BE FILLED
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart,
having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
(Luke 8:15)
Once I heard a beautiful prayer which I can never forget; it was this:
“Lord, take my lips, and speak through them;
take my mind, and think through it;
take my heart, and set it on fire.”
And this is the way the Master keeps the lips of His servants,
by so filling their hearts with His love that the outflow
cannot be unloving, by so filling their thoughts
that the utterance cannot be un-Christlike.
There must be filling before there can be pouring out; and if there
is filling, there must be pouring out for He hath said,
“Out of the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaketh.”
(Matthew 12:34)
(Opened Treasures - Francis Ridley Havergal)
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February 10
“He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."
(2 Samuel 23:3)
"I will give you pastors (shepherds) . . . which shall feed you with
knowledge and understanding.”
(Jeremiah 3:15)
Under-shepherds in the local assembly have a solemn, two-fold charge.
First, they must recognize their responsibility before God
in every decision they make and rule righteously.
At the same time, they are to see their responsibility to the sheep and provide
the spiritual food needed for growth in the grace and
knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
(Bob Cretney)
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto
you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering
the end of their conversation.”
(Hebrews 13:7)
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!
(W. Kirkpatrick)
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February 11
"Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.”
(Matthew 7:21)
Mere lip profession is of no avail if the heart and life are not subject to the Word of God.
We are not saved by our works, but good works are the test of reality. He who is
born of God will delight in obedience to the Father’s will (Ephesians 2:8-10).
“Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord . . . in Thy name . . .
(have we) done many wonderful works?”
(Matthew 7:22)
There may be much of outward show and apparently successful
service coupled with a Christless profession. In the day of manifestation,
nothing will avail but a personal faith in Him whom we profess to own as Lord.
“I never knew you.”
To none will He say in that day, "I used to know you,
but I know you no more." His word to the lost will be, “I never knew you."
Of all His own He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them" (John 10:27).
(H. A. Ironside)
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February 12
“When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them . . . I will open rivers in high places and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the dry land springs of water.”
(Isaiah 41:17-21)
To the heart that is hungering and thirsting after God and His fullness — for a drink from the living springs, this promise will be found literally true. Come thirsty one, bring your cup of need to
God’s measureless supply. Come and drink. Yes, drink abundantly.
Though millions their thirst now are slaking, it never runs dry:
And millions may still come partaking, it never runs dry.
An eastern caravan was overtaken once in the desert with a failure of the water supply.
The accustomed fountains were all dried; the oasis was a desert. They stopped an
hour before sunset to find, after a day of scorching heat,
that they were perishing for want of water.
Vainly they explored the usual wells, but they were all dry. Dismay was upon all faces; despair was in all hearts. Suddenly an old man approached the sheik and advised him to unloose the two beautiful deer that he was taking home as a present to his bride.
Surely the sensitive nostrils of the deer would detect the presence of water if any was to be found. Their tongues were protruding with thirst; their bosoms heaved with distress, but as they were led out to the borders of the camp, they lifted up their heads and sniffed the air.
Then, with unerring instinct, with a course as straight as an arrow and speed as swift as the wind, they darted off across the desert. Swift horsemen followed close behind, and an hour or two later hastened back with the good news that water had been found.
The camp moved with shouts of rejoicing to the newly discovered fountains.
(Streams in the Desert)
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February 13
“This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest;
and this is the refreshing."
(Isaiah 28:12)
"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
a refuge in times of trouble.”
(Psalm 9:9)
Rest, tired heart, within those arms eternal, like cradled child upon its father’s breast;
Oh, lean on Him who giveth to the weary, after the day is over, blessed rest.
Rest, troubled heart, oppressed by care and sorrow; let every fear and vague foreboding cease;
Oh, rest in Him who giveth to the burdened, after the day is over, blessed peace.
(Annie Johnson Flint)
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February 14
"And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
Set a high value upon the Word of God. All that is necessary to make you wise to salvation is there--and there alone. In this precious Book, you may find . . . a direction for every doubt, a solution of every difficulty, and a promise suited to every circumstance you can be in. There you may be informed of your disease caused by sin—and the remedy provided by grace.
In the Scriptures, you may be instructed to know . . . your selves, Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, the wonders of redeeming love, the glories of the Redeemer's person, the happiness of the redeemed people, the power of faith, and the beauty of holiness. All are here fully and clearly represented.
Nothing is lacking in the Scriptures to make . . . life useful and comfortable, death safe and desirable, and to bring down something of Heaven upon earth. But this true wisdom can be found nowhere else. If you wander from the Scriptures, pursuit either of present peace,
or future hope—then your search will surely end in disappointment. This is the fountain of living waters! If you forsake it, and give the preference to broken cisterns of your own devising— then they will fail you when you most need them.
Rejoice, therefore, that such a treasure is put into your hand--but rejoice with trembling. Remember this is not all you need—unless God likewise gives you a heart to use the Scriptures aright—then your privilege will only aggravate your guilt and misery.
