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'''Back to [[J. R. Miller BOOKS'.]]'''
 
'''Back to [[J. R. Miller BOOKS'.]]'''
 
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<p>"Handfuls of Grass for the Lord's Hungry Sheep"</p>
+
<p><em>To be a Christian is to be devoted utterly, resistlessly, irrevocably, to Christ.</em><br><br>
<p>Daily readings for every day in the year</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
<p>"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.<br>
+
<strong>Work for God's eye</strong><br>
  He makes me lie down <strong>in green pastures</strong>; He <br>
+
<br>
  leads me beside quiet waters." Psalm 23:1-2<br>
+
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness'<br>
 
+
before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you<br>
<p>To be a Christian is to be devoted utterly, resistlessly, irrevocably, to Christ.</em></p>
+
will have no reward from your Father in heaven."<br>
<p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
Matthew 6:1 <br>
<p><strong>Work for God's eye</strong><br>
+
<br>
  <br>
+
No grace shines more brightly in a Christian, <br>
  "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness'<br>
+
than humility. Wherever SELF comes in—it <br>
  before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you<br>
+
mars the beauty of the work we are doing. <br>
  will have no reward from your Father in heaven."<br>
+
Seek to do your work noiselessly. Do not try <br>
  Matthew 6:1 <br>
+
to draw attention to yourself—to make others<br>
  <br>
+
know that you did some beautiful thing. Be <br>
  No grace shines more brightly in a Christian, <br>
+
content to pour your rich life into other wasted, <br>
  than humility. Wherever SELF comes in—it <br>
+
weary lives—and see them blessed and made <br>
  mars the beauty of the work we are doing. <br>
+
more holy—and then hide away and let Christ <br>
  Seek to do your work noiselessly. Do not try <br>
+
have the honor. <strong>Work for God's eye</strong>—and even <br>
  to draw attention to yourself—to make others<br>
+
then, do not think much about reward. Seek to <br>
  know that you did some beautiful thing. Be <br>
+
be a blessing—and never think of self-glory. <br>
  content to pour your rich life into other wasted, <br>
+
<br>
  weary lives—and see them blessed and made <br>
+
"Then your Father, who sees what is done<br>
  more holy—and then hide away and let Christ <br>
+
in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:4<br><br>
  have the honor. <strong>Work for God's eye</strong>—and even <br>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
  then, do not think much about reward. Seek to <br>
+
  be a blessing—and never think of self-glory. <br>
+
  <br>
+
  "Then your Father, who sees what is done<br>
+
  in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:4</p>
+
<p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
 
<strong>Unto the end!</strong> <br>
 
<strong>Unto the end!</strong> <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "Having loved His own who were in the world<br>
+
"Having loved His own who were in the world<br>
  —<em>He loved them to the end</em>." John 13:1<br>
+
—<em>He loved them to the end</em>." John 13:1<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  The most wonderful thing in the universe, is <br>
+
The most wonderful thing in the universe, is <br>
  our Savior's love for His own people. Christ <br>
+
our Savior's love for His own people. Christ <br>
  bears with all our infirmities. He never tires <br>
+
bears with all our infirmities. He never tires <br>
  of our inconsistencies and unfaithfulnesses. <br>
+
of our inconsistencies and unfaithfulnesses. <br>
  He goes on forever forgiving and forgetting. <br>
+
He goes on forever forgiving and forgetting. <br>
  He follows us when we go astray. He does not <br>
+
He follows us when we go astray. He does not <br>
  forget us—when we forget Him. Through all <br>
+
forget us—when we forget Him. Through all <br>
  our stumbling and sinning, through all our <br>
+
our stumbling and sinning, through all our <br>
  provocation and disobedience, through all <br>
+
provocation and disobedience, through all <br>
  our waywardnesses and stubbornnesses, <br>
+
our waywardnesses and stubbornnesses, <br>
  through all our doubting and unfaithfulness <br>
+
through all our doubting and unfaithfulness <br>
  —He clings to us still, and never lets us go. <br>
+
—He clings to us still, and never lets us go. <br>
  "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake <br>
+
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake <br>
  you." Hebrews 13:5<br>
+
you." Hebrews 13:5<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "I give them eternal life, and they will never <br>
+
"I give them eternal life, and they will never <br>
  perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of <br>
+
perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of <br>
  My hand!" John 10:28</p>
+
My hand!" John 10:28<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Your amusements</strong><br>
 
<strong>Your amusements</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "So whether you eat or drink or whatever<br>
+
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever<br>
  you do—do it all for the glory of God."<br>
+
you do—do it all for the glory of God."<br>
  1 Corinthians 10:31<br>
+
1 Corinthians 10:31<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Amusements are proper, both as to <em>kind </em>and <br>
+
Amusements are proper, both as to <em>kind </em>and <br>
  <em>degree</em>—just so far as they make us better <br>
+
<em>degree</em>—just so far as they make us better <br>
  Christians. Whenever they become hindrances <br>
+
Christians. Whenever they become hindrances <br>
  to us in our Christian living or in our holy walk<br>
+
to us in our Christian living or in our holy walk<br>
  —they are harmful, however innocent they <br>
+
—they are harmful, however innocent they <br>
  may be in themselves. <br>
+
may be in themselves. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  How do <strong>your amusements</strong> influence your <br>
+
How do <strong>your amusements</strong> influence your <br>
  spiritual life? They may be very <em>pleasing </em>to you. <br>
+
spiritual life? They may be very <em>pleasing </em>to you. <br>
  They may afford great <em>gratification</em>. But what is <br>
+
They may afford great <em>gratification</em>. But what is <br>
  their effect on you, as a Christian? Are they <br>
+
their effect on you, as a Christian? Are they <br>
  hindering your love for Christ, and your growth <br>
+
hindering your love for Christ, and your growth <br>
  in grace? We ought to be honest enough with <br>
+
in grace? We ought to be honest enough with <br>
  ourselves, to answer these questions truthfully, <br>
+
ourselves, to answer these questions truthfully, <br>
  and then <em>act </em>accordingly.</p>
+
and then <em>act </em>accordingly.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Loving the unseen Christ</strong><br>
 
<strong>Loving the unseen Christ</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  <em>Holy thoughts </em>in the heart, transfigure the <em>life</em>. <br>
+
<em>Holy thoughts </em>in the heart, transfigure the <em>life</em>. <br>
  Your daily <em>thoughts—</em>build up your <em>character</em>. <br>
+
Your daily <em>thoughts—</em>build up your <em>character</em>. <br>
  Our hearts are the <em>quarries </em>where the <em>blocks </em>are <br>
+
Our hearts are the <em>quarries </em>where the <em>blocks </em>are <br>
  fashioned, which we build into our <em>life-temple</em>. If <br>
+
fashioned, which we build into our <em>life-temple</em>. If <br>
  our <em>thoughts </em>and meditations are holy, beautiful, <br>
+
our <em>thoughts </em>and meditations are holy, beautiful, <br>
  true, pure, loving, and gentle—our <em>life </em>will grow <br>
+
true, pure, loving, and gentle—our <em>life </em>will grow <br>
  into Christ-likeness. <br>
+
into Christ-likeness. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Drummond tells of a young girl whose character <br>
+
Drummond tells of a young girl whose character <br>
  ripened into rare beauty—"one of the loveliest lives,"<br>
+
ripened into rare beauty—"one of the loveliest lives,"<br>
  he says, "that ever bloomed on earth!" She always <br>
+
he says, "that ever bloomed on earth!" She always <br>
  wore around her neck <em>a little locket</em>. But no one was <br>
+
wore around her neck <em>a little locket</em>. But no one was <br>
  ever allowed to open the locket or to know what it <br>
+
ever allowed to open the locket or to know what it <br>
  contained.<br>
+
contained.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Once, however, in a time of dangerous illness, she <br>
+
Once, however, in a time of dangerous illness, she <br>
  permitted a friend to look within it, and there she <br>
+
permitted a friend to look within it, and there she <br>
  saw the words, <em>"Whom having not seen—I love." </em><br>
+
saw the words, <em>"Whom having not seen—I love." </em><br>
  That was the secret of the dear child's transfiguration <br>
+
That was the secret of the dear child's transfiguration <br>
  of character—<strong>loving the unseen Christ</strong>. The same <br>
+
of character—<strong>loving the unseen Christ</strong>. The same <br>
  love—warm, tender, earnest, glowing in the heart <br>
+
love—warm, tender, earnest, glowing in the heart <br>
  year after year—will transfigure any life into <br>
+
year after year—will transfigure any life into <br>
  heavenly beauty!</p>
+
heavenly beauty!<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Life-lessons</strong><br>
 
<strong>Life-lessons</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "Learn from Me, for I am <em>gentle </em>and <em>humble</em><br>
+
"Learn from Me, for I am <em>gentle </em>and <em>humble</em><br>
  in heart." Matthew 11:29 <br>
+
in heart." Matthew 11:29 <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We all fail in the <strong>life-lessons</strong> which our great <br>
+
We all fail in the <strong>life-lessons</strong> which our great <br>
  Teacher sets for us. The hardest <em>school-tasks</em> are <br>
+
Teacher sets for us. The hardest <em>school-tasks</em> are <br>
  easily mastered—in comparison with the lessons of:<br>
+
easily mastered—in comparison with the lessons of:<br>
  patience,<br>
+
patience,<br>
  sweet temper,<br>
+
sweet temper,<br>
  forgiveness,<br>
+
forgiveness,<br>
  unselfishness,<br>
+
unselfishness,<br>
  gentleness,<br>
+
gentleness,<br>
  humility,<br>
+
humility,<br>
  purity,<br>
+
purity,<br>
  contentment. <br>
+
contentment. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Even at best—we can learn these lessons but slowly. <br>
+
Even at best—we can learn these lessons but slowly. <br>
  And though but little seems to come from our <em>yearnings <br>
+
And though but little seems to come from our <em>yearnings <br>
    and strugglings after Christ-likeness</em>—yet God honors the <br>
+
and strugglings after Christ-likeness</em>—yet God honors the <br>
  yearning and the striving. While we sit in the shadows of <br>
+
yearning and the striving. While we sit in the shadows of <br>
  weariness, disheartened with our failures—He carries on <br>
+
weariness, disheartened with our failures—He carries on <br>
  the work within us, and with His own hands produces <br>
+
the work within us, and with His own hands produces <br>
  the divine beauty in our souls.</p>
+
the divine beauty in our souls.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>We will be like Him!</strong><br>
 
<strong>We will be like Him!</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "We know that when He appears—<strong>we<br>
+
"We know that when He appears—<strong>we<br>
    will be like Him!</strong>" 1 John 3:2 <br>
+
will be like Him!</strong>" 1 John 3:2 <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  As the beauty of <em>Christ's character </em>glows before us <br>
+
As the beauty of <em>Christ's character </em>glows before us <br>
  in the light of the Gospels—we should say,<em> "That is <br>
+
in the light of the Gospels—we should say,<em> "That is <br>
    what <strong>I</strong> am to be some day! I am now very far from <br>
+
what <strong>I</strong> am to be some day! I am now very far from <br>
    it—but I am to reach it. That is my assured destiny!" </em><br>
+
it—but I am to reach it. That is my assured destiny!" </em><br>
  Such a hope cherished in the heart, has a wondrous <br>
+
Such a hope cherished in the heart, has a wondrous <br>
  uplifting power. <br>
+
uplifting power. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Since we are so soon to be like Christ—we should <br>
+
Since we are so soon to be like Christ—we should <br>
  seek to grow continually in grace and virtue. We <br>
+
seek to grow continually in grace and virtue. We <br>
  should daily be getting <strong>a little more like Christ</strong> <br>
+
should daily be getting <strong>a little more like Christ</strong> <br>
  in <em>character</em>, in <em>temper</em>, in <em>disposition</em>, in <em>affection</em>. <br>
+
in <em>character</em>, in <em>temper</em>, in <em>disposition</em>, in <em>affection</em>. <br>
  Our aim should be to bring every <em>thought, </em>and <em><br>
+
Our aim should be to bring every <em>thought, </em>and <em><br>
    </em>every <em>emotion, </em>and every <em>desire</em>—into sweet <br>
+
</em>every <em>emotion, </em>and every <em>desire</em>—into sweet <br>
  subjection to Christ. <br>
+
subjection to Christ. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We should not only cherish the blessed vision<br>
+
We should not only cherish the blessed vision<br>
  —but should seek daily to grow into its divine <br>
+
—but should seek daily to grow into its divine <br>
  beauty! "We know that when He appears—<strong>we <br>
+
beauty! "We know that when He appears—<strong>we <br>
    will be like Him!</strong>" 1 John 3:2</p>
+
will be like Him!</strong>" 1 John 3:2<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Walking with God</strong><br>
 
<strong>Walking with God</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "<strong>Direct my footsteps</strong> according to Your Word;<br>
+
"<strong>Direct my footsteps</strong> according to Your Word;<br>
  let no sin rule over me." Psalm 119:133<br>
+
let no sin rule over me." Psalm 119:133<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  This is a prayer which should always be on our lips. <br>
+
This is a prayer which should always be on our lips. <br>
  We should get our direction from God, not once in <br>
+
We should get our direction from God, not once in <br>
  our life only, when we first give ourselves to Him; <br>
+
our life only, when we first give ourselves to Him; <br>
  not at the opening of each day only, as we go forth <br>
+
not at the opening of each day only, as we go forth <br>
  to the day's task; not merely at the beginning of <br>
+
to the day's task; not merely at the beginning of <br>
  each new piece of work or of each fresh task—but <em><br>
+
each new piece of work or of each fresh task—but <em><br>
    every moment</em>, for <em>each step</em>. <br>
+
every moment</em>, for <em>each step</em>. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  That is what"<strong>walking with God</strong>" means. <br>
+
That is what"<strong>walking with God</strong>" means. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We may make this so real, that we shall look up <br>
+
We may make this so real, that we shall look up <br>
  into God's face continually, asking, <em>"What next, <br>
+
into God's face continually, asking, <em>"What next, <br>
    dear Lord? What shall I do now? Which course <br>
+
dear Lord? What shall I do now? Which course <br>
    shall I take today? How shall I do this duty?" </em><br>
+
shall I take today? How shall I do this duty?" </em><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  If we can but have <em>God's guidance </em>and <em>help</em> for <br>
+
If we can but have <em>God's guidance </em>and <em>help</em> for <br>
  the little short steps—we need not fear for the <br>
+
the little short steps—we need not fear for the <br>
  long miles—the great stretches of road. If <em>each <br>
+
long miles—the great stretches of road. If <em>each <br>
    step </em>is of His directing—the <em>long miles </em>will be <br>
+
step </em>is of His directing—the <em>long miles </em>will be <br>
  paths of His choosing.</p>
+
paths of His choosing.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>The motto of all His beautiful years</strong><br>
 
<strong>The motto of all His beautiful years</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "For the Son of Man did not come to be served—but <br>
+
"For the Son of Man did not come to be served—but <br>
  <em> to serve</em>, and to give His life a ransom for many."<br>
+
<em> to serve</em>, and to give His life a ransom for many."<br>
  Mark 10:45<br>
+
Mark 10:45<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  The life of Jesus Christ, was<em> the noblest life ever lived. </em><br>
+
<em>The life of Jesus Christ, was<em> the noblest life ever lived. </em><br>
  No earthly king ever attained such splendid, such real <br>
+
No earthly king ever attained such splendid, such real <br>
  royalty—as did He. No hero on battle-field ever did <br>
+
royalty—as did He. No hero on battle-field ever did <br>
  deeds of such inherent greatness—as those wrought <br>
+
deeds of such inherent greatness—as those wrought <br>
  by the hands of the Carpenter of Nazareth! <br>
+
by the hands of the Carpenter of Nazareth! <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  <em>What was the ruling spirit of His life?</em> Was it not service? <br>
+
<em>What was the ruling spirit of His life?</em> Was it not service? <br>
  "Not to be served—but to serve"—was <strong>the motto of all <br>
+
"Not to be served—but to serve"—was <strong>the motto of all <br>
    His beautiful years</strong>. He lived wholly for others. He <br>
+
His beautiful years</strong>. He lived wholly for others. He <br>
  never had one thought for Himself, never did the smallest <br>
+
never had one thought for Himself, never did the smallest <br>
  act for Himself. At last He poured out His very blood—in <br>
+
act for Himself. At last He poured out His very blood—in <br>
  the greatest of all His acts of service. <br>
+
the greatest of all His acts of service. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Shall we not learn from our Lord's example—that the <br>
+
Shall we not learn from our Lord's example—that the <br>
  truest life in this world, is one of self-forgetting love? <br>
+
truest life in this world, is one of self-forgetting love? <br>
  Selfishness anywhere mars and spoils the beauty of <br>
+
Selfishness anywhere mars and spoils the beauty of <br>
  the rarest deed. We must get the <em>spirit </em>of Christ—and <br>
+
the rarest deed. We must get the <em>spirit </em>of Christ—and <br>
  then our <em>lives </em>shall be Christ-like.</p>
+
then our <em>lives </em>shall be Christ-like.<br><br>
 
"Leaving you an example, so that you should follow<br>
 
"Leaving you an example, so that you should follow<br>
  in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21</p>
+
in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>The old monks intently gazed upon the crucifix</strong><br>
 
<strong>The old monks intently gazed upon the crucifix</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and<br>
+
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and<br>
  perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:2<br>
+
perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:2<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Keeping the heart upon Christ—transfigures the life.</p>
+
Keeping the heart upon Christ—transfigures the life.<br><br>
 
<strong>The old monks intently gazed upon the crucifix</strong>, <br>
 
<strong>The old monks intently gazed upon the crucifix</strong>, <br>
  thinking that the <em>print of the nails</em> would come in their <br>
+
thinking that the <em>print of the nails</em> would come in their <br>
  hands and feet, and the <em>thorn-scars</em> in their brow—as <br>
+
hands and feet, and the <em>thorn-scars</em> in their brow—as <br>
  they gazed.<br>
+
they gazed.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  It was but an utter fiction—yet in the fiction there is <br>
+
It was but an utter fiction—yet in the fiction there is <br>
  a spiritual truth. <em>Gazing by faith upon Christ</em>—the lines <br>
+
a spiritual truth. <em>Gazing by faith upon Christ</em>—the lines <br>
  of His beauty indeed imprint themselves on our hearts! <br>
+
of His beauty indeed imprint themselves on our hearts! <br>
  That is the meaning of Paul's words—"We all, with <br>
+
That is the meaning of Paul's words—"We all, with <br>
  unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of <br>
+
unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of <br>
  the Lord—are <em>transformed into the same image!" </em><br>
+
the Lord—are <em>transformed into the same image!" </em><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  The gospel is the mirror. There we see the image of <br>
+
The gospel is the mirror. There we see the image of <br>
  Christ. If we earnestly, continuously, and lovingly <br>
+
Christ. If we earnestly, continuously, and lovingly <br>
  behold it—the effect will be the changing of our own <br>
+
behold it—the effect will be the changing of our own <br>
  lives into His likeness. The transformation is wrought <br>
+
lives into His likeness. The transformation is wrought <br>
  by the Holy Spirit, and we are only to behold, to <br>
+
by the Holy Spirit, and we are only to behold, to <br>
  continue beholding, the blessed beauty! As we sit <br>
+
continue beholding, the blessed beauty! As we sit <br>
  before Christ—His image is imprinted on our soul.</p>
+
before Christ—His image is imprinted on our soul.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
<strong>The true ministry of pain</strong></p>
+
<strong>The true ministry of pain</strong><br><br>
 
There is a Christian <em>art of enduring pain</em>, which we should seek to learn. The real goal is not just to endure the suffering which falls into our life; to bear it bravely, without wincing; to pass through it patiently, even rejoicingly. Pain has a higher mission to us, than to teach us heroism. We should endure it in such a way as to get something of spiritual blessing out of it.<br>
 
There is a Christian <em>art of enduring pain</em>, which we should seek to learn. The real goal is not just to endure the suffering which falls into our life; to bear it bravely, without wincing; to pass through it patiently, even rejoicingly. Pain has a higher mission to us, than to teach us heroism. We should endure it in such a way as to get something of spiritual blessing out of it.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Pain brings to us some message from God, which we should not fail to hear. It lifts for us the veil which hides God's face, and we should get some new glimpses of His beauty, every time we are called to suffer. Pain is <em>furnace-fire</em>, and we should always come out of this furnace, with the gold of our graces gleaming a little more brightly. Every experience of suffering ought in some way—to lift us nearer God, to make us more gentle and loving, and to leave the image of Christ shining a little clearer in our lives.</p>
+
Pain brings to us some message from God, which we should not fail to hear. It lifts for us the veil which hides God's face, and we should get some new glimpses of His beauty, every time we are called to suffer. Pain is <em>furnace-fire</em>, and we should always come out of this furnace, with the gold of our graces gleaming a little more brightly. Every experience of suffering ought in some way—to lift us nearer God, to make us more gentle and loving, and to leave the image of Christ shining a little clearer in our lives.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
<strong>The path to comfort in our time of sorrow</strong></p>
+
<strong>The path to comfort in our time of sorrow</strong><br><br>
 
