Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 21
While I was musing the fire burned. —Psalm 39:3
My soul, if thou wouldst muse more, the fire would burn more. Why dost thou not retire oftener with thyself? Thou wouldst be better fitted for the world if thou wert less worldly. If thou hadst more heavenly fire thou wouldst have more earthly power.
Is there no secret pavilion into which thou canst go and warm thyself? Is there no holy of holies where thou canst catch a glow of impulse that will make thee strong? Is it not written of the …
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 20
Then said I, Woe is me, for I am undone: because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. —Isaiah 6:5
It is not the sight of our sinful heart that humbles us; it is a sight of Jesus Christ. I am undone because mine eyes have seen the King. —Andrew A. Bonar
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 19
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. —Numbers 11:14
It is most needful for all servants of Christ to remember that whenever the Lord places a man in a position of responsibility, He will both fit him for it and maintain him in it.
It is, of course, another thing altogether if a man will rush unsent into any field of work, or any post of difficulty or danger. In such a case we may assuredly look for a thorough breakdown, sooner …
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 18
His praise shall continually be in my mouth. —Psalm 34:1
Let not thy praises be transient—a fit of music, and then the instrument hung by the wall till another gaudy day of some remarkable providence makes thee take it down. God comes not guestwise to His saints’ house, but to dwell with them. David took this up for a life work: “As long as I live, I will praise thee.” —Gurnall
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 17
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. —Matthew 6:33
We need have only one care, that we put the first thing first—faithfulness to God. Then all else we need for both worlds will be supplied. God will never fail us; but we forget, sometimes, in our rejoicing over such an assurance, that we must fulfill our part if we would claim the divine promise.
It will not always be easy. To-morrow it may mean a distasteful task, a disagreeable duty, …
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 16
For this child I prayed, and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. —1 Samuel 1:27, 28
God sometimes bestows gifts just that love may have something to renounce. The things that He puts into our hands are possibly put there that we may have the opportunity of showing what is in our heart. Oh, that there were in us a …
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 15
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. —Proverbs 16:32
More dear in the sight of God and His angels than any other conquest is the conquest of self, which each man, with the help of heaven, can secure for himself. —Dean Stanley
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 14
For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. —John 17:19
Do you remember, when Jesus was sitting with His disciples at the last supper, how He lifted up His voice and prayed, and in the midst of His prayer there came these wondrous words: “For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified?” Is there anything in all the teachings that man has had from the lips of God that is nobler, that is more far-reaching than that—to be my best not …
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 13
Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. —Luke 14:11
…If you ask the way to the crown—‘tis by the cross; to the mountain—‘tis by the valley; to exaltation 'tis he that humbleth himself. —J. H. Evans
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Thoughts for the Quiet Hour - May 12
I know how to abound. —Philippians 4:12
It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the refining-pot of prosperity. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming cup of mortal joy with a steady hand; yet Paul had learned that skill, for he declares, “In all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry.” When we have much of God’s providential mercies it often happens that we have but little of God’s grace; satisfied …
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