King's Business - 1934-03

117

T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S

March, 1934

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to a friend: “There is still a little corner left in which I desire to pack a guidebook, a lamp, a mirror, a telescope, a book of poems, a number o f biographies, a bundle of old letters, a hymn book, a sharp sword, a small library containing sixty-six vol­ umes, and all these articles must occupy a space of about six by four inches,” “How are you going to manage that?” queried his friend. The traveler replied, “Very easily, for the Bible contains all these things." The most wonderful, the most marvelous Book in all the literature of the world is the Bible, because it is God’s own Book! — S elected . APR IL 15, 1934 Prayer in Christian Living E ph esian s 1 :15-23 Suggestions for the Meeting Hymn— “ Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Hymn—“ I Need Thee Every Hour.” Prayer. Hymn—“Whaf a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Scripture. Solo—“The Be a u t i f u l Garden of Prayer.” ■, Symposium on Prayer: (1) Nature of Prayer. (2 ) Principles o f Prayer. (3) Value o f Prayer. (4 ) Hindrances to Prayer. (5) Encouragement to Prayer. Have a leader, who may ask four other speakers to assist him in‘ presenting these subjects, which are outlined under “ Lead­ er’s Helps.” Hymn—“I Am Praying for You.” Quiet Hour. ■Benediction—Jude 24, 25. Meditation on the Lesson At least two kinds o f prayer are indi­ cated in this passage. As Paul thinks of the faith and Christian love manifested by the believers at Ephesus, he is moved to a continual thanksgiving to God for His grace toward these faithful ones. But his prayer is also intercessory, as he asks God for further spiritual enlightenment for them. His first longing is that God may work in these Christians the great miracle o f a deeper revelation of Himself. This growing knowledge o f Him will result in a fuller understanding of the great truths concerning the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and an apprehension of the greatness o f the power o f God. Leader’s Helps I. N ature of P rayer Prayer is a gift o f God to His children, and one of the most profound subjects upon which the mind of man can ponder. Dr. Hastings . has said, “ In the larger sense of the word, as the spiritual language o f the soul, prayer is intercourse with God, often seeking no end beyond the pleasure o f such intercourse. It is praise; it is adoration of His infinite majesty.” “ Prayer,” St. Thomas has' declared, “is the ascent o f the soul to God.” God has designed us for Himself, and His purpose for us in this life is that we may become like Him. Therefore He has provided and prescribed for us the means o f grace which we may use freely to be­ come like Him. Bible study and prayer are these God-appointed means for our growth in grace and knowledge o f Him. How fit­ ting that a topic on prayer should follow our last Sunday’s topic, “ Bible Study” ! While in the highest sense, prayer is communion with God, yet we are human, and we must grow in grace. Therefore elements other than simple communion

ought to bear the infirmities o f the weak.” In this verse, Paul places himself among the strong, not because o f pride and con­ ceit, but because he knew he was strong in faith. He had a great God. “The infirmi­ ties of the weak” were really a burden, but would be made light if love carried the load. The real Christian is altruistic, un­ selfish, seeking another’s good. “For even Christ pleased not himself.” Paul reminds us o f this fact, not to set forth Christ as an example, but as an ar­ gument. If any one should think that it was burdensome to live narrowly for the sake o f others, Paul would remind him that the great Lord of lords and King of kings so lived. Is not this a mighty chal­ lenge ? In Romans IS :3, Paul quotes from Psalm 69: “ The reproaches o f them that reproached thee fell on me.” If Christ had been desirous of pleasing Himself in­ stead of the Father, He would have escaped the reproaches and taunts cast upon Him by the Jews. His one great aim was: “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” Oh, that every Christian could truly have this same desire and determination! Paul refers to the Old Testament Scrip­ tures as, through the Holy Spirit, he brings this further instruction for the children of God.. Quoting this one verse from the Old Testament, moves Paul to say that every part of that same Book was “ written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Just as God dealt with His servants then, so will He deal now. He is the un­ changeable God. Paul tells us in 1 Corin­ thians 10:11, R. V .: “ Now these things happened unto them by way o f example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.” Here is one chief object o f the existence and preservation o f the Old Testament. When we remember how miraculously and wonderfully God has written and pre­ served these Scriptures for us, how grate­ ful we should be, and how earnestly we should study them! Prayer and Bible study should be the two mainstays of every Christian’s life. Without these two supports, the Christian backslides or falls into error, or into the “ Slough of Despond.” Written deep into the Christian Endeavor pledge is the dec­ laration: “ I will make it the rule o f my life to pray and to read the Bible every day.” Leader’s Helps I. S ome R easons W h y W e S hould S tudy th e B ible 1. God said to do so (2 Tim. 2:15). 2. Christ taught that the Word of God is the food o f the spiritual life (Lk. 4 :4). 3. Christ’s words are spirit and life (John 6:63). 4. God’s words bring joy and rejoicing (Jer. 15:16). II. Q uestions for D iscussion 1. How is the Bible a light to our path? 2. From your study of the Word, give ■ examples of how you have received encouragement, rebuke, or instruc­ tion. 3. What do you think is the most help­ ful plan o f Bible study—topical, book-by-book, biographical ? Why ? III. T h e T raveler ’ s E qu ipm ent A certain Christian traveler, while pack­ ing his suit case for a journey, remarked

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