"Being in an agony—He prayed," is the record of our Savior's <em>Gethsemane </em>experience. The lesson stands for all time. Like a <em>bright lamp</em>, the little sentence shines amid the olive trees of the garden. It shows us <strong>the path to comfort in our time of sorrow</strong>. Never before or since—was there such grief as the Redeemer's, that night. But in His prayer, He found comfort. As we watch Him the hour through, we see the agony changing as He prayed, until at last its bitterness was all gone—and sweet, blessed peace took its place. The <em>gate of prayer</em> is always the <em>gate to comfort</em>. There is no other way to consolation. <br>
 
"Being in an agony—He prayed," is the record of our Savior's <em>Gethsemane </em>experience. The lesson stands for all time. Like a <em>bright lamp</em>, the little sentence shines amid the olive trees of the garden. It shows us <strong>the path to comfort in our time of sorrow</strong>. Never before or since—was there such grief as the Redeemer's, that night. But in His prayer, He found comfort. As we watch Him the hour through, we see the agony changing as He prayed, until at last its bitterness was all gone—and sweet, blessed peace took its place. The <em>gate of prayer</em> is always the <em>gate to comfort</em>. There is no other way to consolation. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We may learn also from our Lord's Gethsemane, how to pray in <em>our Gethsemanes</em>. God will never blame us for asking to have the cup removed, nor for the intensity of our supplication; but we must always pray with <em>submission</em>. It is when we say, in our deepest sorrow and intensity, "Not my will—but may Your will be done," that comfort comes, that peace comes.</p>
+
We may learn also from our Lord's Gethsemane, how to pray in <em>our Gethsemanes</em>. God will never blame us for asking to have the cup removed, nor for the intensity of our supplication; but we must always pray with <em>submission</em>. It is when we say, in our deepest sorrow and intensity, "Not my will—but may Your will be done," that comfort comes, that peace comes.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
  
  <strong>Sermons without words</strong></p>
+
<strong>Sermons without words</strong><br><br>
  <p>When you are tempted to chafe and repine at the narrowness of your circumstances and the limitations of your sphere, remember that Jesus for thirty years found room in a humble peasant home for worthy living and for service, not unfitted to his exalted character. If you can do nothing but live a true Christian life—patient, gentle, kindly, pure—in your home, in society, at your daily duty—you will perform in the end a service of great value and leave many blessings in the world. Such a life is <strong>a little gospel</strong>, telling in <strong>sermons without words</strong>, the wonderful story of the cross of Christ.</p>
+
When you are tempted to chafe and repine at the narrowness of your circumstances and the limitations of your sphere, remember that Jesus for thirty years found room in a humble peasant home for worthy living and for service, not unfitted to his exalted character. If you can do nothing but live a true Christian life—patient, gentle, kindly, pure—in your home, in society, at your daily duty—you will perform in the end a service of great value and leave many blessings in the world. Such a life is <strong>a little gospel</strong>, telling in <strong>sermons without words</strong>, the wonderful story of the cross of Christ.<br><br>
</div>
+
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Christian amusements</strong><br>
 
<strong>Christian amusements</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  <strong>Amusement</strong><strong> </strong>must never become an <em>end </em>in life. It <br>
+
<strong>Amusement</strong><strong> </strong>must never become an <em>end </em>in life. It <br>
  must always be a <em>means</em>, a <em>help </em>on the way—just <br>
+
must always be a <em>means</em>, a <em>help </em>on the way—just <br>
  as sleep is, just as rest is. <strong>An hours amusement</strong>, <br>
+
as sleep is, just as rest is. <strong>An hours amusement</strong>, <br>
  should be to you just what a night's sleeping is—it <br>
+
should be to you just what a night's sleeping is—it <br>
  should make you stronger, clearer-headed, braver, <br>
+
should make you stronger, clearer-headed, braver, <br>
  calmer-souled, more hopeful, more earnest, more <br>
+
calmer-souled, more hopeful, more earnest, more <br>
  enthusiastic—inspiring you for godly living. Anything <br>
+
enthusiastic—inspiring you for godly living. Anything <br>
  which leaves a<em> taint of impurity</em> upon the life, or <br>
+
which leaves a<em> taint of impurity</em> upon the life, or <br>
  starts a <em>thought of impurity</em> in the mind, anything <br>
+
starts a <em>thought of impurity</em> in the mind, anything <br>
  which degrades or debases the soul—is an unfit and <br>
+
which degrades or debases the soul—is an unfit and <br>
  unworthy amusement for a Christian. <strong>Christian <br>
+
unworthy amusement for a Christian. <strong>Christian <br>
    amusements</strong> must be such, as do not harm <br>
+
amusements</strong> must be such, as do not harm <br>
  spiritual life; they must be <em>means of grace</em>.<br>
+
spiritual life; they must be <em>means of grace</em>.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever <br>
+
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever <br>
  you do—do everything for God's glory!" 1 Cor. 10:31</p>
+
you do—do everything for God's glory!" 1 Cor. 10:31<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
<strong>Paying love's debt</strong></p>
+
<strong>Paying love's debt</strong><br><br>
 
We ought not to need <em>night</em>—to teach us the glories of the <em>day</em>. We ought not to have to wait for <em>sorrow</em>, before we can appreciate the sweetness of joy. Yet is it not often true, that we learn <em>the value of our blessings</em>—but by their loss? Many a time an<strong> </strong><em>empty chair</em> is the first full revealer of the worth and faithfulness of a precious friend. <br>
 
We ought not to need <em>night</em>—to teach us the glories of the <em>day</em>. We ought not to have to wait for <em>sorrow</em>, before we can appreciate the sweetness of joy. Yet is it not often true, that we learn <em>the value of our blessings</em>—but by their loss? Many a time an<strong> </strong><em>empty chair</em> is the first full revealer of the worth and faithfulness of a precious friend. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Would it not be best, if we were to seek to appreciate our good things—while we have them? We would then have the joy itself, and not merely the <em>dull pain of regret</em> as we look back at<em>vanished blessings</em>. Besides—we would do more for our friends while they are with us—if we appreciated their worth. Too many of us never understand what we owe to our dear ones—until there remains no further opportunity of <strong>paying love's debt</strong>.</p>
+
Would it not be best, if we were to seek to appreciate our good things—while we have them? We would then have the joy itself, and not merely the <em>dull pain of regret</em> as we look back at<em>vanished blessings</em>. Besides—we would do more for our friends while they are with us—if we appreciated their worth. Too many of us never understand what we owe to our dear ones—until there remains no further opportunity of <strong>paying love's debt</strong>.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
<strong>The race!</strong></p>
+
<strong>The race!</strong><br><br>
 
"<strong>I press on</strong>toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14<br>
 
"<strong>I press on</strong>toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  That <em>Christian life</em> 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 <strong>the race</strong>. There must be a sacrifice of <em>indolence </em>and <em>self-will </em>and<em> personal ease</em>. Too much pampering, spoils many a promising Christian. <br>
+
That <em>Christian life</em> 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 <strong>the race</strong>. There must be a sacrifice of <em>indolence </em>and <em>self-will </em>and<em> personal ease</em>. Too much pampering, spoils many a promising Christian. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Every noble and godly life, is a <em>struggle </em>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 <strong>I labor</strong>, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:29</p>
+
Every noble and godly life, is a <em>struggle </em>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 <strong>I labor</strong>, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:29<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Littles</strong><br>
 
<strong>Littles</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "<em>Littles </em>make perfection," replied the artist to one <br>
+
"<em>Littles </em>make perfection," replied the artist to one <br>
  who asked him why he spent so much time in giving <br>
+
who asked him why he spent so much time in giving <br>
  the <em>little finishing-touches </em>to his statue. There can <br>
+
the <em>little finishing-touches </em>to his statue. There can <br>
  be no perfection in any kind of workmanship, unless <br>
+
be no perfection in any kind of workmanship, unless <br>
  attention is paid to the<em> minutest details </em>of construction <br>
+
attention is paid to the<em> minutest details </em>of construction <br>
  or finishing. One smallest <em>flaw </em>or <em>incompleteness </em>left <br>
+
or finishing. One smallest <em>flaw </em>or <em>incompleteness </em>left <br>
  in the work, in any part of it—leaves a <em>blemish </em>on the <br>
+
in the work, in any part of it—leaves a <em>blemish </em>on the <br>
  finished endeavor.<br>
+
finished endeavor.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  <em>Life is a mosaic</em>, and each small stone must be polished <br>
+
<em>Life is a mosaic</em>, and each small stone must be polished <br>
  and set with greatest care—or the piece will not at last, <br>
+
and set with greatest care—or the piece will not at last, <br>
  be perfect. One whose <em>daily life </em>is careless—is always <br>
+
be perfect. One whose <em>daily life </em>is careless—is always <br>
  weak in Christian character. But one who habitually walks <br>
+
weak in Christian character. But one who habitually walks <br>
  in right paths, no matter how small and apparently trifling <br>
+
in right paths, no matter how small and apparently trifling <br>
  the things may be—grows strong and noble. <strong>Littles </strong>make <br>
+
the things may be—grows strong and noble. <strong>Littles </strong>make <br>
  perfection. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or <br>
+
perfection. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or <br>
  <em>whatever </em>you do—do <em>everything </em>for God’s glory." <br>
+
<em>whatever </em>you do—do <em>everything </em>for God’s glory." <br>
  1 Corinthians 10:31</p>
+
1 Corinthians 10:31<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
<strong>Think!</strong></p>
+
<strong>Think!</strong><br><br>
 
It is a good thing to <strong>think</strong>. The more <em>thought </em>we put into our work—the better it will be done. Work of all kinds becomes exalted, ennobled, refined, and produces good, lasting effects—just in proportion as men put <em>thought </em>into it. All worthy, noble, useful, beautiful living—must have its dark quarries of <em>purposing, thinking, planning, shaping, polishing</em>, behind its being and doing. Look well to the <em>quarries</em>, and you need not give much thought to the rising of the building. <br>
 
It is a good thing to <strong>think</strong>. The more <em>thought </em>we put into our work—the better it will be done. Work of all kinds becomes exalted, ennobled, refined, and produces good, lasting effects—just in proportion as men put <em>thought </em>into it. All worthy, noble, useful, beautiful living—must have its dark quarries of <em>purposing, thinking, planning, shaping, polishing</em>, behind its being and doing. Look well to the <em>quarries</em>, and you need not give much thought to the rising of the building. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Prepare no <em>stained blocks</em> in your heart-quarries. Train yourself to think only pure thoughts—white, clean thoughts. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—<strong>think about such things</strong>!" Philippians 4:8</p>
+
Prepare no <em>stained blocks</em> in your heart-quarries. Train yourself to think only pure thoughts—white, clean thoughts. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—<strong>think about such things</strong>!" Philippians 4:8<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Wounded and empty hands</strong><br>
 
<strong>Wounded and empty hands</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "Full hands" at the end of a life—do not always <br>
+
"Full hands" at the end of a life—do not always <br>
  tell of <em>true success</em>. Earthly failure is ofttimes <br>
+
tell of <em>true success</em>. Earthly failure is ofttimes <br>
  higher success in God's eyes—than what men <br>
+
higher success in God's eyes—than what men <br>
  regard as "success". Scars of wounds gotten in <br>
+
regard as "success". Scars of wounds gotten in <br>
  conflict and strife with sin—are more splendid <br>
+
conflict and strife with sin—are more splendid <br>
  marks of honor, when the hands are held up <br>
+
marks of honor, when the hands are held up <br>
  before God—than <em>diamonds </em>and <em>gold </em>and <br>
+
before God—than <em>diamonds </em>and <em>gold </em>and <br>
  <em>crowns </em>gained by yielding in life's conflicts. <br>
+
<em>crowns </em>gained by yielding in life's conflicts. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Strive to get your hands filled with the invisible <br>
+
Strive to get your hands filled with the invisible <br>
  things of God's heavenly kingdom. Fight the <br>
+
things of God's heavenly kingdom. Fight the <br>
  battles of life heroically—and never mind the <br>
+
battles of life heroically—and never mind the <br>
  scars. Better to have <strong>wounded and empty <br>
+
scars. Better to have <strong>wounded and empty <br>
    hands</strong> which are clean—than hands which <br>
+
hands</strong> which are clean—than hands which <br>
  are full, and yet are stained with sin.</p>
+
are full, and yet are stained with sin.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Inscrutable things</strong><br>
 
<strong>Inscrutable things</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "We know that all things work together for the<br>
+
"We know that all things work together for the<br>
  good of those who love God—to those who are<br>
+
good of those who love God—to those who are<br>
  called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28<br>
+
called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  There are depths in the love of God, which are <br>
+
There are depths in the love of God, which are <br>
  as vast and fathomless as the ocean—but <em>we are <br>
+
as vast and fathomless as the ocean—but <em>we are <br>
    only on the shore</em>. Then, there are <strong>inscrutable <br>
+
only on the shore</em>. Then, there are <strong>inscrutable <br>
      things</strong> in God's <em>providential dealings </em>with each <br>
+
things</strong> in God's <em>providential dealings </em>with each <br>
  one of us. Heaven will solve a thousand mysteries <br>
+
one of us. Heaven will solve a thousand mysteries <br>
  for us in a moment. We will then see the reason <br>
+
for us in a moment. We will then see the reason <br>
  for every <em>trial</em>, every <em>pain</em>, every <em>loss</em>, every <em><br>
+
for every <em>trial</em>, every <em>pain</em>, every <em>loss</em>, every <em><br>
    disappointment</em>. There will not be a trace of <br>
+
disappointment</em>. There will not be a trace of <br>
  mystery left hanging, about any dark providence. <br>
+
mystery left hanging, about any dark providence. <br>
  Then we shall <em>see </em>clearly, what now we know only <br>
+
Then we shall <em>see </em>clearly, what now we know only <br>
  by <em>faith</em>—that "all things work together for the good <br>
+
by <em>faith</em>—that "all things work together for the good <br>
  of those who love God—to those who are called <br>
+
of those who love God—to those who are called <br>
  according to His purpose."</p>
+
according to His purpose."<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Our very mistakes and our sins</strong><br>
 
<strong>Our very mistakes and our sins</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  <strong>Our very mistakes and our sins</strong>, if we repent <br>
+
<strong>Our very mistakes and our sins</strong>, if we repent <br>
  of them, will be used of God to help in the growth <br>
+
of them, will be used of God to help in the growth <br>
  and upbuilding of our Christian character. Our very <br>
+
and upbuilding of our Christian character. Our very <br>
  <em>falls</em>, through the grace and tender love of Christ, <br>
+
<em>falls</em>, through the grace and tender love of Christ, <br>
  become means of growth to our souls.<br>
+
become means of growth to our souls.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  In the <em>hot fires of penitence—</em>we leave the dross <br>
+
In the <em>hot fires of penitence—</em>we leave the dross <br>
  and come out as pure gold. But we must remember <br>
+
and come out as pure gold. But we must remember <br>
  that it is only Christ who can make our sins yield<br>
+
that it is only Christ who can make our sins yield<br>
  blessing. If we are Christ's true followers, even our <br>
+
blessing. If we are Christ's true followers, even our <br>
  <em>defeats </em>shall become <em>blessings </em>to us, stepping-stones <br>
+
<em>defeats </em>shall become <em>blessings </em>to us, stepping-stones <br>
  on which we may climb higher. This is one of the <br>
+
on which we may climb higher. This is one of the <br>
  marvels of divine grace—that it can make all things<br>
+
marvels of divine grace—that it can make all things<br>
  —even our sins—work together for good.</p>
+
—even our sins—work together for good.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>The best thing that we can do in this world</strong><br>
 
<strong>The best thing that we can do in this world</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We should <em>be Christ</em> to others all about us. <br>
+
We should <em>be Christ</em> to others all about us. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  There are few people whom God calls to do <em>great things</em> <br>
+
There are few people whom God calls to do <em>great things</em> <br>
  for Him. <strong>The best thing that we can do in this world</strong><br>
+
for Him. <strong>The best thing that we can do in this world</strong><br>
  —is to live out a real, simple, beautiful, strong Christian <br>
+
—is to live out a real, simple, beautiful, strong Christian <br>
  life in our allotted place. Thus in our little measure, we <br>
+
life in our allotted place. Thus in our little measure, we <br>
  shall repeat the life of the Master himself, showing men <br>
+
shall repeat the life of the Master himself, showing men <br>
  some feeble reflection of His sweet and loving face; and <br>
+
some feeble reflection of His sweet and loving face; and <br>
  doing in our imperfect way, a few of the lovely things <br>
+
doing in our imperfect way, a few of the lovely things <br>
  He would do—if He were here Himself in our place.</p>
+
He would do—if He were here Himself in our place.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Death is not the end</strong><br>
 
<strong>Death is not the end</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." <br>
+
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." <br>
  Philippians 1:21. <br>
+
Philippians 1:21. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  The Christian life is not a voyage in the sunshine, <br>
+
The Christian life is not a voyage in the sunshine, <br>
  darkening as it progresses and growing stormy, <br>
+
darkening as it progresses and growing stormy, <br>
  ending in utter wreck on death's shores. Rather, <br>
+
ending in utter wreck on death's shores. Rather, <br>
  it is a voyage through earthly storm and shadow<br>
+
it is a voyage through earthly storm and shadow<br>
  —but at last out into the broad ocean of eternal <br>
+
—but at last out into the broad ocean of eternal <br>
  blessedness. <strong><br>
+
blessedness. <strong><br>
    <br>
+
<br>
    Death is not the end</strong>—but the beginning. <br>
+
Death is not the end</strong>—but the beginning. <br>
  Death is not loss—but gain. <br>
+
Death is not loss—but gain. <br>
  Death is not into darkness—but into marvelous light. <br>
+
Death is not into darkness—but into marvelous light. <br>
  Death is not away from joy and gladness and beauty<br>
+
Death is not away from joy and gladness and beauty<br>
  —but is out of the mere <em>shadows </em>and <em>hopes </em>of <br>
+
—but is out of the mere <em>shadows </em>and <em>hopes </em>of <br>
  blessedness—into the full revelation of Christ, into <br>
+
blessedness—into the full revelation of Christ, into <br>
  His very presence, where there is fullness of joy, <br>
+
His very presence, where there is fullness of joy, <br>
  where there are pleasures forevermore!<br>
+
where there are pleasures forevermore!<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which<br>
+
"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which<br>
  is better by far!" Philippians 1:23  <br>
+
is better by far!" Philippians 1:23  <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
<strong>Better than money!</strong></p>
+
<strong>Better than money!</strong><br><br>
We can do a great deal of the wisest, truest good among men—without giving money. A strong hand reached out to help a fallen one rise again—is <strong>better than money</strong>. New hope and fresh courage put into a discouraged heart—are better than money. True comfort, enabling one in sorrow to pass through it sustained and victorious—is better than money. Let no one say he cannot do anything for others, unless he has money to give. Use what you have! Heart-coins and life-coins, are better than coins from the mint. The things we do for men's souls—are far more important to them—than the things we do merely for their bodies. Besides, all God asks us to give to others—is of such as we have.</p>
+
We can do a great deal of the wisest, truest good among men—without giving money. A strong hand reached out to help a fallen one rise again—is <strong>better than money</strong>. New hope and fresh courage put into a discouraged heart—are better than money. True comfort, enabling one in sorrow to pass through it sustained and victorious—is better than money. Let no one say he cannot do anything for others, unless he has money to give. Use what you have! Heart-coins and life-coins, are better than coins from the mint. The things we do for men's souls—are far more important to them—than the things we do merely for their bodies. Besides, all God asks us to give to others—is of such as we have.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>The touch of Christ</strong><br>
 
<strong>The touch of Christ</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  A man with <em>leprosy </em>came to Him and begged<br>
+
A man with <em>leprosy </em>came to Him and begged<br>
  Him on his knees, "If You are willing, You can<br>
+
Him on his knees, "If You are willing, You can<br>
  make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus<br>
+
make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus<br>
  reached out His hand and <em>touched </em>the man.<br>
+
reached out His hand and <em>touched </em>the man.<br>
  Mark 1:40-41<br>
+
Mark 1:40-41<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  No one can read the gospel story, without being <br>
+
No one can read the gospel story, without being <br>
  impressed with<em> the marvelous power of Christ's <br>
+
impressed with<em> the marvelous power of Christ's <br>
    touch</em>. Wherever it was felt—blessing came. <br>
+
touch</em>. Wherever it was felt—blessing came. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We find ourselves sometimes mourning the loss <br>
+
We find ourselves sometimes mourning the loss <br>
  of this <em>touch</em>, and wishing that we could feel it <br>
+
of this <em>touch</em>, and wishing that we could feel it <br>
  and get its blessing. But really, we have not lost <br>
+
and get its blessing. But really, we have not lost <br>
  it. Christ has indeed passed out of our sight—but <br>
+
it. Christ has indeed passed out of our sight—but <br>
  His hand is stretched out still. It is laid on us—just <br>
+
His hand is stretched out still. It is laid on us—just <br>
  as of old upon sufferers—and has lost none of its <br>
+
as of old upon sufferers—and has lost none of its <br>
  power to comfort. Christ lays His hand upon our <br>
+
power to comfort. Christ lays His hand upon our <br>
  heads, every time we bow at his feet in prayer. <br>
+
heads, every time we bow at his feet in prayer. <br>
  When we are in trouble—He comes and comforts <br>
+
When we are in trouble—He comes and comforts <br>
  us with His warm touch of sympathy. When we <br>
+
us with His warm touch of sympathy. When we <br>
  are sick or in pain—He is by our bed, and His hand <br>
+
are sick or in pain—He is by our bed, and His hand <br>
  is laid on our fevered brow to give rest and peace.<br>
+
is laid on our fevered brow to give rest and peace.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "Surely <em>I am with you always</em>—to the very<br>
+
"Surely <em>I am with you always</em>—to the very<br>
  end of the age!" Matthew 28:20</p>
+
end of the age!" Matthew 28:20<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>In these luxurious days</strong><br>
 
