YE ARE UNDER GRACE.

 

September 30

 

Romans 6:14 

For sin shall not have dominion over you:

for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

 
Believers are delivered from the law, and are dead to it; they are married to Christ and are alive unto God, as a GOD OF LOVE.
 
The curse is removed, sin is atoned for, and we stand as high in the favour of God as we possibly can.
 
We should look upon ourselves as the favorites of God, His beloved children; whom He hath reconciled to Himself by the death of His Son.
 
Grace reigns over us, rules in us, provides for us, and will glorify us.
 
Why then should we fear?
 
Of whom should we be afraid?
 
Sin is pardoned.
 
The law is magnified.
 
Justice is satisfied.
 
God is at peace with us; yea, He delights in us.
 
The world is overcome for us, and even Satan shall be bruised under our feet shortly.
 
What shall we say to these things?
 
As God is for us, and with us, who shall injure, or prevail against us?
 
All things MUST WORK together for our good; nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, we shall be more than conquerors through Him that loved us; and why?
 
Because we are not under the law, but under grace.
 
Because Jesus lives, we shall live also; our interests are identified with His.
 

On Jesus only I depend,

He is my Father, God and Friend,

My Prophet, King, and Priest,

Had I an angel's holiness,

I’d cast aside that glorious dress,

And wrap me up in Christ.

 
James Smith
 

TRUST YE IN THE LORD FOR EVER.

 

September 29

 

Isaiah 26:4  

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: 

for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: 

 

We are often discouraged by the difficulties of the way, and cast down through the weakness of our faith; we look to creatures, instead of looking to the Lord; and reflect upon our weaknesses, instead of believing His promises, and trusting His faithfulness.
 
But the Lord our God should be the only and the constant object of our trust; His word warrants us to look to Him for all we need, both temporal and spiritual; and His character assures us that we cannot be disappointed.
 
He will appear for us, and make all His goodness pass before us.
 
If we connect prayer to God with trusting in God and waiting for God, it is impossible that we should be left in trouble, or be neglected in distress.
 
We may trust Him with the fullest confidence, and expect without doubting all He has promised to bestow.
 
Are you at this time tried, tempted, and distressed?
 
Casting your burden upon the Lord.
 
Commit your way unto Him; He will bring to pass His largest promises and your best desires.
 
Seek out His promises, confide in them, plead them with God, an expect their accomplishment.
 
Oh, trust in the Lord for ever!
 

Trust Him, He's faithful to His word,

His promise cannot fail;

He’ll never leave you nor forsake,

Or let your foes prevail;

Then trust His word, expect His grace

Until you see Him face to face.

 
James Smith

BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE.

September 28

 

Hebrew 13:5  

Let your conversation be without covetousness; 

and  be content with such things as ye have: 

for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

 
 
We may not have what we wish, but we certainly have what our God thinks best for us.
 
Every mercy is directed by infinite wisdom and eternal love, and never misses its road, or comes into the possession of any but the persons for whom it is intended.
 
Let us therefore remember, that our God has chosen our inheritance for us, and it becomes us to be content; yea, to be very grateful.
 
We have infinitely more than we deserve; we have more than many of our fellow-believers.
 
We have liberty while the Apostles were shut up in prison;
we have a home, while many of the primitive Christians wandered about in dens and caves of the earth; our lives are protected, while the martyrs were burned at the stake;
we live in hope of heaven while many are lifting up their eyes in hell, being in torment.
 
Let us strive to be content with present things, and hope for better; let us endeavour to learn Paul's lesson, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound.”
 
O happy state! O blessed experience! Lord,-
 

Take my soul and body's powers,

Take my memory, mind, and will,

All my goods, and all my hours,

All I know, and all I feel;

Thine I live, thrice happy I !

Happier still if Thine I die!.

 
James Smith
 

IS THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD STRAITENED ?

 

September 27

 

Micah 2:7  

O thou that art named the house of Jacob, 

is the spirit of the LORD straitened?

 are these his doings? do not my words do

 good to him that walketh uprightly? 

 
Why then do we despond?
 
Why are we satisfied to live so far below our privileges?
 
The Holy Spirit is promised, to teach us all things; to testify of Jesus in our hearts; 

to glorify our precious Saviour in our souls; 

to help our infirmities, to comfort us by taking of the things of Christ, and showing them to us; 

and to lead us in the way everlasting.
 
Do we experience His love in these particulars?
 
If not - what is the cause? “Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?” NO.
 
But do we sow to the Spirit?
 
Do we pray for the Spirit?
 
Do we expect the Father to give Him, in answer to our prayers that Jesus will send Him according to His promise?
 
