Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice, and to Hearken Than the Fat of Rams. 1 Samuel 15:22
Jan 23rd, 2019
Morning MeditationF. B. Meyer
Categories: Meditation;Inspirational;Book Study

THIS is a great principle, which is repeatedly enforced throughout the Bible. Men have always been apt to divorce religion and morality, and to suppose that a certain tribute of sacrifice to God will be sufficient compensation for notorious evil doing. But in every age God's servants have protested against the notion, and have insisted, as Samuel did with Saul, that it were better to obey, although there should be no spoil from which to select victims for sacrifice. This was Christ's perpetual protest against the Pharisees.

Let the Ritualist beware.  There is a grave fear lest extreme attention to the outward rite may be accompanied by carelessness to the inward temper. Where the outward observance is the expression of the attitude of the soul, it is to be respected even by those of us who feel that excessive symbolism is hostile to the devout life; but where the rite takes the place of the soul's devotion, or condones a lax morality, it cannot be too sternly deprecated. Though all the Levitical rites should be observed without flaw, they could not compensate for the persistent neglect of the least item of the Decalogue. "God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

Let us all beware.  We are apt to make sacrifices of time and money and energy for God, and to comfort ourselves with the reflection that such as we are may be excused if in small lapses of temper, or disposition, we come short of the Divine standard. No; it cannot pass muster. One sin mastered, one temptation resisted, one duty performed, is dearer to God than the most costly sacrifices that were ever piled upon the altar.

Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure ...
Jan 23rd, 2019
Morning MeditationA. Sadlier
Categories: Meditation

"Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself:" - Ephesians 1:9

"The mystery of His will", the succeeding verses tell us a little about the mystery of His will. We see the mystery of His love in all the wonderful blessings He will pour out on us in the ages to come. I think He holds back from us a more clear view of what is to come because if we began to comprehend the glory that is to be ours we would never be content to live in the hear and now. For the believer nothing awaits him but glory and blessing and more glory and blessing, endless joy and rejoicing. What a contrast with the prospect of the unbeliever.

It is an even greater mystery as to why anyone would refuse the salvation Christ offers!

Oh glorious mystery of His love, That I a child of earth,

May dwell by faith with Christ above, The Lamb of matchless worth.

My feet must tread earth's lowly way. but on faith's wings I soar,

To view the land of endless day, My home forevermore. - Unknown