<strong>In these luxurious days</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "If anyone would come after Me—he must deny <br>
+
"If anyone would come after Me—he must deny <br>
  himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.<br>
+
himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.<br>
  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it—but<br>
+
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it—but<br>
  whoever loses his life for Me will save it."<br>
+
whoever loses his life for Me will save it."<br>
  Luke 9:23-24 <br>
+
Luke 9:23-24 <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We are strongly tempted, <strong>in these luxurious <br>
+
We are strongly tempted, <strong>in these luxurious <br>
    days</strong>—to seek out the easy ways in life. Naturally,<br>
+
days</strong>—to seek out the easy ways in life. Naturally,<br>
  we are <em>not</em> fond . . .<br>
+
we are <em>not</em> fond . . .<br>
  of bearing heavy burdens,<br>
+
of bearing heavy burdens,<br>
  of performing hard tasks,<br>
+
of performing hard tasks,<br>
  of making self-denials. <br>
+
of making self-denials. <br>
  We prefer to be indolent and self-indulgent.<br>
+
We prefer to be indolent and self-indulgent.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  Souls are withered, too, by self-indulgence. It is a <br>
+
Souls are withered, too, by self-indulgence. It is a <br>
  false idea—that God has sown His blessings thickest <br>
+
false idea—that God has sown His blessings thickest <br>
  —amid the<em> flowers of earth's gardens</em>. Nay, they lie <br>
+
—amid the<em> flowers of earth's gardens</em>. Nay, they lie <br>
  thickest on the bare fields of <em>hardship </em>and <em>toil</em>. In <br>
+
thickest on the bare fields of <em>hardship </em>and <em>toil</em>. In <br>
  shrinking from self-denials which are called for in <br>
+
shrinking from self-denials which are called for in <br>
  the path of duty—we are missing the best things <br>
+
the path of duty—we are missing the best things <br>
  which God has to give us.</p>
+
which God has to give us.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Transformed into His likeness</strong><br>
 
<strong>Transformed into His likeness</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!" Hebrews 12:2<br>
+
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!" Hebrews 12:2<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  If we would see life in its wholeness—unmarred, <br>
+
If we would see life in its wholeness—unmarred, <br>
  undebased—the highest, purest, truest life—we <br>
+
undebased—the highest, purest, truest life—we <br>
  must look at Jesus!<br>
+
must look at Jesus!<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We are to become like Christ. We should never, <br>
+
We are to become like Christ. We should never, <br>
  therefore, lose sight of Him. Keeping <em>the ideal</em> <br>
+
therefore, lose sight of Him. Keeping <em>the ideal</em> <br>
  always before our eyes will, unconsciously yet <br>
+
always before our eyes will, unconsciously yet <br>
  powerfully, draw us toward it. <br>
+
powerfully, draw us toward it. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "And we, who with unveiled faces all contemplate<br>
+
"And we, who with unveiled faces all contemplate<br>
  the Lord's glory—are being <strong>transformed into His<br>
+
the Lord's glory—are being <strong>transformed into His<br>
    likeness</strong> with ever-increasing glory!" 2 Corin. 3:18</p>
+
likeness</strong> with ever-increasing glory!" 2 Corin. 3:18<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>His life of sweet patience and kindness</strong><br>
 
<strong>His life of sweet patience and kindness</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you<br>
+
"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you<br>
  have received. Be completely <em>humble </em>and <em>gentle</em>;<br>
+
have received. Be completely <em>humble </em>and <em>gentle</em>;<br>
  be <em>patient</em>, bearing with one another in <em>love</em>."<br>
+
be <em>patient</em>, bearing with one another in <em>love</em>."<br>
  Ephesians 4:1-2 <br>
+
Ephesians 4:1-2 <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  If we are sour, peevish, easily provoked, surly, <br>
+
If we are sour, peevish, easily provoked, surly, <br>
  resentful, jealous, envious, bad-tempered in any <br>
+
resentful, jealous, envious, bad-tempered in any <br>
  way—what sort of <em>impression of Christ</em> do we give<br>
+
way—what sort of <em>impression of Christ</em> do we give<br>
  to those who know nothing of Him—but what they <br>
+
to those who know nothing of Him—but what they <br>
  learn from our lives? Surely if we truly love Christ<br>
+
learn from our lives? Surely if we truly love Christ<br>
  —we will not allow ourselves to continue to dishonor <br>
+
—we will not allow ourselves to continue to dishonor <br>
  Him—by living a life so unworthy of His dear name!<br>
+
Him—by living a life so unworthy of His dear name!<br>
  Whatever we may do for Christ, in <em>gifts </em>to His cause <br>
+
Whatever we may do for Christ, in <em>gifts </em>to His cause <br>
  or <em>work </em>in His service—if we fail to live out <strong>His life <br>
+
or <em>work </em>in His service—if we fail to live out <strong>His life <br>
    of sweet patience and kindness</strong>—we fail of an<br>
+
of sweet patience and kindness</strong>—we fail of an<br>
  essential part of our duty as Christians.<br>
+
essential part of our duty as Christians.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving<br>
+
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving<br>
  each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be <br>
+
each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be <br>
  imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children <br>
+
imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children <br>
  and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave <br>
+
and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave <br>
  Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to<br>
+
Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to<br>
  God." Ephesians 5:1-2</p>
+
God." Ephesians 5:1-2<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Unlovely and disagreeable traits</strong><br>
 
<strong>Unlovely and disagreeable traits</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "Above all, love each other deeply—because love<br>
+
"Above all, love each other deeply—because love<br>
  covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8<br>
+
covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  There are some people whom it is very easy to love. <br>
+
There are some people whom it is very easy to love. <br>
  They are congenial to our tastes. They have amiable <br>
+
They are congenial to our tastes. They have amiable <br>
  qualities or charming manners, or they are our social <br>
+
qualities or charming manners, or they are our social <br>
  companions. <br>
+
companions. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  But there are others who are not congenial—not <br>
+
But there are others who are not congenial—not <br>
  amiable—not to our taste. They have <strong>unlovely <br>
+
amiable—not to our taste. They have <strong>unlovely <br>
    and disagreeable traits</strong>. Faults mar the beauty <br>
+
and disagreeable traits</strong>. Faults mar the beauty <br>
  of their character. Yet if we are Christians—we <br>
+
of their character. Yet if we are Christians—we <br>
  should not fail to show brotherly love toward any. <br>
+
should not fail to show brotherly love toward any. <br>
  We must seek that love, which hides the multitude <br>
+
We must seek that love, which hides the multitude <br>
  of sins and faults.<br>
+
of sins and faults.<br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Your speech</strong><br>
 
<strong>Your speech</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "<strong>Your speech</strong> should always be gracious." <br>
+
"<strong>Your speech</strong> should always be gracious." <br>
  Colossians 4:6. <br>
+
Colossians 4:6. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We are to talk about the bright, beautiful, <br>
+
We are to talk about the bright, beautiful, <br>
  joyful things around us. The Christian must <br>
+
joyful things around us. The Christian must <br>
  not be <em>sanctimonious</em>. Religion suffers from <br>
+
not be <em>sanctimonious</em>. Religion suffers from <br>
  nothing more, than from <em>pious cant</em>. Our talk <br>
+
nothing more, than from <em>pious cant</em>. Our talk <br>
  on business, on science, on pleasure, on <br>
+
on business, on science, on pleasure, on <br>
  whatever theme—should be fragrant with the <br>
+
whatever theme—should be fragrant with the <br>
  perfume of grace. An old proverb says: "The <br>
+
perfume of grace. An old proverb says: "The <br>
  heart and the tongue are only a span apart." <br>
+
heart and the tongue are only a span apart." <br>
  If a man's <em>heart </em>is touched by the grace of God, <br>
+
If a man's <em>heart </em>is touched by the grace of God, <br>
  his <em>lips </em>will speak ever words of beauty, truth, <br>
+
his <em>lips </em>will speak ever words of beauty, truth, <br>
  and gentle love on whatever theme he may speak.</p>
+
and gentle love on whatever theme he may speak.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>Grace does not take trouble out of life</strong><br>
 
<strong>Grace does not take trouble out of life</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  <strong>Grace does not take trouble out of life</strong>. It does <br>
+
<strong>Grace does not take trouble out of life</strong>. It does <br>
  not make all the world feel kindly toward you. <br>
+
not make all the world feel kindly toward you. <br>
  It does not hush the tongue of reproach and scorn. <br>
+
It does not hush the tongue of reproach and scorn. <br>
  It does not quell the contentions of life. It does not <br>
+
It does not quell the contentions of life. It does not <br>
  soften human harshness, nor destroy selfishness. It <br>
+
soften human harshness, nor destroy selfishness. It <br>
  does not hush the sharp voices of criticism, fault-<br>
+
does not hush the sharp voices of criticism, fault-<br>
  finding, and frivolous talk. It does not command a <br>
+
finding, and frivolous talk. It does not command a <br>
  truce to jealous rivalries and envyings, to personal <br>
+
truce to jealous rivalries and envyings, to personal <br>
  abuse and silly strife. It does not say to the adverse <br>
+
abuse and silly strife. It does not say to the adverse <br>
  winds, "Blow not on my home." Christ makes no <em><br>
+
winds, "Blow not on my home." Christ makes no <em><br>
    charmed circle </em>about us where we shall never more <br>
+
charmed circle </em>about us where we shall never more <br>
  feel the blast of the storm; but he gives a peace <br>
+
feel the blast of the storm; but he gives a peace <br>
  which will keep the heart calm and tranquil, in the <br>
+
which will keep the heart calm and tranquil, in the <br>
  midst of the angriest strifes and storms.</p>
+
midst of the angriest strifes and storms.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>How very strange it must seem to the angels</strong><br>
 
<strong>How very strange it must seem to the angels</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  We are greedy after this world's things—and never <br>
+
We are greedy after this world's things—and never <br>
  can get enough of them. But of the real things, the <br>
+
can get enough of them. But of the real things, the <br>
  things which will last through eternity—we are <br>
+
things which will last through eternity—we are <br>
  satisfied with very small portions. <br>
+
satisfied with very small portions. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "What do you seek?" asks the Master. His hands <br>
+
"What do you seek?" asks the Master. His hands <br>
  filled with precious blessings; and we ask for some <br>
+
filled with precious blessings; and we ask for some <br>
  little thing, some trifle, when we might have glorious <br>
+
little thing, some trifle, when we might have glorious <br>
  fullness of blessing. <br>
+
fullness of blessing. <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  <strong>How very strange it must seem to the angels</strong>, <br>
+
<strong>How very strange it must seem to the angels</strong>, <br>
  to see us poor mortals giving our life, our very soul, <br>
+
to see us poor mortals giving our life, our very soul, <br>
  to get some paltry thing of earth, which will perish <br>
+
to get some paltry thing of earth, which will perish <br>
  tomorrow; and then not taking the precious spiritual <br>
+
tomorrow; and then not taking the precious spiritual <br>
  blessings which we might have for the mere asking!</p>
+
blessings which we might have for the mere asking!<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 
<strong>This heavenly casket</strong><br>
 
<strong>This heavenly casket</strong><br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  "We cry, <em>Abba, Father</em>." Romans 8:15 <br>
+
"We cry, <em>Abba, Father</em>." Romans 8:15 <br>
  <br>
+
<br>
  When we learn to look up to God out of our <br>
+
When we learn to look up to God out of our <br>
  weakness and sorrow, and say, <em>"Abba, Father,"</em> <br>
+
weakness and sorrow, and say, <em>"Abba, Father,"</em> <br>
  what a revelation does the name disclose! What <br>
+
what a revelation does the name disclose! What <br>
  a treasure of precious love-thoughts does it <br>
+
a treasure of precious love-thoughts does it <br>
  unlock! For one thing, there is <strong>love </strong>in this <br>
+
unlock! For one thing, there is <strong>love </strong>in this <br>
  divine Fatherhood—love which never falters, <br>
+
divine Fatherhood—love which never falters, <br>
  which never wearies, which stops at no sacrifice. <br>
+
which never wearies, which stops at no sacrifice. <br>
  There is also <strong>watchfulness </strong>which never sleeps, <br>
+
There is also <strong>watchfulness </strong>which never sleeps, <br>
  which looks down with compassionate eye from <br>
+
which looks down with compassionate eye from <br>
  above the silent stars, and keeps vigil day and<br>
+
above the silent stars, and keeps vigil day and<br>
  night. There is <strong>compassion</strong>, also, which peers <br>
+
night. There is <strong>compassion</strong>, also, which peers <br>
  into the depths of all our want and woe. There <br>
+
into the depths of all our want and woe. There <br>
  is <strong>shelter </strong>too, forever does our Father stand <br>
+
is <strong>shelter </strong>too, forever does our Father stand <br>
  between us and danger. There is <strong>guidance</strong>—a <br>
+
between us and danger. There is <strong>guidance</strong>—a <br>
  divine Hand clasping ours and leading us along <br>
+
divine Hand clasping ours and leading us along <br>
  through every difficult and dark way. No casket <br>
+
through every difficult and dark way. No casket <br>
  of earth's jewels holds so rich a cluster—as does <br>
+
of earth's jewels holds so rich a cluster—as does <br>
  <strong>this heavenly casket</strong>—this name "Father," <br>
+
<strong>this heavenly casket</strong>—this name "Father," <br>
  contain of the jewels of divine grace.</p>
+
contain of the jewels of divine grace.<br><br>
   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
 
 +
<strong>When we are weak</strong><br><br>
 +
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8 <br>
 +
<br>
 +
We are not at all times equally strong. There are days with all of us when we throw off temptation with almost no effort. But none of us are so every day. There are hours with the strongest of us—<strong>when we are weak</strong>. These are the times of peril for us, and our adversary is watching for them. In your weak hours keep a double guard, therefore, against temptation. Keep out of its way. Throw yourself with mighty faith on Him who was tempted in all points as we are, and knows therefore how to deliver us when we are tempted. In time of special weakness—<em>run to Christ for shelter!</em><br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>You are a letter from Christ</strong>
 +
<br>
 +
"You show that <strong>you are a letter from Christ</strong><br>
 +
—written not with ink but with the Spirit of the<br>
 +
living God." 2 Corinthians 3:3 <br>
 +
<br>
 +
The world does not read the Bible, nor come to <br>
 +
church to hear the gospel. All it learns about Christ <br>
 +
and the Christian life—it must learn from those who <br>
 +
bear Christ's name and represent Him. If all church<br>
 +
members lived truly consecrated lives—holy, beautiful, <br>
 +
separate from the world; loyal to Christ in business, <br>
 +
in pleasure, in all things—it is impossible to estimate <br>
 +
what the powerful influence of the Church would be, <br>
 +
in example alone. We are all responsible for the <br>
 +
influence of our example. Our lives should be New <br>
 +
Testament pages, which all can read.
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Weaving our soul's garments</strong><br><br>
 +
We are all busy weavers. Forever are we pushing the shuttle back and forth—each moment weaving one new thread in the <em>web of our life</em> which shall stay there forever. Every <em>thought</em>, every<em>feeling</em>, every <em>motion</em>, every <em>imagination </em>which plays but for a moment in the soul—become a thread which is instantly a permanent part of the life we are living. Our words and acts are threads which are clean and beautiful—or stained and blemished, according to their moral character. Thus we are forever weaving, and the web that we make—our souls must wear in eternity. How important it is that we put into this fabric—only <em>threads of immortal beauty!</em> If we do God's will always, and train ourselves to meditate on God's thoughts, and to receive into our heart the influences of God's love and grace, and to yield ever and only to God's Spirit—we shall weave for our souls a robe of righteousness, which shall appear radiant and lovely when all earth's garments have faded and crumbled to dust!<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Keep the water out of the boat</strong><br><br>
 +
The problem of sailing—is not to keep the boat out of the water—but to <strong>keep the water out of the boat</strong>. In like manner, the problem of true Christian living—is not to keep ourselves out of life's cares, trials, and temptations—but to keep the cares, trials, and temptations out of us. As the sea is the normal element for ship-sailing, so <em>care </em>is the normal element of life in this world. But we must keep the sea out of our heart. Some people make the mistake of letting their cares and worries creep into their souls. The result is that they grow discontented, fretful, unhappy. The secret of peace—is to keep the heart free from care and anxiety, even in the midst of the sorest trials. "Cast all your cares upon Him—for He cares for you!"<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>The ideal for all Christian life</strong><br><br>
 +
True life, wherever it is found, is <em>ministry</em>. Men think that they rise in life—as they get away from serving; but it is the reverse. "Not to be ministered unto—but to minister," our Lord gave as the central aim and desire of His life. These words also give us—<strong>the ideal for all Christian life</strong>. The whole of Christ's wonderful biography is focused and printed here. He himself holds up the picture as the pattern on which every disciple's life is to be fashioned. No one really begins to live at all, in any worthy sense—until selfishness dies in him and he begins to serve. We should ourselves ask concerning others—not how we can use them to advance our own interests and welfare—but how we can do them good, serve them, become in some way blessings to them.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
 
 +
<strong>The test of amusements</strong><br><br>
 +
Is the <em>love of pleasure</em> growing upon you, gaining the power and the ascendency over you? Is it dulling the keenness of your zest for spiritual pleasures? Is it making Bible-study, prayer, communion with Christ, meditation upon holy themes—less sweet enjoyments than before? Is it making your hunger for righteousness, for God—less intense? Is it interfering with the comfort and blessing you used to find in worship services, or in Christian work? If so, there is only one thing to do—to hasten to return to God, cut off the pleasure which is imperiling the soul, and find in Christ the joy which the world cannot give, and which ever enhances the life. We must test all our <em>pleasures </em>by this rule—<em>Are they helping us to grow into the noblest spiritual beauty?</em>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
 
 +
<strong>If we knew</strong><br><br>
 +
We should learn to look at the faults of others, only through love's eyes—with charity, patience, and compassion. We do not know the secret history of the lives of others around us. We do not know what piercing <em>sorrows </em>have produced the scars which we see in people's souls. We do not know the <em>pains </em>and <em>trials </em>which make life hard to many, with whom we are tempted to be impatient. <strong>If we knew</strong> all the secret burdens and the heart-wounds which many carry hidden beneath their smiling faces—we would be patient and gentle with all people.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
 
 +
<strong>God's strange schools</strong><br><br>
 +
No books, no universities, can teach us the <em>divine art of sympathy</em>. We must be sorely <em>tempted </em>ourselves, before we can understand what others suffer in their temptations. We must have<em>sorrow </em>ourselves in some form, before we can be real and true comforters of others in their times of sorrow. We must walk through the deep <em>valley </em>ourselves, before we can be guides to others in the same shadowy valleys. We must feel the strain and carry the burden and endure the <em>struggle </em>ourselves, and only then we can be touched with the feeling of <em>sympathy </em>or can give <em>help </em>to others in life's sore stress and poignant need. So we see, that one <em>compensation of suffering</em>—it fits us for being in a larger sense, helpers of others.<br><br>
 +
 
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Through life's sorest winter</strong><br><br>
 +
In the heat of life's conflicts, set upon on every hand by a multitude of things which tend to distract our peace—we are to maintain an unruffled calm, and all the tenderness and simplicity of the heart of a little child. That is the problem of life and of living, which Christ sets for us, and which he will help us to solve, if we follow him as our teacher. As the sweet flowers live and grow all through the winter under the deep snows, and come forth in the spring-time in beauty—so our hearts may remain loving, tender, and joyous <strong>through life's sorest winter</strong>, under the snows of trial and sorrow.
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
 
 +
<strong>God's clock is never too slow</strong><br><br>
 +
In the divine providence, nothing comes a moment too soon or too late—but everything comes in its own true time. <strong>God's clock is never too slow.</strong> Every link of the<em> chain of God's providence</em>fits into its own place. We do not see the providence at the time. Not until afterward, will you see that your disappointments, hardships, trials, and the wrongs inflicted on you by others—are parts of God's good providence toward you, full of blessing. Not until afterward will you see it—but the "afterward" is sure, if you firmly and faithfully follow Christ and cleave to him. The "afterward" of every disappointment or sorrow is blessing and good. We need only to learn to wait in patience.
 +
 
