The Love of Christ

 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. -John 14:21

O the wonder of wonders, 

That God should love me! 

Love a sinner so guilty, 

So vile and unclean. 

To love the unlovely, 

How can it be done? 

'Tis only in Jesus, 

Through His precious Son. 

-Mark Webb

 2 Corinthians 5:14   For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 

  2 Corinthians 5:15   And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
-2 Corinthians 5:14-15

We are constrained to holiness by the love of Christ; the love of Him Who loved us, is the only cord by which we are bound to the service of God. The scourge of our affections is the only scourge that drives us to duty. Sweet bands, and gentle scourges! Who would not be under their power? ...  If you are visited with seasons of coldness and indifference--if you begin to be weary or lag behind in the service of God, behold! here is the remedy: Look again to the bleeding Saviour. ... As long as the believing eye is fixed upon [Him], the path of the believer is easy and unimpeded. But lift off the believing eye, and the path becomes impracticable---the life of holiness a weariness. Whosoever, then, would live a life of persevering holiness, let him keep his eye fixed on the Saviour.  -R.M. McCheyne

I've Found a Friend, O Such a Friend! 

by James G. Small

I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend!

He loved me ere I knew Him;

He drew me with the cords of love,

And thus He bound me to Him;

And round my heart still closely twine

Those ties which naught can sever,

For I am His, and He is mine,

Forever and forever.

I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend!

He bled, He died to save me;

And not alone the gift of life,

But His own self He gave me!

Naught that I have mine own I call,

I’ll hold it for the giver,

My heart, my strength, my life, my all

Are His, and His forever.

I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend!

All power to Him is given,

To guard me on my onward course,

And bring me safe to Heaven.

The eternal glories gleam afar,

To nerve my faint endeavor;

So now to watch, to work, to war,

And then to rest forever.

I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend!

So kind and true and tender,

So wise a counselor and guide,

So mighty a defender!

From Him who loves me now so well

What power my soul can sever?

Shall life or death, shall earth or hell?

No! I am His forever.

 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? -Romans 8:35

 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, 

nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, 

shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8:35

The Potter and the Clay

We are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand. 

-Isaiah 64:8

The Potter and the Clay 

By Mary M., 1893

As clay within the potter’s hand,

Responsive to his will,

So let us be, and in us, Lord,

Thy purposes fulfill;

Made willing in Thy day of power,

Each restless spirit still.

Lord, make this place Thy potter’s house,

Where Thou shalt have Thy way,

To mold and fashion as Thou wilt,

Upon Thy wheel today;

Cleansing from sin’s impurity,

Make pliant as the clay.

Thou hast a purpose in each life,

Thou hast Thine own great plan;

Thou seest possibilities,

Unseen by us in man;

And where man says, Impossible,

Thy love has said, I can.

Dear Lord, too oft we’ve hindered Thee

And would not passive lie,

And let Thee work Thy work in us,

Thy name to glorify;

Now with desire Thy will be done,

Our longing spirits cry.

A Promise For Today: Fear the LORD

O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want 

to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD 

shall not want any good thing. 

-Psalms 34:9-10

Tell Me the Old, Old Story

It had been awhile since I had thought of or sung this hymn, and the words

blessed me today as I was thinking on how what Christ has done for us never ceases 

to give comfort to His own, and seems always new and sweet especially when we're weary 

and cast down. 

The author of the hymn wrote this: 

I wrote the first part toward the end of January 1866. I was unwell at the time, just recovering from a severe illness, and the first stanza really indicates my state of health, for I was literally weak and weary. When I had written the first part, which consisted of eight stanzas of four lines each, I laid it aside, and it was not until the following November that I completed the whole hymn. -Katherine Hankey

  Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

-Matthew 11:28

Tell Me the Old, Old Story

Tell me the old, old story

Of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory,

Of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story simply,

As to a little child,

For I am weak and weary,

And helpless and defiled.

Refrain

Tell me the old, old story,

Tell me the old, old story,

Tell me the old, old story,

Of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story slowly,

That I may take it in,

That wonderful redemption,

God’s remedy for sin.

Tell me the story often,

For I forget so soon;

The early dew of morning

Has passed away at noon.

Refrain

Tell me the story softly,

With earnest tones and grave;

Remember I’m the sinner

Whom Jesus came to save.

Tell me the story always,

If you would really be,

In any time of trouble,

A comforter to me.

Refrain

Tell me the same old story

When you have cause to fear

That this world’s empty glory

Is costing me too dear.

Yes, and when that world’s glory

Is dawning on my soul,

Tell me the old, old story:

Christ Jesus makes thee whole.

Refrain

I love this verse especially:

"Tell me the story softly,

With earnest tones and grave;

Remember I’m the sinner

Whom Jesus came to save.

Tell me the story always,

If you would really be,

In any time of trouble,

A comforter to me."