Oh, beloved, look at your doubts, your fears, your carnality, your coldness, your want of life, love, and power; and now ask “Are these His doing?”
 
Is His arm shortened ?
 
Is His loved changed?
 
Or rather have you not grieved Him, quenched His operation, and cause Him to withhold His hand?
 
Oh, pray for the Spirit!
 
You are absolutely dependent upon Him, for without Him you can do nothing.
 

Come, Holy Ghost, all- quickening fire,

My consecrated heart inspire,

Sprinkle with the atonement blood!

Still my soul Thyself reveal;

Thy mighty working may I feel,

And know that I am one with God.

 
James Smith

PARTAKERS OF THE HEAVENLY CALLING.

 

September 26

Hebrew 3:1 

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, 

consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, 

Christ Jesus; 

 
Beloved, God hath called us by His grace and gospel, into the knowledge of Christ;
into the favour of Jesus;
to partake of the Spirit of His Son;
to enjoy fellowship with Christ;
to wear the image of Christ; and to possess and enjoy His righteousness, strength, wisdom, unsearchable riches, and eternal glory.
 
This calling is heavenly in its origin, nature, tendency, and consummation; it is from heaven and to heaven.
 
All believers partake of the same calling;
they are called by the same voice;
to the same cross and throne;
to possess and enjoy the same title;
and to claim and use the same blessings.
 
This calling is the greatest honour that can be conferred upon a sinner;
it is altogether a favour, the fruit of free and everlasting love;
its enjoyment calls for gratitude and praise.
 
Are we called within heavenly calling?
 
Then we should come out from the world;
walk with God;
imitate the Saviour;
set our affections upon things above, and prepare for, and hasten to, our blessed home, our glorious inheritance.
 
Let us make our calling and our election sure, and then sing-
 

As Thou wilt, dispose of me,

Only make me one with Thee;

Make me in my life express

All the heights of holiness;

Sweetly in my spirit prove

All the depths of humble love!

 
James Smith

WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST ?

 

September 25

 

Matthew 22:42  

Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? 

They say unto him, The Son of David. 

 
Beloved, let us inquire what do we think of Jesus this morning?
 
What do we think of His divinity, as one with the Father?
 
Of His humanity, as one with us?
 
Of His complex person, as God and man in one Christ?
 
What think we of His one sacrifice for sin?
 
What think we of His grace as displayed in the whole work of our redemption?
 
What think we of His word, as the ground of our hope, the source of our comfort, and the rule of our lives?
 
What think we have His Kingdom?
 
What think we have His coming?
 
What do we think of Jesus?
 
Do we think of Him frequently, as of a subject full of pleasure?
 
Naturally, as we do of refreshing food?
 
Pleasantly, as of choice and delightful music?
 
Or, only seldom, and then with gloom, or without love and ardent desire?
 
What does our thinking of Christ produce?
 
Does it produce desire- contrition- love- trust- resolution- prayer- action?
 
What are we willing to suffer for Christ?
 
What are we willing to part with for Christ?
 
What can we cheerfully give to Christ, to feed His poor, or to help His cause?
 

If ask’d what of Jesus I think,

Though still my best thoughts are but poor,

I say, He's my meat and drink ,

My life, and my strength, and my store?

 

My Shepherd, my Husband, and Friend,

My Saviour from sin, and from hell,

My hope from the beginning to end,

My portion, my Lord, my all.

 
James Smith

IN THE MOUNT OF THE LORD IT SHALL BE SEEN.

 
September 24
 
Genesis 22:14
And Abraham called the name of that place
Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day,
In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
 

Jehovah has provided supplies for His people, He arranges the bestowment of them, and hears and answer prayers for them.

 

He may allow them to come into trials, dangers, and troubles, but “in the mount the Lord will be seen.’  

 

He will show Himself as rigidly faithful to His word; 

as kind and merciful in all his dealings; 

as attentive to the wants and wishes of His people; 

as ready to supply them and display His love and power in delivering them.

 

In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen that Satan is a liar; 

that our fears were all groundless; 

that unbelief is a great sin; 

that prayer shall surely be answered; 

that faith and hope shall not be disappointed; 

that Jesus is touched with the feelings of our infirmities; 

and that none shall be ashamed who trust in, wait for, and obey the commands of the Most High God.

 

Beloved, we have seen the Lord in the mount of trials, we have found it turned into the mount of mercy, and we shall see Him on the mount of glory.

 
‘Tis the mount of the Lord is seen;
And all His saints shall surely find,
Though clouds and darkness intervene,
He still is gracious, still is kind.
 
Yes, in the mount, the Lord makes bear
His mighty, His delivering power;
Displays a Father's tender care,
In the most trying, darkest hour.
 