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Silence which is golden</strong><br>
 +
 
 +
It is easy for one to poison a person's mind <br>
 +
concerning another. There is measureless ruin <br>
 +
wrought in this world by <em>the slanderer</em>—<br>
 +
characters are blackened,<br>
 +
friendships are destroyed,<br>
 +
jealousies are aroused,<br>
 +
homes are torn up, <br>
 +
hearts are broken. <br>
 +
<br>
 +
Let us never take up an evil report—and give <br>
 +
it wing on breath of ours. Let us never whisper <br>
 +
an evil thing of another. We know not where it <br>
 +
may end, to what it may grow, what ruin it may <br>
 +
work! Words once spoken, can never be gotten <br>
 +
back again. We had better learn to keep the <br>
 +
door of our lips locked and never say evil of <br>
 +
anyone. This is a silence we shall never regret. 
 +
 
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
 
 +
<strong>Countless little irritations and provocations</strong><br><br>
 +
True religion is not believing alone; it is getting the virtues and graces out of the pages of Scripture where we find them—and into our own lives. Meekness as a <em>beatitude </em>is very beautiful. Meekness in Moses we admire greatly. But how much of it are we getting out of <em>beatitude </em>and <em>biography </em>into our experience? In our daily fellowship with men—do we hold our hearts quiet and still under all harshness, rudeness, criticism, injustice? There are <strong>countless little irritations and provocations</strong> which make friction every day. How do we endure them? Do they polish and refine our natures? These are the lessons of meekness. 
 +
 
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>The oyster's wounds</strong><br><br>
 +
What must we do with the wrongs and injustices and injuries inflicted upon us by others—if we are not to avenge them? How are these wrongs to be righted—and these injuries to be healed? Do not fear the consequences of any wrong done to you. Simply roll the matter into God's hands and leave it there, and he will bring all out clear as the noonday. He will not allow us to be permanently and really injured by any enmity. Our duty, then, is to bear meekly and patiently the suffering which others may cause us to endure; to bathe with love the hand which smites; to forgive those who injure us; and to commit all the injustices and inequities of our lives and all wrongs—into the hand of the just and righteous God. <strong>The oyster's wounds</strong> become pearls; and God can bring pearls of spiritual beauty out of the hurts made by human hands in our lives.
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Before we turn our microscopes on others</strong><br><br>
 +
It is strange how <em>oblivious </em>we can be of our own faults and of the blemishes in our own character—and how clearly we can see the faults and blemishes of other people. Finding so much wrong in others, is not a flattering indication of what our hearts contain. We ought to be very quiet and modest in criticizing others, for in most cases we are just telling the world what our own faults are.<strong>Before we turn our microscopes on others</strong>, to search out the unlovely things in them—we had better look in our mirrors to see whether or not we are free ourselves from the blemishes we would reprove in our neighbor. There is a wise bit of Scripture which bids us get clear of the <em>beams </em>in our own eyes, that we may see well to pick the <em>motes </em>out of the eyes of others.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Every Christian can preach sermons</strong><br>
 +
<br>
 +
<strong>Every Christian can preach sermons</strong> every day, <br>
 +
at home and among neighbors and friends—by the <br>
 +
beauty of holiness in his own common life. Wherever <br>
 +
a true Christian goes, his life ought to be an inspiration. <br>
 +
<em>Our silent influence</em> ought to touch other lives with <br>
 +
blessing—shining like holy lamps into sad and weary <br>
 +
hearts. Our lives ought to be blessings to human <br>
 +
sorrow and need all about us.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>A silent personal influence</strong><br><br>
 +
There is <strong>a silent personal influence</strong>, like a shadow, which goes out from everyone, and this influence is always leaving results and impressions wherever it touches. You cannot live a day—and not touch some other life. Wherever you go—your shadow falls on others, and they are either better or worse for your presence. <em><br>
 +
<br>
 +
Our influence</em> depends upon what we <strong>are</strong>—more than upon what we <strong>do</strong>. It is by living a beautiful life—that we bless the world. I do not under-estimate holy activities. Good deeds must characterize every true life. Our <em>hands </em>must do holy works. But if the <em>life </em>itself is noble, beautiful, holy, Christ-like, one that is itself a blessing, an inspiration, the worth of the influence is many times multiplied.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Your busy, harassed, tempted, struggling life</strong><br><br>
 +
It is in prayer that God shows his face to his children, that they have visions of his beauty and glory, that the sweet things of his love come down as gifts into their hearts, and that they are transformed into his likeness. If you would be blessed, get many seasons of prayer into <strong>your busy, harassed, tempted, struggling life</strong>. It is in these quiet moments, that you really grow. Somewhere in every vexed, feverish day—get a little "silent time" for prayer. It will bring heaven down into your heart, and make you strong for service. <br>
 +
<br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Self-made crosses</strong><br>
 +
<br>
 +
There are crosses which we make for ourselves. <br>
 +
Whenever our will falls athwart God's will—we <br>
 +
have a cross. We make a cross for ourselves—<br>
 +
when we refuse to take God's way, to accept <br>
 +
His will, or when we chafe or fret at anything <br>
 +
which God sends us. When, however, we quickly <br>
 +
accept what God gives, and yield in sweet <br>
 +
acquiescence to the divine will—we have no <br>
 +
crosses to carry.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Yet there are many people who fill their lives <br>
 +
with <strong>self-made crosses</strong>. Much physical illness <br>
 +
and pain, are produced by violation of healthy <br>
 +
habits—and the suffering endured in consequence, <br>
 +
is self-inflicted. Much of the trouble in people's <br>
 +
lives—they bring upon themselves by their <em><br>
 +
indiscretions, follies, </em>and<em> evil habits</em>. <br>
 +
<br>
 +
Then there are those who make crosses for <br>
 +
themselves—by magnifying their common ills, <br>
 +
by dwelling on their troubles, by brooding over <br>
 +
<em>imaginary evils</em> until their moderate share of <br>
 +
human troubles, grows into a seeming <em>mountain <br>
 +
of calamities</em>. <br>
 +
<br>
 +
If all the crosses which we make for ourselves<br>
 +
were taken out of our lives—we would not have <br>
 +
many left. Far more than we realize—we are <br>
 +
the authors of our own troubles.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Another room in our Father's house!</strong><br>
 +
<br>
 +
We are in the Father's house in this world—though <br>
 +
not in the best room of it—because sin has marred <br>
 +
everything here. Still we are in the Father's house. <br>
 +
His <em>care </em>is over us continually. His <em>love </em>pours its <br>
 +
brightness all about us. His hand <em>provides </em>for our <br>
 +
needs. <br>
 +
<br>
 +
Let us not think basely of earth—for it is part of our <br>
 +
Father's house. How near it brings heaven to us—to <br>
 +
think of it as but <strong>another room in our Father's <br>
 +
house!</strong> <br>
 +
<br>
 +
The life in heaven, is not a new life—but is simply <br>
 +
the life we begin here—which is continued there, <br>
 +
with <em>sin </em>taken out—and <em>imperfection </em>and all <em>pain </em><br>
 +
and <em>suffering </em>left forever behind!<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>The mysteries of His providence</strong><br>
 +
<br>
 +
We ought not to ask <em>questions </em>about our Father's <br>
 +
ways—why he does this—why he does that. Surely <br>
 +
it is better to <em>trust </em>our Father—than to weary our <br>
 +
brain with efforts to solve <strong>the mysteries of His <br>
 +
providence</strong>. <br>
 +
<br>
 +
Questions indicate fear or doubt. Perfect trust asks <br>
 +
no questions, and does not seek to understand the <br>
 +
mysteriousness of God's ways. It says, "Even so, <br>
 +
Father—for so it seems good in your sight," and rests <br>
 +
there in perfect peace. Of course we cannot expect <br>
 +
always to understand God's ways—he would not be <br>
 +
God if we could; but we know that <em>God's love</em> is the <br>
 +
key to them all, and that in time, all shall be made <br>
 +
clear even to us.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Our personal creeds<br>
 +
</strong><br>
 +
How many of us have taken our Bibles—and <br>
 +
put the doctrines of our creed to the proof? <br>
 +
Our creeds might be shorter if we did this.<br>
 +
Yet if we only believed two or three great <br>
 +
doctrines, and believed them after personal <br>
 +
inquiry, and were able to tell why we believed <br>
 +
them—it would be better than if we believed <br>
 +
thirty-nine or forty, or any number of doctrines,<br>
 +
merely because our church teaches them. It is <br>
 +
time we should begin to think earnestly about <br>
 +
these things. Every Christian ought to be able <br>
 +
to give an intelligent reason for the faith that <br>
 +
is in him. <em><strong>Our personal creeds</strong> ought to grow <br>
 +
out of our daily searching of the Word, and our <br>
 +
daily living.</em><br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>At least a dim reflection</strong><br><br>
 +
Go and speak of Christ to others; tell them of his holiness, his purity, his mercy, his patience, his great love, his infinite gentleness. Speak of his gracious beauty until your face glows and your eyes shine with the luster of his radiancy as you see it in his face. <br>
 +
<br>
 +
But do not fail to show them in your own character, in your disposition, in your love—patience, gentleness, sympathy, unselfishness, kindness, purity—some gleams, some radiant hints, of the beauty of Christ. Let people see in you <strong>at least a dim reflection </strong>of the beauty you praise.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Not a matter of theory</strong><br>
 +
<br>
 +
Every word of Christ comes to us with the <br>
 +
challenge, "Put me to the test. Try me. Prove <br>
 +
me." True religion is <strong>not a matter of theory</strong><br>
 +
—but a matter of life. We are to prove it—by <br>
 +
living it. Take every word which Christ speaks, <br>
 +
and begin at once to obey it—if it is a <em>command</em>; <br>
 +
or trust it and lean on it—if it is a <em>promise</em>. It <br>
 +
does not matter if you do not understand it, nor <br>
 +
see why the command is good—still <em>do </em>it. You <br>
 +
will not <em>know</em>—any faster than you will <em>do</em>. Only <br>
 +
<em>keep on following Christ</em>—and the way will open to <br>
 +
you and become plain as you go on step by step.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Life is hard for very many people</strong><br><br>
 +
There are sorrows which wear no black, and close no shutters, and drop no tears that men can see, and can get no sympathy. If you knew the inner life of many of the people you work with, and do business with, and meet socially in the common days—you would be very gentle with them; you would excuse their peculiarities, their absentmindedness, their seeming thoughtlessness at times.<strong>Life is hard for very many people</strong>. It is a wonder they can be as cordial and loving as they are—in view of <em>the burdens which crush them.</em><br>
 +
<br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Lying at our Father's feet</strong><br>
 +
<br>
 +
True prayer is earnest, not tiring nor fainting. <br>
 +
It takes every burden to God—the small and <br>
 +
the large alike. It is submissive, referring all <br>
 +
to the Father's will. Its answer may not come <br>
 +
in the direct granting of the request we make;<br>
 +
but may come instead, in more grace and <br>
 +
strength, enabling us to keep the burden—and <br>
 +
yet rejoice. <strong>Lying at our Father's feet</strong> in the <br>
 +
time of need, with our strong cryings and tears, <br>
 +
we learn obedience. Our sobbings end in praises, <br>
 +
our struggles end in acquiescence, our tears are <br>
 +
dried, and we rise victorious.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>If we hide Christ's words in our hearts</strong><br><br>
 +
Every word of Christ which we ponder deeply, opens to us a vision of beauty or excellence— something very lovely, a fragment of Christ's own image. We should instantly strive to paint the vision on our own life, to get the beauty, the excellence, the loveliness into our own life. Let us learn to be loyal to the word of Christ; not only to <em>know </em>it and <em>ponder </em>it and <em>meditate </em>upon it—but to <em>do</em>it, and to allow it thus to shape and mold our whole being into its own holy beauty. <strong>If we hide Christ's words in our hearts</strong>, they will transform us into His likeness.<br><br>
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Christ-likeness at home</strong><br><br>
 +
Keep the lamp of love shining day after day amid the multitude of home cares and home duties; amid the annoyances of home interactions and thoughtlessness; amid the thousand little irritations and provocations of home life, which so tend to break peace and mar sweet temper. Let home love be of the kind that never fails. Wherever else, far away or near, you pour the bright beams of your Christian life—be sure you brighten the space close about you in your own home. No goodness and gentleness outside the home, will atone for unlovingness and uncharitableness in the home.
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Whatever is lovely</strong><br><br>
 +
 
 +
"<strong>Whatever is lovely</strong>" Philippians 4:8<br><br>
 +
We become truly beautiful, just in the measure that we become like God. There are some who are Christians—but who are not lovely. They have qualities which repel others. But true holiness is attractive. We ought to make our religion so beautiful—that all who look upon us shall be drawn to our Master. We do dishonor to Christ, when we profess to be His people, and yet show in our character, disposition, and life—things which are unlike Christ. How will men of the world know what true religion is—if you and I do not show them its beauty in our lives? We should seek not only whatever is <em>just </em>and <em>true </em>and <em>honest</em>—butalso whatever is <em>lovely</em>.<br><br>
 +
 
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
 +
<strong>Misfortunes, sore trials, disappointments</strong><br><br>
 +
<br>
 +
"Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 <br>
 +
<br>
 +
We ought to keep our hearts warm and full of kindliness and sweetness, even through the harshest experiences. Many of us find that life is hard and full of pain. We meet <strong>misfortunes, sore trials, disappointments</strong>. We should not allow these harsh experiences to deaden our sensibilities or make us stoical 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 stern and severe experiences of life. Yet it is possible to carry the gentle heart of a little child, through all life's hardness and chill, into the fullest and ripest old age.
 +
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
  
  <strong>When we are weak</strong></p>
+
<strong>Second-hand Bible truth</strong><br><br>
  <p>"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8 <br>
+
Many Christians have their heads stored full of teachings, catechisms, creeds, and Scriptures—and yet when trouble comes, they have not one truth on which they can really lean or trust their weight, or which gives them any actual support or help to walk with over the dark mountains. They have piles of doctrines—but no rod and staff to lean on in weakness. They have lamps hung away in great clusters—but not one of them burning to throw its light upon the darkness. Let us learn to study the Scriptures for ourselves, and to know what we believe. <strong>Second-hand Bible truth</strong>, is not the kind of food our souls need.
    <br>
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~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
    We are not at all times equally strong. There are days with all of us when we throw off temptation with almost no effort. But none of us are so every day. There are hours with the strongest of us—<strong>when we are weak</strong>. These are the times of peril for us, and our adversary is watching for them. In your weak hours keep a double guard, therefore, against temptation. Keep out of its way. Throw yourself with mighty faith on Him who was tempted in all points as we are, and knows therefore how to deliver us when we are tempted. In time of special weakness—<em>run to Christ for shelter!</em></p>
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<strong>Spiritual Greatness</strong><br><br>
  <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
<strong>Spiritual Greatness</strong>—sanctified character, beauty of soul, the likeness of God upon the life, heart-qualities—shall endure forever. Into this true spiritual greatness, God wants to train every one of us. <br>
  <strong>You are a letter from Christ</strong>
+
<br>
    <br>
+
Many Christians grow sadly disheartened, because they seem never to become any better. Year after year the struggle goes on—with the old tempers and ugly dispositions, the old selfishness, pride, and hatefulness, and they appear never to be growing victorious. Yet Christ is a most patient teacher. He never wearies of our slowness and dullness as scholars. He will teach the same lesson over and over until we have learned it. He will never tire of us, and his gentleness will make us great.<br><br>
      "You show that <strong>you are a letter from Christ</strong><br>
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~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
      —written not with ink but with the Spirit of the<br>
+
<strong>Who touched me?</strong><br><br>
      living God." 2 Corinthians 3:3 <br>
+
Unless words mean nothing, unless the Scriptures cheat us with poetical images and illusions, Christ feels our every grief and every struggle, and sympathizes with us in each one. Remember how his heart responded when he was on earth to all human need. Sorrow stirred his compassion. Every cry of distress went to the depths of his soul. That heart is still the same. When angels are thronging about him, and a poor weary sufferer in some lowly home on earth, or a stricken penitent crouching in some darkness, reaches out a trembling finger-tip of faith and touches the hem of his garment—he turns about with loving look and asks, "<strong>Who touched me?</strong>"<br><br>
      <br>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
      The world does not read the Bible, nor come to <br>
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<strong>Grow in the grace</strong><br>
      church to hear the gospel. All it learns about Christ <br>
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<br>
      and the Christian life—it must learn from those who <br>
+
"<strong>Grow in the grace</strong> and knowledge of our<br>
      bear Christ's name and represent Him. If all church<br>
+
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18 <br>
      members lived truly consecrated lives—holy, beautiful, <br>
+
<br>
      separate from the world; loyal to Christ in business, <br>
+
Every day should see us advancing—learning <br>
      in pleasure, in all things—it is impossible to estimate <br>
+
more of Christ, and growing more and more <br>
      what the powerful influence of the Church would be, <br>
+
into the beauty of Christ. <br><br>
      in example alone. We are all responsible for the <br>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
      influence of our example. Our lives should be New <br>
+
<strong>A harvest of wretchedness</strong><br>
      Testament pages, which all can read.
+
<br>
      <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
An unholy life yields <strong>a harvest of wretchedness</strong> in <br>
      <strong>Weaving our soul's garments</strong></p>
+
old age! But a life of obedience to God, of faithfulness <br>
      <p>We are all busy weavers. Forever are we pushing the shuttle back and forth—each moment weaving one new thread in the <em>web of our life</em> which shall stay there forever. Every <em>thought</em>, every<em>feeling</em>, every <em>motion</em>, every <em>imagination </em>which plays but for a moment in the soul—become a thread which is instantly a permanent part of the life we are living. Our words and acts are threads which are clean and beautiful—or stained and blemished, according to their moral character. Thus we are forever weaving, and the web that we make—our souls must wear in eternity. How important it is that we put into this fabric—only <em>threads of immortal beauty!</em> If we do God's will always, and train ourselves to meditate on God's thoughts, and to receive into our heart the influences of God's love and grace, and to yield ever and only to God's Spirit—we shall weave for our souls a robe of righteousness, which shall appear radiant and lovely when all earth's garments have faded and crumbled to dust!</p>
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to duty, of personal purity and uprightness, and of <br>
      <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
unselfish, Christ-like service, will make old age like <br>
      <strong>Keep the water out of the boat</strong></p>
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a garden of fruit and flowers!<br><br>
      <p>The problem of sailing—is not to keep the boat out of the water—but to <strong>keep the water out of the boat</strong>. In like manner, the problem of true Christian living—is not to keep ourselves out of life's cares, trials, and temptations—but to keep the cares, trials, and temptations out of us. As the sea is the normal element for ship-sailing, so <em>care </em>is the normal element of life in this world. But we must keep the sea out of our heart. Some people make the mistake of letting their cares and worries creep into their souls. The result is that they grow discontented, fretful, unhappy. The secret of peace—is to keep the heart free from care and anxiety, even in the midst of the sorest trials. "Cast all your cares upon Him—for He cares for you!"</p>
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~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
      <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
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<strong>Spiritual culture</strong><br>
      <strong>The ideal for all Christian life</strong></p>
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<br>
      <p>True life, wherever it is found, is <em>ministry</em>. Men think that they rise in life—as they get away from serving; but it is the reverse. "Not to be ministered unto—but to minister," our Lord gave as the central aim and desire of His life. These words also give us—<strong>the ideal for all Christian life</strong>. The whole of Christ's wonderful biography is focused and printed here. He himself holds up the picture as the pattern on which every disciple's life is to be fashioned. No one really begins to live at all, in any worthy sense—until selfishness dies in him and he begins to serve. We should ourselves ask concerning others—not how we can use them to advance our own interests and welfare—but how we can do them good, serve them, become in some way blessings to them.</p>
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We begin our Christian life as spiritual children, in <br>
      <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
the lowest grades at school. Yet we are to grow in <br>
     
+
all the qualities which belong to the beautiful Christian <br>
        <strong>The test of amusements</strong></p>
+
character. <strong>Spiritual culture</strong> is the process by which our <br>
        Is the <em>love of pleasure</em> growing upon you, gaining the power and the ascendency over you? Is it dulling the keenness of your zest for spiritual pleasures? Is it making Bible-study, prayer, communion with Christ, meditation upon holy themes—less sweet enjoyments than before? Is it making your hunger for righteousness, for God—less intense? Is it interfering with the comfort and blessing you used to find in worship services, or in Christian work? If so, there is only one thing to do—to hasten to return to God, cut off the pleasure which is imperiling the soul, and find in Christ the joy which the world cannot give, and which ever enhances the life. We must test all our <em>pleasures </em>by this rule—<em>Are they helping us to grow into the noblest spiritual beauty?</em>
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nature is softened and mellowed into the gentleness of <br>
          <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
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love, our talents are developed into their best possibilities <br>
         
