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(J.R. Miller)
It is always a solemn hour when anyone stands before God and men, to make a public profession of Christ. The act is nothing less than the consecration of a human soul to Christ's service, for life or for death.
On the seal of an old missionary society, an ox stands between an altar and a plough, and written below is the motto, "READY FOR EITHER!" That is, ready for sacrifice or for service.
This should be the heart-motto in every public profession; it should be . . .
a solemn devotement to Christ,
an entire surrender to Him for obedience, duty and sacrifice;
a consecration of the whole life to Christ and His service.
Such consecration all have made, who have publicly given themselves to Christ.
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Saturday, 26 January 2013
Friday, 25 January 2013
God has three axes!
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(J.R. Miller)
God has three axes! One He uses in pruning His trees, that the fruitful branches may bring forth more fruit. The work of this axe is not judgment or destruction--but mercy and blessing. It is the good, the fruitful tree--which feels its keen edge. "Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:2
Then God has another axe, which He uses only in judgment in cutting down those trees which after all His culture of them, bring forth no fruit. "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Matthew 3:10. The picture is very suggestive. The axe at the tree's root, or raised in the woodman's hand to strike--shows that judgment impends, hangs ready to fall. At any moment, the tree may be cut down! "Cut it down! why cumbereth it the ground?" Luke 13:7
The axe of death really lies all the while, at the root of every life. There is not a moment when it is not true--that there is but a step between us and death! Life is all very critical. There is not a moment in any day, on which may not turn all the destinies of eternity. It certainly is an infinitely perilous thing, for an immortal soul to rest an hour with the axe of judgment waiting to strike the blow which will end the day of mercy forever! Only supremest folly can be blind men to such vital interests!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(J.R. Miller)
God has three axes! One He uses in pruning His trees, that the fruitful branches may bring forth more fruit. The work of this axe is not judgment or destruction--but mercy and blessing. It is the good, the fruitful tree--which feels its keen edge. "Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:2
Then God has another axe, which He uses only in judgment in cutting down those trees which after all His culture of them, bring forth no fruit. "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Matthew 3:10. The picture is very suggestive. The axe at the tree's root, or raised in the woodman's hand to strike--shows that judgment impends, hangs ready to fall. At any moment, the tree may be cut down! "Cut it down! why cumbereth it the ground?" Luke 13:7
The axe of death really lies all the while, at the root of every life. There is not a moment when it is not true--that there is but a step between us and death! Life is all very critical. There is not a moment in any day, on which may not turn all the destinies of eternity. It certainly is an infinitely perilous thing, for an immortal soul to rest an hour with the axe of judgment waiting to strike the blow which will end the day of mercy forever! Only supremest folly can be blind men to such vital interests!
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Thursday, 24 January 2013
The questions should rather be
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(J.R. Miller)
"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." John 16:33
True victory is not found in escaping or evading trials--but in rightly meeting and enduring them. The questions should not be, "How can I get out of these worries? How can I get into a place where there shall be no irritations, nothing to try my temper, or put my patience to the test? How can I avoid the troubles which continually harass me?" There is nothing noble in such living. The soldier who flees when the battle approaches, is no hero; he is a coward.
The questions should rather be, "How can I pass through these trying experiences--and not fail as a Christian? How can I endure these struggles--and not suffer defeat? How can I live amid these provocations, these reproaches and testings of my temper--and yet live sweetly, not speaking unadvisedly, bearing injuries meekly, returning gentle answers to insulting words?"
"He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be My son!" Revelation 21:7
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(J.R. Miller)
"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." John 16:33
True victory is not found in escaping or evading trials--but in rightly meeting and enduring them. The questions should not be, "How can I get out of these worries? How can I get into a place where there shall be no irritations, nothing to try my temper, or put my patience to the test? How can I avoid the troubles which continually harass me?" There is nothing noble in such living. The soldier who flees when the battle approaches, is no hero; he is a coward.
The questions should rather be, "How can I pass through these trying experiences--and not fail as a Christian? How can I endure these struggles--and not suffer defeat? How can I live amid these provocations, these reproaches and testings of my temper--and yet live sweetly, not speaking unadvisedly, bearing injuries meekly, returning gentle answers to insulting words?"
"He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be My son!" Revelation 21:7
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Wednesday, 23 January 2013
C.H. Spurgeon Quotes
Posted: 23 Jan 2013 12:00 AM PST
Every sufferer who bears pain, or slander, or loss, or personal unkindness for Christ’s sake, is filling up that amount of suffering which is necessary to the bringing together of the whole body of Christ, and the upbuilding of His elect Church.
C.H. Spurgeon
C.H. Spurgeon
Life comes to us in such little bits
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(J.R. Miller)
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
"As thy days, so shall thy strength be." Deuteronomy 33:25
We should be thankful that life comes to us in such little bits.
We can always live one day well enough.
We can always carry one day's burdens.
We can always do one day's duties.
We can always endure one day's sorrows.
It is a blessing that one day is all that God ever gives us at a time. We should be thankful for the nights that cut off our tomorrows from our view, so that we cannot even see them until they dawn. The little days, nestling between the nights like quiet valleys between the hills, then seem so safe and peaceful.
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(J.R. Miller)
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
"As thy days, so shall thy strength be." Deuteronomy 33:25
We should be thankful that life comes to us in such little bits.
We can always live one day well enough.
We can always carry one day's burdens.
We can always do one day's duties.
We can always endure one day's sorrows.
It is a blessing that one day is all that God ever gives us at a time. We should be thankful for the nights that cut off our tomorrows from our view, so that we cannot even see them until they dawn. The little days, nestling between the nights like quiet valleys between the hills, then seem so safe and peaceful.
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34
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