12. October Archive Index

October Archive Index

1. September Archive Index

2. Devotional: Bewildering

3. Hymn: Let Nothing Make Thee Sad Or Fretful

4. Hymn: Holy Spirit, Truth Divine

5. Devotional: He Is Gracious

6. Devotional: Light And Gladness

7. Hymn: Fight The Good Fight With All Thy Might

8. Devotional: God's Multiplication Table

9. Hymn: There's Not A Friend Like The Lowly Jesus...

10. Devotional: Weariness In Battle

11. Devotional: Personal Poverty

11. Devotional: Personal Poverty

Personal Poverty 

Edited by Miles J. Stanford

For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto
the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)

    It is during the time of our being broken that we learn that His promises concerning us cannot be broken.  

    “It is more than comforting to realize that it is those who have plumbed the depths of failure to whom the Father invariably gives the call to shepherd others. This is not a call to the gifted, the highly trained, or the polished as such. Without a bitter realization of their own inadequacy and poverty they are quite unfitted to bear the burdens of spiritual ministry.  

    “It takes a man who has discovered something of the measure of his own weakness to be patient with the foibles of others. Such a man also has a firsthand knowledge of the loving care of the Chief Shepherd, and His ability to heal one who has come humbly to trust Him and Him alone. Therefore he does not easily despair of others, but looks beyond sinfulness, willfulness, and stupidity, to the might of unchanging love. The Lord Jesus does not give the charge, ‘Be a shepherd to My lambs. . . to My sheep,’ on hearing Peter’s self-confident affirmation of undying loyalty, but He gives it after he has utterly failed to keep his vows, and has wept bitterly in the streets of Jerusalem.” - J. C. M.  

    “As to Simon Peter, we not only see him restored to the work to which he was called at the first, but to something even higher. ‘Feed My lambs—shepherd My sheep’—is the new commission given to the man who had denied his Lord with an oath. ‘When thou art restored, strengthen thy brethren.’ There is nothing in all this world nearer and dearer to the heart of the Lord Jesus than His sheep, His lambs: and hence He could not have given Peter a more affecting proof of His confidence than by committing to his care the dearest objects of His deep and tender love.” - C. H. M.

10. Devotional: Weariness In Battle

Weariness In Battle  

by T. Austin-Sparks

    There are many Christians who make a wonderful beginning. They see the vision of God’s great purpose, and certain words in the New Testament make a great appeal to them, such as: “Called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). That is a wonderful vision! “…According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:11) Such a thought makes a great appeal to these people and they make a heart response. They go on so far, and then many stop too soon. They lose the vision; they lose the inspiration; they lose the sense of purpose; they lose the energy to go on, and of some we have to say: ‘Something has gone out of their faces. What was there with them once is not there now. They were so positive once, so occupied with the heavenly calling, but something has happened.’ These people may not be altogether conscious of it, and they would not tell you that something has happened, but it is quite evident that something has happened. They have just lost something, and you do not get the response now from them that you once got. They are not so interested now as they were. The heavenly vision has gone out of their lives. That is true of many Christians, and it could be true of all of us.

    Why did these people stop short of finishing the job? I think that very likely it was because they became weary in well doing. The battle was long drawn out. It was spread over years and was very exhausting. No sooner had they gained one victory than they had to start fighting again. They did not have much rest between one battle and the next one. It was a long drawn-out warfare; they got weary in battle, and in their weariness they lost the vision, they lost heart, and they lost the initiative.

    I am so glad that with all the strong things that the New Testament says, it says some very kind and understanding things about this: “Let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9); “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, … your labour is not vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58); “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love” (Hebrews 6:10). What a lot of things there are like that! And Jesus said to His disciples, who were being brought into the battle: “Let not your heart be troubled!” (John 14:1), while we can hear the Lord’s words to Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed” (Joshua 1:9). Again, the Lord Jesus said to His disciples: “He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

9. Hymn: There's Not A Friend Like The Lowly Jesus

There's Not A Friend Like The Lowly Jesus

Author: Johnson Oatman

(Vocal)

1. There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
    No, not one! no, not one!
    None else could heal all our soul's diseases,
    No, not one! no, not one!