James Smith

CAST THY BUREN UPON THE LORD,

 

September 23rd

 

Psalms 55:22 

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, 

and he shall sustain thee:

he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 

 
The Lord's people often heavy laden, their burdens are heavy and their grief great; but the Lord kindly directs them to cast their burdens upon Him, and promises to sustain them.
 
Guilt in the conscience and a sense of sin in the soul, often prove an intolerable burden; but the Lord will remove it by the blood of His Son, and the whisper of His Spirit.
 
The cares of a family sinks the spirit, and fills with distress; but Jesus says, “Cast them all on me.”
 
Losses, crosses, enemies, temptations, and the inward conflict, often burden the soul; but our God will sanctify them to us, sustain us through them, and deliver us out of them all.
 
Our God has determined that we shall use Him, feel our dependence upon Him, and glory only in Him.
 
Believer, He will sustain thee by speaking peace to thy troubled heart;
by enabling you to leave your intricate affairs in His hands;
by strengthening you with strength in your soul;
and by enabling you to contrast the present with the future.
 
Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory.
 
Let every burden lead us to the Lord, and let us leave it with Him.
 
O Jesus, teach me to bring every burden to thy feet, and cast every care upon Thee!
 

Thou, O Lord, in tender love,

Wilt all my burdens bear!

Lift my heart to things above,

And fix it ever there!

 
James Smith
 

BE YE THEREFORE FOLLOWERS OF GOD, AS DEAR CHILDREN

 

September 22

 

Ephesians 5:1  

Be ye therefore followers of God, 

as dear children; 

 

The Lord proposes Himself to us as our pattern, and He gives grace to every one who desires it to imitate Him.
 
He exhorts us as His dear and tenderly beloved children, and in mildest strains proposeth Himself for our imitations.
 
Let us imitate the Lord in the world, dealing justly, ever acting from holy principles, and by a righteous rule;
adhering strictly to truth for our God is the GOD OF TRUTH;
choosing our company, being only familiar with them who are familiar with God;
and doing good to all especially unto them who are of the household of faith;
for He causes His sun to shine on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
 
Let us imitate Him in the church, cultivating a spirit of love to all saints, notwithstanding their infirmities, exercising forbearance, and pity; being slow to anger and ready to forgive; accepting the will for the deed, and being always ready to help in trouble and distress.
 
Let us imitate our God, for He commands us; our relation to Him requires it; and our peace involved in it.
 
Imitations of God is sure evidence of saintship.
 

This will solve th’ important question,

Whether thou art a real Christian,

Better than each golden dream;

Better far than lip expression,

Towering notions, great professions;

This will show your love to Him.

 
James Smith
 

 

THE LORD WAS READY TO SAVE ME.

 

September 21

 

Isaiah 38:20  

The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will

 sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days

 of our life in the house of the LORD. 

 

The Lord was ready to save me
 
This is the testimony of a good man who had been in great danger.
 
His heart was full of fears, and he gave up all for lost; but now he is recovered, and stands forth to acknowledge his mistake, and bear witness to this pleasing fact, that the Lord is ever ready to save His people in the time of trouble.
 
The Lord hath saved us, He will save us even to the end.
 
He has power, and He will exert it; He has authority, and He will employ him it; He has sympathy, and He will manifest it.
 
He is a Saviour at hand and not afar off.
 
He is ready and willing to deliver.
 
Has he not proved Himself so in our past experience, and ought we not to trust Him in the future?
 
Let us in every danger cry unto God to save us;
wait upon Him in humble hope for the blessing;
banish carnal and unscriptural fears far away;
refuse to listen to Satan, sense, or unbelief;
persevere in seeking until we obtain and enjoy the blessing.
 

The Lord is ready to save us.

 
Let us believe, hope, prove, and be happy.
 
He will save, He will rest in His love, and joy over us with singing.
 

Salvation to God will I publish abroad,

Jehovah hath saved me through Jesus’s blood,

The lamb was once slain, but He liveth again.

And I with my Jesus for ever shall reign,

Then fill’d with His love, in the regions above,

I shall never, no never from Jesus remove.  

 
James Smith

I HAVE GONE ASTRAY LIKE A LOST SHEEP.

 

SEPTEMBER 20

 

Psalm 119:176

I have gone astray like a lost sheep;

seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. 

 

This is the humble confession of a man of God, and may not we adopt it as our own this morning?
 
Have not we also gone astray?
 
Does not this display our weakness?
 
How weak to wander from so kind a Shepherd, so rich a pasture, so good a fold!
 
Is it not a mark of inattention?
 
Jesus hath warned and cautioned against it in His word.
 
