SINGING IN A BLIND ALLEY
Acts 16:25-34
When the heart believes, it sings, no matter what contrary signs or circumstances there are. The expectant heart prays and sings. We all pray when we are in a tight place; but do we sing, too? If you really expected the walls of your tight corner to break, wouldn’t you be singing all the day? And when the walls break, look out for those whom you face—they may be needing you to point them to Him who saves.
THE HELPFULNESS OF SNAGS
Acts 16:13-24
Do we sometimes forget that our Lord said that persecutions would come? The evil one resents being interfered with. He puts snags in our way. We may have to suffer for the right. But persecutions, even though they be hard to bear, need never discourage. They tell that our way doesn’t suit Satan. When they come let’s hold steady; when the snags are thickest it is time for the promises to be realized.
LEARNING SPEECH AND SILENCE
Luke 20:39-47
Jesus’ enemies couldn’t answer his words nor withstand his power. With speech, masterly in its simplicity and keenness and rare insight into their motives, and with power, silent, intangible, but utterly resistless, he held off their hands of hate reaching for Jerusalem stones as at the Nazareth precipice, until his chosen hour had come for yielding. And if he may have habitual sway in us, he will teach our lips both speech and silence, and shield our persons.
THE GREAT MASTER
Luke 18:24-34
Jesus was King even in his dying. He was masterly, not only in his life, but as he approached the cross and then hung upon it. A strong purpose held him calm, steady, victorious, as he walked deliberately toward the greatest suffering of spirit and body ever borne, and accomplished the tremendous thing he had set himself to do. This tells how some day he’ll rule the world, and meanwhile our lives as we yield to him.
THE RAREST OF THINGS
Matthew 18:1-10
Poise is the rarest of things in actual life— poise of opinion, poise of character, poise of religious conviction. It avoids extremes at both ends. Jesus had the rarest poise. And the man actually swayed by the Jesus spirit will grow gradually into the same poise. The negative and positive traits will balance as they should. Selfishness, prejudice, selfwill will be put out. Love as a practical passion will set the standard in all things.
Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
