WordSword

Our Father would have us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18). He lovingly carries this out by delivering us “unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh” (2Co 4:11). The natural tendency of many Christians who are seeking to advance is to avoid the Cross in every possible way, but that is simply to surrender all possibility of true spiritual growth and maturity. In order to grow we cannot by-pass that element which is most unattractive, yet altogether essential to our coming into close fellowship with the Lord Jesus. It is daily crucifixion of the indwelling Adam life. Our crucifixion death must always precede the glorious resurrection life even as the surgeon’s knife must precede physical well-being, as darkness must come before the dawn. Death is not the tomb of, but the womb of resurrection life. Great is the reward of those who will trust the Holy Spirit to take them into that process of spiritual growth of life via death. It will increasingly result in a very intimate life and walk with the Lord Jesus, a glorious life of freedom from the power of sin, and a life of abounding fruitfulness to the glory of the Father. Still, many are satisfied to exist as mediocre and carnal Christians (a Christian can be “carnal” - 1Co 3:3, but not “carnally minded” - Rom 8:6, 7. Carnally minded manifests what is in the heart, and one reborn will grow away from the immaturity of being carnal—NC). Most believers see clearly that the Lord Jesus died on the Cross for them, that He actually bore the penalty of their sins (1Pe 2:24); but all too few realize that He did not die alone, that each who would believe died unto sin with Him (Rom 6:8-11). The Father sees every believer as having died with His Son. Judicially, we were crucified with Him at Calvary (Galatians 2:20). Actually, that finished work must be developed in us through daily experience until it becomes a literal reality on our lives. “That I may know Him . . . being made conformable unto His death (Phl 3:10). The Holy Spirit knows the most effective way of disciplining each life. Some believers suffer severe financial loss, and the constant stringency that follows is used by Him to crucify that natural love of independence. Some experience prolonged physical infirmity, and this the Spirit uses to cause them to die to their self-will, self-independence and self-pity (i.e. dying to “the old man”—NC). Others have social problems with friends and relatives that He uses in order to bring them to the place of crucifixion. Whether at home, at school, at work or at church, He puts them in situations that sorely try them (not a testing of pass or fail but always for faith-strengthening—NC), or with persons that are a “thorn in the flesh.” He places the refined with the coarse, the methodical with the slipshod, the quick with the slow, the bright with the dull and the spiritual with the carnal (you can be saved and carnal but not “carnal-minded” and saved - 1Co 3:3; Rom 8:6, 7; and the carnal will mature to spirituality – Phl 2:13—NC). Inevitably they grate upon each other. However, the Lord will use such relationship for great spiritual profit to both. If He does not deliberately bring them into such naturally undesirable circumstances for their training, then He will use just such trying places into which they have gotten themselves through their own self-will, self-preservation, self-confidence, self-pleasing and failure to follow Him (regardless, God will eventually “work” (Phl 2:13) in every believer—NC). Possibly some of you husbands and wives are now in such circumstances in your relationships with each other, or toward your children or your relatives, or at work. Don’t seek to change you circumstances! Seek the Lord Jesus to change your source of life, and in due time He will properly adjust your situation. Your present difficulties are the very means He would use to bring you down into death so that He can form the Lord Jesus’ own life in you. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Ro 8:28, 29). Let us consider an illustration of the Father’s processing for our growth. An abundant supply of herring may be found near one of England’s own coasts. When brought to shore to be sold, the fisherman found that they became flabby and flavorless. By installing tanks on their fishing vessels and thus keeping the herring alive until sold, their problem was largely solved. But one ingenious fisherman devised a means of keeping them in perfect condition. Everyone insisted on buying his herring first. Finally, he told his secret. In each of his numerous large tanks filled with herring, he put a catfish or two. Now, catfish chase herring and eat them. They were welcome t a few for their service, for the herring kept fleeing for their lives and retained their vitality and flavor. Has the Father put a spiritual catfish in your circumstanced to keep you moving toward Him; a catfish that is wearing the life out of you, your natural life, so that you will know what it is to live “hid with Christ in God”? Oh, thanks Him for the catfish in your life! If you do, that will be the occasion for your becoming strong and usable, and a glory to His name. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1Th 5:18). Paul recognized his catfish (a “thorn in the flesh”), let it serve its purpose, and profited greatly by it. Job has his in his wife and his comforters; Moses has his in his sister. Joseph had his in his brothers and at his work in Potiphar’s palace. David had his in Saul, the head of the government. But the Lord Jesus is our best example, as always. He had no money, not even a penny to look at (Judas always took care of the money—NC). He had no home (because of His travels—NC), nowhere to “lay His head” (Mat 8:20). His relatives criticized Him. One of the twelve denied Him. Another betrayed Him. Satan dogged His every step. His own people received Him not. At their demand, the authorities crucified Him. So “consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb 12:3). You, too, will grow and be used of the Father as you willingly humble yourself under His mighty hand of love by submitting to the Spirit’s probing into the deep recesses of your inner life, and thereby bringing the sinful “old man” out into the open and keeping it under the death of the Cross where it belongs (thanking God that we’re not part of its sins in thought, word or seed – Ro 8:9; also Ro 7:17 20—NC). You are called to “reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord”; “So then death worketh in us, but life in you” (Rom 6:11; 2Co 4:12). Actually, the real catfish resides within each of us—there is “something fishy” all right—none other than the “old man.” As that Adam-element is dealt with by the Cross (just know it’s still on the Cross, detained from salvific harm, but not from delaying spiritual-growth activity—NC), there will be freedom to grow in the midst of any and all circumstances. A weakness be it bodily or otherwise is sometimes allowed to continue in order that there may be dependence, and when there is real reliance, the weakness becomes a gain; the grit, that trying thing, is superseded by a “pearl of great price”! —Unknown MJS daily devotional excerpt for April 17 “The difficult thing for most hungry-hearted believers is to wait in dependence upon the Lord for everything. Truth is not to be grasped, but received—received by faith, mainly through study. How true this is concerning reckoning! Many seek to reckon before they understand the scriptural facts upon which to count, and that adds up to failure. The secret is to learn the truth of our identification with the Lord Jesus so thoroughly that reckoning and its resultant growth will come as a matter of course, just as in our justification.” -MJS “The death of our Lord on the Cross has depths of meaning that can only be plumbed by way of discovered need, but then reveals ‘unsearchable riches.’ To the believer who still has hopes of ‘attaining’ in the Christian life, a verse such as Romans 6:11 is a rather meaningless jargon used by those who give messages on the ‘deepening of the spiritual life.’ “To the believer who has been taught by the Holy Spirit something of his own utter, inbred sinfulness, it comes as a message from God full of hope and encouragement. He grasps the rescue rope flung to him by the right hand of Omnipotence, and with humble thankfulness sets out to learn how he can reckon himself dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God in Jesus Christ our Lord. When he looks at the Cross he sees there the fact that not only did the Lord Jesus die for him, but that he himself was taken down into His death, in order that the practical reality of His resurrection life might transform him into the divine likeness.” - James Campbell Moore (1863-1932) http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/

