this present life are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be conferred on us!" (Romans 8:18).
Blessed be God, that through His grace we ever left Babylon!
Blessed be God, that we are so far on our way to Zion!
Blessed be God, that every waymark adds to our assurance of arriving in safety at our heavenly home!
~James Smith~
(The End)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)