February, 1934
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
75
MARCH 7 Grieving the Spirit of God "Grieve not the Holy Spirit o f God,” (Eph. 4:30).. W e may grieve the Holy Spirit by our doubts and fears. We may grieve Him by some reserve in our consecration. We may grieve Him by disobedience and will fulness. We may grieve Him by coming short of the fullness o f His blessing. We may grieve Him by a divided heart and the idolatry o f earthly pleasures and affec tions. We may grieve Him by the neglect o f His Word. We may grieve Him by our lack of love to Jesus whom He always seeks supremely to honor and for whose rights He is jealous. We may grieve Him when we cherish bitterness toward our brethren. . . . We can never tell when, for the last time, we are saying “No” to God. jë p -A . B. S impson . MARCH 8 The Face Reveals the Life “And they took knowledge o f them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). You may not know what that radiance is which shines like a dawn upon your face, but those who look on with wise observa tion take knowledge o f you that you have been with God. You can tell whether a man has been keeping up his life o f prayer; his witness is in his face. That face grows in vulgarity where the soul does not com mune with God day by day; it loses beauty; every feature o f nobleness disappears, with every expression of spirituality. “ The shew of their countenance doth witness against them” (Isa. 3 :9). There is an in visible One who chisels the face into the meaning and attitude o f the soul. “They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” There was something about these plain, common people that there was about nobody else. Their gar ments smelled of the cassia and o f all the fragrant flowers that grow round the feet o f the King. Do they take knowledge that we have been with the morning newspaper, with the gossip o f the hour, or with Jesus? : .’’^-J oseph P arker . MARCH 9 A Comforting Command “Let not your heart be troubled" (Tohn 14:1). From the lips of the One who first ut tered them, these words, “Let not your heart be troubled,” “ Be of good cheer,” come as something more than good advice p-they come with authority, and with full knowledge of our utmost need. From Him, such words are a command, and they are specific. They are not vain words. . . . He who utters them is Master o f all situations and all circumstances, and “all things serve His might.” He who orders and controls nature, and by His word stills the stormy wind and the raging o f the waves, can also heal the broken hearted and give deliverance to the cap tive; He can, and He does, release the human spirit from its trouble and fear, and inspire it with new strength and courage. “ Thus ever on through life we find To trust, O Lord, is best; Who serve Thee with a quiet mind Find in Thy service rest.” —R ussell E lliott . MARCH 10 To Whom Are Revealed “ Things to Come” ? “H e will show you things to come” (John 16:13).
In all our studies o f the prophecies, we should ever keep in mind that it is the province o f the Spirit of God to show us things to come, and that he only who is under the guidance o f the Spirit o f truth is under the guidance o f the Spirit o f prophecy and the Spirit o f interpretation! The Spirit’s teaching will refer preemi nently to our obligations, and to the claims o f Christ upon us, and to the excellency of the gospel; and according to the ear nestness with which we follow Him through these instructions will be the freedom and clearness of His communications concern ing the things o f the future. The proper understanding of the present, our present, is the only standpoint from which we can look out rightly upon the future. In vain, however, we ask the Spirit of God to give us an insight into the scenes of days un born if we give not heed to the indications of His will in our daily and hourly walk. —G eorge B owen . MARCH 11 Prayer—Brief, Definite, Believing “Believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mk. 11:24). Dr. Adam Clarke, in his autobiography, records that when Wesley was returning to England by ship, considerable delay was caused by contrary winds. Wesley was reading, when he became aware of some confusion on board, and asking what was the matter, was informed that the wind was contrary. “Then,” was his reply, “let us go to prayer.” After Dr. Adam Clarke had prayed, Wesley broke out into fervent supplication. “Almighty and everlasting God,” he prayed, “Thou hast sway every where, and all things serve the purpose of Thy will. Thou holdest the winds in Thy fists, and sittest upon the water-floods, and reignest as King forever. Command these winds and waves that they obey Thee, and take us speedily and safely to the haven where we would go.” Wesley rose from his knees, made no remark, but took up his book and continued reading. Dr. Clarke went on deck and found the vessel under sail, standing on her right course. Nor did she change till she was safe at anchor! Wesley made no remark on the sudden and favorable change of wind. So fully did he expect to be heard that he took it for granted that he was heard.—S elected . MARCH 12 The Reason the Mount Is Avoided “Now Moses . . . came to the mountain o f God” (Ex. 3:1 ). In the mount, Moses got to know him self. No man can see God without seeing himself at the same time. That vision is by no means pleasant. Self-knowledge is very desirable, but it is not generally very flattering. Job saw God and said: “Now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Isaiah saw Him and cried: “Woe is me! for I am undone.” Peter’s eyes were opened, and he prayed: “Depart from m e; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Moses had fled to the wilderness because the children o f Israel resented his efforts to deliver them. . . . Moses never dreamed that the leprosy was, alas, in his own heart. But, when in the presence of God he put his hand into his bosom, it came out “lep rous as snow.” This was more than a miracle; it was a revelation. Does not this teach the secret o f our reluctance to go up into the mount ?_ We cannot bear to see ourselves. There is no surer test o f our spiritual life than this. — S amuel C hadwick .
INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION SERVICBCO. ¡ R 0 0 M 3 6 A I 7 0 £ 0 3 C H E ^ « J T S T R E E ^ P H I ^ D E L P H I ^ ^
W H I T E P IP E -T O N E F O L D IN G O R G A N S B e s t e v e r m a d e . In use all over the world for Imore than 30 years. Various styles and sizes. Free catalogue.
A. L. WHITE MFG. CO.
Dept. K. 215 Enolewood Ave.
CHICAGO. ILL.
G I F T S from Foreign Lands for Church or personal use. Hand-work of Chinese Chris tian boys and girls supporting largest orphans’ home in the Orient . . . Sunday School Classes and Societies make money as our agents. Aid us with your prayers and efforts. Full information gladly sent; write today. HOME OF ONESIPHORUS American Office Drawer II, 3131 Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
o n y o u r o w n sewing machine £>earn in 10 minutes —make beau tiful rugs from rags or old stockings at almost no cost. Rich, deep-pile rugs from wool yarn. Amazingly simple new rug maker that fits any sewing machine. No looms, no frames, no tedious hooking. Obtain the Complete Singercraft Outfit from any Singer Shop or Representative or send 50 cents with coupon below. r SINGER SEW ING M A C H IN E CO., IN C . Dept. P-158, Singer Building, New York, N . Y . | I enclose---------------(money order or stamps). I Please send me: □ Singercraft Setand Book (50c) (Prices | □ Singercraft Book only (10c) Canodo'only) | ........... I I I ............ I Name _ Street _ City __ _State S I N G E R G R A F T Copyright U. S. A. 1933, byThe SingerManufacturingCo. All RightsReservedfor All Countries
1
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker