DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 10 November 1934, Page 12

DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

PRAYER. Our Father, we thank Thee that Thou dost see us as we are, so ready to offer Thee everything but simple obedience. Bring us, we pray Thee, squarely face to face with our prdo, our avoidance of what Thou dost first of all require. We are so ready to offer Thee the appearance of loyalty, without the deep reality! Forgive us, we pray Thee. May we ic\c ice m what is pleasing to Thee and not trouble Thee with signs of supposoa devotion whein our Hvss do not .Jiow the obedience that Thou dost ask of Thy children. ' In the name of our Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

REVERENCE IN WORSHIP.

(Ecclesiastes 5: 1-7.) Only the forgiven are truly reverent. “There is forgiveness with Thee, that thou mayest be feared.” Sin appears most sinful in the presence of God. In reverant worship the soul is reformed, refined and regulated. Irreverence grows a’armingly. The difference between the holy and the profane is not as clearly painted as it was in other days. Do rot move around and talk too much in the house of God. Keep thy toot, and thy tongue. Pray for all Gospel .ministers. Satan bears them a double grudge.

LIBERTY,

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.” —2 Cor. 3: 17. Possessed 0 Lord by those who have a part In God’s eternal covenant with

Thee: Thrice blessed is that faith filled loving heart That, in thy sovereign grace Thou hast set free.. A transient joy may come from saintly vows, Through priest given penance, or from self-sought pain ; But God, with perfect liberty tile soul endows, Loosing from powers that strive t’enslave again.

The new-born soul, inbreathed with Spirit breath, Untrammelled goes, to where his country lies, He passes through the portals we call death To his inheritance beyond the skies: To serve and worship, though by Love set free, Yet, bound bv Love. ... a willing captive he.

SPIRITUAL WORSHIP. (John 4: 20-24.) God is a Spirit. Our worship must be in spirit and truth. Spiritual worship always has its practical side. One who truly worships God in spirit will do so with his substance. Worship tends toward artificiality unless one lives much in the Word. The cunning of men’s hands hinders spiritual worship. “Worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3: 3). God is not “worshipped with men’s hands, as though lie needed any thing seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17: 25). Pray that God will balance your views of yourself with views of himself. SALVATION NOT ALL.

The Gospel aims not at salvation only, -writes Mr George Goodman in the Witness; that were, as many have pointed out, a selfish aim if it stood alone, without a deliverance with a view to service and sanctification. The appeal may be thus described. (1) For salvation: "Come unto Me.” (2) For service: "Take My yoke.” (3) For sanctification : “Learn of Me.”

HAPPY IN THE TRUTH.

Psahn 119: 41.48

Happiness grounded on the Word of God is sure to be perennial. The solid basis for faith, hope, and happiness is God’s Word. It is a safe foundation, a gateway to true liberty, an everlasting wonder and astonishment. A happiness springing from salvation assured by the eternal Word of God is like a fountain that never can run dry.

A FRUITFUL HEARER.

(James 2

19-27.)

God’s Word is not profitable to all hearers. Where there is nu faith the Word does not profit. "The commandment, which was ordained to life” is found to be unto death in those who seek salvation by works instead of by faith. The fruitful hearer is illustrated by Christ in the parable of the Sower. Are you a "good ground” hearer ?

SPIRITUAL SENSIBILITIES. "The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” — (Rom. 8: 16 R.V.) We must all own His Lordship. But how may we know where and how He will direct us? We get it in the Word, the things written therein are the commandments of the Lord. We have also spiritual sensibilities. It is a very blessed thing that, having received the Spirit and the Divine nature we have spiritual sensibilities, and these are developed by the Spirit who dwells in us, and they answer to the Word of the Lord. When we hear the Word, these spiritual sensibilities, if we are in a good spiritual state, answer to the Word; and blessed indeed it is, when we find ourselves desiring, not only to hear the Word, but to do it.—J. T. Mawson.

THE FATHER’S TRAINING. Be patient, tried one, for thy Jesus knows, And hath a healing balm for all thy woes, Appoints what time thy sorrows to remove— His yoke upon thy neck is only love. Be patient, sufferer, glory give to God; ’Tis not in anger He applies the rod ; But that the graces He hath wrought in thee By His own Spirit, all may clearly see. ’Tis thus His sons are made for glory meet; They taste some nauseous drops before the sweet; Their Lord hath spared them more— He drained the cup Of bitterness, when He was lifted up!