Yes, the statement "instead of our evil pleasures" is just my words. It means if we weren't born again we would still be in our sin! Concerning going to Church, you will not grow much in Christ (Eph 4:15; Rom 8:29; 2Co 3:18) if you're not in Church! Church fellowship with other Christians is the primary means God uses to teach us His mind and will. Many Christians stunt their growth in Christ by being out of Church; Christ's most important command is to love one another (Jhn 15:12). It's my understanding that one would need to be in a Church (Bible believing church, many putting the Word aside more or less) regularly to claim they love the saints. How else could it be done?

Hi and appreciate what you're saying! Maybe if you could bring out some particular Scriptures we might have something we can discuss.

Not a cloud of guilt, nor any evil power of control remains for the believer in the Lord Jesus! The "old man," at rebirth, has lost both its "condemnation" (Ro 8:1) and "dominion" (Ro 6:14) on the believer. The guilt is gone because Christ has taken its curse; and its power to cause the believer to desire sin is annulled because "God works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phl 2:13), instead of our evil pleasure. Though the Christian possess the old man, which continues to tempt, the power of the Lord Jesus takes the place of the power to desire sin and do evil. This is where God is most glorified--in that from now on the believer is ever controlled by the indwelling Spirit of God, "against which there is no law (opposition - Gal 5:23); and knowing this is a permanent state gives the greatest encouragement and "exhortation" (Heb 10:25). God causes believers to "reckon" on His Word so that there will be surety of guidance concerning living according to His "pleasure;" and He will not fail here in those who are His!

I see now your primary intention concerning v29, and thanks! Yes, after they began with the corn the manna ceased; and God finally brought them to Canaan after 40 years in the wilderness, even after all their disobedience and complaining. God is so good!! He will eventually give them the new earth after the millennium; the Christians will inherit the new heaven and rule (teach) with the Lord Jesus.

