The oyster's wounds become pearls; and God can bring pearls of spiritual beauty out of our hurts!
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
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She has done what she could!
"She has done what she could!" Mark 14:8
All Christ asks from any of us — is what we have the ability to do. He asks no impossibilities apart from His grace. He accepts our smallest, poorest gifts or services — if they are indeed our best and if true love towards Him consecrates and sanctifies them. We need to care only for two things — that we always do our best, and that we do what we, do through love for Christ. If we are faithful to the measure of our ability and opportunity, and if love sanctifies what we do — then we are guaranteed of our Lord's approval. But we should never offer less than the best that we can do; to do so is to be disloyal to our Lord and disloyal to our own soul.
"Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things — I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord!" Matthew 25:23
"She has done what she could!" Mark 14:8
All Christ asks from any of us — is what we have the ability to do. He asks no impossibilities apart from His grace. He accepts our smallest, poorest gifts or services — if they are indeed our best and if true love towards Him consecrates and sanctifies them. We need to care only for two things — that we always do our best, and that we do what we, do through love for Christ. If we are faithful to the measure of our ability and opportunity, and if love sanctifies what we do — then we are guaranteed of our Lord's approval. But we should never offer less than the best that we can do; to do so is to be disloyal to our Lord and disloyal to our own soul.
"Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things — I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord!" Matthew 25:23
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The central goal of Christian life
"Owe no one anything, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8
"Serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13
God gives us, among the good things — hard work, conflict, self-denial, and bearing the cross. The central goal of Christian life, is ministry or serving. Some say, "Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." Yes, but there is no way of glorifying God, except by living to bless the world in Christ's name, to bless others by . . .
serving them,
loving them,
helping them,
and doing them good.
We are debtors, therefore, to everyone we meet. We owe them love; we owe them service. We are not to put ourselves on little thrones and demand homage and service from others; rather we are to do the serving. Christ came "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." And we should act the same way as our Lord.
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet — you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you!" John 13:14-15
"The greatest among you will be your servant!" Matthew 23:11
"Owe no one anything, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8
"Serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13
God gives us, among the good things — hard work, conflict, self-denial, and bearing the cross. The central goal of Christian life, is ministry or serving. Some say, "Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." Yes, but there is no way of glorifying God, except by living to bless the world in Christ's name, to bless others by . . .
serving them,
loving them,
helping them,
and doing them good.
We are debtors, therefore, to everyone we meet. We owe them love; we owe them service. We are not to put ourselves on little thrones and demand homage and service from others; rather we are to do the serving. Christ came "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." And we should act the same way as our Lord.
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet — you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you!" John 13:14-15
"The greatest among you will be your servant!" Matthew 23:11
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Bring your barley loaves to Christ!
"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" John 6:9
God does not like to bestow His blessings where they will be hoarded — but He loves to put them into the hands of those who will do the most with them to bless others. The central purpose of authentic Christian living, is to serve others in need. The purposeful life, is one devoted to Christ, to be used for Him in blessing others. Lay every gift at the Master's feet, and then, when it has been blessed by Him — give it out to bless others. Bring your barley loaves to Christ, and then, with the anointing of His touch upon them, you may feed many spiritually hungry people
"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" John 6:9
God does not like to bestow His blessings where they will be hoarded — but He loves to put them into the hands of those who will do the most with them to bless others. The central purpose of authentic Christian living, is to serve others in need. The purposeful life, is one devoted to Christ, to be used for Him in blessing others. Lay every gift at the Master's feet, and then, when it has been blessed by Him — give it out to bless others. Bring your barley loaves to Christ, and then, with the anointing of His touch upon them, you may feed many spiritually hungry people
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It is easier to offer God a few easy activities
"My son, give me your heart" Proverbs 23:26
"They first gave themselves to the Lord" 2 Corinthians 8:5
God wants, not so much your work, but you; at least He wants you first — and then your work. Service from hearts which are not really consecrated to God, is not pleasing to Him. We are in danger of forgetting this in our busy, bustling periods. It is easier to offer God a few easy activities — than to give Him our heart. The tendency of the religious life at present is to work, and to serve — rather than to love God. So we need to remind ourselves continually, that loving must comebefore doing and serving. The largest and most noticeable work will find no acceptance with God — if our hearts are not His.
