Gems from July 2016

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4)

I do not care what it is you imagine you have to do in order to keep saved; whatever it is, you put yourself on legal ground if after believing on the Lord Jesus Christ you think that your salvation is made more secure by baptism, by taking the Lord’s Supper, by giving money, by joining the church. 

If you do these things in order to help save your soul, you have fallen from grace—you fail to realize that salvation is by grace alone, God’s free unmerited favour.

Someone asks, “Don’t you believe in doing those things?”

Indeed, I do; not in order to save my soul,

but out of love for Christ.  

"I would not work my soul to save, that work my Lord has done;

But I would work like any slave from love to God’s dear Son.”

(H.A. Ironside)

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July 1

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand  of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

UNTO JESUS and not at the amount of sorrow that our sins make us experience, or the amount of humiliation which they produce in us.

If only we are humiliated by them enough to make us no longer complacent with ourselves; if only we are troubled by them enough to make us look to Jesus, so that He may deliver us from them, that is all that He asks from us; and it is also this look which more than anything else will make our tears spring and our pride fall.

And when it is given to us as to Peter, to weep bitterly (Luke 22:62) 

Oh! then may our tear dimmed eyes remain more that ever directed unto Jesus;

for even our repentance will become a snare to us, if we think to blot out in some measure 

by our tears those sins which nothing can blot out, except the blood of the Lamb of God.

(Translated from the French of Theodore Monod by Helen Willis)

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July 2

The first lesson in the school of tribulation!

“Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, 
neither doth trouble spring out of the ground.” 

(Job 5:6)

Why has this trial come? How ought I to regard affliction? 

These questions are natural in seasons of suffering. 

Pain and sorrow make us ask in earnest, the why and the wherefore of what befalls us. 

And so the soul finds a time of trial, to be a time of education.

The first lesson in the school of tribulation, is that affliction is the visitation of God. 

"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21) 

Nothing in any man's life comes to him by "chance.” 

All things, both small and great, are under the control of God. 

He foresees, and limits, and disposes. 

What is sometimes called "good fortune”-- comes not by accident; 

neither does trouble spring out of the ground. 

Am I healthy and prosperous? It is the will of God. 

Am I suffering in body or in mind? It is the Lord--let Him do what seems good unto Him. 

This is the only answer that can be given to the weak and sorely tempted ones, 

whom one trial after another afflict with increasing sorrows, 

"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?                                                               

” (Genesis 18:25)

To the believer, Providence is not merely general and universal, but particular and personal. 

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered!" (Matthew 10:30). 

The believer looks to his own particular afflictions, as the dispensations of Divine Providence. 

To myself, affliction comes as the special visitation of God; and, 

looking above second causes, the word of trust from my soul should go forth, 

"Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” (1 Samuel 3:10)

(Walter Purton - 1868)

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July 3

“Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, 
and giveth grace to the humble.”

(1 Peter 5:5) 

A man can counterfeit love, he can counterfeit faith, 

he can counterfeit hope and all the other graces, 

but it is very difficult to counterfeit humility.

You soon detect mock humility.

They have a saying among the Arabs that as 

the tares and the wheat grow they show which God has blessed.

The ears that God has blessed bow their heads and acknowledge every grain,

and the more fruitful they are the lower their heads are bowed.

The tares lift up their heads erect, high above the wheat, 

but they are only fruitful of evil. 

If we only get down low enough, God will use us to His glory.

(The D.L. Moody Year Book)

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July 4

WHO IS YOUR MASTER?

“Behold, Satan hath desired to have you.”

(Luke 22:31)

“No man can serve two masters.”

(Matthew 6:24)

Shall the devil have the use of our members? 

Oh, no, of course not!

We start back at this, as a highly unnecessary question.

Yet if Jesus has not, Satan has.

For as all are serving either the Prince of Life
or the prince of this world,
and as no man can serve two masters,
it follows that if we are not serving the one,
we are serving the other.

And Satan is only too glad to disguise this service
under the less startling form of the world,
or the still less startling one of self.

All that is not “kept for Jesus,“ is left for self or the world,

and therefore for Satan.

Jesus, Thy life is mine! Dwell evermore in me;

And let me see

That nothing can untwine my life from Thine.

Thy life in me be shown!  Lord, I would henceforth seek

To think and speak

Thy thoughts, Thy words alone, no more my own

(Francis Ridley Havergal) 

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July 5

Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, 

and turneth the shadow of death into the morning,

and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the 

waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: 
The LORD is His name.” (Amos 5:8)

Jehovah is the God of creation.

