Let Us Rise, For Christ Had Risen

"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,"
(Philippians 3:10)

The doctrine of Christ's resurrection is exceedingly precious. It is the chief cornerstone of the Church. It is the foundation of our salvation. 

But to know that Christ has risen, and we have fellowship with Him by possessing a risen life, is even more precious.

The experience of fellowship with the risen Savior is even more lovely than the doctrine itself.

Let us believe that Christ had risen from the dead. Let us sing of it, and let us have fellowship with Him.

Let us know Him, and the power of His resurrection.

Let us rise, for the Lord had risen.

Ascribe The Glory To God

O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life. (Lamentations 3:58)

Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He speaks of it as a matter of fact not to be disputed.

Let us shake off those doubts and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort, and speak with the clear, melodious voice of full assurance.

Observe how gratefully the prophet speaks. He ascribes all the glory to God alone! He does not ascribe his deliverance to any man, including himself.

Observe how joyful the prophet seems to be while he records the Lord's mercy.

Let us seek after a vital experience of the Lord's lovingkindness, and when we have it, speak positively of it, sing gratefully, and shout triumphantly.

Inner Life Of A Believer

A garden enclosed
Is my sister, my spouse,
A spring shut up,
A fountain sealed. (Song of Solomon 4:12)

The inner life of a believer conveys  the idea of secrecy. It is a spring shut up. No one can reach it except those who knew the secret entrance. There is a mysterious life within a believer which no human skill can touch and know.

The inner life of a believer conveys  the idea of separation. It is a fountain sealed. It is owned by a proprietor. The chosen ones of God are separated by the possession of a life which others have not.

The inner life of a believer conveys  the idea of sacredness. It is a spring kept for Jesus. He has God's seal upon him.

The inner life of a believer conveys  the idea of prominence. It is that of security. If all the powers of earth and hell could combine against it, it must still exist.

Strengthen Us, O God

Your God has commanded your strength; Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us. (Psalm 68:28)

Let us beseech God to continually strengthen us.

God is the Author and Preserver of our faith.

Our faith can only live by being sustained with the oil of grace from God Himself.

And God who made us Christians will maintain us by His Spirit.

Let us go to Him for the grace and strength we need.

Why faint when we can be strong? Why suffer defeat when we can conquer?

Let us earnestly pray to Him, "Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us."

 

Parable Of The Sower

Matthew 13:1-9

Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.

Great multitudes came and gathered around Him.

Jesus got into a boat and began to speak to them.

He spoke many things in parables.

He told them the parable of the sower.

The sower sowed the seeds...

Some fell by the edges of the road. The birds came and devoured them. The seeds had no opportunity to grow.

Some fell on stony places. They didn't have much earth for proper root system. They sprang up too early. They were scorched when the sun was up. They withered away.

Some fell among thorns. The thorns sprang up and choked them.

Some fell on good ground. They yielded a crop. Some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

*******

Some of us have few opportunities to hear and consider the Word of God.

Some of us do not count the cost before we accept the Word of God.

Some of us are troubled by the things of this world and live a defeated Christian life.

And some of us continue to look up to God and live a fruitful Christian life.

Many today have called themselves Christians.

But not all are growing and flourishing.

Some are struggling and falling behind.

Some are backsliding and ready to perish.

And some don't even know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.

Which are you?