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\ • “The dead shall be raised incor ruptible.” Because Christ lives, we shall live also, for “now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first- fruits of them that slept” (Í Cor. 15:20; cf. 1 John 14:19). Our risen Lord has robbed death of its sting and the grave of its victory for all who believe in Him, so that we can shout with the Apostle Paul, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor, 15:57). APRIL 8, 1945 RESOURCES FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING 1 P eter 5 :6-l 1 , By Josephine Hume Humility, sobriety, vigilance, stead fastness in faith are characteristics of a resourceful Christian life. Yet, humil ity could include them all! The busi ness world has an invoice season, a checking up on what is in stock. Let us take invoice and check off that which may hinder our living for Jesus. What is your state concerning humil ity? Only the life of Jesus taking entirely the place of our old self can make us really hùmble. I am seeking a deeper h u m i l i t y which will bring deeper and fuller blessing both to myself and others. Are you? For Those Who Have Topics L THE HINDRANCE TO CHRISTIAN LIVING. . 1. All the evils of man have their birth in the pride of Self. All the virtues of the - heavenly life are the virtues of humility. In what lies the struggle for Eternal life save the strife between pride and humility? Look over your home life, your school life; count the things you pride yourself in: getting by, cheating, lying, snitching. Are these resources for Christian liv ing? Pride and humility are two master powers, the two ,kingdoms in strife for the possession of your soul. Pride is a cancer feasting on the inner you; humility is its only cure. 2. How may you conquer pride? By changing your daily conduct to ward others and God! It is not a posture we assume; it is the very spirit of our life we carry with us, and carry out in every word and deed. But we must prove it. Here is, the standard found in God’s Word. Listen: “In honor preferring one another,” “Be not wise in your own conceit,” “Con descend to things that are lowly,” “ Be not puffed up,” “Seek not your own,” “Be not provoked,” “Be servants one of another,” “Be not desirous of vain glory, or envy one another.” “Put on . . . a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness.longsufferine:
IT’S AN IDEA April should be a month of spiritual deepening for our Christian Endeavor Socities. It is a month that calls for real consecration on the part of the individual. • Idea 1. For the meeting of April ir, decorate the C. E. room to resemble a garden, with flowers and greenery. Build the E a s t e r scene in miniature for a “worship cen ter.” L i g h t i n g to represent early morning will be ef fective. Idea 2. For the study of April 8 on " R e s o u r c e s of Christian Living,” why not in vite the county or district superintendent as s p e c i a l speaker? • Idea 3. In c o n n e c t i o n with the t h r e e studies on “Getting Acquainted with My self,” plan a peep-box. Have one box entitled “My Prob lem.” A mirror in the box would reveal one’s own re flection. Another could be labelled, “My Answer,” with an open Bible enclosed. The third containing a globe or map of the world with Mark 16:15 inscribed across it could be called, “My Task.” March- . ing around the r o o m and looking into the b o x , the . members should be impressed with these messages. • Idea 4. Why not a “Win One” social this month? Each member could bring an un saved f r i e n d . Plan lively games; good eats—a whole some good time. The pastor could lead devotions, closing with an invitation to accept Christ. —Carlton C. Buck. forbearing one another, and forgiving each other. . . as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:12, 13, R.V.). n. THE SECRET FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING. 1. We must decrease that He* may increase. We need special discipline, special' instruction, to teach us what it is to glory in meekness and low liness. It is not easy to take reproof, just or unjust, reproach from friend or enemy, injury or trouble, or dlffl*
Homer Sperling
(Matt 25:23); faithfulness in repro ducing, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the divine life which is hid with Christ in God. This life is charac terized .by love, joy, peace, long suffer ing, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek ness, and self-control. The realm in which this hidden life is to be mani fested is in the midst of our human relationships that thereby God inay be glorified. III. IT IS A SEALED LIFE (Eph. 1:13). “Ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” After that we heard the truth of the gospel and believed in Christ, we were then sealed by the Holy Spirit as the property of God. The seal of the Holy Spirit upon our lives is evideirce that we are no longer our own, for we have been bought with a. price (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). We be long to another, even to God. There fore, as ;God’s property, we are no longer to yield our members as in struments of unrighteousness unto sin', but we 'are to yfeld ourselves unto God, as those that are alive from' the dead, and our members as in struments of righteousness unto God (Rom. 6:13).' IV. IT IS A PRESERVED LIFE (1 Pet. 1:5). “Who are kept by the power of God!” Often we hear young people say, “ I would like to become- a Chris- tain but I am afraid I cannot hold out.” Of course you cannot hold out in your own strength. God never in tended that you should, “for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). By His Holy Spirit within, God both prompts and produces, and by our obedience His good pleasure is worked out. You do not keep your self in the way of the Christian life. You are lifept by the power of God. V. IT IS TO BE A RESURRECTED y JE (1 Cor. 15:52)j
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