My Bible Studi

"And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed" Genesis 32 28 God judges every man according to his work. Not only does he judge, but he sums up, day by day and hour by hour, our progress in well-doing. Should not this constrain us no longer to be children, but men, who are learning of Christ? Shall we not create such an atmosphere about our souls, through the grace given us by Christ, that we shall constantly advance heavenward? As the people of God, shall we not unite in seeking him with humble and contrite hearts? The Lord said to Jacob, “Let me go, for the day breaketh.” But Jacob said, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” And there and then he was blessed. “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel,” God declared; “for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Even so will God's children be blessed if they wrestle with him for...

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil. Isaiah 1:16. But many are attracted by the beauty of Christ and the glory of heaven, who yet shrink from the conditions by which alone these can become their own. There are many in the broad way who are not fully satisfied with the path in which they walk. They long to break from the slavery of sin, and in their own strength they seek to make a stand against their sinful practises. They look toward the narrow way and the strait gate; but selfish pleasure, love of the world, pride, unsanctified ambition, place a barrier between them and the Saviour.  To renounce their own will, their chosen objects of affection or pursuit, requires a sacrifice at which they hesitate, and falter, and turn back. Many “will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” They desire the good, they make some effort to obtain it; but they do not choose it; they have not a settled purpose to secure it at the cost...

Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Ezekiel 36 31 No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I can not give it.  It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I can not keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul. It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward it is to be renewed. All our good works are dependent on a power outside of ourselves.  Therefore there needs to be a continual reaching out of the heart after...

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 Counterfeit holiness, spurious sanctification, is still doing its work of deception. Under various forms it exhibits the same spirit as in the days of Luther, diverting minds from the Scriptures, and leading men to follow their own feelings and impressions rather than to yield obedience to the law of God. This is one of Satan’s most successful devices to cast reproach upon purity and truth. He who beholds Christ in His self-denial, His lowliness of heart, will be constrained to say, as did Daniel, when he beheld One like the sons of men, “My comeliness was turned in me into corruption.” The independence and self-supremacy in which we glory, are seen in their true vileness, as tokens of servitude to Satan.  Human nature is ever struggling for expression, ready for contest; but he who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul. Sel...