God’s strength is “made perfect in our weakness”. This means that the Divine
power is most conspicuous, when our weakness is the most thoroughly felt.
We have got first to be emptied of all self-conceit and self-confidence. A
bucket cannot hold air and water at the same time. As the water comes in –
the air must go out. The reason why God gives us some hard trial – it to get
the accursed spirit of SELF out of our hearts! When we have been emptied of
self-trust, then we are in the condition to be filled with might in the inner man,
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
A Christian must not only realize his own utter feebleness – but he must give
up what worldlings rely on, and admit that “vain is the help of man.” That poor
woman who had tried all the doctors, and had only grown worse in body, and
poorer in purse – is a touching illustration of our invalid souls. She, having
despaired of human help – came crouching to the feet of the Son of God. One
touch of His garments sent a new tide of health through her veins. Just so –
contact with Christ brings currents of the Divine power into our souls – so that
we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
This is the real office of faith. It is simply the linking of our utter weakness – to
the omnipotence of Christ! We furnish the weakness – and He furnishes the
strength – and that makes the partnership! The baby furnishes a hungry little
mouth – and the mother furnishes the nourishing milk. The mother is happy
that she can give the full supply – and the rosy darling is happy as it draws in
the sweet contentment. What a beautiful picture of my poor, weak, hungry soul
– resting on the bosom of the Infinite Love! There is no danger that the supply
will ever give out, for my Lord, my Feeder, my Supporter – is constantly saying
unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee!” In this way we are strengthened with
all might according to His glorious power.
Theodore Cuyler – God’s Light on Dark Clouds
WELCOME
"Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God." - Psalm 147:1a
Ascension
He was taken up. Acts 1:9
We read in the newspapers about plans to explore the universe Man wants to
be on the moon. He wants to go even further to other planets. How foolish man
is. We have to go further. We have to go to heaven. And this is precisely what
man is not concerned about. Man may travel to the moon, but a more
significant miracle has happened. Man has gone into heaven!
If we consider the earth’s gravity, it was a miracle when flesh and blood
ascended into heaven. This was contrary to the forces of earth’s gravity, but it
was possible because of the forces of heavenly grace. Imagine: a human
being of flesh and blood in heaven. Christ, in His human nature, ascended into
heaven. This is where we all will have to go, if it is to be well with us. If only
man would be concerned about this; if only man would realize that we must be
restored into God’s communion. Then our churches would be filled to capacity.
For everyone would ask the question: “Is there a way for me to be restored into
God’s favor?”
Blessed are those who realize that this is the greatest miracle: there is a way
for man to come to God through the Mediator, Jesus Christ. That is the good
news of Christ’s ascension. Without the work of Christ as High Priest, man
cannot attain heaven. He took all the sins of His people upon Himself and
intercedes for sinners before the Father. This gospel forms a miracle
especially for those who realize that the way to God from our side is closed. By
our sins we have shut the way to heaven. But from God’s side there is an open
way, but that is only through Him, the High Priest. He took all the sins of His
people upon Himself. Thereby He paved the way for poor sinners. He opened
a way where there was no way. That is the great miracle of grace. Now people
can be taken up to be where He is, because He was taken up. He shall not
rest until His people are all with Him in glory.
Frans Bakker – The Everlasting Word
We read in the newspapers about plans to explore the universe Man wants to
be on the moon. He wants to go even further to other planets. How foolish man
is. We have to go further. We have to go to heaven. And this is precisely what
man is not concerned about. Man may travel to the moon, but a more
significant miracle has happened. Man has gone into heaven!
If we consider the earth’s gravity, it was a miracle when flesh and blood
ascended into heaven. This was contrary to the forces of earth’s gravity, but it
was possible because of the forces of heavenly grace. Imagine: a human
being of flesh and blood in heaven. Christ, in His human nature, ascended into
heaven. This is where we all will have to go, if it is to be well with us. If only
man would be concerned about this; if only man would realize that we must be
restored into God’s communion. Then our churches would be filled to capacity.
For everyone would ask the question: “Is there a way for me to be restored into
God’s favor?”