Eze 36 speaks of the time when Israel will be saved and inherit the new earth.

This article demonstrates the two levels of maturity in Christ; living on Him here via the “manna,” which indicates Christ’s Life when He was here. Or living on Him on the “corn of the land,” which indicates living on Him where He is now—big difference! NC There Is A Difference! The corn of the land is Christ in glory (ascended—NC); the manna, the Life of Jesus on the earth (Joshua 5:11, 12 - the manna ceased after this—NC). If you feed on Him in glory where the Father has set Him, you are empowered by Him to act for Him in superiority to everything. Here He humbled Himself. He is not humbled now; He is glorified! He is not limited to the compass of man, and to maintain for the Father therein; that was manna. Now He is “far above all principality,” etc., “Head over all things to the Church” (Eph 1:21, 22); this is the corn of the land. It has been contended that we feed on the corn of the land in order to be here as He was here; that is, that we feed on the corn of the land to reach the manna, but I do not think this is the full truth, though it is quite true that if I feed on Christ in glory I shall by Him be in His grace, or manna here (manna first then the corn—NC). Paul began above, and hence had Christ’s grace all the way down (Paul was one whom God revealed His mind to the most—NC). I believe he had more than the manna, that he had the corn of the land, and that the corn of the land is more than the Lord Jesus had down here. For instance, He is Head of the Church now; He was not so down here (the forming of the Church wasn’t complete until He ascended and sent the Holy Spirit for our rebirth to become the Church—NC). If I know Him as the Head, I feed on the corn of the land, not on what He was down here (manna—NC), but what He is now (the corn—NC). But I do not lose what He was down here by knowing Him in glory where He is now. Of course I cannot walk down here beyond what He was here, but as I am in the power of my union with Him in glory, I am enabled be His precious Spirit to be superior to all human considerations, in order to act for Him, as Stephen did (Acts 7:55-60). There is not a practical thing in Ephesians which could be derived from manna simply; and yet manna was par excellence in the eye of the Father (because that’s what He wanted for them at that time, until they matured enough for the corn—NC). It was the Son glorifying His Father in the form of man who had dishonored Him, vindicating God in that form. But now He is exalted, and we are united to the glorified Man; and I am enabled by Him to do greater things now, things which could not have been done before. We are seated “in heavenly places” now (which confirms our eternal position (Eph 2:6—NC) which could not be while He was down here. How could we keep the unity of the Spirit while He was down here (the Spirit wasn’t sent until His ascension—NC)? This can only be done through His present power (while in heaven—NC), or the corn of the land. How could I “grow up unto Him in all things (Eph 4:15), etc., while He was down here? That is not what He was, i.e.,—the manna, but what He is now. How could I put on the new man until I was of the New Man? No one could be that until after He ascended into glory. Where are the gifts but from ascension? How could I love as He did (Jhn 15:12), until after He had offered Himself to the Father? I cannot do anything right here without Him as the manna (manna first then the corn—NC); but as I know Him above, he leads me to rise above all my own circumstances here for Him in His power. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might (Eph 6:10). — James Butler Stoney (1814-1897) MJS daily devotional excerpt for April 2 “A ministry of life, whether it be at the kitchen sink, or from the First Church pulpit, must flow from the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. That life must be developed in and shared through the growing believer, by the Holy Spirit. We are to rest in Him for spiritual growth, and He will work through us for spiritual service.”—Miles J Stanford “He, whom the Lord cannot trust with the faithful care of his own vineyard, will not be trusted with the tending of God’s Vineyard of living, immortal souls. How shall we face the Owner of the Vineyard, if we have neglected our own lives; if we have not entered into that which God has shown us; if we must say, when He asks us about the lack of fruit and the neglect which is so sadly evident: ‘Lord, I was so busy tending Thy Vineyard, that my own vineyard I have not kept’ (S.S 1:6).” -Charles Henry Mackintosh (1820-1896) http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/