(John Newton)
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February 15
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin.”
(Hebrews 4:15)
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
It is important to remember that temptation is never sin, for our Lord was
“in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
The fact that you and I are tempted does not mean that we are bad, but that we are important.
The danger is, however, that we allow temptation to become sin. Sin lives next door to
temptation and only a step will take us from the one to the other.
That is the step of desire and decision.
The second thought we have in scripture, and an assuring one, is that God will not allow us
to be tested above what we are able to bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13).
There is a tremendous assurance here for us that God knows exactly how much we can stand,
and God’s sovereign grace and care will see that we are never tempted to excess.
The story is told of a small boy in a shop who, was being loaded with goods by his father.
As the lad waited for more, an onlooker said, “You can’t carry any
more than you have got.” To which the answer came,
“Daddy knows how much I can carry.”
It is a great thought, that our heavenly Father knows just exactly how heavy a
load we can bear, and He will see to it that it is never exceeded.
Someone commenting on 1 Corinthians 10:13 says it tells us three things
about temptation—it is common to man, it is controlled by God,
it is conquerable by us through Christ.
(George Duncan)
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February 16
Behold Him!
“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might
be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
(2 Corinthians 5:21)
Behold the beloved Jesus, perfectly spotless and holy—yet made an example of the severest justice.
Behold Him . . . prostrate and agonizing in the garden; enduring the vilest insults from wicked men; torn with whips, and nails, and thorns; suspended, naked, wounded, and bleeding upon the cross—forsaken by God!
Sin was the cause of all His anguish. He stood in the place of sinners, and therefore was not spared.
Not any, or all, the evils which the world has known—afford such proof of the dreadful effects and detestable nature of sin, as the knowledge of Christ crucified!
(John Newton)
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February 17
“The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the
Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
(Romans 8:26)
“Continuing instant in prayer.”
(Romans 12:12)
Our calls may be faint as a child’s timid cry;
Our heart’s feeble plaint scarce venture on high;
Yet Christ for us pleading, we may persevere;
Through Him interceding, our Father will hear.
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February 18
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1)
Isaiah 55:1 is the poor man’s market.
Poor folks must either borrow or beg from the rich, and the only
thing that commendeth sinners to Christ is extreme necessity and want.
Christ’s love is ready to make and provide a ransom and money for
a poor body who has lost his purse.
Every day we may see some new thing in Christ.
His love hath neither brim nor bottom.
Go where ye will, your soul shall not sleep sound
but in Christ’s bosom.
From the Letters of
Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661)
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February 19
“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?”
(Mark 8:36)
Profit, gain, and loss are financial terms we use everyday.
God uses them too, in order that He might speak in ways that we can understand.
One day we will give an account for the way we’ve spent our lives.
Someone said, you can spend your life any way you want,
but you can only spend it once.
How true. When you get to the bottom line, will you be spiritually bankrupt or have eternal dividends to look forward to?
Counting on Jesus Christ as your Saviour is the only way life will add up,
and that makes good cents.
(Rex Trogdon)
What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be;
Some day your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?"
(Simpson)
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February 20
February 21
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right had of God.
Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth.”
(Colossians 3:1-2)
We tend to follow what we focus on.
If we are preoccupied with what is evil
(wrong, or bad), we are not prone to follow what is good.
Moreover, our focus reveals the desires of our heart and our character reflects our desires,
the object of our focus. Our proper focus is on things above (Colossians 3:1-2)
and things unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18).
“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.
He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God”
(3 John 11).
A preoccupation with externals (visible things) is what
characterizes worldly-mindedness.
Culture refines. Grace restrains. The law condemns. Grace humbles.
(Nugget - John Kaiser)
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February 21
"And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
(Galatians 6:9)
A lad saw a want ad in a small Massachusetts paper,
asking for a young man to assist the office manager of a
brokerage house. Applications were to be mailed to Box 1720, Boston.
The young man wrote the best letter of application he knew how.
When no reply came he wrote a second letter. Still no reply. Though
discouraged, he did not quit. He rewrote his letter, and still he received no reply.
The lad knew that success required persistence.
So he took a train to Boston and went directly to the post office.
The boy hunted for Box 1720, then waited hours until someone came.
He followed the person to one of Boston’s large brokerage houses. When the
manager heard his story he said, “My young friend, you are just the type we are looking for.
The job is yours.” Thus began the career of Roger Babson (1875 - 1967),
one of America’s illustrious statisticians.
Do you ever feel like giving up your Sunday school class or secretarial job or superintending position?
Three of the qualities demanded repeatedly in the New Testament of
Christians are perseverance, fidelity, and steadfastness.
The text, (Galatians 6:9), suggests three ideas:
well doing, weariness, and waiting for the certain harvest.
(Leslie B. Flynn)
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