Is it not a proof of ingratitude?
 
Oh, how ungrateful to forsake Him after so many favours, such rich blessings, such tokens of unmerited kindness!
 
Does it not betray our folly? – to go from good to bad, from safety to danger, from plenty to want and wretchedness.
 
Oh, the power of corruption!
 
The deceitfulness of the human heart!
 
Lord, seek Thy servants, for we do not forget Thy commandments.
 
We smart for our folly: we grieve over our sin; we desire to return; restore us to Thy fold, to the enjoyment of Thy favour; and enable us to delight ourselves in Thy ways.
 
Jesus, Shepherd of the sheep, bring us back from all our wanderings, and keep us near Thyself; for why should we turn aside from Thy flock and fold?

 

Thou know’st the way to bring me back,

My fallen spirit to restore—

Oh, for Thy truth and merc’s sake,

Forgive, and bid me sin no more;

The ruins of my soul repair,

And make my heart a house of prayer,

 

James Smith

SIN SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU.

 

September 19

Romans 6:14  
For sin shall not have dominion over you: 
for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

 

What a precious promise.

 

How many of the Lord’s people have been cheered and encouraged by it.

 

Sin lives in us, works in us, fights in us, but it shall not reign.

 

It may annoy, it shall not destroy.

 

Its authority is destroyed by the Lord.

 

Its power is weakened by grace.

 

It is warned to quit its old residence, and it will soon be ejected.

 

We are not under the condemning power of the law, it is not a rule of justification; but we are under favour.

 

God dealeth with us as with children.

 

He pardons, pities, and delivers us.

 

He will not allow send to hold us in perpetual bondage, or to condemn us at the last day; but He will set us at liberty, and justify is fully.

 

The flesh will lust against the Spirit, corruption will rise and fight; but we shall be strengthened, assisted, and counselled until we finally overcome.

 

Grace shall reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

The law will be honoured in our endless blessedness, and Jesus will be glorified in us throughout eternity.

 

By grace we are saved, from sin now, and from wrath for ever.

 

On such love, my soul, shall ponder,

Love so great, so rich, so free!

Say, while lost in holy wonder,

Why, O Lord, such love to me!

Hallelujah,

Grace shall reign eternally.

 

James Smith

 

HE FORGETTETH NOT THE CRY OF THE HUMBLE

 

September 18

 

Psalms 9:12 

 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth 

them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. 

 

The humble grateful soul, may have anything from the Lord; so great is His love to them, and delight in them.

 

He cries to the Lord to be kept from every false way; from falling into sin; and that he may be devoted entirely to the Lord’s glory.

 

He prays for His enemies, that they may be blessed; and for His friends, that they may be rewarded.

 

His cry is constant; sincere; and hearty.

 

But He is often tempted to think that because he is so unworthy, so insignificant, and so vile, God will not hear him, especially when answers are delay.

 

But the cry of the humble cannot be forgotten.

 

The Lord will not neglect or pass over such an one’s prayer without notice.

 

He will not despise, or condemn their petitions; but He will regard, attend to, and answer them.

 

His wisdom will shine forth in the time when, and the means by which He answers their prayer; and He will get Himself a glorious name by their sanctification, salvation, and glorification.

 

O believer, never harbour the thought that thy God will forget thy petitions, He will only forget thy sins!

 

Friend of sinners, King of saints,

Answer my minutest wants!

Let my cries Thy throne assail,

Entering now within the vail!

Free my soul from guilt and shame.--

Lord, I ask in Jesus name.

 

James Smith

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.

September 17

I Timothy 6:12  

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, 

whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed

 a good profession before many witnesses. 

Faith has to fight with the deep and direful depravity of the heart;

with error and superstition;

with despondency and early prejudices;

with unbelief and carnal reason;

with Satan and the world at large.

Faith has to fight for victory;   for a crown;    for God’s glory.

True, faith fights in God‘s strength; 

with certainty, arising from the faithful promise; 

in holy fear, produced by grace taking advantage of our weakness; with courage; principally on the knees; 

and looking to the great Captain of our salvation, the end of the conflict, and the design of the combat.

Believer, “FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.“

Thy God bids thee.

His promises are intended to encourage thee.

The example of Jesus should animate thee.

The coward’s doom should alarm and instruct thee.

The connections between conflict and conquest should impel thee.

Jesus says, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with my Father in His throne.“

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Omnipotent Lord, my Savior and King,

Thy succour afford, Thy righteousness bring.

On Thee, as my power, for strength I rely;

All evil before Thy presence shall fly;

Thy love everlasting will never depart,

Thy truth and Thy mercy shall rule in my heart.

James Smith