SEVEN GREAT DESIRES

that I might ...

have some fruit among you, Rom.1.3
shew my power in thee, Rom.9.17
gain the more, 1Cor.9.19
be partaker (for the gospel), 1Cor.9.23
know the proof of you, 2Cor.2.9
preach Him among the heathen, Gal.1.16
live unto God, Gal.2.19

by H. A. Barnes (England)


PRACTICAL TRUTH ‘in Christ Jesus’

faith in Christ Jesus, Col.1.4
ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, Gal.3.26
the faith which is in Christ Jesus, 1Tim.3.13
in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel, 1Cor.4.15
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Phil.2.5
we … rejoice in Christ Jesus, Phil.3.3
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus, Phil.4.21
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, Col.1.28
Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus, Rom.16.3
give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, 1Thess.5.18
all that will give godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, 2Tim.3.12

by H. A. Barnes (England)


Life is a brief spell of time in which we make choice where we are to spend eternity.

— Jim Campbell


The Garments of Jesus

by A. E. Pryke (England)

Into that body, fashioned
By God the Spirit's power,
He stooped in lowly splendour,
When dawned the settled hour.         Gal. 4.4

In swaddling clothes men found Him,
Fit token of that grace
That found no way too lowly,
With us to find a place.                     Luke 2.12

To all appearance helpless,
There in a manger laid,
Yet still the glorious First-born
By Whom the worlds were made.

So through those years of service,
His garments gave no sign
Of His essential glory,
And dignity divine.                         John 1.33

Yet faith in touching only
His mean robe's lowest hem,
Procured the power of Godhead,
That mortal flow to stem.                 Luke 7.44

And once a glimpse was given,
Upon the mountain's height,
Of glory's coming dawning,
In dazzling, holy light.                     Luke 9

His garment's lustrous whiteness
Proclaimed Him spotless King,
Fit ruler of God's kingdom
When He shall glory bring.

But e'er that glad day's coming,
His heart must feel the sting
Of Herod's bitter scorning,
As he mocks Him as king.                 Luke 23.11

In gorgeous robe he clothes Him,
To shame His innocence —
For none could justly question,
Or charge Him with offence.

Returned to Pilate's judgment,
His soldiers join the scorn —
They clothe Him in the scarlet,
And deck His brow with thorn.             Matt.27.28
In mocking adoration,
They speak His rightful place —
Yet only to disown it,
And spit upon His face.

And last, they gamble, heartless,
Beneath the cruel tree —
His seamless robe their object,
Lest it should rended be.                 John 19.24

’Tis past! His shame is ended,
Clean linen must adorn
That scarrèd, wounded body
Till resurrection's morn.                     John 19.40

And when that glad day's dawning
Arrives with morning light,
The clothes are found in order —
Put off without a fight.                     John 20.6-7

Laid by love's final tribute
To Jesu's spotless name,
Exchanged for glory's splendour,
And everlasting fame.


15 THINGS THAT ARE ‘FOR US’

God is for us, Rom.8.31
God delivered up His own Son for us, Rom.8.32
Christ died for us, Rom.5.8, 1Thess.5.10
Christ gave Himself for us, Eph.5.2, Tit.2.14
Christ suffered for us, 1Pet.2.21, 4.1
Christ laid down His life for us, 1Jn.3.16
Christ was sacrificed for us, 1Cor.5.7
Christ was made to be sin for us, 2Cor.5.21
Christ became a curse for us, Gal.3.13
Christ makes intercession for us, Rom.8.34
Jesus the forerunner entered is for us, Heb.6.20
He appears in the presence of God for us, Heb.9.24
The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us, Rom.8.26
The Scriptures were written for us, Rom.4.24
A new, living way opened for us, Heb.10.20

by H. A. Barnes (England)


Cast Down — But Not Destroyed — 2Cor.4.9

J.V. Paterson, Scotland

What dreaded hours of winter time, the miss of fellowship sublime,
The longing, for that loving touch, that helped and soothed and shared so much,
Death’s cruel blow we could not stay, that took our dearly loved away.

In trying oft to ease this pain, one finds oneself down memory lane,
So many are these sweet recalls of happy days, and holy days, and all,
But oh, the pangs, in this reflection, and comfort fails in this direction.

Nothing it seems can fill this aching void that tortures heart and mind in this dark cloud,
Remembrances recall the past and joys that cannot time outlast,
They are but passing, time will run its course, cruel death to intervene, fruit of the curse.

Thus so it is our loved ones take their leave in different ways their passage to the grave,
We do not understand nor bow to scrutiny, the ways of God in His own Sovereignty,
But trustful just to leave in His wise care those whom He gave us, while down here.

And so the precious links on earth are broken and memory treasures words oft spoken,
Thus it must be our lot down here to sorrow, while faith looks on to that bright morrow,
Where sin and death and sighing are no more, in that blest place on Heaven’s eternal shore.

God gives the grace to die, and gives His grace to live, in rich supply,
Sufficient grace in all our need and in this grace along life’s path He’ll lead,
Forgive our selfish thought that would withhold from Thee, Thy loved and bought.

“I have redeemed thee thou art Mine”, purchased possession, they are Thine,
Fruit of Thy work upon the cross of shame, they gladly lived on earth to bear Thy Name,
And from the garden of their saintly bloom the choicest roses Thou dost pick for home.

They are far better now than ever they have been, “with Christ”, and on His breast to lean
In sweet repose beyond all anxious care, how blest our loved ones, happy there,
And what of us, left here with something yet to do, then do it, ‘til He comes for you.

Or ‘til death’s waters roll around us too, and we take our farewell, and bid adieu,
So work for Him while ’tis today, what He has planned for us will come our way,
He calms the storms and He wants us to know, no cruel wave our barks shall overflow.

We are but victims of sin’s awful doom, in death, the grave, and in the tomb,
Outcome of Adam’s sinful fall the book of Genesis recall, “dying thou shalt die”,
And dust to dust again return and in the streets the mourners mourn.

No hope some say, they know not God nor are acquainted with His Word,
For such in Adam, God did send His Son, to cross, to death and to the tomb,
But now He’s risen, up from the grave, in Christ alone is power to save.

We trust Him, love Him, wait His coming soon, at midnight, morning, or at noon,
We too shall look upon His face and marvel at the bounty of His grace,
We all together with our loved ones there, breathe in eternally that fresh and heavenly air.

With no more tears, or pain or sea the former things are passed away,
Forever, can we take it in, no more to sorrow, sigh, or ere again to sin,
Occupied with Him to be adored, enjoy the wondrous beauty of our Lord.

With Him what shall it be, constant unfolding throughout eternity,
His servants serve and see His face so radiant in that holy place,
This is our hope that lifts the drooping spirit up, and sweetens every drop of bitter cup.