+
of usefulness, and our whole life is transformed into the <br>
            <strong>If we knew</strong></p>
+
beauty of Christ.<br>
            <p>We should learn to look at the faults of others, only through love's eyes—with charity, patience, and compassion. We do not know the secret history of the lives of others around us. We do not know what piercing <em>sorrows </em>have produced the scars which we see in people's souls. We do not know the <em>pains </em>and <em>trials </em>which make life hard to many, with whom we are tempted to be impatient. <strong>If we knew</strong> all the secret burdens and the heart-wounds which many carry hidden beneath their smiling faces—we would be patient and gentle with all people.</p>
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<br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
It is not mere personal magnetism, human love, eloquence, <br>
           
+
earnestness, or enthusiasm—which will make us real helpers, <br>
              <strong>God's strange schools</strong></p>
+
comforters, and healers of others; only the power and grace <br>
              <p>No books, no universities, can teach us the <em>divine art of sympathy</em>. We must be sorely <em>tempted </em>ourselves, before we can understand what others suffer in their temptations. We must have<em>sorrow </em>ourselves in some form, before we can be real and true comforters of others in their times of sorrow. We must walk through the deep <em>valley </em>ourselves, before we can be guides to others in the same shadowy valleys. We must feel the strain and carry the burden and endure the <em>struggle </em>ourselves, and only then we can be touched with the feeling of <em>sympathy </em>or can give <em>help </em>to others in life's sore stress and poignant need. So we see, that one <em>compensation of suffering</em>—it fits us for being in a larger sense, helpers of others.</p>
+
of God, received through prayer, can prepare us for such <br>
            </div>
+
service.<br><br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br>
            <strong>Through life's sorest winter</strong></p>
+
<br>
            In the heat of life's conflicts, set upon on every hand by a multitude of things which tend to distract our peace—we are to maintain an unruffled calm, and all the tenderness and simplicity of the heart of a little child. That is the problem of life and of living, which Christ sets for us, and which he will help us to solve, if we follow him as our teacher. As the sweet flowers live and grow all through the winter under the deep snows, and come forth in the spring-time in beauty—so our hearts may remain loving, tender, and joyous <strong>through life's sorest winter</strong>, under the snows of trial and sorrow.</div>
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<strong>We all have our faults</strong><br><br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
"Cleanse me from my <em>secret</em> faults." Psalm 19:12 <br>
           
+
<br>
              <strong>God's clock is never too slow</strong></p>
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<strong>We all have our faults</strong>, which mar the beauty of our lives in the eyes of others. Every noble soul desires to correct all their faults. The smallest fault mars the beauty of the character; and one who seeks to possess only "whatever things are <em>lovely</em>" will be eager to be rid of whatever is <em>faulty</em>. <br>
              In the divine providence, nothing comes a moment too soon or too late—but everything comes in its own true time. <strong>God's clock is never too slow.</strong> Every link of the<em> chain of God's providence</em>fits into its own place. We do not see the providence at the time. Not until afterward, will you see that your disappointments, hardships, trials, and the wrongs inflicted on you by others—are parts of God's good providence toward you, full of blessing. Not until afterward will you see it—but the "afterward" is sure, if you firmly and faithfully follow Christ and cleave to him. The "afterward" of every disappointment or sorrow is blessing and good. We need only to learn to wait in patience.</div>
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<br>
            </div>
+
Ofttimes, however, we do not know our own faults—we are unconscious of them. We cannot see ourselves as others see us. That friend does us a true kindness—who tells us of the things in our character, habits, manners, which appear as blemishes; although many people have too much vanity to be told of their faults. They resent it as a personal insult when one points out any blemish in them. But this is most foolish short-sightedness. To learn of a fault is an opportunity to add a new line of beauty to the life. Our prayer each day should be that God would show us our secret faults, whatever messenger he may send to point them out—and then give us grace to correct them!<br><br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
            <strong>Silence which is golden</strong><br>
+
<strong>You will have many trials and sorrows</strong><br>
             
+
<br>
              It is easy for one to poison a person's mind <br>
+
"You may have peace in Me. Here on earth <strong>you will<br>
                concerning another. There is measureless ruin <br>
+
have many trials and sorrows</strong>." John 16:33<br>
                wrought in this world by <em>the slanderer</em>—<br>
+
<br>
                characters are blackened,<br>
+
There is no life into which do not come many things <br>
                friendships are destroyed,<br>
+
calculated to cause anxiety and disturbance of mind: <br>
                jealousies are aroused,<br>
+
there are great sorrows; <br>
                homes are torn up, <br>
+
there are perplexities as to duty; <br>
                hearts are broken. <br>
+
there are disappointments and losses; <br>
                <br>
+
there are annoyances and hindrances;<br>
                Let us never take up an evil report—and give <br>
+
there are chafings and irritations in ordinary life; <br>
                it wing on breath of ours. Let us never whisper <br>
+
there are countless petty cares and frets. <br>
                an evil thing of another. We know not where it <br>
+
<br>
                may end, to what it may grow, what ruin it may <br>
+
All of these tend to break the hearts' peace and to <br>
                work! Words once spoken, can never be gotten <br>
+
disturb its quiet. Yet there is no lesson which is urged <br>
                back again. We had better learn to keep the <br>
+
more continuously or more earnestly in the Scriptures, <br>
                door of our lips locked and never say evil of <br>
+
than that a Christian should never worry, or let anxious <br>
                anyone. This is a silence we shall never regret. </div>
+
care oppress his heart. He is to live without disturbance <br>
            </div>
+
and with unbroken peace—even in the midst of the most <br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
trying experiences. "The peace of God, which transcends <br>
           
+
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds <br>
              <strong>Countless little irritations and provocations</strong></p>
+
in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7. "Let the peace of Christ <br>
              True religion is not believing alone; it is getting the virtues and graces out of the pages of Scripture where we find them—and into our own lives. Meekness as a <em>beatitude </em>is very beautiful. Meekness in Moses we admire greatly. But how much of it are we getting out of <em>beatitude </em>and <em>biography </em>into our experience? In our daily fellowship with men—do we hold our hearts quiet and still under all harshness, rudeness, criticism, injustice? There are <strong>countless little irritations and provocations</strong> which make friction every day. How do we endure them? Do they polish and refine our natures? These are the lessons of meekness. </div>
+
rule in your hearts." Colossians 3:15.<br><br>
            </div>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
<strong><em>Blue </em>glasses</strong><br>
            <strong>The oyster's wounds</strong></p>
+
<br>
            What must we do with the wrongs and injustices and injuries inflicted upon us by others—if we are not to avenge them? How are these wrongs to be righted—and these injuries to be healed? Do not fear the consequences of any wrong done to you. Simply roll the matter into God's hands and leave it there, and he will bring all out clear as the noonday. He will not allow us to be permanently and really injured by any enmity. Our duty, then, is to bear meekly and patiently the suffering which others may cause us to endure; to bathe with love the hand which smites; to forgive those who injure us; and to commit all the injustices and inequities of our lives and all wrongs—into the hand of the just and righteous God. <strong>The oyster's wounds</strong> become pearls; and God can bring pearls of spiritual beauty out of the hurts made by human hands in our lives.</div>
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One way to train ourselves to true and cheerful views <br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
of life, is resolutely to refuse to be frightened at <em>shadows</em>, <br>
            <strong>Before we turn our microscopes on others</strong></p>
+
or to see <em>trouble </em>where there is none. Half or more of the <br>
            <p>It is strange how <em>oblivious </em>we can be of our own faults and of the blemishes in our own character—and how clearly we can see the faults and blemishes of other people. Finding so much wrong in others, is not a flattering indication of what our hearts contain. We ought to be very quiet and modest in criticizing others, for in most cases we are just telling the world what our own faults are.<strong>Before we turn our microscopes on others</strong>, to search out the unlovely things in them—we had better look in our mirrors to see whether or not we are free ourselves from the blemishes we would reprove in our neighbor. There is a wise bit of Scripture which bids us get clear of the <em>beams </em>in our own eyes, that we may see well to pick the <em>motes </em>out of the eyes of others.</p>
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things which most worry us have no existence, except in <br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
a disordered imagination. Many things which in the dim <br>
            <p><strong>Every Christian can preach sermons</strong><br>
+
distance look like <em>shapes of peril</em>, when we draw near to <br>
              <br>
+
them, melt into <em>harmless shadows</em>, or even change into <br>
              <strong>Every Christian can preach sermons</strong> every day, <br>
+
forms of friendliness! <br>
              at home and among neighbors and friends—by the <br>
+
<br>
              beauty of holiness in his own common life. Wherever <br>
+
Much of the gloomy tinge which many people see on <br>
              a true Christian goes, his life ought to be an inspiration. <br>
+
everything, is caused by the color of the glasses through <br>
              <em>Our silent influence</em> ought to touch other lives with <br>
+
which they look. We put on our <strong><em>blue </em>glasses</strong>, and then <br>
              blessing—shining like holy lamps into sad and weary <br>
+
wonder what makes everything <strong><em>blue</em></strong> and dismal. The <br>
              hearts. Our lives ought to be blessings to human <br>
+
greater part of our discontent is caused by some imaginary <br>
              sorrow and need all about us.</p>
+
trouble, which never really comes. "Fix your thoughts on <br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
what is true and honorable and right. Think about things <br>
            <strong>A silent personal influence</strong></p>
+
that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things <br>
            <p>There is <strong>a silent personal influence</strong>, like a shadow, which goes out from everyone, and this influence is always leaving results and impressions wherever it touches. You cannot live a day—and not touch some other life. Wherever you go—your shadow falls on others, and they are either better or worse for your presence. <em><br>
+
that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 <br>
              <br>
+
<br>
              Our influence</em> depends upon what we <strong>are</strong>—more than upon what we <strong>do</strong>. It is by living a beautiful life—that we bless the world. I do not under-estimate holy activities. Good deeds must characterize every true life. Our <em>hands </em>must do holy works. But if the <em>life </em>itself is noble, beautiful, holy, Christ-like, one that is itself a blessing, an inspiration, the worth of the influence is many times multiplied.</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
<strong>His treasured possession!</strong><br>
            <strong>Your busy, harassed, tempted, struggling life</strong></p>
+
<br>
            <p>It is in prayer that God shows his face to his children, that they have visions of his beauty and glory, that the sweet things of his love come down as gifts into their hearts, and that they are transformed into his likeness. If you would be blessed, get many seasons of prayer into <strong>your busy, harassed, tempted, struggling life</strong>. It is in these quiet moments, that you really grow. Somewhere in every vexed, feverish day—get a little "silent time" for prayer. It will bring heaven down into your heart, and make you strong for service. <br>
+
"I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep." John 10:14<br>
              <br>
+
<br>
              ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
When we think of the millions who are in Christ's flock, <br>
            <p><strong>Self-made crosses</strong><br>
+
it seems strange to us that He knows and calls each one<br>
              <br>
+
by name. Yet the truth is made very clear in Scripture. <br>
              There are crosses which we make for ourselves. <br>
+
<br>
              Whenever our will falls athwart God's will—we <br>
+
Every mother knows her own children by name, and it <br>
              have a cross. We make a cross for ourselves—<br>
+
is as easy for the Good Shepherd to know each of His <br>
              when we refuse to take God's way, to accept <br>
+
millions by name, as for any human mother to know <br>
              His will, or when we chafe or fret at anything <br>
+
each of her little children. <br>
              which God sends us. When, however, we quickly <br>
+
<br>
              accept what God gives, and yield in sweet <br>
+
There is comfort in this teaching. We are not lost in <br>
              acquiescence to the divine will—we have no <br>
+
the crowd. Each one of of God's children, is the special <br>
              crosses to carry.<br>
+
object of His <em>love </em>and <em>thought </em>and <em>care!</em><br>
              <br>
+
<br>
              Yet there are many people who fill their lives <br>
+
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have<br>
              with <strong>self-made crosses</strong>. Much physical illness <br>
+
called you by name; you are Mine!" Isaiah 43:1<br>
              and pain, are produced by violation of healthy <br>
+
<br>
              habits—and the suffering endured in consequence, <br>
+
"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.<br>
              is self-inflicted. Much of the trouble in people's <br>
+
The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the<br>
              lives—they bring upon themselves by their <em><br>
+
peoples on the face of the earth to be His people,<br>
                indiscretions, follies, </em>and<em> evil habits</em>. <br>
+
<strong>His treasured possession!</strong>" Deuteronomy 7:6 <br>
              <br>
+
<br>
              Then there are those who make crosses for <br>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
              themselves—by magnifying their common ills, <br>
+
<strong>Truly beautiful and truly happy</strong><br>
              by dwelling on their troubles, by brooding over <br>
+
<br>
              <em>imaginary evils</em> until their moderate share of <br>
+
Only Christ can make any life, young or old—<strong>truly <br>
              human troubles, grows into a seeming <em>mountain <br>
+
beautiful and truly happy</strong>. Only He can cure the <br>
                of calamities</em>. <br>
+
heart's restless fever and give quietness and calmness. <br>
              <br>
+
Only He can purify that sinful fountain within us—our <br>
              If all the crosses which we make for ourselves<br>
+
corrupt nature, and make us holy. To have a peaceful <br>
              were taken out of our lives—we would not have <br>
+
and blessed ending to life—we must live it with Christ. <br>
              many left. Far more than we realize—we are <br>
+
Such a life grows brighter even to its close. Its last <br>
              the authors of our own troubles.</p>
+
days are the sunniest and the sweetest. The more <br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
earth's joys fail—the nearer and the more satisfying <br>
            <p><strong>Another room in our Father's house!</strong><br>
+
do the spiritual comforts become.<br><br>
              <br>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
              We are in the Father's house in this world—though <br>
+
<strong>A living, loving, personal Savior</strong><br>
              not in the best room of it—because sin has marred <br>
+
<br>
              everything here. Still we are in the Father's house. <br>
+
We are in the habit of saying that Christ saved <br>
              His <em>care </em>is over us continually. His <em>love </em>pours its <br>
+
us by dying for us on the Cross. In an important <br>
              brightness all about us. His hand <em>provides </em>for our <br>
+
sense this is true. We never could have been <br>
              needs. <br>
+
saved, if He had not died for us. <br>
              <br>
+
<br>
              Let us not think basely of earth—for it is part of our <br>
+
But we are actually saved by our relation to <strong>a <br>
              Father's house. How near it brings heaven to us—to <br>
+
living, loving, personal Savior</strong>—into whose <br>
              think of it as but <strong>another room in our Father's <br>
+
hands we commit all the interests of our lives;<br>
                house!</strong> <br>
+
and who becomes our friend, our helper, our <br>
              <br>
+
keeper, our burden bearer—our all in all. <br>
              The life in heaven, is not a new life—but is simply <br>
+
<br>
              the life we begin here—which is continued there, <br>
+
Christian faith is not merely laying our sins on <br>
              with <em>sin </em>taken out—and <em>imperfection </em>and all <em>pain </em><br>
+
the Lamb of God and trusting to His one great <br>
              and <em>suffering </em>left forever behind!</p>
+
sacrifice; it is the laying of ourselves on the living, <br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
loving heart of one whose friendship becomes <br>
            <p><strong>The mysteries of His providence</strong><br>
+
thenceforward the sweetest joy of our lives! <br>
              <br>
+
<br>
              We ought not to ask <em>questions </em>about our Father's <br>
+
"The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith<br>
              ways—why he does this—why he does that. Surely <br>
+
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave<br>
              it is better to <em>trust </em>our Father—than to weary our <br>
+
Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20 <br><br>
              brain with efforts to solve <strong>the mysteries of His <br>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
                providence</strong>. <br>
+
<strong>Inspirations to beautiful living</strong><br>
              <br>
+
<br>
              Questions indicate fear or doubt. Perfect trust asks <br>
+
The beauty of Christ in a human life—is not merely <br>
              no questions, and does not seek to understand the <br>
+
a <em>heavenly yearning</em>. It is intensely practical. It is . . .<br>
              mysteriousness of God's ways. It says, "Even so, <br>
+
more than <em>religious sentimentality</em>,<br>
              Father—for so it seems good in your sight," and rests <br>
+
more than <em>devout feeling</em>, <br>
              there in perfect peace. Of course we cannot expect <br>
+
more than <em>holy aspiration</em>. <br>
              always to understand God's ways—he would not be <br>
+
<br>
              God if we could; but we know that <em>God's love</em> is the <br>
+
<em>True spiritual longing</em> draws the whole life upward <br>
              key to them all, and that in time, all shall be made <br>
+
with it. True holiness does not unfit people for living <br>
              clear even to us.</p>
+
well in this world. It has its visions of Christ – but it <br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
brings them down to brighten its daily path and to <br>
            <p><strong>Our personal creeds<br>
+
become <strong>inspirations to beautiful living</strong>. It has its <br>
              </strong><br>
+
joyful emotions – but they become impulses to s<em>elf <br>
              How many of us have taken our Bibles—and <br>
+
denial</em> and <em>patient work</em> for the Master.<br><br>
              put the doctrines of our creed to the proof? <br>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
              Our creeds might be shorter if we did this.<br>
+
<strong>How to wear chains for Christ</strong><br>
              Yet if we only believed two or three great <br>
+
<br>
              doctrines, and believed them after personal <br>
+
"I am in chains for Christ." Philippians 1:13<br>
              inquiry, and were able to tell why we believed <br>
+
<br>
              them—it would be better than if we believed <br>
+
Paul teaches us by example—<strong>how to wear <br>
              thirty-nine or forty, or any number of doctrines,<br>
+
chains for Christ</strong>. He counted it a glory. It <br>
              merely because our church teaches them. It is <br>
+
was that <em>chained hand</em> which wrote the Epistle <br>
              time we should begin to think earnestly about <br>
+
to the Philippians—the most <em>cheerful </em>and <em>joyous </em><br>
              these things. Every Christian ought to be able <br>
+
of the Apostle's letters. Paul's <em>sweetest </em>songs <br>
              to give an intelligent reason for the faith that <br>
+
came from his<em> prison!</em><br>
              is in him. <em><strong>Our personal creeds</strong> ought to grow <br>
+
<br>
                out of our daily searching of the Word, and our <br>
+
We shall not likely have the privilege of wearing <br>
                daily living.</em></p>
+
literal chains for Christ – but there are many <br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
<em>hindrances </em>and <em>limitations </em>and <em>hardships </em>in every <br>
            <strong>At least a dim reflection</strong></p>
+
Christian life, which are really chains upon us: <br>
            <p>Go and speak of Christ to others; tell them of his holiness, his purity, his mercy, his patience, his great love, his infinite gentleness. Speak of his gracious beauty until your face glows and your eyes shine with the luster of his radiancy as you see it in his face. <br>
+
<em>Sickness</em> sometimes shuts us in. <br>
              <br>
+
<em>  Poverty </em>binds the hands of many. <br>
              But do not fail to show them in your own character, in your disposition, in your love—patience, gentleness, sympathy, unselfishness, kindness, purity—some gleams, some radiant hints, of the beauty of Christ. Let people see in you <strong>at least a dim reflection </strong>of the beauty you praise.</p>
+
<em>  Household cares</em> keep many a woman in chains. <br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
<br>
            <p><strong>Not a matter of theory</strong><br>
+
Few Christians are absolutely free to do what <br>
              <br>
+
their hearts prompt them to do for Christ. We <br>
              Every word of Christ comes to us with the <br>
+
should study Paul, and gather the lessons . . .<br>
              challenge, "Put me to the test. Try me. Prove <br>
+
of rejoicing,<br>
              me." True religion is <strong>not a matter of theory</strong><br>
+
of cheerfulness, <br>
              —but a matter of life. We are to prove it—by <br>
+
of contentment,<br>
              living it. Take every word which Christ speaks, <br>
+
of usefulness. <br>
              and begin at once to obey it—if it is a <em>command</em>; <br>
+
Paul's <em>prison </em>life was not idle. He continually <br>
              or trust it and lean on it—if it is a <em>promise</em>. It <br>
+
sent out blessings, from his place of captivity. <br>
              does not matter if you do not understand it, nor <br>
+
The influence poured out into all the world. <br>
              see why the command is good—still <em>do </em>it. You <br>
+
"I want you to know, brothers, that what has <br>
              will not <em>know</em>—any faster than you will <em>do</em>. Only <br>
+
happened to me has actually resulted in the <br>
              <em>keep on following Christ</em>—and the way will open to <br>
+
advancement of the gospel!" Philippians 1:12<br><br>
              you and become plain as you go on step by step.</p>
+
~  ~  ~  ~<br><br>
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
<strong>The Lord Will Provide!</strong><br>
            <strong>Life is hard for very many people</strong></p>
+
<br>
            <p>There are sorrows which wear no black, and close no shutters, and drop no tears that men can see, and can get no sympathy. If you knew the inner life of many of the people you work with, and do business with, and meet socially in the common days—you would be very gentle with them; you would excuse their peculiarities, their absentmindedness, their seeming thoughtlessness at times.<strong>Life is hard for very many people</strong>. It is a wonder they can be as cordial and loving as they are—in view of <em>the burdens which crush them.</em><br>
+
"So Abraham called that place <em>Jehovah-Jireh</em>—<strong><br>
              <br>
+
The Lord Will Provide!</strong>" Genesis 22:14<br>
              ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
<br>
            <p><strong>Lying at our Father's feet</strong><br>
+
Write deep in your heart this New Year’s day, this word <br>
              <br>
+
of sublime confidence, <em>Jehovah-Jireh</em>. It tells you that <br>
              True prayer is earnest, not tiring nor fainting. <br>
+
you can trust God always; that no promise of His ever <br>
              It takes every burden to God—the small and <br>
+
fails; that He does all things well; that out of all seeming <br>
              the large alike. It is submissive, referring all <br>
+
loss and destruction of human hopes, He brings blessing.<br>
              to the Father's will. Its answer may not come <br>
+
<br>
              in the direct granting of the request we make;<br>
+
"You have never traveled this way before." Joshua 3:4.<br>
              but may come instead, in more grace and <br>
+
There will be sorrows and joys, failures and successes, <br>
              strength, enabling us to keep the burden—and <br>
+
this year, just as there were last year. You cannot forecast<br>
              yet rejoice. <strong>Lying at our Father's feet</strong> in the <br>
+
individual experiences. You cannot see a step before your <br>
              time of need, with our strong cryings and tears, <br>
+
feet! Yet <em>Jehovah-Jireh</em> calls you to enter the new year <br>
              we learn obedience. Our sobbings end in praises, <br>
+
with calm trust. It bids you put away all anxieties and <br>
              our struggles end in acquiescence, our tears are <br>
+
forebodings—"The Lord will provide!"
              dried, and we rise victorious.</p>
+
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
            <strong>If we hide Christ's words in our hearts</strong></p>
+
            <p>Every word of Christ which we ponder deeply, opens to us a vision of beauty or excellence— something very lovely, a fragment of Christ's own image. We should instantly strive to paint the vision on our own life, to get the beauty, the excellence, the loveliness into our own life. Let us learn to be loyal to the word of Christ; not only to <em>know </em>it and <em>ponder </em>it and <em>meditate </em>upon it—but to <em>do</em>it, and to allow it thus to shape and mold our whole being into its own holy beauty. <strong>If we hide Christ's words in our hearts</strong>, they will transform us into His likeness.</p>
+
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
            <strong>Christ-likeness at home</strong></p>
+
            Keep the lamp of love shining day after day amid the multitude of home cares and home duties; amid the annoyances of home interactions and thoughtlessness; amid the thousand little irritations and provocations of home life, which so tend to break peace and mar sweet temper. Let home love be of the kind that never fails. Wherever else, far away or near, you pour the bright beams of your Christian life—be sure you brighten the space close about you in your own home. No goodness and gentleness outside the home, will atone for unlovingness and uncharitableness in the home.</div>
+
               ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
            <strong>Whatever is lovely</strong></p>
+
           
