the Third Week after Easter
Click here to learn more!
Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Holding faith and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith, have made shipwreck.- 1 Timothy 1:19.
"He that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved."- Mark 13:13. So the master taught; so disciples believe. By perseverance in the faith, the crown shall be enjoyed. So glory perfects what grace begins. God’s power is faith’s confidence; God’s truth is faith’s assurance; faith’s author and faith’s finisher is Jesus. Therefore, "the righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger," saith the son of faith and patience, Job 17:9. "The top-stone (of finished salvation) shall be brought forth with shoutings, crying grace, grace!"- Zechariah 4:7. Such are the immutable truths of the covenant of grace, the gospel of grace, and the God of grace. Whatever legal spirits do, gracious souls will ever draw gracious influences from the safety and security of grace. "Let him who thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."- 1 Corinthians 10:12. Take heed that he be not high-minded, and trust in uncertain riches that he fancies he hath obtained by his own faithfulness, creatureability, and natural free-will, and so be led away from trusting in the living God, who giveth all things. Many such selfsanctified saints have, and do daily fall away, and have made terrible shipwreck of their fancied faith, imaginary good conscience, self-applauding inherent righteousness, and have perished in the gulph of vain glory and presumption. Therefore see to it, disciple, that you hold fast, and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to God’s saints: such as the doctrines of eternal election to salvation, according to the everlasting covenant love of the ever glorious trinity, a finished salvation by the atonement, full justification by the perfect righteousness of Jesus, and final perseverance in holiness by the Spirit of truth. Hold them fast, not in word only, but in power, as the essential truths of Jehovah, as the very life and joy of thy soul. So shalt thou have and keep a good conscience, sprinkled from guilt by the blood of Jesus; and a good testimony of it by the Spirit of grace, through faith. Ever remember, "the answer of a good conscience towards God is by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."- 1 Peter 3:21. Thou couldst obtain it no other way. Thou canst only enjoy it by the faith of this. Beware of putting this away. Hold it fast. Be "confident of this very thing, that he who hath began a good work (of faith and love in thee) will perform it unto the day of Christ."- Philippians 1:6.
Amidst a thousand snares I stand,
Upheld and guarded by thy hand,
Thy words my fainting soul revive,
And keep my dying faith alive.
Grace will complete what grace begins,
To save from sorrows or from sins:
The work that wisdom undertakes,
Eternal mercy ne’er forsakes.
Praying always with all prayer. Ephesians 6:18.
A person by way of banter, once said to me, “I will treat you with a play, if you will go with me to-night.” I thanked him, and told him, I would accompany him, if I could be sure it would bring more of the love of Christ into my heart. This, this is worth living for, using any means to promote, and going any where to procure. But, here is a weapon, which defends us against all temptations to go to such places, or do such things as are contrary to the peace of our souls, and which tend to damp the love of Christ in our hearts. That soul, who keeps up sweet fellowship with God, at a throne of grace, is dead to sensual gratifications. The more prayer, the more spiritual life from Christ. The more spiritual life, the more prayer to Christ. Praying. This is the last weapon of our warfare: it will be used by soldiers at the last moment of life. God be merciful to me a sinner: Jesus save or I perish, are suitable petitions for a dying soldier of Christ. We are sure such prayer of faith, God will answer. Praying always. We are prone to think, we are not always in a fit frame to pray. Who but Christ can put our soul in a better? Therefore pray him to do it. “I am oppressed,” said Hezekiah. What then! Did he cease to pray? No. “O Lord, undertake for me.” (Isaiah 38:14.)
The undertaking of Jesus we want always. Therefore, should pray for it always. With all prayer. Every kind of prayer. Though armed with the whole armor of God, yet no victory without the power of God. The most secret sigh of the soul is heard by God, as well as the loudest cry of the tongue. If your lot is cast into the worst of company, there your heart may pray. God can hear. You then ought to pray-That God my keep you. Are you low in your frame, and uncomfortable in your soul? Why is this? That you should call upon the Lord. Do you fear your enemy will prevail? Improve fears into prayers. Call on the Saviour. The more prayer, the more victory. The more victory, the more love. Love is heaven below. Thus we go on conquering and to conquer. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Praying souls may joyfully shout victory over death, and all things, “More than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37.) Is this the state? This the faith of praying Christians? Who brought them into this happy state, this joyful faith? The question excites gratitude, and calls forth praise to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2.
Our Captain loves to hear
His soldiers’ praying voice;
Courage he gives, forbids our fear;
Commands us to rejoice.
