roniya“Live for the glory of God and the good of many.”

(James Smith, “The Pastor’s Evening Visit”)

“Who is this coming up from the wilderness–leaning upon her Beloved?” Song of Solomon 8:5

Jesus is the object of a believer’s love.
To him–the world is a wilderness.
Heaven is his Father’s house–and his home.
He is passing through the wilderness in company with Jesus.

He is represented as the bride leaning on her Beloved.
This is indicative of weakness in herself–and confidence in her Beloved.

He is her strength–as well as her guide.

He is her support–as well as the object of her affection.

She leans on Him–as well as converses with Him.

He supports her–as well as comforts her.

Believer, keep close to your Savior’s side! Never leave Him while in this waste howling wilderness. Lean on Him! And when you feel weak–lean hard!

His strong arm is put forth to support your weak frame.
He will bear you up. He will lead you on.

The more you lean on Him–the more you will love Him!
The more you love Him–the closer you will cleave to Him!

Yield to His guidance,
trust in His love,
lean on His power,
walk by His side.

In His company–you are safe!

In communion with Him–you will be happy! Like the two disciples of old, your heart will be warmed, and you will be at the end of your journey before you are aware of it!

He is always at your side–so lean hard!

“Who is this coming up from the wilderness–leaning upon her Beloved?” Song of Solomon 8:5

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Does anyone ask me what we may expect to see in a true conversion? I reply–there will always be something seen in a converted man’s . . .
character,
feelings,
conduct,
opinions
and daily life.

You will not see perfection in him; but you will see in him–something peculiar, distinct, and different from other people.

You will see him . . .
hating sin,
loving Christ,
following after holiness,
taking pleasure in his Bible,
persevering in prayer.

You will see him . . .
penitent,
humble,
believing,
temperate,
charitable,
truthful,
good-tempered,
patient,
upright,
honorable,
kind.

These, at any rate, will be his aims–these are the things which he will follow after, however short he may come of perfection.

In some converted people you will see these things more distinctly–in others less. This only I say–wherever there is true conversion, something of this kind will be seen.

(J. C. Ryle, “Old Paths”)

For those who would like to finish reading this little booklet by John Bunyan, I’ll let you do it through reading this PDF document.  I highly recommend finishing the reading of it for those who began.  It provides great encouragement to finish the race that is set before us.

The Heavenly Footman Read the rest of this entry »

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in need.” Philippians 4:11-12

Life is a ‘school’. All its experiences are ‘lessons’. Read the rest of this entry »

“So he called ten of his servants–and gave them ten pounds. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’” Luke 19:13

We are doing business in this world for Christ. Each one of us has something of His–a pound which He has entrusted to us–to trade with as His agent. Our life itself, with all its powers, its endowments, its opportunities, its privileges, its blessings, its possibilities–is ‘our pound’.

Our life is not our own. We are not in this world merely to have a good time for a few years. Life is a trust. We are not done with it either, when we have lived it through to its last day. We must render an account of it to Him who gave it to us. Our business is to gather gains, through our trading with our Lord’s money. We are required to make the most that is possible of our life!

“The first came forward and said–Master, your pound has earned ten more pounds!” Luke 19:16

We always find a few of these ten-pound Christians among the followers of Christ. They are those Christians who, from the very beginning, through divine grace–strive to reach the best things attainable in life. They are not content with being merely saved from sin’s guilt, with being mere members of the church. They make their consecration to Christ complete, keeping nothing back. They set their ideal of obedience to their Lord–at the mark of perfectness, and are not slack in their striving, until they reach the mark in heaven. They seek to follow Christ entirely, fully, with their whole heart. They accept every duty–without regard to its cost. They seek to be like Christ, imitating Him in all the elements of His character. They give their whole energy to the work and service of Christ. They lie, like John, on the Master’s bosom, and their souls are struck through, as it were, with the Master’s loving spirit.

These ten-pound Christians grow at last–into a Christ-likeness, a spiritual beauty, and a power of usefulness and influence, by which they are set apart among Christians, shining with brighter luster than other stars, in the galaxy of the church. Their one pound has made ten more pounds! Their high spiritual attainment has been won by their diligent and wise use of the one pound with which they began!

(by J. R. Miller)

The race!

(J. R. Miller)

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

That Christian life which costs nothing–is worth nothing. There must be self-restraint, discipline, severe schooling. There must be struggle, and the agonizing effort. If you are to reach the goal and win the prize–you must put every energy of your life into the race. There must be a sacrifice of indolence and self-will and personal ease. Too much pampering, spoils many a promising Christian.

Every noble and godly life, is a struggle from beginning to end. Only those who toil and fight and overcome–are successful in life. This is true in every sphere–in business, in academics, and in spiritual life. Are we resisting sin, overcoming temptation, living victoriously in trial? If not–we are not living worthily. “To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:29