He made the stars also and with His 

power He can turn mourning into morning.

Mourning signifies a loss but morning shows 

the faithfulness of God and implies a new start.

Many of the Lord’s people sadly mourn
but joy comes in the morning. 

We must embrace the changed and difficult circumstances
and move on into the day.

The Lord is in control!

(Roy Hill)

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July 6

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, 
and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: 
but we know that, when He shall appear, 
we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”

(1 John 3:2)

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” 

  

We are called sons of God,

thus called by the same name as Christ,

and the world knows us not, but thinks we are mad—

“therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.”

It was just the same thing with Christ.

They said He was mad, and had a devil.

No wonder they do not understand what we are:

“Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.”

Who?  Him, Christ. 

(J.N. Darby - Lectures on 1 John)

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July 7

Prayer Warriors

“And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” 

(Exodus 17:11)

Israel was in conflict with the forces of Amalek. Moses was on top of the hill, overlooking the battle field. The position of Moses’ hand spelled the difference between victory and defeat. The uplifted hand turned Amalek back. The lowered hand turned Israel back.

As long as Moses’ hand was raised, he pictured the Lord Jesus as our Intercessor, “for us His hands uplifting in sympathy and love.” It is through His intercession that we are saved to the uttermost. But from then on, the type breaks down,

because our Intercessor’s hand is never lowered. 

No fatigue causes Him to need outside help. He always lives to make intercession for us.

There is a second way in which we may apply this incident, namely, to ourselves as prayer warriors. 

The uplifted hand pictures our faithful intercession for those believers who are engaged in the spiritual conflict on the mission fields of the world. 

When we neglect the ministry of prayer, the enemy prevails.

A missionary and his party on safari had to spend the night in an area infested by brigands. 

They committed themselves to the Lord’s care, then retired. 

Months later when a brigand chief was brought to a mission hospital, he recognized the missionary. 

“We intended to rob you that night out in the open country,” he said, but we were afraid of your twenty-seven soldiers.”

Later, when the missionary related this in a news letter to his home church, one of the members said, “We had a prayer meeting that same night and there were twenty-seven of us present.”

When our God beholds us there, pleading in the place of prayer,

Then the tide of battle turns, then the flame of conquest burns,

Then the flag of truth prevails, foes slink back and Satan quails!

Then the faltering wail of fear turns to victory’s ringing cheer!

Bring us, Lord, O bring us there, where we learn prevailing prayer.

(Truths to Live By - One Day at a Time)

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July 8

“My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will MEDITATE in Thy statutes” (Psalm 119:48).

MEDITATION can be enjoyed at all times: in the night watches; “I remember Thee upon my bed, and MEDITATE on Thee in the night watches" (Psalm 63:6).

In the daytime; “O how I love Thy law! it is my MEDITATION all the day" (Psalm 119:97).

Day and night: “. . . in His law doth he MEDITATE day and night” (Psalm 1:2).

When standing in a queue, or traveling on a train, wherever one is alone: there, one may MEDITATE on one’s Saviour and friend “My MEDITATION of Him shall be sweet: 

I will be glad in the Lord” (Psalm 104:34).

On the wonders of the written Word: “I will MEDITATE in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways” (Psalm 119:15).

On all God’s works: “I remember the days of old; I MEDITATE on all Thy works . . .” (Psalm 143:5).

It will be noticed that all these quotations are from the book of Psalms, which, like a limpid lake, reflects every mood in man’s changeful sky. 

(In Pastures Green - George Henderson) 

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July 9

“But speaking the truth in love, [that we] may grow up into Christ in all things.”

(Ephesians 4:15)

Have you no truth?

Whatever little bit you have, tell it out—Ephesians 4:15.

This is quite apart from gifts.

If you have got Christ, you have to tell out what He bestows to 

every saint as a member of the one body; 

there is positive responsibility to do so.

The smallest bit of truth tasted from 

Christ is not for yourself only,

but to be handed out 

for  others.

(G.V. Wigram)

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July 10

HOW GOOD WERE THE “GOOD OLD DAYS”?

"Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? For thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.”

(Ecclesiastes 7:10)

"DISTANCE LENDS ENCHANTMENT to the view,” and in retrospect we crown the past with a halo.

Like King Saul, we try to call up Samuel, and sigh, 

"If only Wesley Or Finney or Moody were alive now!"

Elisha did not pine for Elijah: he asked, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” 

Someone wrote to an editor, saying, “Your paper is not as good as it used to be.”

