3. Three Important Bible Version

Three Important Bible Version:

1. J. N. Darby's translation.
     http://www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org/wp-content/..

2. Robert Young's literal translation.
     https://archive.org/details/holybibleconsist00youn/page/n3

3. American Standard Version (ASV).
     https://archive.org/details/crossreferencebi00mons/page/n5

2. Devotional: Time Is Running Out

Time Is Running Out 

Author: A. W. Tozer

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12)

    The absence of spiritual devotion today is an omen and a portent. The modern church is all but contemptuous of the sober virtues— meekness, modesty, humility, quietness, obedience, self effacement, patience. To be accepted now, religion must be in the popular mood. Consequently, much religious activity reeks with pride, display, self-assertion, self-promotion, love of gain and devotion to trivial pleasures.  

    It behooves us to take all this seriously. Time is running out for all of us. What is done must be done quickly. We have no right to lie idly by and let things take their course. A farmer who neglects his farm will soon lose it; a shepherd who fails to look after his flock will find the wolves looking after it for him. A misbegotten charity that allows the wolves to destroy the flock is not charity at all but indifference, rather, and should be known for what it is and dealt with accordingly.  

    It is time for Bible-believing Christians to begin to cultivate the sober graces and to live among men like sons of God and heirs of the ages. And this will take more than a bit of doing, for the whole world and a large part of the church is set to prevent it. But if God be for us, who can be against us.

1. A Quote from T. Austin-Sparks

2. A Quote from A. W. Tozer

1. A Quote from Leonard Ravenhill

1. Devotional: Hold On!

Hold On!

by T. Austin-Sparks

Walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith. (Colossians  2:6,7)   

    Abraham in the land... yet the very promises given him of God seeming to be denied. Was Abraham mistaken? Are we not sometimes bewildered with the Lord, and are not His ways past finding out? It all looks such a muddle, but as faith holds on, one day we shall praise Him, as we see the reason for it all afterwards; "the path of the just... shineth more and more unto the perfect day." - Prov. 4:18. Note "PATH" not things! These mysteries of the way contain some secret mystery of God; and are they not another opportunity to show forth His wisdom and power? When all seems gone, the conflict so great, the experience so strange and there is no key to the situation; we are tempted to question whether the promises were even of God; everything is so contrary to what we expected, we begin to wonder if we are all wrong! Just then, is the time for us to stand fast in the Lord and maintain that stand in faith.  

    After all, our experiences are very much alike. There is perplexity, there is apparent contradiction, there is conflict; the forms of experience may vary, but it comes to all of us in some way or another - still "He abideth faithful".  How does this establish us? By the very helplessness of the situation, and ourselves, which causes us to cast ourselves upon Him, and it is then we prove Him. You are coming to the place where you know the mystery of God, and it is a glorious opportunity for Him to show His wisdom and so you are established. It is all a matter of endurance.

1. Hymn: My Goal Is God Himself

My Goal Is God Himself

Author: Frances Brook
Tune by Henry J. E. Holmes

(Chinese Vocal)

(Music)

1. My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace,
    Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God;
    'Tis His to lead me there—not mine, but His
    At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.

2. So faith bounds forward to its goal in God,
    And love can trust her Lord to lead her there;
    Upheld by Him, my soul is following hard
    Till God hath full fulfilled my deepest prayer.

3. No matter if the way be sometimes dark,
    No matter though the cost be oft-times great,
    He knoweth how I best shall reach the mark,
    The way that leads to Him must needs be strait.

4. One thing I know, I cannot say Him nay;
    One thing I do, I press towards my Lord;
    My God my glory here, from day to day,
    And in the glory there my great Reward.

1. Hymn Resource

1. Louis F. Benson Collection of Hymnals and Hymnology
    http://commons.ptsem.edu/benson

2. Hymnal: Christ in Song (Edited by Brother Christian Chen of New York)
    https://www.hymntreasury.org

3. Audio Hymnal (by Andrew Remillard)
    http://www.andrewremillard.com

2. Devotional: God Is In Control

God Is In Control

by C. H. Spurgeon

(Audio)

The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. (Proverbs 16:33)       

    If the disposal of the lot is the Lord's, whose is the arrangement of our whole life? If the simple casting of a lot is guided by him, how much more the events of our entire life—especially when we are told by our blessed Saviour: “The very hairs of your head are all numbered: not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Father.” 

    It would bring a holy calm over your mind, dear friend, if you were always to remember this. It would so relieve your mind from anxiety, that you would be the better able to walk in patience, quiet, and cheerfulness as a Christian should. When a man is anxious he cannot pray with faith; when he is troubled about the world, he cannot serve his Master, his thoughts are serving himself. If you would “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” all things would then be added unto you. 

    You are meddling with Christ's business, and neglecting your own when you fret about your lot and circumstances. You have been trying “providing” work and forgetting that it is yours to obey. Be wise and attend to the obeying, and let Christ manage the providing. 

    Come and survey your Father's storehouse, and ask whether he will let you starve while he has laid up so great an abundance in his garner? Look at his heart of mercy; see if that can ever prove unkind! Look at his inscrutable wisdom; see if that will ever be at fault. Above all, look up to Jesus Christ your Intercessor, and ask yourself, while he pleads, can your Father deal ungraciously with you? If he remembers even sparrows, will he forget one of the least of his poor children? “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.”          

    My soul, rest happy in thy low estate,          

    Nor hope nor wish to be esteem'd or great;          

    To take the impress of the Will Divine,          

    Be that thy glory, and those riches thine.

1. Hymn: Trust and Rest

Trust and Rest

Author: A. B. Simpson

1. Trust and rest in Christ forever,
    Lean thy head upon His breast;
    Nothing from His love can sever
    Those who simply trust and rest.

2. Trust and rest in hours of sorrow;
    Every wrong shall be redressed,
    In some happy, bright tomorrow,
    If you only trust and rest.

3. Trust and rest when all around thee
    Puts thy faith to sorest test;
    Let no fear nor foe confound thee,
    Wait for God and trust and rest.

4. Trust and rest with heart abiding,
    Like a birdling in its nest,
    Underneath His feathers hiding;
    Fold thy wings and trust and rest.

5. Trust and rest till gentle fingers
    Fold thy hands across thy breast,
    While the echo softly lingers,
    Everlasting trust and rest.