DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 182, 3 July 1937, Page 7

DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

PRAYER. Our Fathers, wo thank Thee that Thou hast not left us in doubt as to the, great principles by which our life should he ordered. Thou hast set before us examples of men and women who were faithful to Thee in the doing of Thy will. Thou hast given us clear directions in Thy Word by which wc may measure duty and opportunity. May we be duly mindful of our obligations to our neighbors as an expression of Tliy will, remembering that our responsibility is unto Thee as wo try to do what Thou hast commanded. Grant that we may not be self-centred at any time, but may we look to Thee for our orders, and for the marvellous blessings that follow in the way of those whom Thou doth lead. We ask in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

RIGHT PREACHING. That is a good sermon which draws my heart nearer to God ; which makes, the Grace of Christ sweeter to my soul, and the commands of Christ easy and delightful; that is an excellent discourse, indeed, which enables mo to mortify some unruly sin, to vanquish some strong temptation, and weans me from the enticements of this lower world, and bears me above all tlie disquietude of this lower life, which fits me for the hour of death and makes me desirous of appearing before Jesus Christ, my Lord. —Tsaac Watts. I shall continue to stand in the shadow of the Cross and hold the Book to my heart and preach the glorious gospel of the Son of God and believe in its everlasting triumph.

—Dr. Courtlnnd Moyers.

THE CHRISTIAN HALLMARK

Of what use are high spiritual ideals, either for fruitful testimony to our Master or for helpfulness to our fellows, if they are not translated into consistent practice? Service of Christ and of our fellow-men is not a matter of “knowing these tilings,” nor even of openly acknowledging and professing them, hut of “doing them.” Humility, and the service o.f love in humility, are the most essential features of the Christlike character. It is vain to call ourselves. His disciples, if we do not display tho associated characteristics of humility and love. Selfeffacement, and consideration for others, are tho very hallmark of a heart’s acceptation of His message. —Selected. READ THE PSALMS. A Psalm a day keeps worry away. See Psalm 103.

PRESENT TRIALS

Faith never expects to learn deep lessons without deep difficulties; therefore she is not surprised by strange and dark providences. How many are apt to say, “My temptation is peculiar!” But we should remember that it is the peculiar aggravations which make a trial effectual, and should not forget the word, “There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man.” (1 Cor. 10. 13). —R. O. Chapman. Was not that part of the subtlety of Christ’s temptation, when the adversary came upon Him weary and hungry in the wilderness? And Christ’s great defence was that He, and all His disciples, must face the commonest circumstances of life with courage, and endure unto the uttermost. —Dr. John Macbeatli.

THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE. To keep the coming of the Lord in daily expectation enables us to regulate our lives according to the will of God. For faith that inspires us to do the will of God carries also tho assurance that then our work will he rewarded. The prospect is not only a stimulus to patient continuance in well doing, it is a comfort to us in times of difficulty, perplexity and change. Would we press on towards - ‘‘the prize”? Then let us have His Coming continually before us. With the heart’s affection set upon Christ and the reward which He will bring with Him we shall he maintained in that aloofness from the world which enables us to be a power for God in it. —W. E. Vine, M.A. THE FUTURE. Ever a mystery to the man of the world, is an open vision to the child of God. Here is his hope and joy: How dim the future! Which of us can tell What shall befall us through tho moving year? In vain would busy fancy’s magic spell Essav to make it dear. Known unto God, and unto Him alone, Hid in the archives of eternal love, Planned bv the great Creator on His

throne, All fate and-.chaiice above. Then, fearless, speed we on our pilgrim way, . . Meeting the unknown future with a smile; The darkest hours of life s toilsome Aic biit God's the CARE-FREE LIFE. We arc bidden to take everything to God in prayer, and everything lneans everything. Wc sometimes fail ns here, because we imagine .that God does not take an interest m the socalled little things of life ."’hercas He has bidden us bring everything to Him . “Casting all your care upon Him.

Y £ r r ~'j Then there must •ho an attitude of carelessness, which by no means nch ovacatcs a disregard of wise and constant forethought, but does forbid a spirit of enxiety and distrust, which worries instead "of waiting upon God. In this Scriptural sense it is actually possible to live a careless ■ life; that is a carefree life. ‘lf you worry you do not trust. If you trust you do not worry.” —G. i-I. Limn, M.A. CHRISTIAN GRACES. Christian Graces are like perfumes —the more they are pressed the sweeter they smell; like stars —that shine brightest in the darkest night; like trees—the more they are shaken the deeper root they take and the more fruit they hear. Christian hearts are like iron—if they he brought to a white heat by the love of God they will more ensilv he joined together. As snow is of itself cold yet warms and refreshes the earth, so afflictions though in themselves grievous yet keep the soul of the Christian warm and make it fruitful.