He replied, “It never has been.”

Some of the old worthies could take pretty mean cracks at each other. If you go all the way back to the Early Church, consider the plight of Corinth. And even in Acts it was not long after Pentecost that “there arose a murmuring.”

We do not inquire wisely when we cast longing eyes in the direction of the past.

The days of Elijah are gone but the God of Elijah lives today.

There are no untarnished haloes in any generation,

and looking at heroes of any era is disappointing.

Look not to “the good old days” but to the God of all the days. 

(Day by Day with Vance Havner)

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July 11

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

(Isaiah 40:31)

On one occasion, while fighting Great Britain, George Washington,

 Commander and Chief of the Continental Army,

went alone into the woods at Valley Forge to pray.

He was overheard by a Tory on the side of England who returned to his home shaken.

He said to his wife, “Our cause is lost.

I came unexpectedly upon a person kneeling in prayer.

I heard the impassioned plea of his prayers.

I saw tears on his cheeks and knew our cause was lost!”

(R.E. Surgenor)

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear.

The upward glancing of an eye, when none but God is near.

(J.M)

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July 12

“All things are of God . . . “ (2 Corinthians 5:18).

There is nothing in the new creation that is not of God—nor can anything else ever enterer into it. 

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). 

Our “life,” which "is hid with Christ in God”, is a tested life, not a life exposed to be tested—

and God has been glorified in that life.

“He is before all things, and by Him all thing consist” (Colossians 1:17).

God’s purposes are not in Adam, but are all in Christ.

(Hunt’s Sayings - Rochfort Hunt)

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July 13

“. . . Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, 

that it may bring forth more fruit.”

(John 15:2)

When the violin-makers of the Middle Ages wished to form a perfect instrument,

they caused the selected tree to be felled at a particular period of its growth.

The wood was then planed and cut into small pieces.

These were exposed to the heat of the sun and to the winter’s storms;

then they were bent, rubbed, polished, and finally fastened together with incomparable skill.

If the wood could have fond tongue, doubtless it would have begged to grow in the forest, to rustle its branches, and to bear its fruit as its companions were left to do,

becoming at last a part of sodden earth.

But it was this harsh treatment that made out of common boards the Stradivari violin, whose music still charms the world.

God of the gallant trees give to us fortitude; 

Give as Thou givest to them valorous hardihood!  

We are the trees of Thy planting, O God, 

We are the trees of Thy wood.

Now let the life-sap run clean through our every vein,

Perfect what Thou hast begun God of the sun and rain.

Thou who dost measure the weight of the wind,

Fit us for stress and strain.

(Amy Carmichael)

Be weather-worn timber!

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July 14

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”  (1 Thessalonians 1:5) 

The religion of the Lord Jesus is valuable only as its power is experienced in the heart. In this respect, and in this only, it may be compared to the physical sciences, which, however ingenious in structure, or beautiful in theory—yet, if not reduced or reducible to purposes of practical use, are of little worth. It is so with the truth of Jesus. 

The man of mere taste may applaud its external beauty, 

the philosopher may admire its ethics, 

the orator may admire its eloquence, and 

the poet may admire its sublimity—

but if the Spirit of God does not take His own truth, and impress it upon the heart, 

as to the great design of its revelation—it avails nothing. 

What numbers there are who rest in the mere "theory" of Christianity! 

But as a practical principle—they know nothing of it.

As a thing experienced in the heart—it is a hidden mystery to them.  

(Octavious Winslow 1808-1878)

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July 15

“I AM THAT I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)

God is His own equivalent, and God needs nothing but Himself to achieve the great purposes on which He has set His heart. 

God gave Moses a blank cheque book, and as life went forward for the next forty years, 

Moses kept filling in the blank with his special need.

He filled in fearlessness before Pharaoh.

He filled in guidance across the Red Sea.

He filled in manna for the whole population.

He filled in water from the rock.

He filled in guidance through the wilderness.

He filled in victory over Amalek.

He filled in clear revelation at Sinai.

And so Moses, for the rest of his life, had little else to do than to go quietly alone, 

and taking God’s blank cheque book, signed by God’s name,

I AM THAT I AM, write in I AM guidance; 

I AM bread. 

He presented the cheque and God honoured it.

And whenever you come to live upon God’s plan as Moses from that moment did,

you may absolutely trust God.

And when you come down to the hoar head you will say 

“Not one good thing hath failed of all the good things which the 

LORD your God spake concerning you.” 