+
              "<strong>Whatever is lovely</strong>" Philippians 4:8</p>
+
              <p>We become truly beautiful, just in the measure that we become like God. There are some who are Christians—but who are not lovely. They have qualities which repel others. But true holiness is attractive. We ought to make our religion so beautiful—that all who look upon us shall be drawn to our Master. We do dishonor to Christ, when we profess to be His people, and yet show in our character, disposition, and life—things which are unlike Christ. How will men of the world know what true religion is—if you and I do not show them its beauty in our lives? We should seek not only whatever is <em>just </em>and <em>true </em>and <em>honest</em>—butalso whatever is <em>lovely</em>.</p>
+
            </div>
+
            <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
            <strong>Misfortunes, sore trials, disappointments</strong></p>
+
            <br>
+
              "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 <br>
+
              <br>
+
              We ought to keep our hearts warm and full of kindliness and sweetness, even through the harshest experiences. Many of us find that life is hard and full of pain. We meet <strong>misfortunes, sore trials, disappointments</strong>. We should not allow these harsh experiences to deaden our sensibilities or make us stoical 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 stern and severe experiences of life. Yet it is possible to carry the gentle heart of a little child, through all life's hardness and chill, into the fullest and ripest old age.
+
              <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
           
+
              <strong>Second-hand Bible truth</strong></p>
+
              Many Christians have their heads stored full of teachings, catechisms, creeds, and Scriptures—and yet when trouble comes, they have not one truth on which they can really lean or trust their weight, or which gives them any actual support or help to walk with over the dark mountains. They have piles of doctrines—but no rod and staff to lean on in weakness. They have lamps hung away in great clusters—but not one of them burning to throw its light upon the darkness. Let us learn to study the Scriptures for ourselves, and to know what we believe. <strong>Second-hand Bible truth</strong>, is not the kind of food our souls need.
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <strong>Spiritual Greatness</strong></p>
+
                <p><strong>Spiritual Greatness</strong>—sanctified character, beauty of soul, the likeness of God upon the life, heart-qualities—shall endure forever. Into this true spiritual greatness, God wants to train every one of us. <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Many Christians grow sadly disheartened, because they seem never to become any better. Year after year the struggle goes on—with the old tempers and ugly dispositions, the old selfishness, pride, and hatefulness, and they appear never to be growing victorious. Yet Christ is a most patient teacher. He never wearies of our slowness and dullness as scholars. He will teach the same lesson over and over until we have learned it. He will never tire of us, and his gentleness will make us great.</p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <strong>Who touched me?</strong></p>
+
                <p>Unless words mean nothing, unless the Scriptures cheat us with poetical images and illusions, Christ feels our every grief and every struggle, and sympathizes with us in each one. Remember how his heart responded when he was on earth to all human need. Sorrow stirred his compassion. Every cry of distress went to the depths of his soul. That heart is still the same. When angels are thronging about him, and a poor weary sufferer in some lowly home on earth, or a stricken penitent crouching in some darkness, reaches out a trembling finger-tip of faith and touches the hem of his garment—he turns about with loving look and asks, "<strong>Who touched me?</strong>"</p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>Grow in the grace</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  "<strong>Grow in the grace</strong> and knowledge of our<br>
+
                  Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18 <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Every day should see us advancing—learning <br>
+
                  more of Christ, and growing more and more <br>
+
                  into the beauty of Christ. </p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>A harvest of wretchedness</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  An unholy life yields <strong>a harvest of wretchedness</strong> in <br>
+
                  old age! But a life of obedience to God, of faithfulness <br>
+
                  to duty, of personal purity and uprightness, and of <br>
+
                  unselfish, Christ-like service, will make old age like <br>
+
                  a garden of fruit and flowers!</p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>Spiritual culture</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  We begin our Christian life as spiritual children, in <br>
+
                  the lowest grades at school. Yet we are to grow in <br>
+
                  all the qualities which belong to the beautiful Christian <br>
+
                  character. <strong>Spiritual culture</strong> is the process by which our <br>
+
                  nature is softened and mellowed into the gentleness of <br>
+
                  love, our talents are developed into their best possibilities <br>
+
                  of usefulness, and our whole life is transformed into the <br>
+
                  beauty of Christ.<br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  It is not mere personal magnetism, human love, eloquence, <br>
+
                  earnestness, or enthusiasm—which will make us real helpers, <br>
+
                  comforters, and healers of others; only the power and grace <br>
+
                  of God, received through prayer, can prepare us for such <br>
+
                  service.</p>
+
                   ~  ~  ~  ~<br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  <strong>We all have our faults</strong></p>
+
                <p>"Cleanse me from my <em>secret</em> faults." Psalm 19:12 <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  <strong>We all have our faults</strong>, which mar the beauty of our lives in the eyes of others. Every noble soul desires to correct all their faults. The smallest fault mars the beauty of the character; and one who seeks to possess only "whatever things are <em>lovely</em>" will be eager to be rid of whatever is <em>faulty</em>. <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Ofttimes, however, we do not know our own faults—we are unconscious of them. We cannot see ourselves as others see us. That friend does us a true kindness—who tells us of the things in our character, habits, manners, which appear as blemishes; although many people have too much vanity to be told of their faults. They resent it as a personal insult when one points out any blemish in them. But this is most foolish short-sightedness. To learn of a fault is an opportunity to add a new line of beauty to the life. Our prayer each day should be that God would show us our secret faults, whatever messenger he may send to point them out—and then give us grace to correct them!</p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>You will have many trials and sorrows</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  "You may have peace in Me. Here on earth <strong>you will<br>
+
                    have many trials and sorrows</strong>." John 16:33<br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  There is no life into which do not come many things <br>
+
                  calculated to cause anxiety and disturbance of mind: <br>
+
                  there are great sorrows; <br>
+
                  there are perplexities as to duty; <br>
+
                  there are disappointments and losses; <br>
+
                  there are annoyances and hindrances;<br>
+
                  there are chafings and irritations in ordinary life; <br>
+
                  there are countless petty cares and frets. <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  All of these tend to break the hearts' peace and to <br>
+
                  disturb its quiet. Yet there is no lesson which is urged <br>
+
                  more continuously or more earnestly in the Scriptures, <br>
+
                  than that a Christian should never worry, or let anxious <br>
+
                  care oppress his heart. He is to live without disturbance <br>
+
                  and with unbroken peace—even in the midst of the most <br>
+
                  trying experiences. "The peace of God, which transcends <br>
+
                  all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds <br>
+
                  in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7. "Let the peace of Christ <br>
+
                  rule in your hearts." Colossians 3:15.</p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong><em>Blue </em>glasses</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  One way to train ourselves to true and cheerful views <br>
+
                  of life, is resolutely to refuse to be frightened at <em>shadows</em>, <br>
+
                  or to see <em>trouble </em>where there is none. Half or more of the <br>
+
                  things which most worry us have no existence, except in <br>
+
                  a disordered imagination. Many things which in the dim <br>
+
                  distance look like <em>shapes of peril</em>, when we draw near to <br>
+
                  them, melt into <em>harmless shadows</em>, or even change into <br>
+
                  forms of friendliness! <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Much of the gloomy tinge which many people see on <br>
+
                  everything, is caused by the color of the glasses through <br>
+
                  which they look. We put on our <strong><em>blue </em>glasses</strong>, and then <br>
+
                  wonder what makes everything <strong><em>blue</em></strong> and dismal. The <br>
+
                  greater part of our discontent is caused by some imaginary <br>
+
                  trouble, which never really comes. "Fix your thoughts on <br>
+
                  what is true and honorable and right. Think about things <br>
+
                  that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things <br>
+
                  that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>His treasured possession!</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  "I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep." John 10:14<br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  When we think of the millions who are in Christ's flock, <br>
+
                  it seems strange to us that He knows and calls each one<br>
+
                  by name. Yet the truth is made very clear in Scripture. <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Every mother knows her own children by name, and it <br>
+
                  is as easy for the Good Shepherd to know each of His <br>
+
                  millions by name, as for any human mother to know <br>
+
                  each of her little children. <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  There is comfort in this teaching. We are not lost in <br>
+
                  the crowd. Each one of of God's children, is the special <br>
+
                  object of His <em>love </em>and <em>thought </em>and <em>care!</em><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have<br>
+
                  called you by name; you are Mine!" Isaiah 43:1<br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.<br>
+
                  The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the<br>
+
                  peoples on the face of the earth to be His people,<br>
+
                  <strong>His treasured possession!</strong>" Deuteronomy 7:6 <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>Truly beautiful and truly happy</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Only Christ can make any life, young or old—<strong>truly <br>
+
                    beautiful and truly happy</strong>. Only He can cure the <br>
+
                  heart's restless fever and give quietness and calmness. <br>
+
                  Only He can purify that sinful fountain within us—our <br>
+
                  corrupt nature, and make us holy. To have a peaceful <br>
+
                  and blessed ending to life—we must live it with Christ. <br>
+
                  Such a life grows brighter even to its close. Its last <br>
+
                  days are the sunniest and the sweetest. The more <br>
+
                  earth's joys fail—the nearer and the more satisfying <br>
+
                  do the spiritual comforts become.</p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>A living, loving, personal Savior</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  We are in the habit of saying that Christ saved <br>
+
                  us by dying for us on the Cross. In an important <br>
+
                  sense this is true. We never could have been <br>
+
                  saved, if He had not died for us. <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  But we are actually saved by our relation to <strong>a <br>
+
                    living, loving, personal Savior</strong>—into whose <br>
+
                  hands we commit all the interests of our lives;<br>
+
                  and who becomes our friend, our helper, our <br>
+
                  keeper, our burden bearer—our all in all. <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Christian faith is not merely laying our sins on <br>
+
                  the Lamb of God and trusting to His one great <br>
+
                  sacrifice; it is the laying of ourselves on the living, <br>
+
                  loving heart of one whose friendship becomes <br>
+
                  thenceforward the sweetest joy of our lives! <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  "The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith<br>
+
                  in the Son of God, who loved me and gave<br>
+
                  Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20 </p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>Inspirations to beautiful living</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  The beauty of Christ in a human life—is not merely <br>
+
                  a <em>heavenly yearning</em>. It is intensely practical. It is . . .<br>
+
                  more than <em>religious sentimentality</em>,<br>
+
                  more than <em>devout feeling</em>, <br>
+
                  more than <em>holy aspiration</em>. <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  <em>True spiritual longing</em> draws the whole life upward <br>
+
                  with it. True holiness does not unfit people for living <br>
+
                  well in this world. It has its visions of Christ – but it <br>
+
                  brings them down to brighten its daily path and to <br>
+
                  become <strong>inspirations to beautiful living</strong>. It has its <br>
+
                  joyful emotions – but they become impulses to s<em>elf <br>
+
                    denial</em> and <em>patient work</em> for the Master.</p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>How to wear chains for Christ</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  "I am in chains for Christ." Philippians 1:13<br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Paul teaches us by example—<strong>how to wear <br>
+
                    chains for Christ</strong>. He counted it a glory. It <br>
+
                  was that <em>chained hand</em> which wrote the Epistle <br>
+
                  to the Philippians—the most <em>cheerful </em>and <em>joyous </em><br>
+
                  of the Apostle's letters. Paul's <em>sweetest </em>songs <br>
+
                  came from his<em> prison!</em><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  We shall not likely have the privilege of wearing <br>
+
                  literal chains for Christ – but there are many <br>
+
                  <em>hindrances </em>and <em>limitations </em>and <em>hardships </em>in every <br>
+
                  Christian life, which are really chains upon us: <br>
+
                  <em>Sickness</em> sometimes shuts us in. <br>
+
                  <em>  Poverty </em>binds the hands of many. <br>
+
                  <em>  Household cares</em> keep many a woman in chains. <br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Few Christians are absolutely free to do what <br>
+
                  their hearts prompt them to do for Christ. We <br>
+
                  should study Paul, and gather the lessons . . .<br>
+
                  of rejoicing,<br>
+
                  of cheerfulness, <br>
+
                  of contentment,<br>
+
                  of usefulness. <br>
+
                  Paul's <em>prison </em>life was not idle. He continually <br>
+
                  sent out blessings, from his place of captivity. <br>
+
                  The influence poured out into all the world. <br>
+
                  "I want you to know, brothers, that what has <br>
+
                  happened to me has actually resulted in the <br>
+
                  advancement of the gospel!" Philippians 1:12</p>
+
                <p>   ~  ~  ~  ~</p>
+
                <p><strong>The Lord Will Provide!</strong><br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  "So Abraham called that place <em>Jehovah-Jireh</em>—<strong><br>
+
                    The Lord Will Provide!</strong>" Genesis 22:14<br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  Write deep in your heart this New Year’s day, this word <br>
+
                  of sublime confidence, <em>Jehovah-Jireh</em>. It tells you that <br>
+
                  you can trust God always; that no promise of His ever <br>
+
                  fails; that He does all things well; that out of all seeming <br>
+
                  loss and destruction of human hopes, He brings blessing.<br>
+
                  <br>
+
                  "You have never traveled this way before." Joshua 3:4.<br>
+
                  There will be sorrows and joys, failures and successes, <br>
+
                  this year, just as there were last year. You cannot forecast<br>
+
                  individual experiences. You cannot see a step before your <br>
+
                  feet! Yet <em>Jehovah-Jireh</em> calls you to enter the new year <br>
+
                  with calm trust. It bids you put away all anxieties and <br>
+
                  forebodings—"The Lord will provide!"
+
 
----   
 
----   
 
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Latest revision as of 21:27, 31 October 2012

Back to J. R. Miller BOOKS'.


To be a Christian is to be devoted utterly, resistlessly, irrevocably, to Christ.

~  ~  ~  ~

Work for God's eye

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness'
before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you
will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
Matthew 6:1 

No grace shines more brightly in a Christian, 
than humility. Wherever SELF comes in—it 
mars the beauty of the work we are doing. 
Seek to do your work noiselessly. Do not try 
to draw attention to yourself—to make others
know that you did some beautiful thing. Be 
content to pour your rich life into other wasted, 
weary lives—and see them blessed and made 
more holy—and then hide away and let Christ 
have the honor. Work for God's eye—and even 
then, do not think much about reward. Seek to 
be a blessing—and never think of self-glory. 

"Then your Father, who sees what is done
in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:4

~  ~  ~  ~

Unto the end! 

"Having loved His own who were in the world
He loved them to the end." John 13:1

The most wonderful thing in the universe, is 
our Savior's love for His own people. Christ 
bears with all our infirmities. He never tires 
of our inconsistencies and unfaithfulnesses. 
He goes on forever forgiving and forgetting. 
He follows us when we go astray. He does not 
forget us—when we forget Him. Through all 
our stumbling and sinning, through all our 
provocation and disobedience, through all 
our waywardnesses and stubbornnesses, 
through all our doubting and unfaithfulness 
—He clings to us still, and never lets us go. 
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake 
you." Hebrews 13:5

"I give them eternal life, and they will never 
perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of 
My hand!" John 10:28

~  ~  ~  ~

Your amusements

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever
you do—do it all for the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31

Amusements are proper, both as to kind and 
degree—just so far as they make us better 
Christians. Whenever they become hindrances 
to us in our Christian living or in our holy walk
—they are harmful, however innocent they 
may be in themselves. 

How do your amusements influence your 
spiritual life? They may be very pleasing to you. 
They may afford great gratification. But what is 
their effect on you, as a Christian? Are they 
hindering your love for Christ, and your growth 
in grace? We ought to be honest enough with 
ourselves, to answer these questions truthfully, 
and then act accordingly.

~  ~  ~  ~

Loving the unseen Christ

Holy thoughts in the heart, transfigure the life
Your daily thoughts—build up your character
Our hearts are the quarries where the blocks are 
fashioned, which we build into our life-temple. If 
our thoughts and meditations are holy, beautiful, 
true, pure, loving, and gentle—our life will grow 
into Christ-likeness. 

Drummond tells of a young girl whose character 
ripened into rare beauty—"one of the loveliest lives,"
he says, "that ever bloomed on earth!" She always 
wore around her neck a little locket. But no one was 
ever allowed to open the locket or to know what it 
contained.

Once, however, in a time of dangerous illness, she 
permitted a friend to look within it, and there she 
saw the words, "Whom having not seen—I love." 
That was the secret of the dear child's transfiguration 
of character—loving the unseen Christ. The same 
love—warm, tender, earnest, glowing in the heart 
year after year—will transfigure any life into 
heavenly beauty!

~  ~  ~  ~

Life-lessons

"Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart." Matthew 11:29 

We all fail in the life-lessons which our great 
Teacher sets for us. The hardest school-tasks are 
easily mastered—in comparison with the lessons of:
patience,
sweet temper,
forgiveness,
unselfishness,
gentleness,
humility,
purity,
contentment. 

Even at best—we can learn these lessons but slowly. 
And though but little seems to come from our yearnings 
and strugglings after Christ-likeness
—yet God honors the 
yearning and the striving. While we sit in the shadows of 
weariness, disheartened with our failures—He carries on 
the work within us, and with His own hands produces 
the divine beauty in our souls.

~  ~  ~  ~

We will be like Him!

"We know that when He appears—we
will be like Him!
" 1 John 3:2 

As the beauty of Christ's character glows before us 
in the light of the Gospels—we should say, "That is 
what I am to be some day! I am now very far from 
it—but I am to reach it. That is my assured destiny!" 

Such a hope cherished in the heart, has a wondrous 
uplifting power. 

Since we are so soon to be like Christ—we should 
seek to grow continually in grace and virtue. We 
should daily be getting a little more like Christ 
in character, in temper, in disposition, in affection
Our aim should be to bring every thought, and 
every emotion, and every desire—into sweet 
subjection to Christ. 

We should not only cherish the blessed vision
—but should seek daily to grow into its divine 
beauty! "We know that when He appears—we 
will be like Him!
" 1 John 3:2

~  ~  ~  ~

Walking with God

"Direct my footsteps according to Your Word;
let no sin rule over me." Psalm 119:133

This is a prayer which should always be on our lips. 
We should get our direction from God, not once in 
our life only, when we first give ourselves to Him; 
not at the opening of each day only, as we go forth 
to the day's task; not merely at the beginning of 
each new piece of work or of each fresh task—but 
every moment
, for each step

That is what"walking with God" means. 

