October 1
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4
I have not the thought of what we shall do in glory: my thought is, Christ will be there. I shall be in the place where everything is ruled by the mind of Christ.
Have you known down here the calming effect of realizing His presence, hearing Him
breathing out like oil on the waters, “It is I!” What will it be to be in a world where all is subject to Him who gives such peace even here! What will heaven be, when all that He is, all His perfect grace, will come out to us in the Father’s house!
What will it be where everything will be attuned to the name of Jesus! The full stream of His affections will flow over and spread blessing everywhere, “His fullness” (John 1:16) poured forth to fill every heart, and every heart perfectly filled and satisfied with it. Gleanings From the Teaching of G. V. Wigram
What will it be to dwell above, and with the Lord of glory reign,
Since the blest knowledge of HIs love so brightens all this dreary plain?
No heart can think, no tongue can tell what joy ‘twill be with Christ to dwell.
When left this scene of faith and strife, the flesh and sense deceive no more,
When we shall see the Prince of life, and all His works of grace explore:
What heights and depths of love divine will there through endless ages shine!
And God has fixed the happy day when the last tear shall dim our eyes;
When He will wipe these tears away, and fill our hearts with glad surprise;
To hear His voice, and see His face, and know the fullness of His grace.
J. Swain - 1792
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Hast Thou considered My servant Job. Job 1:8
Job, a wealthy Oriental sheik, lived in the days before the knowledge of God had been lost, though it is evident that idolatry, particularly the worship of the heavenly bodies, already had supplanted in places the older worship. For, be it remembered, paganism is not a step upward in the evolution of religion.
It is rather a declension, as Romans 1 shows us. Men turned from the living and true God to these vain idols, and “for this cause God gave them up“ (Romans 1:26) to all sorts of unclean practices. But Job had escaped all this. He was perfect in his behaviour, upright in all his ways, one who reverenced God and detested iniquity.
In chapters 1 and 2, we get a remarkable revelation of things in the unseen world. Job is the subject of a conversation between God and Satan, “the accuser of the brethren.” (Revelation 12:10) who accuses them before God day and night. The Lord challenges Satan, “Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth…one that feareth God, and eschewth evil? (blameless and upright) (Job 1:8)
Note, Job was all that God said he was—a man of faith, a true child of God. This book gives us, then, not the repentance of a sinner, but the repentance of a saint.
Satan denies the truthfulness of the divine estimate of Job and particularly declares that Job does not love and reverence the Lord for what He is in Himself, but for what Job receives at His hand.
To prove the contrary, the devil is permitted to wrest from the patriarch all that he possessed. Instead of renouncing God, Job exclaims, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).Thus far Satan is defeated, but he is relentless. “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10) He glorifies God in the fires. Satan is defeated. Job is loyal and loves God for Himself alone, and not simply for His gifts.
It is a marvellous thing thus to find one to whom God means more than all earthly possessions, yes, than life itself. Unless You Repent - H. A. Ironside
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For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
How wondrous the glories that meet in Jesus, and from His face shine.
His love is eternal and sweet; ‘tis human, ‘tis also divine!
His glory—not only God’s Son—in manhood He had His full part—
And the union of both joined in one forms the fountain of love in His heart. Robert Hawker
It was love, divine, precious, unspeakable love that led Him to die for us on that accursed tree, and, if you believe on Him, you have eternal life through His death. I say receive it, believe it. You may tell me you cannot understand it. No, but what I cannot understand I can believe, what I cannot fathom I can swim in, what I cannot comprehend I can enjoy I know that God’s Son has died for me, and I know that the source of all blessing is in His perfect love.
Could I with ink the ocean fill, were every blade of grass a quill,
Were the whole heaven of parchment made, and every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
F. M. Lehman
Think of being loved by God after such a sort, and yet not believing it. Believe it now, my friend and you will have everlasting life. But you tell me, I do not know for whom this everlasting life is. The answer is here: it is for “whosoever believeth in Him.” Believing in Jesus, you shall not perish, but have everlasting life. You will be brought into everlasting blessing, in association with the Son of God.