(Joshua 23:14).

(A.B. Simpson - 1848-1919)

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July 16

“Behold, the sower went forth to sow . . . the word of the kingdom.”

(Matthew 13:3,19)

Ask anyone if they have ever heard of John Chapman of American History and they will say “No.”

Ask them if they know him by his nickname  Johnny Appleseed and they will answer, “Yes.”

Most of them will also be able to tell you how he got his other name—by 

traveling across America planting apple seeds.

But then they will tell you that they thought he was only a fictional character of American folklore.

Johnny Appleseed/Chapman, born in Massachusetts in 1774, was a real American hero.

Before his death in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1845, he really did plant apple seeds throughout Massachusetts,

New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.  But that is not all he planted.

When he left home at age 18 to start his planting career, 

he carried two things in his knapsack—apple seeds and his Bible.

Wherever he went, he planted apple seeds in the ground
and the seeds of the kingdom of God in the hearts of all he encountered.

Among all the myths that have arisen around this American health food pioneer, the most spiritually

significant is recorded by David Collins, one of his biographers:

“As he planted tiny seeds in the soil across an ever-growing  America, Johnny Appleseed carried the Christian message to everyone he met . . . He was truly a messenger of God, sharing the Lord’s Word with all who would listen.”

Johnny Appleseed knew from Matthew 13, his favourite passage, that not every seed he sowed—

whether appleseeds or God’s Word—would spring up as a healthy fruit bearing plant.

However, he did know that the more he sowed, the more would spring up to bear fruit for God.
And this was his driving force—fruit for God’s glory.

Do we have the same interest?

(L.J. Ondrejack)

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July 17

“Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among 

women? Whither is thy beloved turned aside?

That we may seek him with thee.”

(Song of Solomon 6:1)

Most blessed and varied are the results which flow from the soul’s entire occupation with Christ.

To lose sight of self, and have Him for our one object, 

is immediate—certain blessing.

When Christians slip into a low, dull state of soul, 

what will most speedily and effectually bring them out of it?

Becoming filled and occupied with Christ for themselves, 

and speaking of Him to others.

(Andrew Miller)

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July 18

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

(Ephesians 1:3)

In Ephesians believers are called upon to enter by faith NOW into the possession of that inheritance which we shall enjoy in all its fulness by-and-by.

We are far richer than we realize.

All things are ours, and yet how little we appropriate!

It is said in the prophecy of Obadiah that when the Lord 

returns and His kingdom is established, the people of Israel shall

“Possess their possessions.” (Obadiah 1:17)

This is a challenge to us.

Do you possess your possessions?

Or are your heavenly estates like castles in Spain

about which you dream, but never really make your own?

I trust the Holy Spirit may lead us into the present 

enjoyment of our portion in Christ.

(H.A. Ironside)

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July 19

“Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet.”

(Hebrews 2:8)

In the opening of the Gospel of Luke one is struck by the deep and vivid expression of intimacy between heaven and earth which is found and felt to be there. It is man’s necessity and weakness which open the heavenly door; but once open, it is thrown wide open.

Zacharias and Elizabeth were both righteous before God, walking in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless. They were of the priestly family, the seed of Aaron.

But it was not their righteousness that opened heaven to them, but their need and infirmities.

Elizabeth was barren, and they were both now well stricken in age; and their point of real blessing lay there, lay in their sorrow and weakness. For to the barren wife and the childless husband  Gabriel comes with a word of promise from heaven. But, as we said, the door of heaven, being once opened, is flung wide open.

Angels are all action and joy; and no matter whether it be the temple in the royal, holy city,

or a distant village in despised Galilee, Gabriel with equal readiness visits either and both.

The glory of God, as well as hosts of angels, fills also the fields of Bethlehem.

The Holy Spirit, in His divine light and power, 

fills His elect vessels, and the Son Himself assumes flesh.  

Heaven and earth are very near each other.

The action and the joy which had begun on high, 

are felt and answered from the scene here below.

The shepherds, the favoured women, the aged priest, and the unborn child, share the holy enthusiasm of the moment; and waiting saints go forth from the place of expectation.  

"Heaven comes down our souls to greet.” 

(The Son of God - J.G. Bellett)

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July 20

“. . . exhort (encourage) one another daily, while it is called today.”  (Hebrews 3:13)

She had a doubt, and buried it  before the day was old;

She did not tell it to a friend—what if his love grew cold?

She buried it; and turned to Christ. “Lord, Thou hast died for me—

Increase my faith, my feeble faith, and bid me cling to Thee!”