Blessed are those who realize that this is the greatest miracle: there is a way
for man to come to God through the Mediator, Jesus Christ. That is the good
news of Christ’s ascension. Without the work of Christ as High Priest, man
cannot attain heaven. He took all the sins of His people upon Himself and
intercedes for sinners before the Father. This gospel forms a miracle
especially for those who realize that the way to God from our side is closed. By
our sins we have shut the way to heaven. But from God’s side there is an open
way, but that is only through Him, the High Priest. He took all the sins of His
people upon Himself. Thereby He paved the way for poor sinners. He opened
a way where there was no way. That is the great miracle of grace. Now people
can be taken up to be where He is, because He was taken up. He shall not
rest until His people are all with Him in glory.
Frans Bakker – The Everlasting Word
Mediation
The ordinances of the Lord’s Supper has been regarded as something
mysterious and past understanding. But the more simple our views of its
purpose, the more scriptural they are likely to be.
The Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice. There is no offering up of anything but
prayers, praises and thanksgiving. From the day that Jesus died there needs
be no more offering for sin. By one offering he perfected forever them that are
sanctified (Heb.10:14). Priests, altars and sacrifices all ceased to be necessary
when the Lamb of God offered up himself. Their office came to an end. Their
work was done.
The Lord’s Supper has no power to confer benefit to anyone who does not
come to it with faith. The mere formal act of eating the bread and wine is
unprofitable unless it is done with a right heart. It is eminently an ordinance for
the living soul, and not the dead; for the converted, not the unconverted.
The Lord’s Supper was ordained for a continual remembrance of the sacrifice
of Christ’s death until he comes again. The benefits it confers are spiritual, not
physical. Its effects must be looked for in the inward man. It was intended to
remind us by the visible, tangible emblems of bread and wine that the offering
of Christ’s body and blood for us on the cross is the only atonement for sin and
the life of a believer’s soul. It was meant to help our poor weak faith to closer
fellowship with our crucified Saviour and to assist us in spiritually feeding on
Christ’s body and blood. It is an ordinance for redeemed sinners and not for
unfallen angels. By receiving it we publicly declare our sense of guilt and need
of a Saviour, our trust in Jesus, and our love to him, our desire to live upon him
and our hope to live with him. Using it in this spirit, we shall find our faith
increased, our repentance deepened, our hope brightened and our love
enlarged, our besetting sins weakened and our graces strengthened. It will
draw us nearer to Christ.
For meditation: To remember him regularly is necessary for sinners who so
easily for get such great grace as has been shown them.
J.C. Ryle – Daily Readings
mysterious and past understanding. But the more simple our views of its
purpose, the more scriptural they are likely to be.
The Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice. There is no offering up of anything but
prayers, praises and thanksgiving. From the day that Jesus died there needs
be no more offering for sin. By one offering he perfected forever them that are
sanctified (Heb.10:14). Priests, altars and sacrifices all ceased to be necessary
when the Lamb of God offered up himself. Their office came to an end. Their
work was done.
The Lord’s Supper has no power to confer benefit to anyone who does not
come to it with faith. The mere formal act of eating the bread and wine is
unprofitable unless it is done with a right heart. It is eminently an ordinance for
the living soul, and not the dead; for the converted, not the unconverted.
The Lord’s Supper was ordained for a continual remembrance of the sacrifice
of Christ’s death until he comes again. The benefits it confers are spiritual, not
physical. Its effects must be looked for in the inward man. It was intended to
remind us by the visible, tangible emblems of bread and wine that the offering
of Christ’s body and blood for us on the cross is the only atonement for sin and
the life of a believer’s soul. It was meant to help our poor weak faith to closer
fellowship with our crucified Saviour and to assist us in spiritually feeding on
Christ’s body and blood. It is an ordinance for redeemed sinners and not for
unfallen angels. By receiving it we publicly declare our sense of guilt and need
of a Saviour, our trust in Jesus, and our love to him, our desire to live upon him
and our hope to live with him. Using it in this spirit, we shall find our faith
increased, our repentance deepened, our hope brightened and our love
enlarged, our besetting sins weakened and our graces strengthened. It will
draw us nearer to Christ.
For meditation: To remember him regularly is necessary for sinners who so
easily for get such great grace as has been shown them.
J.C. Ryle – Daily Readings
Green Pastures
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he
leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. “ Psalm 23:1-3
The shepherd takes care that his sheep are well fed. Christ also feeds His
people, and leads them out to find pasture.
The Bible is His pasture-land, and the pasturage there is always good. Every
chapter is a field of rich grass. Some of these fields seem at first to be bare
and sterile; but even in the barest – there is enough pasture to feed a hungry
soul.