 Romans 3:19   Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 

  Romans 3:20   Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

  Romans 3:21   But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 

  Romans 3:22   Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 

  Romans 3:23   For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

  Romans 3:24   Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 

  Romans 3:25   Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 

  Romans 3:26   To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Romans 4:8

The Refiner of Silver

Some years ago, I had found this article in an old periodical from the late 1800's titled "The Remembrancer", (based off one of the verses in 2 Peter, "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." It was such a thought-provoking article, that I printed it out and saved it. It wasn't till recently as I was reading something else, that it came to my mind again, and I thought I'd type it up and post it here for others to read. I hope it's a blessing to someone else as well. 

The Refiner of Silver
From: The Remembrancer -- 1894

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. 
-Malachi 3:1-2

Some months ago, a few ladies, who met together in Dublin to read the Scriptures and make them the subject of conversation, were reading the third chapter of Malachi.
One of the ladies gave it as her opinion that the "Fuller's soap" and the "Refiner of silver" was the same image; both intended to convey the same view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ; while another observed, "there is something remarkable in the expression in the third verse, "He shall SIT as a refiner and purifier of silver".
They agreed that possibly it might be so, and one of the ladies promised to call on a silversmith, and report to them what he said on the subject: She went accordingly, and without telling him the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver. This he fully described to her; "but," said she, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"
"Oh, yes, madam," replied the silversmith, "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded, the silver is sure to be injured."
At once she saw the beauty and the comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
Christ sees it needful to put the children into the furnace-but He is seated at the side of it-His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random. The very hairs of their head are all numbered.
As the lady was leaving, the silversmith called her back, and said he had further to mention that he only knew when the work was complete by seeing his own image reflected in the silver. A beautiful figure! When Christ SEES His own image in His people, the work of purifying is accomplished!
It has been well said: "If thou art a child of God, there is no exemption from the household discipline. The voice that speaks may seem rough, but the hand that smites is gentle. The furnace may be seven times heated, but the Refiner is seated by. His object is not to consume, but to purify. All, be assured, will yet bear the stamp of love. The saint on earth can say regarding his trials, in faith and in trust, "I know, O Lord that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me." The saint in glory can go a step further, " I see, O Lord, that they are so!"
"Believer, on a calm retrospect of thy heaviest afflictions, say were they unneeded? Was this what Augustine calls "the severe mercy of God's discipline' -was it too severe? Less would not have done. He may have led thee to a Zarepath ('a place of furnaces'), but it is to show thee there 'one like unto the Son of God!'
"When was thy God ever so near thee, or thou to thy God, as in the furnace-fires? The spices in the temple of old were bruised. The gold of its candlestick was beaten gold! My soul, be still! Thou hast in affliction one means of glorifying God which even angels have not in a sorrowless world: Patience under the rod-submission to thy Heavenly Father's will."

"Yes, patience! there may come a time, 
When these dull ears shall hear aright, 
Strains that outring earth's drowsy chime, 
As heaven outshines the taper's light!" 

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold which perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." -1 Peter 1:7

Abiding in Him

"Our question ought not to be, how many times have I read through God's Word? But rather, how much have I retained and obeyed? This will humble the heart, and cause us to search and try our ways."

"When the Word dwells as a familiar friend in the heart to direct, counsel and comfort us, then it is a sign it abides there. The devil knows good and hates it, therefore knowledge alone is nothing; but when the promise alters the temper of the heart itself, then it is engrafted there." -Unknown 

 "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, 

and it shall be done unto you." -John 15:7

How do we know if we are abiding in Him, and His Words are abiding in us? God gives us the answer to that here in 1 John: 

"But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: 

hereby know we that we are in Him." 

-1 John 2:5

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. 

And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 

-1 John 3:24

It's not by doing what's right in our own eyes, but testing our lives by the holy Word of God, and keeping His commandments. Are we desiring to keep His commandments? 

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD 
pondereth the hearts.
 -Proverbs 21:2

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 
-1 John 2:28

A Promise For Today

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 

-Proverbs 11:18

 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. 
-Psalms 11:7

For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 
-Psalm 5:4-5

Dangers of privilege

Take heed of complaining, though He has given us so much. 

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. -1 Corinthians 10:10

Take heed of forgetting God's blessings, and forgetting to thank Him for them. 

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: -Psalms 103:2

Take heed of prayerlessness. 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; -Ephesians 6:18

 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: - 1 Samuel 12:23

Take heed of covetousness. 

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. -Luke 12:15

Take heed of becoming calloused, used to hearing God's Word and the Gospel. Many of the most unprivileged are saved, while those highly privileged are lost. Examine yourselves to be sure that you are in the faith. 