The days are always dark enough.

There is no need for us to emphasize the 

fact by further spreading gloom.

Instead we should seize every 

opportunity to give encouragement.

Someone has said that encouragement is oxygen to the soul.

A real test of Christian character is the atmosphere one carries around with him.

Our lives should radiate the joy and gratitude of our Christian experience 

so that others may be encouraged by our attitude. 

(Traveling Toward Sunrise)

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July 21

THE WORLD IN CHAOS

“These things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”

(John 20:31)

The world in chaos spins around; there’s turmoil, terror, on the ground;

Evil and suffering everywhere—widespread discouragement, despair.

There’s always suffering on this earth, so little’s changed; there’s little mirth;

But cynicism now abounds, and hope for peace? There’s little ground.

There’s war and fighting everywhere, and one might ask, “Does someone care?”

The world’s grown smaller in our day; is there someone to lead the way?

Leaders seem helpless in the fight, and where’s the man who’ll stand for right?

Will things continue to decline? Could there be help from the Divine?

There’s little reason for much hope, yet there’s no cause to simply grope;

For God, who holds our very breath waits now to save—hear what He saith:

There is salvation full and free in this dark world of misery,

For Jesus came from heaven above, to show the wonders of God’s love.

It was at Calvary He died; the Son of God was crucified!

He died to save man from his sin, to cleanse him and give peace within.

So though, indeed, the world grows dark, please listen carefully—please hark;

Please hear the gospel message free, how Jesus died for for you and me.

And now, my friend, I offer you the Bible with its word so true;

Yes, Jesus said: “I am the way,” take Him as Lord—be saved today!

(C.H. Krause - May 2006 - # 176)

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July 22

“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, it is not in me:

God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

(Genesis 41:16)

These dreams are the third group that Joseph experienced.

The first set concerned Joseph and his brothers, his immediate family;

the second set (the butler and baker) moved beyond family to the immediate world;

this last set had even wider implications, the national and international world.

In addition to the expanding sphere, Joseph’s approach to 

expressing and explaining the dreams grew with each.

There was more Joseph and less God in the first group of dreams,

but more God and less Joseph in the third pair.

God was moulding His man even as He used him!

(C. Funston)

Learning to lean, learning to lean, I’m learning to lean on Jesus;

Finding more power than I’ver ever dreamed, I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

(John Sterling)

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July 23

“For God giveth to a man that is good in His sight wisdom,

and knowledge, and JOY . . .”

(Ecclesiastes 2:26)

Wisdom and knowledge are necessities if we are to do our work properly, but joy seems such a kind and lovely extra (like the scent of a flower); and then there is this, 

“I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.” 

(Ecclesiastes 3:14)

Nothing that happens (if only it comes to us in the line of His will) can take anything from the joy that does not depend on circumstances but on our God Himself.

If only we are kept by His power from anything that grieves the Spirit, it will be so always, 

“. . . for to the man that pleaseth Him God giveth . . . JOY.”

(Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael)

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July 24

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”  (2 Timothy 4:3,4)

What is called "political correctness” is often merely a trendy term for man-pleasing, ear-tickling misrepresentation of reality. 

TRUTH STANDS.

It may be and should be expressed considerately, 

but it doesn’t bow or curtsey.

(Nuggets of Truth - J. Kaiser)

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July 25

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. . . .”

(Psalms 138:8)

“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”

It is possible to begin with a fond wish which becomes father to a thought that multiplies until we have formed a whole philosophy in our wishful thinking.

We must beware of building a doctrine to satisfy our longings.

Concerning the next world, we imagine how things might be and develop theories that have no proof in the Word of God.

We wish it might become true so deeply that we decide it will be that way.

We convince ourselves and convince others.

There is no harm in such longing if we subordinate it to God’s will.

He will perfect that which concerns us and He who has begun 

a good work in us will finish it, (Philippians 1:6) so we leave the details with Him. 

Rest assured that the Judge of all the earth will do right (Genesis 18:25) and the reality

will be more glorious than anything we can now imagine.

(All the Days  - Vance Havner)

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July 26

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God.”

(Philippians 4:6) 

Instead of worrying, we are told what we are to do (Philippians 4:6).

Tell God all about it.

Have you never found relief when you
could tell a friend what you were passing through?

Well, God invites you to make a friend of Him.

He can be better than any earthly friend, for many reasons.

