DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 258, 28 September 1935, Page 14

DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

PRAYER Our Father, we thank Th-ee that in Thy Word the place of the home is so set forth that we can have no doubt about its central place in Thy plan for the daily life of man. Thou hast exalted womanhood to the making of homes in which love and care are manifest, and hence we have so many reasons for thankfulness when we think of the homes that are dear to us. May wo who have family responsibilities be less anxious for the things that have to do with daily life, and grant that in giving place to the chief guest of our hearts, the Lord Jesus, we may do so with a welcome that will glorify Thee. In the Lord Jesus Christ’s name. HOW TO RECOMMEND HIM. They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4, 13.) Has your sweetness of timber, your loving obedience, your cheerful self-denial, your steadfast faithfulness, caused those who dwell with you to take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus? Or has your home life been a constant contradiction to your testimony abroad? Remember, the testimony of Jesus began by showing “piety at home.” He was “subject to His parents.” Seek, oh, seek “to adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour in all things,” first of all in that station of life where He has placed you.

NOT NEAR ENOUGH TO HEAR?

Mary . . . sat at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10: 39). It is related that one of his hearers once asked, “How is it that Mr Bramwell always has something that is new to tell us when lie preaches?” “Why,” said the person interrogated, “you see Brother Bramwell lives so near the gates of Heaven that he hears a great many things that we don’t get near enough to hear anything about.” INGERSOLL NONPLUSSED. Lazarus, come forth. It is said that the late Robert G. Ingersoll used to tell this story: “I was never nonplussed but once. I was lecturing one night and took occasiou to show that the resurrection of Lazarus was probably a planned affair to bolster the waning fortunes of Jesus. Lazarus was to take sick and die. The girls were to bury him and send for Jesus. Lazarus was to feign death till Jesus should come and say, ‘Lazarus, come forth.’ To emphasise the situation 1 said, ‘Can anyone here tell me whv Jesus said, ‘Lazarus, come forth?’ Down by the door a pale-faced, white-haired man ar.ose and with a shrill voice said, ‘Yes, sir, 1 can tell you 1 If my Lord had not said, ‘Lazarus,’ he would have had the whole graveyard of Bethany coming out to him’ 1” HE KNOWS.

Your Father knowetli what things ye have need of. (Matt. 6: 8.). “Your Father knowetli.” Let your heart be glad, And never grieve Him more by being sad, He will provide ; “No good tiling” ivill His love withhold from you, And He is with you all the journey through, Whate’er betide. “Your Father knowetli.” In his loving hands How safe you are, for well He understands Your every need ; And will supply it from His throne on high. Trust Him, till with Him you are by and by Most blest indeed. Helen E. Jennings. THREE ON GOLGOTHA. (By Dorothy Brown Thompson.) One day upon Golgotha Three men died: A thief—the Christ—a thief— Were crucified. A cross of hope for one — Hope not too late; His fellow died upon A cross of hate. Between these two, all space Between them—and for both— Christ Jesus died. Were not more wide. . .

LOVING THE BRETHREN. Christian love is patient, tender, kind, brotherly. Even though an evil nature still clings to us, grace enables us to love one another with a pure heart fervently. Divine love, shedding its light abroad in our hearts, enables us to reflect it in the form of courtesy and compassion and service. Discord among brethren breaks down the gates which keep out the evil beasts of imkindness and anger. “Love as brethren.” LET THE BLESSINGS RIPEN. Lord, if Thou liadst been here, my brother had not died. In the charming little booklet, “Expectation Corner,” Adam Slowman was led into the Lord’s treasure houses, and among other wonders there revealed to him was- the “Delayed Blessings Office,” where God kept-certain things prayed for until the time came to send them. It takes a long time for some petitioners to learn that delays are not denials. Ah, there are secrets of love and wisdom in the “Delayed Blessings Department” which are little dreamed of. Men would pluck their mercies green when the Lord would have them ripe. “Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you.”

God’s plans like lilies pure and white, unfold; We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart; Time will reveal the calyxes of gold.

AN UNSELFISH MINISTER. Paul had a heart filled with Christ. The Spirit of the meek and lowly saviour lived in him in fullness of grace and power. God seems to have swept out of his soul the rubbish that ordinarily clogs the channels of Christian service. The oil of that grace, which is in Christ Jesus, kept his lamp of testimony bright. There was no room toi selfishness. “Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the fiesii i live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2: 20). The disease of covetousness has no chance in a opiritfilled life. GOD OF MERCY. Mercy is God’s most distinguishing, mark. Because He is merciful and gracious we may obtain forgiveness, blessing and Heaven. The saving death o our Lord Jesus Christ enables God to be merciful to sinners. We have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. How thankful we j ought to be for the wonderful throne of grace where we obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need! "Be ye therefore merciful, as your| Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6: do.) A GOOD FAMILY HERITAGE. 2 Timothy 1: 1-6. A good future for the child must be built upon Christ the Rock foundation.

No parent can have solid, high hopes for his children’s heritage who does not place them under the watch-care of Christ the Good Sheperd Set them a good example. Pray with them, and for them. Having done a you can trust God with your children, and never doubt but it will be well for them both here and hereafter. Iho promises of God are sure. “The promise £unto you, and to your children. (Acts 2:39; 16:31).