Then there are the pasture-fields of prayer. These lie very close to the border
of Heaven. They are always up in the quiet valleys among the mountains. The
Good Shepherd leads us to them through the gates of prayer. We bow down in
lowly humility, and enter with Him into the green pastures, and feed our souls
until their hunger is satisfied.
The church is another of our Shepherd’s pasture-fields. We enter the gates of
the sanctuary, and at once we find spiritual food. We find it in the preaching of
the Scriptures, in the ordinances, and in the fellowship of other believers.
In our common life in this world, if we are faithfully following Christ, we are
continually in fields of rich pasture. Christ never leads us into any places in
which there is nothing to feed us. Even in the hot plains of trial and sorrow –
there is food. We sometimes think there is only barrenness in our toilsome life,
filled with temptations, cares and sacrifices; but the Good Shepherd is ever
with us – and there is always pasture.
Thus the whole world is a rich field –when Jesus leads His flock. If any
Christians are not well fed – it is because they will not feed. The trouble must
be that they do not hunger for spiritual food.
J.R. Miller—Daily Readings in the Life of Christ
pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he
leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. “ Psalm 23:1-3
The shepherd takes care that his sheep are well fed. Christ also feeds His
people, and leads them out to find pasture.
The Bible is His pasture-land, and the pasturage there is always good. Every
chapter is a field of rich grass. Some of these fields seem at first to be bare
and sterile; but even in the barest – there is enough pasture to feed a hungry
soul.
Then there are the pasture-fields of prayer. These lie very close to the border
of Heaven. They are always up in the quiet valleys among the mountains. The
Good Shepherd leads us to them through the gates of prayer. We bow down in
lowly humility, and enter with Him into the green pastures, and feed our souls
until their hunger is satisfied.
The church is another of our Shepherd’s pasture-fields. We enter the gates of
the sanctuary, and at once we find spiritual food. We find it in the preaching of
the Scriptures, in the ordinances, and in the fellowship of other believers.
In our common life in this world, if we are faithfully following Christ, we are
continually in fields of rich pasture. Christ never leads us into any places in
which there is nothing to feed us. Even in the hot plains of trial and sorrow –
there is food. We sometimes think there is only barrenness in our toilsome life,
filled with temptations, cares and sacrifices; but the Good Shepherd is ever
with us – and there is always pasture.
Thus the whole world is a rich field –when Jesus leads His flock. If any
Christians are not well fed – it is because they will not feed. The trouble must
be that they do not hunger for spiritual food.
J.R. Miller—Daily Readings in the Life of Christ
God Knows Best What Cross We Need to Bear!
There is a poem called “The Changed Cross”. It represents a weary one who
thought that her cross was surely heavier than those of others whom she saw
around her, and wished that she might choose another cross instead of her
own.
She slept, and in her dream she was led to a place where many crosses lay –
crosses of various types, shapes and sizes.
There was a little cross most beauteous to behold, set in jewels and gold. “Ah,
this I can wear with comfort,” she said. So she took it up, but her weak form
shook beneath it. The jewels and the gold were beautiful, but they were too
heavy for her.
Next she saw a lovely cross with fair flowers entwined around its sculptured
form. Surely that was the one for her. She lifted it up, but beneath the flowers
were piercing thorns which tore her flesh.
At last, as she went on, she came to a plain cross, without jewels, without
ornate carving, with only a few words of love inscribed upon it. This she took
up, and it proved the best of all, the easiest to be borne. And as she looked
upon it, bathed in the radiance which fell from Heaven – she recognized her
own old cross. She had found it again, and it was the best of all, and lightest
for her!
God knows best what cross we need to bear!
We do not know how heavy other people’s crosses are.
We envy one who is rich – his is a golden cross set with jewels. But we do not
know how heavy it is.
Here is another whose life seems very lovely. She bears a cross entwined with
flowers. But we do not know what sharp thorns are hidden beneath the
flowers.
If we could try all the other crosses which we think are lighter than ours, we
would at last find that not one of them suited us as well as our own!
“I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast
afflicted me.” Psalm 119:75
“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for
our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for
the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it
yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised
thereby.” Hebrews 12: 10,11
J. R. Miller
thought that her cross was surely heavier than those of others whom she saw
around her, and wished that she might choose another cross instead of her
own.
She slept, and in her dream she was led to a place where many crosses lay –
crosses of various types, shapes and sizes.
There was a little cross most beauteous to behold, set in jewels and gold. “Ah,
this I can wear with comfort,” she said. So she took it up, but her weak form
shook beneath it. The jewels and the gold were beautiful, but they were too
heavy for her.