It may be one of the least interesting of things, but there is much growth in knowing God’s concerns for us when we are troubled, especially when in great difficulty! It is when we are going through a trial—regardless the size, that our spiritual growth increases the most. To know that God is ever with us is the learning; and to know it’s in the difficulties that His lessons yield the highest gains, is to know His love is always the same greatness for us. There are many things God wants us to know that only hardness can teach and yield; and we are to know, if possible, that we need not allow anything to become “troublesome” (Jhn 14:1, 27). There is much comfort in realizing He controls each and every trial, allowing us to more patiently “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2Ti 2:3)! NC Resourceful Father “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (meaningless times which all believers must traverse—NC). Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (1Co 12:9, 100—where our strength is, there is a want of His). “I was brought low, and He helped me” (Psa 116:6). He who loves you infinitely more than any of us is making your bed in your illness. As we wait on Him we learn what His purpose is in the suffering—the wisdom of it. It comes from the deepest love; but the delay with us in being able to see the wisdom of it! Jacob is crippled before he meets Esau: he is a self-reduced man before he is a triumphant one, through God’s own ordering. Joseph comes from a prison in Egypt to nearly the highest position there. The great gain in discipline is the helplessness which discloses the vanity of natural resources, but at the same time separates our hearts to the Father. Then we are “partakers of His holiness” (Heb 12:10). In Jordan the living God was known; and in the tediousness and irksomeness of illness there is a sense of the emptiness of everything, and the measure of one’s real resources in the Father is found out. I have said to a dear brother before, now surrounded by his family and natural comforts, “You enjoy the Word and the Lord in your present circumstances, but I should like to know how much real spiritual enjoyment in the Lord you would have if these happy surroundings were broken up.” They were broken up afterwards, and no doubt with very great blessing to him. In sickness one loses the power to enjoy, while in bereavement one loses the object to be enjoyed. I believe one learns differently in each. In illness I am occupied with myself; there the grievance is, and while there is life there is hope. It is my resourcelessness as to power that is impressed on me; while in bereavement it is my resourcelessness as to the place; I am lonely. My very health can make me the more keenly to feel like a tree with its branches torn off, which can never be restored. There is an end of hope in bereavement. In the one case myself is lost for a time to me; in the other, the stay of my heart may have gone. Thus the Lord is the One who heals us in the one, and He can only fill up the blank in the other. I think we are sometimes ready to say to the Lord Jesus, “Could You not have taught me without subjecting me to so much sorrow and humiliation? The answer I have had is, you could not be effectually taught in any other way! The Lord Jesus knows the nature of the obstacle in me (having experienced it all Himself—NC) which He has to deal with: a less efficient hand might think that it could be overcome in some other way. —J B Stoney (1814-1897) MJS daily devotional excerpt for March 14 “The head-knowledge of Spirit-taught study becomes the heart-knowledge of Spirit-led life, via Romans 8:28 and 29. How good it is to have a sovereign Father controlling all! –MJS “The true value of anything is known only when it is wanted. For this reason bright days must be succeeded by dark ones. In the dreary and desolate hour to nature, we begin to know the value of the truth communicated to us in the bright day. The learning is at one time, and the proving at another. In fact, we ought to be prepared for the dark hour; so that, though it be dark, there is something so blessed, so suited, pouring its comfort and sustenance on our souls, that, after all, the dark and dreary hour becomes a more really festive time to the heart, because of the virtues of the truth now made known, more than at the time of its reception, is so happy and exhilarating.” -J.B.S. http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/

Amen, then we are not going to learn much! Thanks for the reply, and God bless your Family!

Thanks for the compliment (Rom 8:23)!

Hi, and thanks for the reply! I would say we are saved but waiting for the redemption of our body. It's also my understanding that believers are never in danger of falling but failing just to succeed in something.

Believers are either always forgiven for all sins, or not forgiven for any sins; Of course, the latter is never the case, and the prior is a truth of which there is no greater encouragement! A great truism is that God keeps believers in constant and continuous forgiveness (1Jn 1:9), and it’s the future sins which with one may have the most difficulty when applying this fact! The Father knows believers always want to “please” Him, because He continually “works” this in them (Phl 2:13). Apart from sins that are related to any type of addiction, of which He allows some time to repent, the sins of saints are no longer “presumptuous” or “willful” (Num 15:30; Heb 10:26). What believer would intentionally desire to sin against God, assuming one has all needed mental faculties? No, the Christian’s desire for God’s “pleasures” are always present—even when it’s momentarily interrupted by the “old man”; and this is where the temptations are the greatest, when the old man is involved. The old man is an equal or more of a repetitious temptation than Satan himself; for as the Spirit uses the “new man” or new nature, to guide and enable the believer, so does the Enemy use the sinful nature—the old man, to tempt believers! Thus, I say the enemies of the saint is self, Satan and society, and in this order of significance. For self (old man) is the closest to the believer, and is therefore the most in opposition. It’s my belief that possessing the old man and enduring its temptations continues to keep believers exercising their faith in Christ’s expiation for their sins, which strengthens faith and always needs strengthening, due to the enemies continuous temptations; and knowing that faith and salvation are permanent is of course the most important doctrine for spiritual growth and serves as the basis for all doctrines of truth! Continuing to learn the sin nature (old man) teaches to know, understand, apply and share God’s Word with one another in order to “exhort” (Heb 10:25) the saints. “Exhortation” is an attribute much needed and much missing in many if not most believers. Be blessed, be encouraged and be patiently enduring, glorifying God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ through Their precious, highly blessed and loved Holy Spirit (Who is the Creator of our new birth, Comforter, Author and Teacher of the Word of God)! Much Love in Christ NC