What you have to do is to trust Him, bow down your heart to Him, and then confess Him. That is the way of salvation. For it is added, “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17) Night Scenes of Scripture - W. T. P. Wolston
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Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
Our Lord’s desire, because of His wondrous salvation, which we as Christians possess, can also dismiss our fears because of the revelation of the many mansions (v2), and our assured arrival there (V3); of Him Who is “the way” Home (v.6); of the unveiling of God in the person of our Lord (v.9); of the works which we shall do as we pass through this world of sorrow (v12).
Of the abiding companionship of the Comforter (v16); of the fact that the Triune God, by His spirit, now indwells us (vs.17and 23); and likewise the fact that He promised to keep, in unbroken serenity, the heart that is stayed on Him (v.27);
Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)
Light that groweth not pale with day’s decrease,
Love that never shall cease,
Joy no sorrow can mar,
Hope that shineth afar,
Faith serene as a star,
And Christ’s own peace. H. Durbanville
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Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead. Revelation 1:5
The Creator-God cannot die, but He stepped into manhood in order to die for God’s glory, as the whole human race had dishonoured Him. The Lord Jesus entered the world He had created, where “All have sinned (Romans 3:23) and the whole creation suffers (v.8:22), but He honoured God. He also came to die—once the appointed time had come—as the ultimate Sacrifice to glorify God and for our salvation.
Luke put all these things in their actual historic and geographic context. He told how the Saviour-God came into the world at that exact time, born in the city of David, Bethlehem, meaning ”house of Bread,” for He is “the Bread of life”
(John 6:35).
The virgin Mary was betrothed to marry Joseph, still a virgin, with child, through the work of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18). When the day had come, “she brought forth her firstborn Son”.
Jesus is to be “the Firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). Today, all true believers belong to the family of Him who is “The Image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature.” (Colossians 1:15) As “Firstborn from the dead,” He is linked with all who belong to the new creation (Colossians 1:18). Soon God will introduce Him as “the first begotten of the dead.” (Revelation 1:5) to rule over the universe.
What a privilege to be identified with Him. Praise be to Him forever! Alfred E. Bouter
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David said…The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed. 1 Samuel 26:11
Saul says: ”I have sinned…I will no more do thee harm…I have acted foolishly, and have erred exceedingly.” (v21)
How many times had he not already said or acknowledged that this was so? Did that change his ways in the least? Often we allow ourselves to be deceived by
appearances when it is a matter of appreciating the condition of souls. David is not fooled. He confides in God alone and not at all in Saul’s feelings. He returns his weapons to him, knowing that Saul can do nothing without God’s will.
The king’s life had been precious to David, but David does not count on his life being precious to Saul. And, behold, as thy life was highly esteemed this day in mine eyes, so let my life be highly esteemed in the eyes of the Lord. (v24) He counts on the Lord.
The life of David, a flea, a partridge on the mountain. (v20), is of great price in the eyes of Him who had chosen him, called him, and kept him as the apple of His eye. Thus God glorifies Himself in those who are little and weak.
1 Samuel - Dr. Henri L. Rossier
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He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.” Luke 1:52-53
These words of Mary have an ever-present application. This is the same levelling doctrine as that proclaimed by John the Baptist. It is the “no difference” doctrine of the apostle Paul . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). Yet how the human heart rebels against it. How men pride themselves on fancied distinctions which God’s eye does not discern.
“Must I be saved in the same way as my coachman?” indignantly asked a distinguished lady.
“Madam,” was the faithful reply. “you do not need to be saved at all. But if you ever are saved, it will be on exactly the same ground as any other poor sinner.”
Years ago, I was amazed to hear an eloquent French evangelist, Paul J. Loizeaux, exclaim, “Oh, how hard it is to find sinners! If only I could find one, I have a marvellous message for him.” A moment’s thought made his meaning clear. To be a sinner is one thing; to know it is another. Except You Repent - H. A. Ironside
Suffer a sinner whose heart overflows, loving his Saviour to tell what he knows;
Once more to tell it would I embrace—I’m only a sinner saved by grace.
James Gray
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I pray before Thee now, day and night. Nehemiah 1:6
No man is greater than his prayer life. It was said of Edwin Payson, “Prayer was preeminently the business of his life.” George Whitfield said, “Whole days have I spent prostrate in prayer.”
