The ambition of every artist is to pro duce a masterpiece, a crowning, cli maxing accomplishment. God says His own are His masterpiece. The worth of human life may be measured by any of the innumerable standards set up by man: fame, achievement, social position, family heritage, wealth. God also has His standards and He has set the value of His masterpiece to be: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Let us therefore walk as those who are God’s masterpiece. OCTOBER 11 Scripture: Ephesians 3:6 “That the Gentiles should be fellow- heirs, and of the same body, and par takers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” The riches of the glory of our posi tion in Christ are the theme of our song. We are fellowheirs with Him; are members of His body. Our place is assured. We are not outside, we are not at loose ends, seeking a place; we are partakers of the promise. There is no need for spiritual hunger or thirst, for all the "unsearchable riches of Christ" are at the disposal of every saint. Rejoice and be happy constant ly, for even we are to the praise of His glory. OCTOBER 12 Scripture: Ephesians 3:17 “That Christ may d w e l l in your hearts by faith” Much of the strain of the day will vanish as we remember that we have Jesus Christ as our Companion in whom dwell all peace and quietness. In Him is stored all the reserve sup ply needed for each individual emer gency. Lord, reorganize our minds that we may forget the trivial, the uncer tain, the useless thing, and ask in faith that Christ may dwell in our hearts. Then, realizing His presence, we will receive all that is needed for perpetual freshness and abundant quietness of spirit. OCTOBER 13 Scripture: Ephesians 3:18, 19 “Know the love of Christ. . . that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” How does one become filled or satis fied with water? Simply by the con tinued drinking of it. So to be filled with the Spirit is by means of the spiritual drinking of the water of life. In this God empties the heart of for mer interests, takes possession of the personality, replenishes the spirit with all Christian graces, and surrounds the soul with His perfect love. The evidence of the filling is found in the abounding in prayer, loving Jesus Christ, and seeking God’s honor and guidance in all our dealings. Is this evidence present within your life? OCTOBER, 1946
OCTOBER 14 Scripture: Ephesians 4:3 “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The unity of the Spirit is not to be made; it already exists. All members of the body of Christ are enjoined to retain it. This unity is to be kept “in the bond of peace.” “A peaceful spirit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit,” William Kelly writes. This mightily contributes to the binding together of hearts in practice, and the enriching fellowship that causes unbelievers to desire that which the Christian has. Will some hungry soul find satisfac tion today because I am giving evi dence of the peaceful spirit that glori fies the Lord? ETERNITY I stood with God on the edge of the world, and my hand was in His hand. I looked down the road of the past, as it stretched away in the dim distance, till it was shrouded in the mists of time. And 1 knew it had no beginning, and a little chill wind of fear blew about my head. God asked, “Are you afraid?" And 1 said, “Yes, because I cannot understand how there can be no be ginning." So God said, “Let us turn and face the other way." And I looked into glory, and my heart rejoiced with joy unspeakable. And then my mind went ahead, a billion, billion years, and I knew there would be no end, and again that little chill wind of fear began to blow. And God asked me again, “Are you afraid?" And I answered, “A little, because I cannot understand how there can be no end." So God asked me tenderly, “Are you afraid now, today, with your hand in mine?" And I looked up at Him and smiled and replied, “O my Father, nol" And God said, "Every day in eter nity will be today." —MARTHA SNELL, NICHOLSON. OCTOBER 15 Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16 “That we . . . may grow up into him.” These words carry a challenge. All adults are not emotionally and spir itually grown up. The Word gives us a standard whereby we may judge our own maturity. 'Are we tossed to and fro like children? Do we act in child ish petulance or folly? God would have us grow up, not in worldliness or selfishness, but into Christ Jesus, that He may be seen in our every thought, word, and deed.
OCTOBER 16 Scripture: Ephesians 5:2
“ Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Christ Jesus gave Himself: as an of fering to God for me, as a sacrifice for me that God’s law of justice might be fulfilled, as a sweet smelling sa vor, an incense pleasing to God for me. Thus He is all sufficient to God and for me. Since those who are in Christ Jesus lack for nothing, I have no occasion for anxiety. Greater love cannot be known than this: He gave himself for me. OCTOBER 17 Scripture: Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, sing ing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” The hymns of the church are the her itage of God’s people and are rich in soul-satisfying, heart-encouraging sen timent and melody. “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me” still has power to re fresh. “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” still opens doors of refuge. “Just As I Am” enables the discouraged to rejoice. “These hymns and songs are the choir that in every age sends the hearers in search of Jesus. They unveil His face and take us into the Holy of Holies.”—Dr. A. C. Dixon. OCTOBER 18 Scripture: Ephesians 6:1 “ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” The force of the term “to obey” is to listen to and obey the parent’s voice. To all of us this carries a message. As children of our Father, we are to listen to His words and obey His instruction. The listening is frequently the hardest part. If we are careful to listen prayerfully, there will be little ques tion of obedience, for we shall know God’s will and that gives power for obedience. OCTOBER 19 Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Against God’s children are arrayed all the unseen forces of a mighty host of evil ones, commanded by a leader, ruthless and determined. He chal lenges every forward step that is for God. He battles every effort to exalt Christ Jesus. But God has provided each soldier of His army with an in vulnerable armor. Wear it today to victory in Christ Jesus our Lord. OCTOBER 20 Scripture: Philippians 1:1, 2 “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
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