We may make this so real, that we shall look up 
into God's face continually, asking, "What next, 
dear Lord? What shall I do now? Which course 
shall I take today? How shall I do this duty?" 


If we can but have God's guidance and help for 
the little short steps—we need not fear for the 
long miles—the great stretches of road. If each 
step 
is of His directing—the long miles will be 
paths of His choosing.

~  ~  ~  ~

The motto of all His beautiful years

"For the Son of Man did not come to be served—but 
 to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Mark 10:45

The life of Jesus Christ, was the noblest life ever lived. 
No earthly king ever attained such splendid, such real 
royalty—as did He. No hero on battle-field ever did 
deeds of such inherent greatness—as those wrought 
by the hands of the Carpenter of Nazareth! 

What was the ruling spirit of His life? Was it not service? 
"Not to be served—but to serve"—was the motto of all 
His beautiful years
. He lived wholly for others. He 
never had one thought for Himself, never did the smallest 
act for Himself. At last He poured out His very blood—in 
the greatest of all His acts of service. 

Shall we not learn from our Lord's example—that the 
truest life in this world, is one of self-forgetting love? 
Selfishness anywhere mars and spoils the beauty of 
the rarest deed. We must get the spirit of Christ—and 
then our lives shall be Christ-like.

"Leaving you an example, so that you should follow
in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

~  ~  ~  ~

The old monks intently gazed upon the crucifix

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:2

Keeping the heart upon Christ—transfigures the life.

The old monks intently gazed upon the crucifix
thinking that the print of the nails would come in their 
hands and feet, and the thorn-scars in their brow—as 
they gazed.

It was but an utter fiction—yet in the fiction there is 
a spiritual truth. Gazing by faith upon Christ—the lines 
of His beauty indeed imprint themselves on our hearts! 
That is the meaning of Paul's words—"We all, with 
unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of 
the Lord—are transformed into the same image!" 

The gospel is the mirror. There we see the image of 
Christ. If we earnestly, continuously, and lovingly 
behold it—the effect will be the changing of our own 
lives into His likeness. The transformation is wrought 
by the Holy Spirit, and we are only to behold, to 
continue beholding, the blessed beauty! As we sit 
before Christ—His image is imprinted on our soul.

~  ~  ~  ~

The true ministry of pain

There is a Christian art of enduring pain, which we should seek to learn. The real goal is not just to endure the suffering which falls into our life; to bear it bravely, without wincing; to pass through it patiently, even rejoicingly. Pain has a higher mission to us, than to teach us heroism. We should endure it in such a way as to get something of spiritual blessing out of it.

Pain brings to us some message from God, which we should not fail to hear. It lifts for us the veil which hides God's face, and we should get some new glimpses of His beauty, every time we are called to suffer. Pain is furnace-fire, and we should always come out of this furnace, with the gold of our graces gleaming a little more brightly. Every experience of suffering ought in some way—to lift us nearer God, to make us more gentle and loving, and to leave the image of Christ shining a little clearer in our lives.

~  ~  ~  ~

The path to comfort in our time of sorrow

"Being in an agony—He prayed," is the record of our Savior's Gethsemane experience. The lesson stands for all time. Like a bright lamp, the little sentence shines amid the olive trees of the garden. It shows us the path to comfort in our time of sorrow. Never before or since—was there such grief as the Redeemer's, that night. But in His prayer, He found comfort. As we watch Him the hour through, we see the agony changing as He prayed, until at last its bitterness was all gone—and sweet, blessed peace took its place. The gate of prayer is always the gate to comfort. There is no other way to consolation. 

We may learn also from our Lord's Gethsemane, how to pray in our Gethsemanes. God will never blame us for asking to have the cup removed, nor for the intensity of our supplication; but we must always pray with submission. It is when we say, in our deepest sorrow and intensity, "Not my will—but may Your will be done," that comfort comes, that peace comes.

~  ~  ~  ~

Sermons without words

When you are tempted to chafe and repine at the narrowness of your circumstances and the limitations of your sphere, remember that Jesus for thirty years found room in a humble peasant home for worthy living and for service, not unfitted to his exalted character. If you can do nothing but live a true Christian life—patient, gentle, kindly, pure—in your home, in society, at your daily duty—you will perform in the end a service of great value and leave many blessings in the world. Such a life is a little gospel, telling in sermons without words, the wonderful story of the cross of Christ.

~  ~  ~  ~

Christian amusements

Amusement must never become an end in life. It 
must always be a means, a help on the way—just 
as sleep is, just as rest is. An hours amusement
should be to you just what a night's sleeping is—it 
should make you stronger, clearer-headed, braver, 
calmer-souled, more hopeful, more earnest, more 
enthusiastic—inspiring you for godly living. Anything 
which leaves a taint of impurity upon the life, or 
starts a thought of impurity in the mind, anything 
which degrades or debases the soul—is an unfit and 
unworthy amusement for a Christian. Christian 
amusements
 must be such, as do not harm 
spiritual life; they must be means of grace.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever 
you do—do everything for God's glory!" 1 Cor. 10:31

~  ~  ~  ~

Paying love's debt

We ought not to need night—to teach us the glories of the day. We ought not to have to wait for sorrow, before we can appreciate the sweetness of joy. Yet is it not often true, that we learn the value of our blessings—but by their loss? Many a time an empty chair is the first full revealer of the worth and faithfulness of a precious friend. 

Would it not be best, if we were to seek to appreciate our good things—while we have them? We would then have the joy itself, and not merely the dull pain of regret as we look back atvanished blessings. Besides—we would do more for our friends while they are with us—if we appreciated their worth. Too many of us never understand what we owe to our dear ones—until there remains no further opportunity of paying love's debt.

~  ~  ~  ~

The race!

"I press ontoward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward 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

~  ~  ~  ~

Littles

"Littles make perfection," replied the artist to one 
who asked him why he spent so much time in giving 
the little finishing-touches to his statue. There can 
be no perfection in any kind of workmanship, unless 
attention is paid to the minutest details of construction 
or finishing. One smallest flaw or incompleteness left 
in the work, in any part of it—leaves a blemish on the 
finished endeavor.

Life is a mosaic, and each small stone must be polished 
and set with greatest care—or the piece will not at last, 
be perfect. One whose daily life is careless—is always 
weak in Christian character. But one who habitually walks 
in right paths, no matter how small and apparently trifling 
the things may be—grows strong and noble. Littles make 
perfection. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or 
whatever you do—do everything for God’s glory." 
1 Corinthians 10:31

~  ~  ~  ~

Think!

It is a good thing to think. The more thought we put into our work—the better it will be done. Work of all kinds becomes exalted, ennobled, refined, and produces good, lasting effects—just in proportion as men put thought into it. All worthy, noble, useful, beautiful living—must have its dark quarries of purposing, thinking, planning, shaping, polishing, behind its being and doing. Look well to the quarries, and you need not give much thought to the rising of the building. 

Prepare no stained blocks in your heart-quarries. Train yourself to think only pure thoughts—white, clean thoughts. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things!" Philippians 4:8

~  ~  ~  ~

Wounded and empty hands

"Full hands" at the end of a life—do not always 
tell of true success. Earthly failure is ofttimes 
higher success in God's eyes—than what men 
regard as "success". Scars of wounds gotten in 
conflict and strife with sin—are more splendid 
marks of honor, when the hands are held up 
before God—than diamonds and gold and 
crowns gained by yielding in life's conflicts. 

Strive to get your hands filled with the invisible 
things of God's heavenly kingdom. Fight the 
battles of life heroically—and never mind the 
scars. Better to have wounded and empty 
hands
 which are clean—than hands which 
are full, and yet are stained with sin.

~  ~  ~  ~

Inscrutable things

"We know that all things work together for the
good of those who love God—to those who are
called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

There are depths in the love of God, which are 
as vast and fathomless as the ocean—but we are 
only on the shore
. Then, there are inscrutable 
things
 in God's providential dealings with each 
one of us. Heaven will solve a thousand mysteries 
for us in a moment. We will then see the reason 
for every trial, every pain, every loss, every 
disappointment
. There will not be a trace of 
mystery left hanging, about any dark providence. 
Then we shall see clearly, what now we know only 
by faith—that "all things work together for the good 
of those who love God—to those who are called 
according to His purpose."

~  ~  ~  ~

Our very mistakes and our sins

Our very mistakes and our sins, if we repent 
of them, will be used of God to help in the growth 
and upbuilding of our Christian character. Our very 
falls, through the grace and tender love of Christ, 
become means of growth to our souls.

In the hot fires of penitence—we leave the dross 
and come out as pure gold. But we must remember 
that it is only Christ who can make our sins yield
blessing. If we are Christ's true followers, even our 
defeats shall become blessings to us, stepping-stones 
on which we may climb higher. This is one of the 
marvels of divine grace—that it can make all things
—even our sins—work together for good.

~  ~  ~  ~

The best thing that we can do in this world

We should be Christ to others all about us. 

There are few people whom God calls to do great things 
for Him. The best thing that we can do in this world
—is to live out a real, simple, beautiful, strong Christian 
life in our allotted place. Thus in our little measure, we 
shall repeat the life of the Master himself, showing men 
some feeble reflection of His sweet and loving face; and 
doing in our imperfect way, a few of the lovely things 
He would do—if He were here Himself in our place.

~  ~  ~  ~

Death is not the end

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." 
Philippians 1:21. 

The Christian life is not a voyage in the sunshine, 
darkening as it progresses and growing stormy, 
ending in utter wreck on death's shores. Rather, 
it is a voyage through earthly storm and shadow
—but at last out into the broad ocean of eternal 
blessedness. 

Death is not the end
—but the beginning. 
Death is not loss—but gain. 
Death is not into darkness—but into marvelous light. 
Death is not away from joy and gladness and beauty
—but is out of the mere shadows and hopes of 
blessedness—into the full revelation of Christ, into 
His very presence, where there is fullness of joy, 
where there are pleasures forevermore!

"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which
is better by far!" Philippians 1:23  

~  ~  ~  ~

Better than money!

We can do a great deal of the wisest, truest good among men—without giving money. A strong hand reached out to help a fallen one rise again—is better than money. New hope and fresh courage put into a discouraged heart—are better than money. True comfort, enabling one in sorrow to pass through it sustained and victorious—is better than money. Let no one say he cannot do anything for others, unless he has money to give. Use what you have! Heart-coins and life-coins, are better than coins from the mint. The things we do for men's souls—are far more important to them—than the things we do merely for their bodies. Besides, all God asks us to give to others—is of such as we have.

~  ~  ~  ~

The touch of Christ

A man with leprosy came to Him and begged
Him on his knees, "If You are willing, You can
make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus
reached out His hand and touched the man.
Mark 1:40-41

No one can read the gospel story, without being 
impressed with the marvelous power of Christ's 
touch
. Wherever it was felt—blessing came. 

We find ourselves sometimes mourning the loss 
of this touch, and wishing that we could feel it 
and get its blessing. But really, we have not lost 
it. Christ has indeed passed out of our sight—but 
His hand is stretched out still. It is laid on us—just 
as of old upon sufferers—and has lost none of its 
power to comfort. Christ lays His hand upon our 
heads, every time we bow at his feet in prayer. 
When we are in trouble—He comes and comforts 
us with His warm touch of sympathy. When we 
are sick or in pain—He is by our bed, and His hand 
is laid on our fevered brow to give rest and peace.

"Surely I am with you always—to the very
end of the age!" Matthew 28:20

~  ~  ~  ~

In these luxurious days

"If anyone would come after Me—he must deny 
himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it—but
whoever loses his life for Me will save it."
Luke 9:23-24 

We are strongly tempted, in these luxurious 
days
—to seek out the easy ways in life. Naturally,
we are not fond . . .
of bearing heavy burdens,
of performing hard tasks,
of making self-denials. 
We prefer to be indolent and self-indulgent.

Souls are withered, too, by self-indulgence. It is a 
false idea—that God has sown His blessings thickest 
—amid the flowers of earth's gardens. Nay, they lie 
thickest on the bare fields of hardship and toil. In 
shrinking from self-denials which are called for in 
the path of duty—we are missing the best things 
which God has to give us.

~  ~  ~  ~

Transformed into His likeness

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!" Hebrews 12:2

If we would see life in its wholeness—unmarred, 
undebased—the highest, purest, truest life—we 
must look at Jesus!

We are to become like Christ. We should never, 
therefore, lose sight of Him. Keeping the ideal 
always before our eyes will, unconsciously yet 
powerfully, draw us toward it. 

"And we, who with unveiled faces all contemplate
the Lord's glory—are being transformed into His
likeness
 with ever-increasing glory!" 2 Corin. 3:18

~  ~  ~  ~

His life of sweet patience and kindness

"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you
have received. Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:1-2 

If we are sour, peevish, easily provoked, surly, 
resentful, jealous, envious, bad-tempered in any 
way—what sort of impression of Christ do we give
to those who know nothing of Him—but what they 
learn from our lives? Surely if we truly love Christ
—we will not allow ourselves to continue to dishonor 
Him—by living a life so unworthy of His dear name!
Whatever we may do for Christ, in gifts to His cause 
or work in His service—if we fail to live out His life 
of sweet patience and kindness
—we fail of an
essential part of our duty as Christians.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving
each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be 
imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 
and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave 
Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
God." Ephesians 5:1-2

~  ~  ~  ~

Unlovely and disagreeable traits

"Above all, love each other deeply—because love
covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

There are some people whom it is very easy to love. 
They are congenial to our tastes. They have amiable 
qualities or charming manners, or they are our social 
companions. 

But there are others who are not congenial—not 
amiable—not to our taste. They have unlovely 
and disagreeable traits
. Faults mar the beauty 
of their character. Yet if we are Christians—we 
should not fail to show brotherly love toward any. 
We must seek that love, which hides the multitude 
of sins and faults.

~  ~  ~  ~

Your speech

"Your speech should always be gracious." 
Colossians 4:6. 

We are to talk about the bright, beautiful, 
joyful things around us. The Christian must 
not be sanctimonious. Religion suffers from 
nothing more, than from pious cant. Our talk 
on business, on science, on pleasure, on 
whatever theme—should be fragrant with the 
perfume of grace. An old proverb says: "The 
heart and the tongue are only a span apart." 
If a man's heart is touched by the grace of God, 
his lips will speak ever words of beauty, truth, 
and gentle love on whatever theme he may speak.

~  ~  ~  ~

Grace does not take trouble out of life

Grace does not take trouble out of life. It does 
not make all the world feel kindly toward you. 
It does not hush the tongue of reproach and scorn. 
It does not quell the contentions of life. It does not 
soften human harshness, nor destroy selfishness. It 
does not hush the sharp voices of criticism, fault-
finding, and frivolous talk. It does not command a 
truce to jealous rivalries and envyings, to personal 
abuse and silly strife. It does not say to the adverse 
winds, "Blow not on my home." Christ makes no 
charmed circle 
about us where we shall never more 
feel the blast of the storm; but he gives a peace 
which will keep the heart calm and tranquil, in the 
midst of the angriest strifes and storms.

~  ~  ~  ~

How very strange it must seem to the angels

We are greedy after this world's things—and never 
can get enough of them. But of the real things, the 
things which will last through eternity—we are 
satisfied with very small portions. 

"What do you seek?" asks the Master. His hands 
filled with precious blessings; and we ask for some 
little thing, some trifle, when we might have glorious 
fullness of blessing. 

How very strange it must seem to the angels
to see us poor mortals giving our life, our very soul, 
to get some paltry thing of earth, which will perish 
tomorrow; and then not taking the precious spiritual 
blessings which we might have for the mere asking!

~  ~  ~  ~

This heavenly casket

"We cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15 

When we learn to look up to God out of our 
weakness and sorrow, and say, "Abba, Father," 
what a revelation does the name disclose! What 
a treasure of precious love-thoughts does it 
unlock! For one thing, there is love in this 
divine Fatherhood—love which never falters, 
which never wearies, which stops at no sacrifice. 
There is also watchfulness which never sleeps, 
which looks down with compassionate eye from 
above the silent stars, and keeps vigil day and
night. There is compassion, also, which peers 
into the depths of all our want and woe. There 
is shelter too, forever does our Father stand 
between us and danger. There is guidance—a 
divine Hand clasping ours and leading us along 
through every difficult and dark way. No casket 
of earth's jewels holds so rich a cluster—as does 
this heavenly casket—this name "Father," 
contain of the jewels of divine grace.

~  ~  ~  ~

When we are weak

"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8 

We are not at all times equally strong. There are days with all of us when we throw off temptation with almost no effort. But none of us are so every day. There are hours with the strongest of us—when we are weak. These are the times of peril for us, and our adversary is watching for them. In your weak hours keep a double guard, therefore, against temptation. Keep out of its way. Throw yourself with mighty faith on Him who was tempted in all points as we are, and knows therefore how to deliver us when we are tempted. In time of special weakness—run to Christ for shelter!

~  ~  ~  ~

You are a letter from Christ
"You show that you are a letter from Christ
—written not with ink but with the Spirit of the
living God." 2 Corinthians 3:3 

The world does not read the Bible, nor come to 
church to hear the gospel. All it learns about Christ 
and the Christian life—it 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, in all things—it is impossible to estimate 
what the powerful influence of the Church would be, 
in example alone. We are all responsible for the 
influence of our example. Our lives should be New 
Testament pages, which all can read. ~  ~  ~  ~

Weaving our soul's garments

We are all busy weavers. Forever are we pushing the shuttle back and forth—each moment weaving one new thread in the web of our life which shall stay there forever. Every thought, everyfeeling, every motion, every imagination which plays but for a moment in the soul—become a thread which is instantly a permanent part of the life we are living. Our words and acts are threads which are clean and beautiful—or stained and blemished, according to their moral character. Thus we are forever weaving, and the web that we make—our souls must wear in eternity. How important it is that we put into this fabric—only threads of immortal beauty! If we do God's will always, and train ourselves to meditate on God's thoughts, and to receive into our heart the influences of God's love and grace, and to yield ever and only to God's Spirit—we shall weave for our souls a robe of righteousness, which shall appear radiant and lovely when all earth's garments have faded and crumbled to dust!

~  ~  ~  ~

Keep the water out of the boat

The problem of sailing—is not to keep the boat out of the water—but to keep the water out of the boat. In like manner, the problem of true Christian living—is not to keep ourselves out of life's cares, trials, and temptations—but to keep the cares, trials, and temptations out of us. As the sea is the normal element for ship-sailing, so care is the normal element of life in this world. But we must keep the sea out of our heart. Some people make the mistake of letting their cares and worries creep into their souls. The result is that they grow discontented, fretful, unhappy. The secret of peace—is to keep the heart free from care and anxiety, even in the midst of the sorest trials. "Cast all your cares upon Him—for He cares for you!"

~  ~  ~  ~

The ideal for all Christian life

True life, wherever it is found, is ministry. Men think that they rise in life—as they get away from serving; but it is the reverse. "Not to be ministered unto—but to minister," our Lord gave as the central aim and desire of His life. These words also give us—the ideal for all Christian life. The whole of Christ's wonderful biography is focused and printed here. He himself holds up the picture as the pattern on which every disciple's life is to be fashioned. No one really begins to live at all, in any worthy sense—until selfishness dies in him and he begins to serve. We should ourselves ask concerning others—not how we can use them to advance our own interests and welfare—but how we can do them good, serve them, become in some way blessings to them.

~  ~  ~  ~

The test of amusements

Is the love of pleasure growing upon you, gaining the power and the ascendency over you? Is it dulling the keenness of your zest for spiritual pleasures? Is it making Bible-study, prayer, communion with Christ, meditation upon holy themes—less sweet enjoyments than before? Is it making your hunger for righteousness, for God—less intense? Is it interfering with the comfort and blessing you used to find in worship services, or in Christian work? If so, there is only one thing to do—to hasten to return to God, cut off the pleasure which is imperiling the soul, and find in Christ the joy which the world cannot give, and which ever enhances the life. We must test all our pleasures by this rule—Are they helping us to grow into the noblest spiritual beauty? ~  ~  ~  ~

If we knew

We should learn to look at the faults of others, only through love's eyes—with charity, patience, and compassion. We do not know the secret history of the lives of others around us. We do not know what piercing sorrows have produced the scars which we see in people's souls. We do not know the pains and trials which make life hard to many, with whom we are tempted to be impatient. If we knew all the secret burdens and the heart-wounds which many carry hidden beneath their smiling faces—we would be patient and gentle with all people.

~  ~  ~  ~

God's strange schools

No books, no universities, can teach us the divine art of sympathy. We must be sorely tempted ourselves, before we can understand what others suffer in their temptations. We must havesorrow ourselves in some form, before we can be real and true comforters of others in their times of sorrow. We must walk through the deep valley ourselves, before we can be guides to others in the same shadowy valleys. We must feel the strain and carry the burden and endure the struggle ourselves, and only then we can be touched with the feeling of sympathy or can give help to others in life's sore stress and poignant need. So we see, that one compensation of suffering—it fits us for being in a larger sense, helpers of others.

