"The heart of man may be the abode of the Holy Spirit. The peace of Christ that passeth understanding may rest in your soul, and the transforming power of His grace may work in your life and fit you for the courts of glory. But if brain and nerve and muscle are all employed in the service of self, you are not making God and heaven the first consideration of your life. It is impossible to be weaving the graces of Christ into your character while you are putting all your energies on the side of the world. You may be successful in heaping up treasure on the earth for the glory of self, but "where your treasure is, there you heart will be also" (Matt. 6:21). Eternal considerations will be made of secondary importance. You may take part in the outward forms of worship, but your service will be an abomination to the God of heaven..." (That I May Know Him Aug. 4)
A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united with His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might. So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell on self, but look to Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of HIs character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in HIs purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love,--this is the subject for the soul's contemplation. It is by loving Him, copying him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness. (STC p. 70, 71)
It would be well for us to spend a thoughful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit." (DA p. 83)
"LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS," AND "BE YE THANKFUL" (Col. 3:15
Bethy! I miss you! I miss you so much that I almost started crying when I read your blog! You have been such a blessing to me. Thank you so much for posting things that are spiritually uplifting. Enjoy your senior year. I can tell the Lord has prepared you for it! I love you bunches!
ReplyDeleteOh Katie, I miss you too! I don't know about that, but He is definitely trying I suppose. Sometimes I'm not sure I'm listening. Loralee told me you were heading to..somewhere far away(don't remember:). I will be praying that you have a great time wherever you are going.
DeleteI love you so very much too!