"My son, give me your heart" Proverbs 23:26
"They first gave themselves to the Lord" 2 Corinthians 8:5
God wants, not so much your work, but you; at least He wants you first — and then your work. Service from hearts which are not really consecrated to God, is not pleasing to Him. We are in danger of forgetting this in our busy, bustling periods. It is easier to offer God a few easy activities — than to give Him our heart. The tendency of the religious life at present is to work, and to serve — rather than to love God. So we need to remind ourselves continually, that loving must comebefore doing and serving. The largest and most noticeable work will find no acceptance with God — if our hearts are not His.
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The power of the tongue!
"The tongue of the righteous is choice silver" Proverbs 10:20
"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom" Proverbs 10:31
"The tongue of the wise brings healing" Proverbs 12:18
"The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life" Proverbs 15:4
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue!" Proverbs 18:21
"A gentle tongue can break a bone" Proverbs 25:15
The tongue's power to bless others, is simply beyond our understanding. It can impart valuable knowledge, making others wise. It can utter kind words, to comfort the sorrowful or cheer the downcast. It can verbalize thoughts which will arouse, inspire, and quicken heedless souls. It can sing songs that will live forever, in their influence and ministry. We should consecrate our tongues to God, and keep them pure for Him. The lips that speak God's name in prayer and Christian song, and speak vows of fidelity to Christ — should never defile themselves with any type of unwholesome speech. They should be kept only for Christ.
"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
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"The tongue of the righteous is choice silver" Proverbs 10:20
"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom" Proverbs 10:31
"The tongue of the wise brings healing" Proverbs 12:18
"The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life" Proverbs 15:4
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue!" Proverbs 18:21
"A gentle tongue can break a bone" Proverbs 25:15
The tongue's power to bless others, is simply beyond our understanding. It can impart valuable knowledge, making others wise. It can utter kind words, to comfort the sorrowful or cheer the downcast. It can verbalize thoughts which will arouse, inspire, and quicken heedless souls. It can sing songs that will live forever, in their influence and ministry. We should consecrate our tongues to God, and keep them pure for Him. The lips that speak God's name in prayer and Christian song, and speak vows of fidelity to Christ — should never defile themselves with any type of unwholesome speech. They should be kept only for Christ.
"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
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I have only one passion, and that is Jesus!
"Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts!" Ezekiel 14:3
"Their heart went after their idols!" Ezekiel 20:16
We need to watch our heart-life, for it is in our thoughts, feelings, moods, tempers, and affections — that the turning from Christ begins.
We need to watch our inner spiritual state. The world may see no limit to our zeal, our religious activity, our earnest promoting of the truth — and yet there may be not enough prayerfulness, love for Christ, tenderness of conscience, hunger for righteousness, or desire for holiness.
Is Christ more to you now, than He ever was before? Does His love draw you with an overwhelming sway? Can you say, with Zinzendorf, "I have only one passion, and that is Jesus!"
Is your heart right?
"My son, give me your heart!" Proverbs 23:26
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life!" Proverbs 4:23
"Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts!" Ezekiel 14:3
"Their heart went after their idols!" Ezekiel 20:16
We need to watch our heart-life, for it is in our thoughts, feelings, moods, tempers, and affections — that the turning from Christ begins.
We need to watch our inner spiritual state. The world may see no limit to our zeal, our religious activity, our earnest promoting of the truth — and yet there may be not enough prayerfulness, love for Christ, tenderness of conscience, hunger for righteousness, or desire for holiness.
Is Christ more to you now, than He ever was before? Does His love draw you with an overwhelming sway? Can you say, with Zinzendorf, "I have only one passion, and that is Jesus!"
Is your heart right?
"My son, give me your heart!" Proverbs 23:26
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life!" Proverbs 4:23
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The true motto of all Christian living
"I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name because you belong to Christ — will certainly not lose his reward!" Mark 9:41
Love to Christ must be the springboard and inspiration of all duty, fine achievements, and service to others. "In His Name" is the true motto of all Christian living.
Serving others amounts to nothing in Heaven's sight — if it is not done for the sake of Christ. The service must be truly rendered to Christ, no matter to whom the kindness is shown — or otherwise it will not please God, however beautiful it may be in itself. Things we do from any other motive, have no acceptability in the sight of God.
