Devotional Column

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 44, 22 February 1936, Page 7

Devotional Column

Precept. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. Eccles. 9, 10. Promise. The soul of tho diligent shall be made fat. Prov. 13; 4. Prayer. I pray Thee, send me good speed this day. Gen. 24; 12. TRUE DISOIPLESHIP. Matthew 16:24, 25, 26. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 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 übbish 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 for selfishness. “Chrkt liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of tho Son of God, who lovod me, and gave himself for mo” (Gal. 2: 20). The disease of covetousness has no chance in a Spiritfined life. GIVING WHAT WE CAN. Submitting yourselves ... in the fear of God. One may give only that which is M 3 own. A story in the Christtian Advocate makes one of its characters say: “Nancy, I would give all the world if I could feel a Christian’s comfort.” “And that’s a brave speech, sir, to givo what isn’t your own—a pretty gift, I’m thinking, the Lord' would think it. Would I thank you if you said, ‘Nancy, I’ll give you the house over yonder,’ when I know well enough it belongs to another. No, no; give God what belongs to you, your own poor, broken, sinful heart, and he’ll make it clean —see if he doesn’t.” THE ROCK OF AGES. (By William Luff). Right there 1 in tho rushing waters, The spray of tho Mighty Fall: ’Mid the ceaseless whirl, And the restless swirl, Unmoved and unchanged by it all; The “Rock of Ages,” suggestive name, Abides eternally ever the same. Right there! in the scorching ddsert, The heat of tho cloudless'sun: ’Mid tho burning sand, Of a treeless land, Unmoved as tho ages run, The “Rock of Ages”—the rock God made, Casts ever its cool and inviting shade. Right here! in tho noisy city, Where torrents are rushing down: ’Mid tho ceaseless whirl, And the restless swirl. Of a never sleeping town, The “Rock of Ages” the Rock of Truth Remains the refuge of age and youth. Right here! in a land of desert, The heat of a scorching day: ’Mid the burning stand, Of a treeless land, ’Neath tho blaze of Life’s burning ray, God’s “Rock of Ages,” unchanged and blest Invites the weary 1 > drink and rest. CREED AND £IFE. “It makes small difference what a man believes, what doctrino ho holds; it is conduct that counts.” That is the way some people talk as they fling their flippant sneers at creeds. But it does matter what one believes. Wrong believing leads to wrong living. The heathen who worships a god that he conceives as lustful, cruel and unholy becomes himself lustful, cruel and unholy. The Christian who worships a God Who is revealed to him as holy, righteous, pure and good, becomes himself holy, righteous, pure and good. Thus beliefs shape the life. It is important, therefore, that we know the truths about the character and will of Christ, as our conception of Christ will print itself upon our life. If you cannot hear Gods still small voice, it is because you are not near enough. Get closer.