A friend of Tersteegen commented, “It seemed to me as if he had gone straight into
heaven while he prayed.”
I often say my prayers, but do I really pray?
And do the wishes of my heart go with the words I say? J. Burton
Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
James Martinaeu said that Christianity was “no more possible without prayer than poetry without language, or music without atmosphere.”
And Oxtavius Winslow adds,”Prayer is the pulse of the renewed soul: and the constancy of its beat is the best test and measure of the spiritual life.”
O Thou by Whom we come to God the Life, the Truth, the Way
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod Lord, teach us how to pray.
James Montgomery
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Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long?
O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long night dreary, I know my Saviour cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does He care enough to be near?
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed to resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief, though my tears flow all the night long?
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye” to the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks, is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Frank E. Graeff
Mr. Greaff wrote more than two hundred hymns in his lifetime, but none has been more consoling to God’s people than this text.
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As for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. 1 Samuel 12:23 .
Whoever ceases to pray for one he loves, fails in the most sacred duty of love, because he withholds love’s best help. It is pleasant to think that we can render this best of all services for others even when we are unable to do any work on their behalf.
A “shut-in” who can run no errands and lift no burdens, and speak no words of cheer to busy toilers and sore strugglers in the great world, can yet pray for them, and God will send them truest help! J. R. Miller
Yes, pray for those you love. If uncounted wealth were thine,
The treasure of the boundless deep, the riches of the mine,
You could not to your cherished friends a gift so dear impart,
As the earnest benediction of a deeply prayerful heart.
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Teach us to pray. Luke 11:1
We should pray in the spirit of the prophet Daniel. Not only did he come down to the level of the people of Israel when he said, “We have sinned,”but he also lifted them up with himself to God in repentance and supplication and when he said, “We . . . present our supplication before Thee” (Daniel 9:8,18).
Daniel was praying alone. He was able to lift the nation of Israel into the presence of God in his intercessions. This was the turning point of Judah’s captivity. From that moment the wisdom and power of God wrought for their recovery. What results the supplication of one person may accomplish!
O Thou by Whom we come to God, the Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod teach us how to pray! Selected
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Broken Pieces
Matt. 14:20 “Fragments” Mark 6:43 “Fragments”
Luke 9:17 “Fragments” John 6:12 “Fragments”
Have you ever felt at the end of the day that you had nothing to offer bur “broken pieces” of things? In the morning we put our day in our Lord’s hands. Then we begin to do His work, but we are not able to do nearly as much as we had hoped.
Interruptions came and broke up our plans, and the evening finds us a little disappointed. “I hoped to do so much, and I have done nothing worth bringing to Thee”—that is how we feel.
I have been finding new comfort in the two words which are used by each of the four evangelists in telling the end of the story of the feeding of the Five Thousand. they speak of “broken pieces”, and the same words are used by two in telling of the later miracle. (Matthew 15:37 and Mark 8:8)
There was nothing over but “broken pieces”, and yet of those fragments our Lord said, “Gather them up that nothing be lost” (John 6:12). Even so, our dear Lord cares for, the broken pieces of our lives, the fragments of all we meant to do, the little that we have to gather up and offer, and He will use even these fragments. He will not let even the least of our little broken things be lost. Amy Carmichael
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Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
Heaven will be when I have entirely forgotten myself, and am filled with God. That very same love which will fill heaven was manifested in the cross; for there it put all my sins away, and in heaven there are none.
I want something on which my soul may be stayed. Well, God loves me; and that which makes me know how much He loves me is, that He gave His Son for me. Then, as my soul rests upon this love of God, no measure of failure can be adequate to shake my confidence, as I estimate God’s love in the gift of His Son.
The enjoyment of this love is another thing, and that is carried on by the daily and hourly communion with God as our Father, by the Spirit in us.
Close to Thy trusted side, in fellowship divine;
No cloud, no distance, e’er shall hide, glories that then shall shine.
Fruit of Thy boundless love, that gave Thyself for us;
Forever we shall with Thee prove that Thou still lov’st us thus.
We wait to see Thee, Lord, yet now within our hearts
Thou dwell’st in love that doth afford the joy that love imparts.
J. N. Darby
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