Believers are either always forgiven for all sins, or not forgiven for any sins; Of course, the latter is never the case, and the prior is a truth of which there is no greater encouragement! A great truism is that God keeps believers in constant and continuous forgiveness (1Jn 1:9), and it’s the future sins which with one may have the most difficulty when applying this fact! The Father knows believers always want to “please” Him, because He continually “works” this in them (Phl 2:13). Apart from sins that are related to any type of addiction, of which He allows some time to repent, the sins of saints are no longer “presumptuous” or “willful” (Num 15:30; Heb 10:26). What believer would intentionally desire to sin against God, assuming one has all needed mental faculties? No, the Christian’s desire for God’s “pleasures” are always present—even when it’s momentarily interrupted by the “old man”; and this is where the temptations are the greatest, when the old man is involved. The old man is an equal or more of a repetitious temptation than Satan himself; for as the Spirit uses the “new man” or new nature, to guide and enable the believer, so does the Enemy use the sinful nature—the old man, to tempt believers! Thus, I say the enemies of the saint is self, Satan and society, and in this order of significance. For self (old man) is the closest to the believer, and is therefore the most in opposition. It’s my belief that possessing the old man and enduring its temptations continues to keep believers exercising their faith in Christ’s expiation for their sins, which strengthens faith and always needs strengthening, due to the enemies continuous temptations; and knowing that faith and salvation are permanent is of course the most important doctrine for spiritual growth and serves as the basis for all doctrines of truth! Continuing to learn the sin nature (old man) teaches to know, understand, apply and share God’s Word with one another in order to “exhort” (Heb 10:25) the saints. “Exhortation” is an attribute much needed and much missing in many if not most believers. Be blessed, be encouraged and be patiently enduring, glorifying God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ through Their precious, highly blessed and loved Holy Spirit (Who is the Creator of our new birth, Comforter, Author and Teacher of the Word of God)! Much Love in Christ NC NC

Romans 5:1-11 sets forth the terms on which God is with you. Chapter 8 is how you are in Christ before Him. Many are occupied with chapter 8 who are not yet established in chapter 5. They must be taken in divine order. When you look up to God you see everything gone to His satisfaction; but when you look at yourself you are troubled with the working of sin. Why is this! You must change your man; that is the only solution to the difficulty. In the first eleven verses of chapter 5, you see that everything has been established for you to God’s satisfaction. In the latter half of the chapter it is, you must change your man; it is not to be Adam, but Christ. I ask, with what man are you connected, Adam or Christ? You will never know that you are dead to sin until you have changed from Adam to Christ! You can never rise up to how you are to be before God until you are enjoying the terms on which He is with you. The prodigal was brought in to share the joy of the father (he wanted to be his father’s again in any way possible, though he was esteemed as well as any other—NC). How much is really lost by not seeing that the love of God has brought us to Himself; that is the true beginning of growth. We have not begun aright if we do not see this. You could not be in the Holiest and not be settled about yourself. If you refer to your sins you are not settled (in peace, knowing there is never a time we aren’t in God’s forgiveness—NC) as to yourself; when you are settled you are not occupied with yourself and your sins; you are clear of sins, the flesh, self (old self—NC) and everything, and pass into the Holiest to be occupied with Him (2Co 3:18). If you are walking in the Spirit, you are occupied with the Lord Jesus, and not with the flesh; you have entered on new ground outside of everything here. In the Lord’s Supper you are calling Him to mind. He died on this earth, and you are occupied with that great fact. In conclusion, the great mark of God’s favor in OT times was, “I will be with thee” (Gen 26:3; 31:3; Exo 3:12; etc.—NC), and that is not withdrawn. He says to us, “I will never leave thee” (Heb 13:5). But besides this great favor there is a greater favor now, and that is, You shall have “part with Me” (Jhn 13:8). You do not lose the first because you have the second; but you are brought into another and greater favor. The Lord grant that we may each of us be more awakened to the futility of accepting the Word of God with the mind of man, and thus limiting it to man. Many think that because they have the light of a truth that they are in the reality of it. No! You may know the whole Bible, and have much light, but there is no growth beyond the measure of the Spirit’s work in you. —J B Stoney MJS daily devotional excerpt for February 19 “Early in the Christian life we naturally feel that it is our obligation to overcome self and become spiritual. We do not yet realize that time and processing are required before we are able to give up self-effort for our growth. It is the work of the Holy Spirit, not our obligation. “God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit” (2 Thess. 2:13).”—Miles J Stanford “The self-life is surely our first and most bitter foe, and the believer who will serve God acceptably must learn His way of victory over this subtle and dangerous enemy. The flesh is irrecoverably fallen and you and I make no real progress in the Christian life until we have learned in experience to say with the apostle: ‘For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh dwelleth no good thing’ (Rom. 7:18).” - John Galway M'Vicker (1826-1900) http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/ (recommend reading the rest)