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. -Luke 12:48

It is a very dangerous possibility that you may be an honest, moral, religious churchgoer, and know in your mind the facts of all the doctrines of the Bible and the truth of salvation, and hear the Gospel week after week...you may even pray, profess to know the Lord, read your Bible, and hand out tracts in dutiful obligation (I had prayed often, and even read the Bible entirely through before the Lord saved me!)...but will many sinful ones such as drunkards, harlots, thieves, fornicators, liars, etc., be saved, and you...lost eternally? Have you repented of your sins and been washed in the precious Blood of Jesus Christ? 

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow;

No other fount I know,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

For my cleansing this my plea,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Nothing can for sin atone,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

Naught of good that I have done,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

This is all my hope and peace,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

This is all my righteousness,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Now by this I’ll overcome—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus,

Now by this I’ll reach my home—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Glory! Glory! This I sing—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus,

All my praise for this I bring—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

The Fear of God

Sin is a plague, yea, the greatest and most infectious plague in the world; and yet, ah! how few are there that tremble at it, that keep at a distance from it!—Thomas Brooks

Beware of sin, be it ever so small. There is more in a little sin to harden, than in a great deal of grace to soften. .... If thou hast sinned, lie not down without repentance; for the want of repentance, after one has sinned, makes the heart yet harder and harder. —John Bunyan

The opposite of the fear of God in a person's heart, is a hard heart. 

Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 

-Prov. 28: 14

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 

-Proverbs 8:13

Some of God's children are noted for fearing Him "above many". May it be so with us! Let us not be content with a little fear of God, but let us truly be "...in the fear of the LORD all the day long." -Proverbs 23:17

That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. -Nehemiah 7:2 

 O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want 

to them that fear Him. 

-Psalms 34:9

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: 

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this

 is the whole duty of man. 

-Ecclesiastes 12:13

A Promise for Today: Wait on the Lord

...and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for Me. 

-Isaiah 49:23b

"If you have a divine promise, you need not plead it with an "if", you may urge it with 

a certainty. The Lord meant to fulfill the promise, or He would not have given it. God does not give His words merely to quiet us, and keep us hopeful for awhile with the intention of putting us off at the last; but when He speaks, it is because He means to do as He said." -C.H. Spurgeon

Wait on the Lord

by Fanny Crosby

Wait on the Lord, wait patiently,

And thou shalt in Him be blest;

After the storm, a holy calm,

And after thy labor rest.

Refrain

Wait on the Lord, for whom hast thou

On earth or in Heaven but He?

Over thy soul a watch He keeps,

Wherever thy path may be.

Wait on the Lord, wait cheerfully,

And He will thy youth renew;

Wait on the Lord obediently,

Whatever He bids thee do.

Refrain

Wait on the Lord, wait lovingly,

Confide in His care thy all;

Those that abide in perfect peace

No danger can e’er befall.

Refrain

Wait on the Lord, wait joyfully,

For then shall thy heart be strong;

Lo! by His hand He leadeth thee,

And thou shalt be filled with song

Sing to the Lord

"Singing God's praise is a work of the most meditation of any we perform in public. It keeps the heart longest upon the thing spoken. Prayer and hearing pass quick from one sentence to another; this sticks long upon it." —J. Lightfoot

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. -Colossians 3:16

 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: 

-Psalms 68:32

I AM THINE, O LORD

by Fanny Crosby

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith

And be closer drawn to Thee.

Refrain:

Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died.

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,

To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,

By the power of grace divine;

Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,

And my will be lost in Thine.

(Refrain)

O the pure delight of a single hour

That before Thy throne I spend,

When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God

I commune as friend with friend!

(Refrain)

There are depths of love that I cannot know

Till I cross the narrow sea;

There are heights of joy that I may not reach

Till I rest in peace with Thee.

(Refrain)

Meditating on God's Word

It is not the bee's touching of the flower that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon the flower that draws out the sweet.  It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian.

—T. Brooks

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

-Psalms 1:2

14 Days of God's Promises - Day #14

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, 
to give every man according as his work shall be. 

- Revelation 22:12

Will Jesus Find Us Watching?
by Fanny Crosby

When Jesus comes to reward His servants, 
Whether it be noon or night, 
Faithful to Him will He find us watching,
With our lamps all trimmed and bright?

Refrain:
Oh, can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul's bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

If, at the dawn of the early morning, 
He shall call us one by one, 
When to the Lord we restore our talents,
Will He answer thee, "Well done"?

Have we been true to the trust He left us?
Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us, 
We shall have a glorious rest. 

Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching, 
In His glory they shall share; 
If He shall come at the dawn or midnight, 
Will He find us watching there?


Well, this is the final day that I'd intended to do these posts, but it's been so good for me 
to put these together and think more on the promises of God (and I hope for others who've read these also), that I'd like to at least perhaps once a week or so continue posting one, if I can. Praying the Lord will bless His Words to our hearts, and faith to believe His 
precious promises.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 
-Romans 15:4