Next she saw a lovely cross with fair flowers entwined around its sculptured
form. Surely that was the one for her. She lifted it up, but beneath the flowers
were piercing thorns which tore her flesh.
At last, as she went on, she came to a plain cross, without jewels, without
ornate carving, with only a few words of love inscribed upon it. This she took
up, and it proved the best of all, the easiest to be borne. And as she looked
upon it, bathed in the radiance which fell from Heaven – she recognized her
own old cross. She had found it again, and it was the best of all, and lightest
for her!
God knows best what cross we need to bear!
We do not know how heavy other people’s crosses are.
We envy one who is rich – his is a golden cross set with jewels. But we do not
know how heavy it is.
Here is another whose life seems very lovely. She bears a cross entwined with
flowers. But we do not know what sharp thorns are hidden beneath the
flowers.
If we could try all the other crosses which we think are lighter than ours, we
would at last find that not one of them suited us as well as our own!
“I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast
afflicted me.” Psalm 119:75
“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for
our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for
the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it
yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised
thereby.” Hebrews 12: 10,11
J. R. Miller
The Power of Habit!
A California stagecoach driver had held the leather reins for so many years,
that when he began to grow old, his hands were crooked into hooks, and his
fingers were so stiffened into that shape—that they could not be straightened
out.
There is a similar process that goes on in men’s minds and souls, when they
continue to do the same things over and over. If you are trained, and train
yourself, from childhood…
to be gentle and patient,
to control your temper,
to resist all wrong- -
your life will grow into moral beauty, and the peacefulness of your heart will at
length shine upon your very face.
If, on the other hand, you give way from childhood…
to all ugly tempers,
to resentful feelings,
to all bitterness and anger- -
your life will grow into permanent moral disfigurement.
One who accustoms himself to think of pure and holy things, who sets his
affections on things above, and strives to reach for thing which are true, things
which are honorable, things which are lovely -- will grow heavenward toward
the things which he loves and thinks upon.
But one who lets his mind turn habitually…
to debasing things,
to unholy things,
to impure things,
to earthly things,- -
will find his whole soul bending downward, and growing sinful, corrupt, and
evil.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
J.R. Miller
that when he began to grow old, his hands were crooked into hooks, and his
fingers were so stiffened into that shape—that they could not be straightened
out.
There is a similar process that goes on in men’s minds and souls, when they
continue to do the same things over and over. If you are trained, and train
yourself, from childhood…
to be gentle and patient,
to control your temper,
to resist all wrong- -
your life will grow into moral beauty, and the peacefulness of your heart will at
length shine upon your very face.
If, on the other hand, you give way from childhood…
to all ugly tempers,
to resentful feelings,
to all bitterness and anger- -
your life will grow into permanent moral disfigurement.
One who accustoms himself to think of pure and holy things, who sets his
affections on things above, and strives to reach for thing which are true, things
which are honorable, things which are lovely -- will grow heavenward toward
the things which he loves and thinks upon.
But one who lets his mind turn habitually…
to debasing things,
to unholy things,
to impure things,
to earthly things,- -
will find his whole soul bending downward, and growing sinful, corrupt, and
evil.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
J.R. Miller
A Message of the Risen King
But go your way, tell his disciples…that he goeth before you into Galilee.
Mark 16:17
It was early in the morning when the women left home to go to the grave of
their Lord. They thought the only thing they could do for Him was to embalm
His body in order to delay the process of death as long as possible. But
coming to the grave they found the stone rolled away and the grave empty.
Standing at the grave was an angel from heaven who proclaimed to them that
Christ was raised from the dead.
What an unspeakable joy! The women came to seek a dead Jesus, but a living
Jesus was proclaimed to them. They received a message from a heavenly
ambassador, a message that the risen King left behind at His grave for His
disciples. The contents of the message contain eternal importance. It is a
message intended for all the disciples individually. That message is that Christ
is surely raised.
Christ is raised. Is He raised personally for you? You rejoice and sing praises
about a living Christ on Easter day. But do you know that He lives for you
personally? Do you want to know this? Listen then to the message announced
at the gravesite. It is a disappointing message for self-righteous persons but it
exceeds the expectation of sinners, for it is a message full of grace and truth.