There is nothing like retirement for the soul, if one is occupied with the Lord Jesus, and not with himself. Occupation with Him results in my being more like Him, and more apart from myself. Occupation with myself is like the serpent’s eye that lures its victim to destruction. The more I am taken up with myself, the more important I make myself in my own eyes, and the more I am interrupting the growth of the Lord Jesus in me (Eph 4:15). It is not that I am to be indifferent about my condition, but how am I to judge it? Is it by feeling and fumbling over everything in the dark, examining the whole case of the patient, without either knowing the condition of one in health, or how to produce it; or is it by bringing in One who is the true measure of everything, and who, as He gets place with me, displaces and condemns everything displeasing to Himself? In the latter case there are two things: there is the introduction of One who entirely and transcendently preoccupies the heart, and who supplies to it, as He does, strength and fullness of joy; the other is, He repels and rebukes all the carnality and selfishness which He finds in my heart. Now, when I am occupied with myself, I never get rid of anything, no matter how I may condemn it. All the sin and incongruities remain as before. I may traverse them dolefully, as one does gravestones, but there they are, and there they remain, registers of sorrow and vexation. I may very truly mourn over them, and afflict myself because of them, but that does not clear my heart of any of them; they meet me at every turn; nay, further, the more my eye rests on them, the more grievous and painful they become to me. When the stronger comes is, he takes away the goods in which we naturally trusted. The true converse of the heart is with its Object, and if I make my own heart my object, I am like the fool that folds his arms, and eats his own flesh. But if I have the Lord Jesus in His own place, then the more I am in fellowship with Him, and the more do I seek to maintain it; whereas, in the other case, I am never drawn into fellowship without sorrow. I appreciate contemplative souls, but the more contemplative we are with ourself, the more we betray what we are occupied with. Is it with myself, or with Him who imparts Himself to me thereby, and exposes and drives away all the noxious weeds which would occupy and damage me? Hence, while the contemplation is most desirable, it is of all importance that there should be a true object before the mind and heart, for whatever the object is will be disclosed in the walk. If the Lord Jesus be the object of your contemplation, you will find that you really are made ready for action for Him; whereas, if it is for yourself, you will be less and less ready; your weapon will be unloaded, and you without energy or inclination for action. Contemplation with a true Object gives a readiness and a strength for action; the gun loaded and ready. But when the object is oneself, one is enervated, inactive and silenced; the piece is spiked, and the courage is gone. —J B Stoney (1814-1897) MLS daily devotional for February 13 “When the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, it is to remove self from the throne of our hearts. When the Holy Spirit fills us, it is to place the Lord Jesus on the throne of our hearts. Ours is the choice—”not I, but Christ” (Gal. 2:20); His is the work, for He is “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:2).” -MJS “The great secret of the Christian life is found in ceasing from self, in which the power of the Cross manifests itself in us. We all know how our Lord Jesus, ere He could receive the new life from the Father in glory, and the gift of the Holy Spirit through whom He could impart His life to His people, had first to give up the life He lived upon earth. He had to take His place among the dead in utter weakness and helplessness before He could live again by the power of God. His death on the Cross was indispensable to the life of the Spirit. “And as it was with Christ, so it must be with us. As we yield ourselves to be united with Him in the likeness of His death, we can share with Him in the glory and power of the life of the Spirit. To know what the Holy Spirit means, implies the knowing of what death means. The Cross and the Spirit are inseparable. The soul that understands that the death to self is in Christ the gate to true life, is in the right way to learn what and who the Holy Spirit is.” –Andrew Murray (1828 – 1917) http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/day/2024/02/13/