Little slips!

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

"Whoever is faithful in very little--is also faithful in much; and whoever is unrighteous in very little--is also unrighteous in much." Luke 16:10

We are apt to under-estimate little failures in duty.

It seems to us, a small matter: that we do not keep an engagement, that we lose our temper, that we say an impatient or angry word, that we show an unkind or harsh spirit, that we speak uncharitably of another, that we treat someone with discourtesy, or fail in some other way which appears trivial.

We think that so long as we are honest, faithful, and loving in the larger things--that it of small importance, that we make 'little slips'.

But we never can tell what may be the consequences of our failure, in even the most minute duty.

A little slip hurts our own life! It leaves us a little weaker in our character, a little less able to resist the next temptation that comes at the same point. It breaks our habit of faithfulness, and makes it easier for us to break it a second time. We sin against ourselves, when we relax our diligence or our faithfulness, in even the least thing!

Then, we do not know what the consequences to others will be--when we fail in their presence. An outburst of temper in a Christian, may hinder many others in their Christian life. The failure of a Christian minister to pay a little debt, may destroy the minister's influence over many in his church.

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The best that most of us can do in this world.

(J. R. Miller, "Silent Times")

"Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

"Christ lives in me." Galatians 2:20

Christ within us will be made manifest. If we have this divine indwelling, we will also have an ever-increasing measure in all of our life--of the gentle and loving spirit of the Master. We should not claim to have Christ in us--if, in our conduct and speech, in our disposition and temper, and in our relations with our fellow-men, there is none of the mind and temper of Christ.

If Christ truly is in us, He cannot long be hidden in our hearts, without manifestation. There will be a gradual transformation of our outer life--into Christ-likeness. As He lived--so we will live; as He ministered to others--so we will minister; as He was holy--so we will be holy; as He was patient, thoughtful, unselfish, gentle, and kind--so will we be.

Christ came to our world to pour divine kindness on weary, needy, perishing human lives. Christ truly in our hearts--would send us out on the same mission. The world today needs nothing more than true Christ-likeness, in those who bear Christ's name, and represent Him.

If we truly have Christ in our hearts --it will work out in transformed life and in Christly ministry; it will lead to the brightening of one little spot, at least, on this big earth. There are a few people whom God calls to do great things for Him. The best that most of us can do in this world--is just to live out a real, simple, consecrated, Christian life in our allotted place.

Thus, in our little measure, we shall repeat the life of Christ Himself, showing others some feeble reflection of His sweet and loving face, and doing in our poor way--a few of the beautiful things He would do, if He were here Himself.

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The slippery paths of a tempted, tried and afflicted believer

(Charles Spurgeon)

"He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber." Psalm 121:3

This is a choice stanza for pilgrims to the celestial city.

"He will not allow your foot to be moved." Though the paths of life are dangerous and difficult--yet we shall stand fast, for Jehovah will not permit our feet to slide; and if He will not allow it--we shall never be moved! If our foot will is thus kept--we may be sure that our head and heart will be preserved also! Those who have God for their keeper--shall be safe from all the perils of the way.

Among the hills and ravines of Palestine, the keeping of the feet is a great mercy. But in the slippery paths of a tempted, tried and afflicted believer, the blessing of upholding is of priceless value--for a single false step might cause us a fall fraught with awful danger! To stand 'steadfast' and pursue our holy way--is a blessing which only God can give. It is worthy of His divine hand--and worthy also of our perennial gratitude. Our feet shall move in heavenly progress--and we shall never be overthrown!

"He who keeps you will not slumber." We could not stand a moment--if our Divine Keeper were to sleep! We need Him by day and by night. Not a single step can be safely taken--except under His guardian eye. God is the convoy and body-guard of His people. When dangers are all around us--we are safe, for our Preserver is awake, and will not permit us to be moved. No fatigue of exhaustion can cast our God into sleep--His watchful eyes are never closed!

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We meekly knock at mercy's gate

(Henry Law, "Family Prayers")

"All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind!" Isaiah 64:6

Holy Father, Almighty God,
We feel our weakness, our ignorance, our deep corruptions. We meekly knock at mercy's gate. Regard us in tender love--for Jesus' sake. Bend down Your ear--and grant Your smile.

We are blind--be our light.

We are ignorant--be our wisdom.

We are steeped in selfishness--pluck all SELF out of us.

In the deep sense of our guilt--we fly for refuge into the wounded side of Jesus! Be merciful, be merciful unto us--whose only hope is in Your unfailing mercy.

Our sins rise higher than the heavens--but Your merits in our behalf surpass the very heaven of heavens!

Our unrighteousness would weigh us down to hell--but Your glorious righteousness exalts us to Your heavenly throne!

All things in us call for our damnation--but all things in You demand our forgiveness.

We appeal, then, from Your throne of perfect justice--to Your throne of boundless grace!

Blessed Jesus, we hide ourselves in the sure covert of Your wrath-appeasing wounds!