"I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name because you belong to Christ — will certainly not lose his reward!" Mark 9:41
Love to Christ must be the springboard and inspiration of all duty, fine achievements, and service to others. "In His Name" is the true motto of all Christian living.
Serving others amounts to nothing in Heaven's sight — if it is not done for the sake of Christ. The service must be truly rendered to Christ, no matter to whom the kindness is shown — or otherwise it will not please God, however beautiful it may be in itself. Things we do from any other motive, have no acceptability in the sight of God.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
He answers our soul's needs
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." James 4:3
No true prayer with the wings of faith goes unanswered — but many a prayer that seems unanswered is actually over-answered. The very thing we ask, God does not grant — because He is able to do something infinitely better for us. We ask only for physical help or relief — and He sees that we need some far more spiritual blessing. He answers our soul's needs — before He gratifies our personal wishes. We ask for a material favor — and He does not give it to us; but instead He gives us a spiritual good to enrich us forever. We ask for the lifting of a burden, or the removal of sorrow; but our plea is not granted in the form we ask — instead we receive new filling with the grace of Christ. Thus many times our little prayers are really answered over and above our requests.
"No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11
"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." Psalm 34:10
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." James 4:3
No true prayer with the wings of faith goes unanswered — but many a prayer that seems unanswered is actually over-answered. The very thing we ask, God does not grant — because He is able to do something infinitely better for us. We ask only for physical help or relief — and He sees that we need some far more spiritual blessing. He answers our soul's needs — before He gratifies our personal wishes. We ask for a material favor — and He does not give it to us; but instead He gives us a spiritual good to enrich us forever. We ask for the lifting of a burden, or the removal of sorrow; but our plea is not granted in the form we ask — instead we receive new filling with the grace of Christ. Thus many times our little prayers are really answered over and above our requests.
"No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11
"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." Psalm 34:10
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We are always under God's orders
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14
Wherever God puts us, He has something definite right there for us to do. There is something He created for you to do in a special way. Every day He brings you into places where you have a definite purpose. Every time we find ourselves in the presence of a need or an opportunity to be helpful — we may well stop and ask if God has not brought us to this place for this very thing. Really, we are always under God's orders. Oftentimes the orders are sealed — and are opened only as the time goes by. To realize this, gives our common life a sacredness which should make us revere God. We need to continually serve our King.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do — do it all for the glory of God!" 1 Corinthians 10:31
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14
Wherever God puts us, He has something definite right there for us to do. There is something He created for you to do in a special way. Every day He brings you into places where you have a definite purpose. Every time we find ourselves in the presence of a need or an opportunity to be helpful — we may well stop and ask if God has not brought us to this place for this very thing. Really, we are always under God's orders. Oftentimes the orders are sealed — and are opened only as the time goes by. To realize this, gives our common life a sacredness which should make us revere God. We need to continually serve our King.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do — do it all for the glory of God!" 1 Corinthians 10:31
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Our lives should be New Testament pages that all can read!
"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." 1 Peter 3:1-2
Unbelievers do not read the Bible, nor come to church to hear the gospel message. All they learn about Christ and the Christian life — they must learn from those who bear Christ's name and represent Him.
If all church members lived truly consecrated lives — holy, beautiful, separate from the world, loyal to Christ in business, in pleasure, and in all things — it would impossible to estimate what the influence of the Church would be, by godly example alone. It is awful to think that professing Christians, by the inconsistencies of their personal lives, lead souls away from the Savior. We are all responsible for our example to others. Our lives should be New Testament pages that all can read!
"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." 1 Peter 3:1-2
Unbelievers do not read the Bible, nor come to church to hear the gospel message. All they learn about Christ and the Christian life — they must learn from those who bear Christ's name and represent Him.
If all church members lived truly consecrated lives — holy, beautiful, separate from the world, loyal to Christ in business, in pleasure, and in all things — it would impossible to estimate what the influence of the Church would be, by godly example alone. It is awful to think that professing Christians, by the inconsistencies of their personal lives, lead souls away from the Savior. We are all responsible for our example to others. Our lives should be New Testament pages that all can read!
~J. R. Miller~
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