Life's battles and crises
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble!" Psalm 46:1
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Philippians 4:13
Many a great battle is won by the reserves. The struggle is perfectly balanced, and victory is uncertain. Then, one side or the other brings up the reserve army, and instantly the question is settled.
Life's battles and crises are often determined in the same manner: by reserve resources — or their absence.
Our days are not all bright, easy, and free of pain. The course is not always smooth. We all have tasks and duties which completely overwhelm our ability. We are all assailed by spiritual foes and temptations — and victory comes only if we can call our reserves into action. Blessed are those who have learned to draw on theinfinite resources of divine strength. With the fullness of God as a reserve, they can never fail.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes!" Ephesians 6:10-11
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!" Philippians 4:19
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble!" Psalm 46:1
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Philippians 4:13
Many a great battle is won by the reserves. The struggle is perfectly balanced, and victory is uncertain. Then, one side or the other brings up the reserve army, and instantly the question is settled.
Life's battles and crises are often determined in the same manner: by reserve resources — or their absence.
Our days are not all bright, easy, and free of pain. The course is not always smooth. We all have tasks and duties which completely overwhelm our ability. We are all assailed by spiritual foes and temptations — and victory comes only if we can call our reserves into action. Blessed are those who have learned to draw on theinfinite resources of divine strength. With the fullness of God as a reserve, they can never fail.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes!" Ephesians 6:10-11
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!" Philippians 4:19
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reckless words
Some people boast of their honesty and frankness, just because they "say what they think," flinging out the words right and left as they come, no matter where theystrike, or whom they wound. Do not call this honesty — call it rather miserable rudeness, reckless cruelty.
We have no right to say what we think — unless we think lovingly and sweetly. We certainly have no right to unload . . .
our jealousies,
our envies,
our bad tempers, and
our miserable spite upon our neighbor.
If we must be bad-tempered, we should at least keep the ugliness locked up in our own heart, and not let it out to hurt other people's happiness. Or, if we must speakour wretched feelings, let us go into our own room and lock the door and close the windows, that no ears but our own shall hear our hateful words!
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing!" Proverbs 12:18
"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones!" Proverbs 16:24
Some people boast of their honesty and frankness, just because they "say what they think," flinging out the words right and left as they come, no matter where theystrike, or whom they wound. Do not call this honesty — call it rather miserable rudeness, reckless cruelty.
We have no right to say what we think — unless we think lovingly and sweetly. We certainly have no right to unload . . .
our jealousies,
our envies,
our bad tempers, and
our miserable spite upon our neighbor.
If we must be bad-tempered, we should at least keep the ugliness locked up in our own heart, and not let it out to hurt other people's happiness. Or, if we must speakour wretched feelings, let us go into our own room and lock the door and close the windows, that no ears but our own shall hear our hateful words!
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing!" Proverbs 12:18
"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones!" Proverbs 16:24
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It is good for me that I have been afflicted!
"I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75
Our spiritual life needs trials to bring out its greatest possibilities. It flourishes most luxuriantly, in adverse circumstances. The very trials and temptations which make our life full of unceasing warfare — train us to be true soldiers of Christ. The difficulties of our experiences, which seem to us to be more than we can possibly endure — are the very school of life for us in which we learn our best lessons, and grow into whatever beauty and Christlike character we attain.
"Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word." Psalm 119:67
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Psalm 119:71
"I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75
Our spiritual life needs trials to bring out its greatest possibilities. It flourishes most luxuriantly, in adverse circumstances. The very trials and temptations which make our life full of unceasing warfare — train us to be true soldiers of Christ. The difficulties of our experiences, which seem to us to be more than we can possibly endure — are the very school of life for us in which we learn our best lessons, and grow into whatever beauty and Christlike character we attain.
"Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word." Psalm 119:67
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Psalm 119:71
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pleasant words
"How delightful is a timely word!" Proverbs 15:23
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones!" Proverbs 16:24
How much better would it be if we were more generous and lavish of our good words, when our friends can be cheered and blessed by them! Sometimes we let other hearts starve, for lack of kindly words which lie meanwhile on our tongues, ready to be spoken. It is not the lack of love for which we are to be blamed — but the stinginess which locks up the love and will not give it out in word and act to bless hungry lives. Is there any miserliness so base? We let hearts starve close beside us, when we have the bread to feed them; and then, when they lie in the dust of defeat or death — we come with our love to speak eloquent funeral eulogies. Would it not be far better to give out our kind words when it will do good?
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
"How delightful is a timely word!" Proverbs 15:23
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones!" Proverbs 16:24
How much better would it be if we were more generous and lavish of our good words, when our friends can be cheered and blessed by them! Sometimes we let other hearts starve, for lack of kindly words which lie meanwhile on our tongues, ready to be spoken. It is not the lack of love for which we are to be blamed — but the stinginess which locks up the love and will not give it out in word and act to bless hungry lives. Is there any miserliness so base? We let hearts starve close beside us, when we have the bread to feed them; and then, when they lie in the dust of defeat or death — we come with our love to speak eloquent funeral eulogies. Would it not be far better to give out our kind words when it will do good?
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Choosing Friends
We should choose friends whom we can take . . .
into every part of our life,
into closest fellowship,
into each holy joy of our heart,
into each work and service,
into each hope, and
at every point be in sympathy.
We ought to accept only the friendship . . .
which will bring blessing to our lives,
which will enrich our character,
which will stimulate us to better and holier things,
which will weave threads of silver and gold into our web of life,
whose every influence will be a lasting blessing.
We should choose friends whom we can take . . .
into every part of our life,
into closest fellowship,
into each holy joy of our heart,
into each work and service,
into each hope, and
at every point be in sympathy.
We ought to accept only the friendship . . .
which will bring blessing to our lives,
which will enrich our character,
which will stimulate us to better and holier things,
which will weave threads of silver and gold into our web of life,
whose every influence will be a lasting blessing.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Enlarge your desires and your prayers!
Enlarge your desires and your prayers! Do not ask merely for mercies, and favors, and ordinary gifts. Do not ask God merely to give you bread, and health, and friends, and prosperity. Do not content yourself with asking . . .
for grace to help in temptation,
or for strength to fill up your weakness,
or for wisdom to guide you in confusion,
or for holiness and purity and power.
Ask for God Himself, and then open your heart to receive Him. If you have God — then you have all other gifts and blessings in Him. God is willing to give you Himself for the asking, not merely the favors and benefits which His hand provides. Ask for great things!
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!" Ephesians 3:20
"He has all — who has the haver of all." Augustine
Enlarge your desires and your prayers! Do not ask merely for mercies, and favors, and ordinary gifts. Do not ask God merely to give you bread, and health, and friends, and prosperity. Do not content yourself with asking . . .
for grace to help in temptation,
or for strength to fill up your weakness,
or for wisdom to guide you in confusion,
or for holiness and purity and power.
Ask for God Himself, and then open your heart to receive Him. If you have God — then you have all other gifts and blessings in Him. God is willing to give you Himself for the asking, not merely the favors and benefits which His hand provides. Ask for great things!
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!" Ephesians 3:20
"He has all — who has the haver of all." Augustine
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The sacred and holy trust
Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her, when a babe is place in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into its soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny — she would see that in all God's world, there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands, the sacred and holy trust given to her.
Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her, when a babe is place in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into its soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny — she would see that in all God's world, there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands, the sacred and holy trust given to her.
~J. R. Miller~
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