He is never weighted with care Himself, and our earthly friends often are;

He is always at hand, and earthly friends cannot be;

He is always ready to listen, and can impart to us His own peace, which others cannot do.

Moreover we can tell to Him what we could not breathe into any human ear, 

for He says,  “In everything by prayer . . .” 

The same God that made the mammoth and the mote will pay attention alike to our smallest,

as well as our greatest concerns. 

(Angels in White - Russell Elliott)

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July 27

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended,

and we are not saved.”

(Jeremiah 8:20)

God has arranged the seasons for the blessing of mankind.

The sun shines warm during summer, bringing forth

a bountiful harvest, before the onset of winter.

God has also made such an arrangement for man in the spiritual sense.

The bright sun of God’s Gospel has bathed our planet for over two

thousand years now, and the harvest is still being brought in. 

But the signs are that the day of God’s grace is about to close,

and the terrible day of God’s vengeance is about to break.

When the harvest has been gathered in, will you be left behind to face 

the judgment of God for all of eternity?

(W.H. Burnett)

Then hasten O sinner, whilst He will receive thee,

The harvest is passing, the summer will end.

Anon—

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July 28

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; 

and He knoweth them that trust in Him.”

(Nahum 1:7) 

He knoweth, not we know.

That we know God is evidenced in measure, 

at least when we can say,  “The Lord is good.”

But here it is that He knows us — that He knows

the heart that trusts in Him.

Peter could lay open his heart to Him and say,

“Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.”

How sweet in trouble, when we dare not openly boast that we trust Him,

that we have the confidence that He knows that we trust in Him — One who 

will never fail the simple trust of a dependent soul!

(Comforted of God - A.J. Pollock)

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July 29

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves.”

(2 Timothy 3:2)

When the soul is cast upon God the Lord is with the soul in the trial, 

and the mind is kept perfectly calm.

The Spirit of love, the Spirit of Christ is there;

if thinking of myself this is the spirit of selfishness.

The Holy Spirit has no fellowship with . . . self.

The heart is not delivered from it until the Spirit has guided our thoughts to Jesus.

The effectual presence of the Spirit crucifies egotism and 

gives freedom of thought about  ourselves . . . 

it occupies us with but one object—

JESUS. 

(J.N. Darby) 

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July 30

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Once, while clearing some overgrown plants I encountered a vine of wild grapes.

They had really taken over and were all intertwined among the other surrounding plants.

As I worked I noticed the little tendrils that went out from the branches and latched onto the vine.

They were tenacious, and that was a good thing.

But then I noticed that some of the tendrils had attached themselves to branches of a dead tree.

Those were just as tenacious as the others.  

They were still connected to the vine, but out of convenience or proximity, 

there they were hooked onto those dead branches, going the direction of those branches.

. . .  you and I, as born again followers of Christ, 

can become attached to the dead things of this world and follow them.

Our attention to the things of Christ becomes divided.

And it may not be things that in themselves are evil;

it might be getting all wrapped up in the news events that go on to where we start to take 

up causes that don’t enhance what we’re supposed to be about as Christians.

What am I clinging to?

What am I getting attached to?

“Test all things; hold fast what is good."

(L.I.F.E. LInes - F. Pratt)

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July 31

"When Pharaoh drew nigh, the childen of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

(Exodus 14:10)

Wouldn’t you be?  After all they were trapped.  All of them.

The Egyptians-looking for vengeance, were behind them-the entire army!

And the Israelites had no forces to protect themselves or oppose the enemy.

They had nowhere to go!

And yet the Lord had described the situation exactly to Moses beforehand (vv. 2-4).

with the explanation that He intended to demonstrate His invincible power.

So they, as we today, had nothing to do but to

 “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (v. 13).  

(G.W. Seale)

As we travel through life’s shadowed valley, fresh springs of His love ever rise,

And we learn that our sorrow and losses are blessings just sent in disguise.

(—Anon)

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August 1

SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR

"Thou art not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34).

If people are not sure whether they are Christians or not,
then I take leave to suggest that they are not. 

The Christian, according to the New Testament, 
is someone who can say something like this: 

"I was--I am.” 

That is how the apostle described the Corinthians, was it not--He said, 

"And such were some of you!” 

They had been drunkards, adulterers, fornicators, etc. "But," he says, 

"you are not like that now—But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, 

but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

and by the Spirit of our God' (1 Corinthians 6:11). 

The apostle Peter used exactly the same terminology: 

"Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: 

which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:10).

 That is it!

(Martyn Lloyd-Jones - Walking with God) 

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