April 3

THE DIVIDED HEART

"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." — Mat_6:21-22.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." — Jas_1:8.

THE CLOSING paragraphs of Matthew 6 are full of instances of a divided heart. The Greek word for care means that which divides.

Some are divided by anxiety. The anxious soul cannot take a strong straight course, any more than a man can sleep who is wondering whether

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April 2

GOD'S REQUIREMENTS

"What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." — Mic_6:8.

MICAH WAS a man of the people, and a true patriot. In his day, the political outlook was dark in the extreme, and the prophet felt that one thing only could save his country, and that was a deep and widespread revival of religion. To the inquiry of the people as to whether Jehovah desired the sacrifice of animals, or little children, who w

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April 1

THE CHOICE OF A LIFE-WORK

"I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in...Give Thy servant an understanding heart." — 1Ki_3:7-9.

WE SHALL never rightly choose our life-course until we are determined to put first things first. Wealth, honour, fame, the surpassing of our rivals, are not the chief things to be considered, or our judgment will be impaired and our vision distorted. It was because Solomon desired and sought the kingdom and glory of God, that He gav

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March 31

NEVER LOSE HEART

Mat_13:18-58; Mat_13:32

All sorts of folk to work with: some locked up to your approaches; some unappreciative of the best you do; some utterly indifferent; some seeming hopeful, then proving so unsteady and wobbly. But difficulties only show the great need. They couldn’t stop

Jesus, nor take the edge off his eager gentleness. Love grew in its hold. Little by little, more and more, it grew. This is the Jesusway.. And he’s our Example in service.

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March 30

PATIENCE—LOVE AT ITS BEST

Luk_6:12-19

Jesus let others help him. We may think He could have gotten along without help, if anybody could or can. They weren’t the best helpers. They stumbled, and blundered, and—worse. They didn’t understand him. They misunderstood him, and they hindered him, too. It would have been easier without them, sometimes. But patiently, gently, without getting provoked, he let them help him. It was a great thing for them. And he’s our Example in servic

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March 29

THE HUMANNESS OF REAL LOVE

Mrk_2:13-22

Jesus had principles, but no hard-and-fast rules. He never wavered a jot on principle. But he was as pliable as love when it came to fitting into people’s needs. He met people where they were. He gave them just what they needed, forgiving sins, or giving bread for their hunger. With greatest patience and thoughtfulness he adapted himself so as to help and win. It’s the love-rule of service. He’s our Example.

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March 28

STEADY! STEADY THERE!!

Mat_3:13-17; Mat_4:12-16

Jesus started in on the great task appointed him. It was uphill work from the start. There seemed no chance, humanly, of getting through. There was every, chance, humanly, of failing dismally. But he had no doubt of the Father’s plan; that was enough. Steadily, prayerfully, he began. The first step was clear. He took it, and took it heel and toe, fully and bravely. This is the way for us. He’s our Example.

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March 27

HE’LL HELP US REACH IT

Php_2:1-11

Imitating is the commonest act of life. Everything depends on whom and what we imitate. An example, true and winsome —this is the need. Jesus was just this. In his simplicity, his unselfishness, his purity, his earnestness, his devotion to his Father, his sympathy for men, he is the Example. Then he’s more; he gives power to follow the Example. Keep your eye on Jesus.

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March 26

OUR LEVEL BEST

Mat_25:14-23

We have nothing to do with how much ability we’ve got, or how little, but with what we do with what we have. The man with great talent is apt to be puffed up, and the man with little to belittle the little. Poor fools! God gives it, much or little. Our part is to be faithful, doing the level best with every bit and scrap. And we will be if Jesus’ spirit controls.

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March 25

THE REAL THING

Mat_25:31-40

Religion, the real thing, is so intensely practical. Jesus fed people. He healed their sick. He helped pay bills due. He told them when they were wrong, gently but plainly. He helped them just where they were. What he did was so much more than what he said. And so it will be with the Jesus-swayed man. He can’t help it. What he is and does clean outweighs what he says. How much real religion have you and I?

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March 24

THE “DO” CREED

1Jn_3:14-24

We really believe just as much as we do; the rest is religious talk. We’re saved by faith in Jesus. And the real, simple article of faith, in good working order, controls the habits and hand and purse. Most of our brothers of all the world today are hungry, actually; and yet hungrier for the Bread of life. And we have it. And we can give it. Are we? Or, are we keeping most for ourselves?

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March 23

THE PIERCED HAND

Jhn_6:27-39

Jesus is God giving us everything we need. His creative hand gives life itself, and food, clothing, shelter, loved ones, and home for enjoying life. His pierced hand gives a clean heart, an obedient spirit, bodily health, a, strong purpose, and glad service for our fellows. No one can live without bread. And no one lives really to the full without Jesus, taken into his daily life as truly as food is taken into his body.

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March 22

FROM HAND TO MOUTH

Exo_16:14-24

Nobody likes to live from hand to mouth; it seems beggarly. These wilderness folk did. They couldn’t help themselves. There was no other way. When you sift down into the thing, so do we! Yes, we all live literally from hand to mouth. But then it’s God’s hand to oar mouths. If God cut us off for one day, where should we be! Think into it a bit. How grateful we should be for such a faithful God!

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March 21

THE GET-SPIRIT

Mrk_10:35-45

Most men spend most of their waking hours getting. So they provide bread and bed. But if this necessity gets into control, the spirit of a man’s life is getting. That means a dead sea. Every stream turns in. He may give; and yet the get-spirit be in control. Jesus, too. spent most of his human years getting, earning a livelihood; but the controlling spirit was to give, even to his life. We may be like him.

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March 20

THE RESISTLESS MAGNET

Mrk_6:32-44

The crowds drew Jesus down from his Father’s house, into close touch with their sore need. Into keenest suffering and sacrifice for their sakes, they drew him. Men’s need tugged constantly at Jesus’ great heart. Whatever thing they needed he gave, and gave it freely, yet always thoughtfully. He came not to get but to give. And he still gives as men need. And so does the Jesus-man, as the Spirit guides. It’s a sure mark.

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