GOD’S WORD FOR JUNE 8

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES:

JESUS, YOU……… LOVE ME WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE –Jer 31:3

JESUS, YOUR…………GLORY IS SHOWN IN YOUR CREATION –Ps 19:1; Ps 8:3-4; Romans           1:19-20

JESUS, YOU……….ARE MY SUN AND SHIELD –Ps 84:11

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THE WORD FOR TODAY

2 Timothy 2:20-21 AMP

“Now in a large house there are not only vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common).  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”

Toay we’ll finish  the chapter entitled, “In Affliction and Trial” in the classic and beloved book, “Abide in Christ” by Andrew Murray

Abide in Christ; so will you bear much fruit. Not one vine is planted without the owner thinking of the fruit, and only the fruit.  Other trees may be planted for ornament, for the shade, for the wood — the vine only for the fruit.  And of each vine the husbandman is continually asking how it can bring forth more fruit, much fruit. 

Believer, abide in Christ in times of affliction, and you will bring forth more fruit.  The deeper experience of Christ’s tenderness and the Father’s love will urge you to live to His glory.  The surrender of self and self-will in suffering will prepare you to sympathize with the misery of others, while the softening that comes of chastisement will fit you for becoming, as Jesus was, a servant of all.  The thought of the Father’s desire for fruit in the pruning will lead you to yield yourself afresh, and more than ever, to Him, and to say that now you have but one object of life – making known and conveying His wonderful love to your fellowmen.  You will learn the blessed art of forgetting self and, even in affliction, availing yourself of your separation from ordinary life to plead for the welfare of others.

Dear Christian, in affliction abide in Christ.  When you see it coming, meet it in Christ; when it has come, feel that you are more in Christ than in it, for He is nearer you than affliction ever can be; when it is passing, still abide in Him.  Let the one thought of the Savior, as He speaks of the pruning, and the one desire of the Father, as He does the pruning, be yours too:  “Every branch that bears fruit, He purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

So will your times of affliction become your times of choicest blessing – preparation for richest fruitfulness.  Led into closer fellowship with the Son of God and deeper experience of His love and grace;  established in the blessed confidence that He and you entirely belong to each other; more completely satisfied with Him and more wholly given up to Him than ever before, with your own will crucified afresh, and the heart brought into deeper harmony with God’s will – you will be a vessel cleaned, fit for the Master’s use, prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2;21).

True believer!   Try to learn the blessed truth, that in affliction your first, your only, your blessed, calling is to abide in Christ.  Be much with Him alone.  Beware of the comfort and the distractions that friends so often bring.  Let Jesus Christ Himself be your chief companion and comforter.  Delight yourself in the assurance that closer union with Him, and more abundant fruit through Him, are sure to be the results of trial, because it is the Husbandman Himself who is pruning and will ensure the fulfillment of the desire of the soul that yields lovingly to His work.

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