DUTY STANDS SENTINEL

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Duty is what is due to oneself or to others. If I drink an intoxicant it may hurt my acquaintance who is struggling bravely against a fevered appetite. It is my duty not to. So I won’t, even though I might. It will injure my own body, loosen my control upon my will power, make me open to other evil habits, dull my judgment. My duty to myself calls for restraint. So I won’t. Duty sternly forbids.

2 Samuel 7:22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?

TRUE GENTLEFOLK

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

A gentleman will never do as he properly may if it will hurt someone else. For gentleness is strength accommodating its strength to someone weaker. Gentleness in its first meaning is manliness. And manliness will be true to itself in dealing with another, and never take an unfair advantage. Jesus was the truest of gentle men. Gentleness is love in contact with others. It gladly puts a restraint upon itself for the sake of another.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. 

Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?

WHEN IN DOUBT DON’T!

 Romans 14:13-23

If a thing’s doubtful it isn’t doubtful for the man who would ring true. If there’s a question mark on a habit or a custom or anything, that should rule it out instanter. The thing may be wrong, then the case is clear. It may not be wrong; but it may, possibly. Then it belongs out. No one cares to eat a doubtful egg. When in doubt, don’t is the only safe rule for him who would be true at any cost.

Psalm 25:15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 

Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?

RARE SELF-MASTERY

Genesis 25:27-34

Sin teeters things over, out of poise. Its fever steals away self-control; simple, strong trust in God under every circumstance holds us steady and content. Selfish longing for material advantage beyond his fair share led Jacob to tempt his brother. Bodily hunger, uncontrolled, made Esau underrate a sacred trust. Both lost control. Both had bad diseases, very contagious; epidemic still, everywhere. Poise—rarest of all rare things— comes through Jesus’ control strong in the life.

Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 

Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?

EQUAL TO ANY EMERGENCY

 Matthew 19:3-9

Sin has broken God’s Eden plan of marriage. And a bad break it is, too. Sexual conditions are always an index to general moral condition throughout history and around the world. And divorce is an unfailing index finger to general sexual conditions. Christ’s plain teaching was clearly against any breaking of the marriage tie. God’s grace and power, with prayer and patience, are equal to any situation or emergency, however difficult. So only can there be victory in the life.

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.  

Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?