Chorus: 

Jesus knows all about our struggles, 

He will guide till the day is done; 

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus, 

No, not one! no, not one!  

2. No friend like Him is so high and holy,
    No, not one! no, not one!
    And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
    No, not one! no, not one!

3. There's not an hour that He is not near us,
    No, not one! no, not one!
    No night so dark but His love can cheer us,
    No, not one! no, not one!

4. Did ever saint find this friend forsake him?
    No, not one! no, not one!
    Or sinner find that He would not take him?
    No, not one! no, not one!

5. Was e'er a gift like the Savior given?
    No, not one! no, not one!
    Will He refuse us a home in heaven?
    No, not one! no, not one!

8. Devotional: God's Multiplication Table

 God's Multiplication Table 

by C. H. Spurgeon 

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: 

I the LORD will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:22)         

    Works for the LORD often begin on a small scale, and they are none the worse for this. Feebleness educates faith, brings God near, and wins glory for His name. Prize promises of increase! Mustard seed is the smallest among seeds, and yet it becomes a treelike plant, with branches which lodge the birds of heaven. We may begin with one, and that "a little one," and yet it will "become a thousand." The LORD is great at the multiplication table. How often did He say to His lone servant, "I will multiply thee!" Trust in the LORD, ye ones and twos; for He will be in the midst of you if you are gathered in His name.          

    "A small one." What can be more despicable in the eyes of those who count heads and weigh forces! Yet this is the nucleus of a great nation. Only one star shines out at first in the evening, but soon the sky is crowded with countless lights. Nor need we think the prospect of increase to be remote, for the promise is, "I Jehovah will hasten it in his time." There will be no premature haste, like that which we see at excited meetings; it will be all in due time, but yet there will be no delay. When the LORD hastens, His speed is glorious.

7. Hymn: Fight The Good Fight With All Thy Might

Fight The Good Fight With All Thy Might

Author: John S. B. Monsell

Tune: PENTECOST, by William Boyd

(Vocal)

(Melody)

1. Fight the good fight with all thy might,
    Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right;
    Lay hold on life, and it shall be
    Thy joy and crown eternally.

2. Run the straight race through God's good grace
    Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
    Life with its way before us lies,
    Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

3. Cast care aside, lean on thy guide,
    His boundless mercy will provide;
    Trust, and enduring faith shall prove
    Christ is its life, and Christ its love.

4. Faint not nor fear, for He is near,
    He changeth not, and thou art dear;
    Only believe, and you will see
    That Christ is all in all to thee.

6. Devotional: Light And Gladness

Light And Gladness

by C. H. Spurgeon

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
(Psalm 97:11)

    Righteousness is often costly to the man who keeps to it at all hazards, but in the end it will bear its own expenses and return an infinite profit. A holy life is like sowing seed: much is going out, and apparently it is buried in the soil, never to be gathered up again. We are mistaken when we look for an immediate harvest; but the error is very natural, for it seems impossible to bury light. Yet light is "sown," says the text. It lies latent: none can see it; it is sown. We are quite sure that it must one day manifest itself.          

    Full sure are we that the LORD has set a harvest for the sower of light, and they shall reap it, each man for himself. Then shall come their gladness. Sheaves of joy for seeds of light. Their heart was upright before the LORD, though men gave them no credit for it, but even censured them: they were righteous, though those about them denounced them as censorious. They had to wait, as husbandmen wait for the precious fruits of the earth: but the light was sown for them, and gladness was being prepared on their behalf by the LORD of the harvest.          

    Courage, brothers! We need not be in a hurry. Let us in patience possess our souls, for soon shall our souls possess light and gladness.

5. Devotional: He Is Gracious

He Is Gracious

by C. H. Spurgeon 

He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:15)          

    There are times when all the promises and doctrines of the Bible are of no avail, unless a gracious hand shall apply them to us. We are thirsty, but too faint to crawl to the water-brook. When a soldier is wounded in battle it is of little use for him to know that there are those at the hospital who can bind up his wounds, and medicines there to ease all the pains which he now suffers: what he needs is to be carried thither, and to have the remedies applied. 