Grant us to hear Your voice assuring us: that by Your stripes we are healed; that You have been bruised for our iniquities; that You have been made sin for us--that we might have Your divine righteousness; and that all our vile and grievous iniquities, are forgiven and buried in the ocean of Your sin-concealing blood!

We are guilty--yet pardoned!

We are lost in ourselves--yet fully saved in You!

Enable us to cling firmly to Your cross--even as we now seek safety and repose beneath its sin-atoning shelter!

Let floods of sustaining grace from Your inexhaustible treasury, enrich our poor and weary souls.

If the enemy approaches, quicken our steps to flee into the wounds of Jesus as our sure refuge! Sheltered in the ark of safety, may we cease to tremble at all alarms. May the good Shepherd lead us this day into the green pastures of His refreshing Word, and cause us to lie down beside the rivers of His divine comforts.

These prayers we humbly offer in the name of Jesus Christ, and trusting only in His saving merits. Amen.

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MY having been His murderer!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"A great multitude of the people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him." Luke 23:27

Amid the rabble crowd which hounded the Redeemer to His doom, there were some gracious souls whose bitter anguish sought vent in wailing and lamentations--fit music to accompany that march of woe!

When my soul can, in imagination, see the Savior bearing His cross to Calvary--she joins the godly women, and weeps with them. They bewailed . . . innocence--maltreated, goodness--persecuted, love--bleeding, meekness--dying!

But my heart has a deeper and more bitter cause to mourn:
MY SINS were the scourges which lacerated those blessed shoulders! MY SINS were the thorns which crowned that bleeding brow!
MY SINS cried, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" and laid the cruel cross upon His gracious shoulders! His being led forth to die, is sorrow enough for one eternity--but MY having been His murderer--is more, infinitely more grief, than one poor fountain of tears can express! Those women who loved and wept--could not have had greater reasons for love and grief--than my heart has!

The widow of Nain saw her son restored--but I myself have been raised to newness of life!
Peter's mother-in-law was cured of the fever--but I myself have been cured of the plague of sin!
Mary Magdalene had seven devils cast out of her--but a whole legion of devils were cast out of me!

Mary and Martha were favored with visits from Jesus--but He dwells with me!
I am not behind these holy women in debt to Jesus--let me not be behind them, in gratitude or sorrow.

"Love and grief my heart dividing, With my tears His feet I'll lave; Constant still in heart abiding, Weep for Him who died to save!"

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This Poisonous Virus!

(Arthur Pink, "The Word of Truth")

By nature, both writer and reader are liars. "The wicked are estranged from the womb, they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies" (Psalm 58:3). No child has to be taught to lie--it comes naturally to him. Nor does he have to be corrupted by contact with others--he is born corrupt at the core of his being! This is the inevitable consequence of the Fall. Our first parents preferred the Devil's lie--to God's Truth, and all of their descendants inherit this poisonous virus.

In consequence "the whole world lies in the wicked one" (1 John 5:19) and he is "a liar--and the father of lies" (John 8:44). Thus by nature, we have no love for the Truth--but instead, we all have a strong antipathy and resistance against it. The unregenerate do not want to know the truth about themselves--no, they wish to be flattered and encouraged to entertain a good opinion of themselves. Hence, the Lord Jesus declared "Because I tell you the Truth--you do not believe" (John 8:45). Had He told them pleasant lies--they would have welcomed Him.

Since the whole world lies in the wicked one, and he is the arch-liar, we should not be surprised at the world being so full of pretense and deceit--and that the Truth of God is so bitterly hated. The fact is, that "Truth has fallen in the street!" (Isaiah 59:14) and is now being ruthlessly trampled on, on every side.


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Your Goliath lust

(Thomas Watson, "Christ All in All")

"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power
of His might." Ephesians 6:10

When you are to resist a temptation, or to mortify a corruption--do not go out in your own strength, but in the strength of Christ.

Some go out to duty in the strength of their abilities; and go out against sin in the strength of their resolutions--and they both come home foiled.

Alas! What are our resolutions, but like
the green cords which bound Samson! A sinful heart will soon break these!

Do as David when he was to go up against Goliath.
He said, "I come to you in the name of the Lord!"
So say to your Goliath lust, "I come to you in the name of Christ!" Then we conquer, when the Lion of the tribe of Judah marches before us!


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Examine Yourself

Written By: A.W. Pink

"The great question between our souls and God is not whether we admit the truths of the Scripture into our understandings--but whether they are so applied to our hearts--so as to have wrought a change, and become vital principles of faith and practice. Nothing short of this can afford evidence of a saved and safe condition.

Be much in prayer and self-examination. The more we see of ourselves--the more we see our sin. And the more we see our sin--the more we flee to the death and righteousness of Christ--for pardon, deliverance, and hope! Let nothing interrupt you in this continual work of self-examination; and let self-examination lead you to earnest and ardent prayer. Let no pursuits of literature, no delights of sense, no passing occurrences, no debility of body, no inferior subjects of recreation, prevent you from keeping your thoughts close to God and to eternity!"

From: Grace Gems (choice ELECTRONIC books, sermons & quotes)