~  ~  ~  ~

Through life's sorest winter

In the heat of life's conflicts, set upon on every hand by a multitude of things which tend to distract our peace—we are to maintain an unruffled calm, and all the tenderness and simplicity of the heart of a little child. That is the problem of life and of living, which Christ sets for us, and which he will help us to solve, if we follow him as our teacher. As the sweet flowers live and grow all through the winter under the deep snows, and come forth in the spring-time in beauty—so our hearts may remain loving, tender, and joyous through life's sorest winter, under the snows of trial and sorrow. ~  ~  ~  ~

God's clock is never too slow

In the divine providence, nothing comes a moment too soon or too late—but everything comes in its own true time. God's clock is never too slow. Every link of the chain of God's providencefits into its own place. We do not see the providence at the time. Not until afterward, will you see that your disappointments, hardships, trials, and the wrongs inflicted on you by others—are parts of God's good providence toward you, full of blessing. Not until afterward will you see it—but the "afterward" is sure, if you firmly and faithfully follow Christ and cleave to him. The "afterward" of every disappointment or sorrow is blessing and good. We need only to learn to wait in patience. ~  ~  ~  ~

Silence which is golden
It is easy for one to poison a person's mind 
concerning another. There is measureless ruin 
wrought in this world by the slanderer
characters are blackened,
friendships are destroyed,
jealousies are aroused,
homes are torn up, 
hearts are broken. 

Let us never take up an evil report—and give 
it wing on breath of ours. Let us never whisper 
an evil thing of another. We know not where it 
may end, to what it may grow, what ruin it may 
work! Words once spoken, can never be gotten 
back again. We had better learn to keep the 
door of our lips locked and never say evil of 
anyone. This is a silence we shall never regret.  ~  ~  ~  ~

Countless little irritations and provocations

True religion is not believing alone; it is getting the virtues and graces out of the pages of Scripture where we find them—and into our own lives. Meekness as a beatitude is very beautiful. Meekness in Moses we admire greatly. But how much of it are we getting out of beatitude and biography into our experience? In our daily fellowship with men—do we hold our hearts quiet and still under all harshness, rudeness, criticism, injustice? There are countless little irritations and provocations which make friction every day. How do we endure them? Do they polish and refine our natures? These are the lessons of meekness.  ~  ~  ~  ~

The oyster's wounds

What must we do with the wrongs and injustices and injuries inflicted upon us by others—if we are not to avenge them? How are these wrongs to be righted—and these injuries to be healed? Do not fear the consequences of any wrong done to you. Simply roll the matter into God's hands and leave it there, and he will bring all out clear as the noonday. He will not allow us to be permanently and really injured by any enmity. Our duty, then, is to bear meekly and patiently the suffering which others may cause us to endure; to bathe with love the hand which smites; to forgive those who injure us; and to commit all the injustices and inequities of our lives and all wrongs—into the hand of the just and righteous God. The oyster's wounds become pearls; and God can bring pearls of spiritual beauty out of the hurts made by human hands in our lives. ~  ~  ~  ~

Before we turn our microscopes on others

It is strange how oblivious we can be of our own faults and of the blemishes in our own character—and how clearly we can see the faults and blemishes of other people. Finding so much wrong in others, is not a flattering indication of what our hearts contain. We ought to be very quiet and modest in criticizing others, for in most cases we are just telling the world what our own faults are.Before we turn our microscopes on others, to search out the unlovely things in them—we had better look in our mirrors to see whether or not we are free ourselves from the blemishes we would reprove in our neighbor. There is a wise bit of Scripture which bids us get clear of the beams in our own eyes, that we may see well to pick the motes out of the eyes of others.

~  ~  ~  ~

Every Christian can preach sermons

Every Christian can preach sermons every day, 
at home and among neighbors and friends—by the 
beauty of holiness in his own common life. Wherever 
a true Christian goes, his life ought to be an inspiration. 
Our silent influence ought to touch other lives with 
blessing—shining like holy lamps into sad and weary 
hearts. Our lives ought to be blessings to human 
sorrow and need all about us.

~  ~  ~  ~

A silent personal influence

There is a silent personal influence, like a shadow, which goes out from everyone, and this influence is always leaving results and impressions wherever it touches. You cannot live a day—and not touch some other life. Wherever you go—your shadow falls on others, and they are either better or worse for your presence. 

Our influence
 depends upon what we are—more than upon what we do. It is by living a beautiful life—that we bless the world. I do not under-estimate holy activities. Good deeds must characterize every true life. Our hands must do holy works. But if the life itself is noble, beautiful, holy, Christ-like, one that is itself a blessing, an inspiration, the worth of the influence is many times multiplied.

~  ~  ~  ~

Your busy, harassed, tempted, struggling life

It is in prayer that God shows his face to his children, that they have visions of his beauty and glory, that the sweet things of his love come down as gifts into their hearts, and that they are transformed into his likeness. If you would be blessed, get many seasons of prayer into your busy, harassed, tempted, struggling life. It is in these quiet moments, that you really grow. Somewhere in every vexed, feverish day—get a little "silent time" for prayer. It will bring heaven down into your heart, and make you strong for service. 

~  ~  ~  ~

Self-made crosses

There are crosses which we make for ourselves. 
Whenever our will falls athwart God's will—we 
have a cross. We make a cross for ourselves—
when we refuse to take God's way, to accept 
His will, or when we chafe or fret at anything 
which God sends us. When, however, we quickly 
accept what God gives, and yield in sweet 
acquiescence to the divine will—we have no 
crosses to carry.

Yet there are many people who fill their lives 
with self-made crosses. Much physical illness 
and pain, are produced by violation of healthy 
habits—and the suffering endured in consequence, 
is self-inflicted. Much of the trouble in people's 
lives—they bring upon themselves by their 
indiscretions, follies, 
and evil habits

Then there are those who make crosses for 
themselves—by magnifying their common ills, 
by dwelling on their troubles, by brooding over 
imaginary evils until their moderate share of 
human troubles, grows into a seeming mountain 
of calamities


If all the crosses which we make for ourselves
were taken out of our lives—we would not have 
many left. Far more than we realize—we are 
the authors of our own troubles.

~  ~  ~  ~

Another room in our Father's house!

We are in the Father's house in this world—though 
not in the best room of it—because sin has marred 
everything here. Still we are in the Father's house. 
His care is over us continually. His love pours its 
brightness all about us. His hand provides for our 
needs. 

Let us not think basely of earth—for it is part of our 
Father's house. How near it brings heaven to us—to 
think of it as but another room in our Father's 
house!
 

The life in heaven, is not a new life—but is simply 
the life we begin here—which is continued there, 
with sin taken out—and imperfection and all pain 
and suffering left forever behind!

~  ~  ~  ~

The mysteries of His providence

We ought not to ask questions about our Father's 
ways—why he does this—why he does that. Surely 
it is better to trust our Father—than to weary our 
brain with efforts to solve the mysteries of His 
providence


Questions indicate fear or doubt. Perfect trust asks 
no questions, and does not seek to understand the 
mysteriousness of God's ways. It says, "Even so, 
Father—for so it seems good in your sight," and rests 
there in perfect peace. Of course we cannot expect 
always to understand God's ways—he would not be 
God if we could; but we know that God's love is the 
key to them all, and that in time, all shall be made 
clear even to us.

~  ~  ~  ~

Our personal creeds

How many of us have taken our Bibles—and 
put the doctrines of our creed to the proof? 
Our creeds might be shorter if we did this.
Yet if we only believed two or three great 
doctrines, and believed them after personal 
inquiry, and were able to tell why we believed 
them—it would be better than if we believed 
thirty-nine or forty, or any number of doctrines,
merely because our church teaches them. It is 
time we should begin to think earnestly about 
these things. Every Christian ought to be able 
to give an intelligent reason for the faith that 
is in him. Our personal creeds ought to grow 
out of our daily searching of the Word, and our 
daily living.


~  ~  ~  ~

At least a dim reflection

Go and speak of Christ to others; tell them of his holiness, his purity, his mercy, his patience, his great love, his infinite gentleness. Speak of his gracious beauty until your face glows and your eyes shine with the luster of his radiancy as you see it in his face. 

But do not fail to show them in your own character, in your disposition, in your love—patience, gentleness, sympathy, unselfishness, kindness, purity—some gleams, some radiant hints, of the beauty of Christ. Let people see in you at least a dim reflection of the beauty you praise.

~  ~  ~  ~

Not a matter of theory

Every word of Christ comes to us with the 
challenge, "Put me to the test. Try me. Prove 
me." True religion is not a matter of theory
—but a matter of life. We are to prove it—by 
living it. Take every word which Christ speaks, 
and begin at once to obey it—if it is a command
or trust it and lean on it—if it is a promise. It 
does not matter if you do not understand it, nor 
see why the command is good—still do it. You 
will not know—any faster than you will do. Only 
keep on following Christ—and the way will open to 
you and become plain as you go on step by step.

~  ~  ~  ~

Life is hard for very many people

There are sorrows which wear no black, and close no shutters, and drop no tears that men can see, and can get no sympathy. If you knew the inner life of many of the people you work with, and do business with, and meet socially in the common days—you would be very gentle with them; you would excuse their peculiarities, their absentmindedness, their seeming thoughtlessness at times.Life is hard for very many people. It is a wonder they can be as cordial and loving as they are—in view of the burdens which crush them.

~  ~  ~  ~

Lying at our Father's feet

True prayer is earnest, not tiring nor fainting. 
It takes every burden to God—the small and 
the large alike. It is submissive, referring all 
to the Father's will. Its answer may not come 
in the direct granting of the request we make;
but may come instead, in more grace and 
strength, enabling us to keep the burden—and 
yet rejoice. Lying at our Father's feet in the 
time of need, with our strong cryings and tears, 
we learn obedience. Our sobbings end in praises, 
our struggles end in acquiescence, our tears are 
dried, and we rise victorious.

~  ~  ~  ~

If we hide Christ's words in our hearts

Every word of Christ which we ponder deeply, opens to us a vision of beauty or excellence— something very lovely, a fragment of Christ's own image. We should instantly strive to paint the vision on our own life, to get the beauty, the excellence, the loveliness into our own life. Let us learn to be loyal to the word of Christ; not only to know it and ponder it and meditate upon it—but to doit, and to allow it thus to shape and mold our whole being into its own holy beauty. If we hide Christ's words in our hearts, they will transform us into His likeness.

~  ~  ~  ~

Christ-likeness at home

Keep the lamp of love shining day after day amid the multitude of home cares and home duties; amid the annoyances of home interactions and thoughtlessness; amid the thousand little irritations and provocations of home life, which so tend to break peace and mar sweet temper. Let home love be of the kind that never fails. Wherever else, far away or near, you pour the bright beams of your Christian life—be sure you brighten the space close about you in your own home. No goodness and gentleness outside the home, will atone for unlovingness and uncharitableness in the home. ~  ~  ~  ~

Whatever is lovely

"Whatever is lovely" Philippians 4:8

We become truly beautiful, just in the measure that we become like God. There are some who are Christians—but who are not lovely. They have qualities which repel others. But true holiness is attractive. We ought to make our religion so beautiful—that all who look upon us shall be drawn to our Master. We do dishonor to Christ, when we profess to be His people, and yet show in our character, disposition, and life—things which are unlike Christ. How will men of the world know what true religion is—if you and I do not show them its beauty in our lives? We should seek not only whatever is just and true and honest—butalso whatever is lovely.

~  ~  ~  ~

Misfortunes, sore trials, disappointments


"Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 

We ought to keep our hearts warm and full of kindliness and sweetness, even through the harshest experiences. Many of us find that life is hard and full of pain. We meet misfortunes, sore trials, disappointments. We should not allow these harsh experiences to deaden our sensibilities or make us stoical 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 stern and severe experiences of life. Yet it is possible to carry the gentle heart of a little child, through all life's hardness and chill, into the fullest and ripest old age. ~  ~  ~  ~

Second-hand Bible truth

Many Christians have their heads stored full of teachings, catechisms, creeds, and Scriptures—and yet when trouble comes, they have not one truth on which they can really lean or trust their weight, or which gives them any actual support or help to walk with over the dark mountains. They have piles of doctrines—but no rod and staff to lean on in weakness. They have lamps hung away in great clusters—but not one of them burning to throw its light upon the darkness. Let us learn to study the Scriptures for ourselves, and to know what we believe. Second-hand Bible truth, is not the kind of food our souls need. ~  ~  ~  ~

Spiritual Greatness

Spiritual Greatness—sanctified character, beauty of soul, the likeness of God upon the life, heart-qualities—shall endure forever. Into this true spiritual greatness, God wants to train every one of us. 

Many Christians grow sadly disheartened, because they seem never to become any better. Year after year the struggle goes on—with the old tempers and ugly dispositions, the old selfishness, pride, and hatefulness, and they appear never to be growing victorious. Yet Christ is a most patient teacher. He never wearies of our slowness and dullness as scholars. He will teach the same lesson over and over until we have learned it. He will never tire of us, and his gentleness will make us great.

~  ~  ~  ~

Who touched me?

Unless words mean nothing, unless the Scriptures cheat us with poetical images and illusions, Christ feels our every grief and every struggle, and sympathizes with us in each one. Remember how his heart responded when he was on earth to all human need. Sorrow stirred his compassion. Every cry of distress went to the depths of his soul. That heart is still the same. When angels are thronging about him, and a poor weary sufferer in some lowly home on earth, or a stricken penitent crouching in some darkness, reaches out a trembling finger-tip of faith and touches the hem of his garment—he turns about with loving look and asks, "Who touched me?"

~  ~  ~  ~

Grow in the grace

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18 

Every day should see us advancing—learning 
more of Christ, and growing more and more 
into the beauty of Christ. 

~  ~  ~  ~

A harvest of wretchedness

An unholy life yields a harvest of wretchedness in 
old age! But a life of obedience to God, of faithfulness 
to duty, of personal purity and uprightness, and of 
unselfish, Christ-like service, will make old age like 
a garden of fruit and flowers!

~  ~  ~  ~

Spiritual culture

We begin our Christian life as spiritual children, in 
the lowest grades at school. Yet we are to grow in 
all the qualities which belong to the beautiful Christian 
character. Spiritual culture is the process by which our 
nature is softened and mellowed into the gentleness of 
love, our talents are developed into their best possibilities 
of usefulness, and our whole life is transformed into the 
beauty of Christ.

It is not mere personal magnetism, human love, eloquence, 
earnestness, or enthusiasm—which will make us real helpers, 
comforters, and healers of others; only the power and grace 
of God, received through prayer, can prepare us for such 
service.

~  ~  ~  ~

We all have our faults

"Cleanse me from my secret faults." Psalm 19:12 

We all have our faults, which mar the beauty of our lives in the eyes of others. Every noble soul desires to correct all their faults. The smallest fault mars the beauty of the character; and one who seeks to possess only "whatever things are lovely" will be eager to be rid of whatever is faulty

Ofttimes, however, we do not know our own faults—we are unconscious of them. We cannot see ourselves as others see us. That friend does us a true kindness—who tells us of the things in our character, habits, manners, which appear as blemishes; although many people have too much vanity to be told of their faults. They resent it as a personal insult when one points out any blemish in them. But this is most foolish short-sightedness. To learn of a fault is an opportunity to add a new line of beauty to the life. Our prayer each day should be that God would show us our secret faults, whatever messenger he may send to point them out—and then give us grace to correct them!

~  ~  ~  ~

You will have many trials and sorrows

"You may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will
have many trials and sorrows
." John 16:33

There is no life into which do not come many things 
calculated to cause anxiety and disturbance of mind: 
there are great sorrows; 
there are perplexities as to duty; 
there are disappointments and losses; 
there are annoyances and hindrances;
there are chafings and irritations in ordinary life; 
there are countless petty cares and frets. 

All of these tend to break the hearts' peace and to 
disturb its quiet. Yet there is no lesson which is urged 
more continuously or more earnestly in the Scriptures, 
than that a Christian should never worry, or let anxious 
care oppress his heart. He is to live without disturbance 
and with unbroken peace—even in the midst of the most 
trying experiences. "The peace of God, which transcends 
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds 
in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7. "Let the peace of Christ 
rule in your hearts." Colossians 3:15.

~  ~  ~  ~

Blue glasses

One way to train ourselves to true and cheerful views 
of life, is resolutely to refuse to be frightened at shadows
or to see trouble where there is none. Half or more of the 
things which most worry us have no existence, except in 
a disordered imagination. Many things which in the dim 
distance look like shapes of peril, when we draw near to 
them, melt into harmless shadows, or even change into 
forms of friendliness! 

Much of the gloomy tinge which many people see on 
everything, is caused by the color of the glasses through 
which they look. We put on our blue glasses, and then 
wonder what makes everything blue and dismal. The 
greater part of our discontent is caused by some imaginary 
trouble, which never really comes. "Fix your thoughts on 
what is true and honorable and right. Think about things 
that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things 
that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 

~  ~  ~  ~

His treasured possession!

"I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep." John 10:14

When we think of the millions who are in Christ's flock, 
it seems strange to us that He knows and calls each one
by name. Yet the truth is made very clear in Scripture. 

Every mother knows her own children by name, and it 
is as easy for the Good Shepherd to know each of His 
millions by name, as for any human mother to know 
each of her little children. 

There is comfort in this teaching. We are not lost in 
the crowd. Each one of of God's children, is the special 
object of His love and thought and care!

"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have
called you by name; you are Mine!" Isaiah 43:1

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.
The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the
peoples on the face of the earth to be His people,
His treasured possession!" Deuteronomy 7:6 

~  ~  ~  ~

Truly beautiful and truly happy

Only Christ can make any life, young or old—truly 
beautiful and truly happy
. Only He can cure the 
heart's restless fever and give quietness and calmness. 
Only He can purify that sinful fountain within us—our 
corrupt nature, and make us holy. To have a peaceful 
and blessed ending to life—we must live it with Christ. 
Such a life grows brighter even to its close. Its last 
days are the sunniest and the sweetest. The more 
earth's joys fail—the nearer and the more satisfying 
do the spiritual comforts become.

~  ~  ~  ~

A living, loving, personal Savior

We are in the habit of saying that Christ saved 
us by dying for us on the Cross. In an important 
sense this is true. We never could have been 
saved, if He had not died for us. 

But we are actually saved by our relation to 
living, loving, personal Savior
—into whose 
hands we commit all the interests of our lives;
and who becomes our friend, our helper, our 
keeper, our burden bearer—our all in all. 

Christian faith is not merely laying our sins on 
the Lamb of God and trusting to His one great 
sacrifice; it is the laying of ourselves on the living, 
loving heart of one whose friendship becomes 
thenceforward the sweetest joy of our lives! 

"The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20 

~  ~  ~  ~

Inspirations to beautiful living

The beauty of Christ in a human life—is not merely 
heavenly yearning. It is intensely practical. It is . . .
more than religious sentimentality,
more than devout feeling
more than holy aspiration

True spiritual longing draws the whole life upward 
with it. True holiness does not unfit people for living 
well in this world. It has its visions of Christ – but it 
brings them down to brighten its daily path and to 
become inspirations to beautiful living. It has its 
joyful emotions – but they become impulses to self 
denial
 and patient work for the Master.

~  ~  ~  ~

How to wear chains for Christ

"I am in chains for Christ." Philippians 1:13

Paul teaches us by example—how to wear 
chains for Christ
. He counted it a glory. It 
was that chained hand which wrote the Epistle 
to the Philippians—the most cheerful and joyous 
of the Apostle's letters. Paul's sweetest songs 
came from his prison!

We shall not likely have the privilege of wearing 
literal chains for Christ – but there are many 
hindrances and limitations and hardships in every 
Christian life, which are really chains upon us: 
Sickness sometimes shuts us in. 
  Poverty binds the hands of many. 
  Household cares keep many a woman in chains. 

Few Christians are absolutely free to do what 
their hearts prompt them to do for Christ. We 
should study Paul, and gather the lessons . . .
of rejoicing,
of cheerfulness, 
of contentment,
of usefulness. 
Paul's prison life was not idle. He continually 
sent out blessings, from his place of captivity. 
The influence poured out into all the world. 
"I want you to know, brothers, that what has 
happened to me has actually resulted in the 
advancement of the gospel!" Philippians 1:12

~  ~  ~  ~

The Lord Will Provide!

"So Abraham called that place Jehovah-Jireh
The Lord Will Provide!
" Genesis 22:14

Write deep in your heart this New Year’s day, this word 
of sublime confidence, Jehovah-Jireh. It tells you that 
you can trust God always; that no promise of His ever 
fails; that He does all things well; that out of all seeming 
loss and destruction of human hopes, He brings blessing.

"You have never traveled this way before." Joshua 3:4.
There will be sorrows and joys, failures and successes, 
this year, just as there were last year. You cannot forecast
individual experiences. You cannot see a step before your 
feet! Yet Jehovah-Jireh calls you to enter the new year 
with calm trust. It bids you put away all anxieties and 
forebodings—"The Lord will provide!"


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