    It is thus with our souls, and to meet this need there is one, even the Spirit of truth, who takes of the things of Jesus, and applies them to us. Think not that Christ hath placed his joys on heavenly shelves that we may climb up to them for ourselves, but he draws near, and sheds his peace abroad in our hearts. O Christian, if thou art to-night labouring under deep distresses, thy Father does not give thee promises and then leave thee to draw them up from the Word like buckets from a well, but the promises he has written in the Word he will write anew on your heart. He will manifest his love to you, and by his blessed Spirit, dispel your cares and troubles. 

    Be it known unto thee, O mourner, that it is God's prerogative to wipe every tear from the eye of his people. The good Samaritan did not say, “Here is the wine, and here is the oil for you”; he actually poured in the oil and the wine. So Jesus not only gives you the sweet wine of the promise, but holds the golden chalice to your lips, and pours the life-blood into your mouth. The poor, sick, way-worn pilgrim is not merely strengthened to walk, but he is borne on eagles’ wings.
    Glorious gospel! which provides everything for the helpless, which draws nigh to us when we cannot reach after it—brings us grace before we seek for grace! Here is as much glory in the giving as in the gift. Happy people who have the Holy Ghost to bring Jesus to them.

4. Hymn: Holy Spirit, Truth Divine

Holy Spirit, Truth Divine

Author: Samuel Longfellow

Tune: MERCY, by Louis M. Gottschalk

(Vocal)

1. Holy Spirit, Truth Divine, 

    Dawn upon this soul of mine; 

    Word of God, and inward light, 

    Wake my spirit, clear my sight.  

2. Holy Spirit, Love Divine, 

    Glow within this heart of mine; 

    Kindle every high desire; 

    Perish self in Thy pure fire!  

3. Holy Spirit, Power Divine, 

    Fill and nerve this will of mine; 

    By Thee may I strongly live, 

    Bravely bear, and nobly strive. 

4. Holy Spirit, Right Divine, 

    King within my conscience reign; 

    Be my Law, and I shall be 

    Firmly bound, for ever free.  

5. Holy Spirit, Peace Divine, 

    Still this restless heart of mine; 

    Speak to calm this tossing sea, 

    Stayed in Thy tranquillity.  

6. Holy Spirit, Joy Divine, 

    Gladden Thou this heart of mine; 

    In the desert ways I sing, 

   "Spring, O Well, for ever spring." 

3. Hymn: Let Nothing Make Thee Sad Or Fretful

Let Nothing Make Thee Sad Or Fretful

Author: Paul Fleming

Let nothing make thee sad or fretful,      
Or too regretful;            
Be still;
What God hath ordered must be right;
Then find in it thine own delight,        
My will.  

Why shouldst thou fill to-day with sorrow      
About to-morrow,            
My heart?
One watches all with care most true;        
Doubt not that he will give thee too            
Thy part.  

Only be steadfast; never waver,      
Nor seek earth’s favor,            
But rest:        
Thou knowest what God wills must be
For all his creatures, so for thee,            
The best.  

2. Devotional: Bewildering

Bewildering

by H. A. Ironside

Then I shall know just as I also am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) 

    Life is full of mysteries. Again and again the bewildered spirit asks “Why?” And to many of our questions there is no answer. It has not pleased God to explain all His ways with us here and now. Elihu said to Job, “He does not give an accounting of any of His words” (Job 33:13). But faith counts on His infinite love and wisdom, and knows that some day all will be made plain, and in the light of His presence we shall get the answers to all the questions that have perplexed us. Then we shall know the hidden reasons for every trial and sorrow, and we shall see that there was a “needs be” for all of His dealings with us. We may be sure that when we see everything from the divine standpoint we shall be able to praise Him for all that now seems so bewildering.

My Life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.
                                                   - Selected

1. September Archive Index

September Archive Index

1. Hymn: God Meant It Unto Good

2. Hymn: Fret Not, Poor Soul

3. Gleaning: Do Not Look Forward...

4. Devotional: Solitary Source

5. Devotional: What Is God After?

6. Devotional: Broken And Smoking

7. Devotional: We Should Never Lose Heart

8. Devotional: Sufferers Make Strong Believers

9. Hymn: Not So In Haste, My Heart

10. Hymn: A Solitary Way

11. Hymn: He Maketh No Mistakes!