The angel had a message from the risen Christ for His disciples. You too will
understand this message when you pay attention to what had recently
transpired. The disciples’ actions had been deplorable. While Christ laid
wrestling in the agonies of hell in Gethsemane, the disciples lay sleeping.
When He was taken prisoner, there was not one who remained with Him. They
all fled. Later Peter came back, but by so doing he made the situation worse,
for in the hall of Caiaphas he testified under oath that he did not know Him.
What dismal behavior from His own disciples! They should have spent these
days in sorrow because of their unfaithfulness. They had promised that they
would not deny Him – they would even die with Him – but they all fled. Not only
did the Jews, Caiaphas, Pilate, and the soldiers fill the cup of Jesus’ suffering,
but His own disciples also made His suffering bitter for Him. Surely Satan,
scoffing, asks Christ, “Must you enter into death for such people?” But Jesus
loved His own, even when they forsook and denied Him.
To be sure, with the disciples it was different than with others. For instance,
Caiaphas had no feeling at all for what he had done to the Son of God. Pilate
also returned to the normal business of the day. The soldiers did not think
about it anymore and the Pharisees again stood in the temple offering their
thanks. But the disciples could not forget that they had deeply offended their
Master. This is the great difference between those who fear God and those
who fear Him not. An unconverted person will overlook sin. At best his
conscience speaks for fear of the consequences of sin. But with the disciples
and all of God’s children, not only does their conscience speak, but above all
their heart speaks. For they have sinned against love. Because of love their sin
leaves a bitter taste in their mouth and makes them hurt within. Those who
follow Jesus recognize their sin and can never forgive themselves. Therefore,
it is overwhelming that from God’s side, their guilt can still be forgiven. But this
is the message the risen Christ gives to His unworthy people.
Frans Bakker – The Everlasting Word
Mark 16:17
It was early in the morning when the women left home to go to the grave of
their Lord. They thought the only thing they could do for Him was to embalm
His body in order to delay the process of death as long as possible. But
coming to the grave they found the stone rolled away and the grave empty.
Standing at the grave was an angel from heaven who proclaimed to them that
Christ was raised from the dead.
What an unspeakable joy! The women came to seek a dead Jesus, but a living
Jesus was proclaimed to them. They received a message from a heavenly
ambassador, a message that the risen King left behind at His grave for His
disciples. The contents of the message contain eternal importance. It is a
message intended for all the disciples individually. That message is that Christ
is surely raised.
Christ is raised. Is He raised personally for you? You rejoice and sing praises
about a living Christ on Easter day. But do you know that He lives for you
personally? Do you want to know this? Listen then to the message announced
at the gravesite. It is a disappointing message for self-righteous persons but it
exceeds the expectation of sinners, for it is a message full of grace and truth.
The angel had a message from the risen Christ for His disciples. You too will
understand this message when you pay attention to what had recently
transpired. The disciples’ actions had been deplorable. While Christ laid
wrestling in the agonies of hell in Gethsemane, the disciples lay sleeping.
When He was taken prisoner, there was not one who remained with Him. They
all fled. Later Peter came back, but by so doing he made the situation worse,
for in the hall of Caiaphas he testified under oath that he did not know Him.
What dismal behavior from His own disciples! They should have spent these
days in sorrow because of their unfaithfulness. They had promised that they
would not deny Him – they would even die with Him – but they all fled. Not only
did the Jews, Caiaphas, Pilate, and the soldiers fill the cup of Jesus’ suffering,
but His own disciples also made His suffering bitter for Him. Surely Satan,
scoffing, asks Christ, “Must you enter into death for such people?” But Jesus
loved His own, even when they forsook and denied Him.
To be sure, with the disciples it was different than with others. For instance,
Caiaphas had no feeling at all for what he had done to the Son of God. Pilate
also returned to the normal business of the day. The soldiers did not think
about it anymore and the Pharisees again stood in the temple offering their
thanks. But the disciples could not forget that they had deeply offended their
Master. This is the great difference between those who fear God and those
who fear Him not. An unconverted person will overlook sin. At best his
conscience speaks for fear of the consequences of sin. But with the disciples
and all of God’s children, not only does their conscience speak, but above all
their heart speaks. For they have sinned against love. Because of love their sin
leaves a bitter taste in their mouth and makes them hurt within. Those who
follow Jesus recognize their sin and can never forgive themselves. Therefore,
it is overwhelming that from God’s side, their guilt can still be forgiven. But this
is the message the risen Christ gives to His unworthy people.
Frans Bakker – The Everlasting Word
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