Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Christlike Living in a Sinful World # 16

Doing God's will

"I delight to do Your will, O my God. Your law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8

Doing God's will, builds godly character in us. It builds up in us, that which shall never need to be torn down. "He who does the will of God, abides forever." Every act of obedience adds a new touch of beauty to our soul. Every true work we do in Christ's name, though it leaves no mark anywhere else in God's universe — leaves an imperishable mark on our own life. Every deed of kindness or unselfishness that we perform, with love in our hearts for Christ, may not bless another soul in all the wide world — but will leave its blessing on us. We are sure, therefore, of getting a blessing in our own life when we are obedient, even though no one else benefits.

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple — I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward!" Matthew 10:42
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Forgive as the Lord forgave you

We should not keep count of offenses and forgiven acts. The time should never come when we shall say that we can forgive someone no more. When we are hurting from some injury done to us by another, and when our feeling of resentment is burning like a flame within us — we should remember that the wrong we have done to God is infinitely greater, and that He in His love has freely forgiven us. Should we not, then, be willing to forgive others their little offenses against us? This is why our Lord put into the prayer He taught His disciples the words, "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us." He wants us always to remember that we ourselves need forgiveness, and that if we would be like Him, we must forgive as He does.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:12-13
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Stand still!

"When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever." Proverbs 10:25

"Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today!" Exodus 14:13

One of the first things in military training, is to learn to stand your ground. Old soldiers will tell you that there is nothing which so tests courage and obedience, as being required to stand still on the field and hold a position in the face of the enemy. Oftentimes the battle depends on simply standing firm.

The same principle applies in all of life. Much of Christian duty is not active, bustling work — but quiet, patient waiting. There come many times in the experience of each of our lives, when victory can be gained in no other way. We must stand still and wait for God. Immeasurable harm is brought about in our personal lives, because we are impatient and cannot wait for the divine call to go forward.

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm!" 1 Corinthians 15:58
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God's providence

We are apt to interpret God's providence, in accordance with our own desires. When we are wishing to be led in a certain way — we are quite sure to find 'signs' which seem to favor our own preference. We must be careful to correctly interpret the meaning of events and circumstances. We are not to enter every door that is thrown open before us. The devil opens doors of temptation, but we are not to call opportunities to sin — guiding directions from God. His voice in circumstances— never contradicts the voice of His Word.
God moves in mysterious ways,
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm!

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will!

You fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head!

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face!

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower!

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain!
(William Cowper)
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Amid the grim and severe experiences of life

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved — clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

We ought to keep our hearts warm and full of kindness and sweet human tenderness — even through the harshest experiences. Many of us find life hard and full of pain. We meet misfortunes, serious trials, and disappointments. We should not allow these difficult experiences to deaden our sensitivities, or make us stoic or sour. Nothing but the love of God shed abroad in us by the Holy Spirit, can keep any of us in such gentleness and tenderness, amid the grim and severe experiences of life. Yes, it is possible to carry a gentle heart through all life's hardness and frost, into a full and ripe old age.
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Praying for our country

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone —  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior" 1 Timothy 2:1-3

We need to pray much for our country. We often fail in this, by making our prayers only for ourselves and for our own little world. Certainly our country ought to have a place in the daily prayers of every Christian. Those who govern us, ought to be continually remembered. They are only human, and need divine wisdom and guidance. They are people under the sway of party influence, and we need to pray that they be kept free from any control that would lead them to forget God. We need to pray for our institutions, that they be kept pure and holy — that righteousness may prevail throughout the land. We need to pray for all our people, that they may be made good citizens — that uprightness and integrity may characterize them. "Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord."
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We should never allow the sun to go down!

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Ephesians 4:31

Let us instantly crush the beginning of envy, jealousy, and hate in our hearts, never allowing the day to close with a bitter feeling remaining. The hour of evening prayer, when we bow at God's feet — should always be a time for getting everything right which may have gone wrong with us and in us during the day. Next, every injury should be forgiven when we pray, "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us." Finally every spark of envy or jealousy or anger should be quenched, and the love of Christ should be allowed to flood our hearts. We should never allow the sun to go down on our anger.
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Mamma, this little hand never struck me!

"Why? What crime has He committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify Him!" Matthew 27:23

That was a fair question. The Jews wanted Pilate to put Jesus to death; but Pilate had a right to ask why such sentence should be pronounced. No man should ever be condemned without a trial.

We have a right to ask the same now, of those who condemn and reject Christ. What wrong thing has He done? What flaws are there in His character? Whom has He injured? The Jews attempted no answer to Pilate's question; indeed there was no answer possible, for no accusation could be brought against Jesus. He had never injured anyone!
A little girl kissed her young brother's hand as he lay in the coffin, and said, "Mamma, this little hand never struck me." It could well have been said of Christ when He lay in death:
"This hand never struck anyone.
 These lips never spoke a word that gave pain.
 This heart never cherished an unkind thought of feeling."

On the other hand, the life of Christ was a perpetual blessing to all who knew Him. His hands were ever stretched out in healing — until finally they were stretched out on the cross and fastened to it — but outstretched still in blessing. His lips were ever speaking words of comfort, of love. His heart was ever full of love and grace.

Who could ever bring any accusation against Him? In truth, no one ever did! He was hurried to death by men's hatred, without reason or charge of any kind.

"Why? What crime has He committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify Him!" Matthew 27:23
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Assurance 
While living close to Christ, it is the Christian's privilege is to enjoy unbroken assurance of His love. God wants us to trust Him just as fully in the shadows, as in the sunshine. There is grace enough in Christ to give light and joy to the darkest experience. Yet it is also true that many of God's noblest saints, in all ages, have had seasons of depression, when they lost the joy of salvation, and could not speak triumphantly of their hope. It is true, also, that there have been many devoted followers of Christ who throughout their life could not get beyond the mere hope that they were Christ's disciples. Is this the best that the love of God and the grace of Christ can do for those who are saved?

~J.  R. Miller~

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