PLEASURES OF SIN. Thieves and robbers have what they call their "junkering times;" times when they feast in secret on stolen goods, banqueting on forbidden fare. Their hardness of heart is seen in the fact that they really enjoy such devilish delights. What shall we say of those Christians who can find pleasure in those … Continue reading “0919. PLEASURES OF SIN.”
0918. POWER NEEDED.
POWER NEEDED. Who has not seen the Volunteers at drill? They have good guns, they aim well, they shoot, you see the fire, and hear the noise, but it is only a blank cartridge. It is powerless. Is it not possible for preachers to use the bulletless cartridge? We may have a good sermon, mean … Continue reading “0918. POWER NEEDED.”
0917. CHOOSE THE BEST.
CHOOSE THE BEST. The ancient Romans doubtless thought themselves wise in choosing the biggest star in the heavens as their god- Jupiter (the father of heaven). Let Jesus-the brightest and best-be our choice. He is "the chiefest among ten thousand" (S. of S. Mat_5:10), and the "altogether lovely" (S. of S. Mat_5:16)-the Star which brightens … Continue reading “0917. CHOOSE THE BEST.”
0916. HYPOCRISY.
HYPOCRISY. Society, so-called, often has its times of masquerade. They love to disguise themselves that they may participate in some new pleasure which they could not have without the mask. In matters of religion how many are only masquerading-putting on the disguise for some selfish pleasure-deceiving and being deceived. The time is coming when every … Continue reading “0916. HYPOCRISY.”
0915. HOLY FIRE.
HOLY FIRE. Long ago certain wonderful virtues were superstitiously attached to what was called "need-fire." This was generated by friction. By rubbing two sticks together this wonder-working flame was supposed to come from God. The Holy Spirit is the "need-fire" of this present time. He will come into the heart as a living flame, in … Continue reading “0915. HOLY FIRE.”
0914. THE MARKET CROSS.
THE MARKET CROSS. In ancient times a cross used to be set up at the place where the market was to be held. If strangers asked where they could get such and such things they were told to go to the cross for them. The Cross of Christ is God’s market-place for the world. Stranger, … Continue reading “0914. THE MARKET CROSS.”
0913. HUMAN LIFE.
HUMAN LIFE. What is a "breve?" In writing it is a short note; in music it is a long note. What is your life? Is it a short, hurried scrawl? or is it a long, musical note of sweetness? In any case it is a breve-a note that, if it is short, may be by … Continue reading “0913. HUMAN LIFE.”
0912. UNREALITY.
UNREALITY. Perhaps you have seen a man who had just got a snuff of "nitrousoxide" (laughing gas); how it excited his laughter. He was neither richer nor happier, yet he laughed loud and long. It was only gas. Covet not the laughter of the ungodly, nor the mirth of the worldling-it is only gas. The … Continue reading “0912. UNREALITY.”
0911. A BUSYBODY.
A BUSYBODY. In the common acceptance of the term a "busybody" is one to be shunned, because they are always busy about the affairs of others. By way of intermeddling with other people’s affairs be not busybodies. But if we are to be followers of Jesus Christ we must, in another sense, be indeed "busybodies," … Continue reading “0911. A BUSYBODY.”
0910. THE NEVER-WITHERING WORD.
THE NEVER-WITHERING WORD. The richly-coloured amaranth is supposed to be a flower that never withers. They last long, but by and by they do fade away. They have a name to live, but they die. The promises of God are the true amaranths. They are never-withering flowers. "The words that I speak unto you they … Continue reading “0910. THE NEVER-WITHERING WORD.”