Life is hard for most people

(J. R. Miller, "Counsel and Help" 1907)

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,

bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2

We should train ourselves to such regard, to such respect for others, that we shall never hurt the heart of one of God's creatures, even by a disdainful look!

Our love ought also to be patient. Our neighbor may have his faults—but we are taught to bear with one another's infirmities. If we knew the story of men's lives, the hidden loads and burdens which they are often carrying, the unhealed sore in their heart—we would have most gentle patience with them. Life is hard for most people; certainly hard enough without our adding to its burdens by our censoriousness, our unkindness, our jeering and contempt.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

There Must Be A Difference

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Matthew" 1856)

"You are the salt of the earth." Matthew 5:13

"You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14

Surely, if words mean anything, we are meant to learn from these two figures, that there must be something marked, distinct, and peculiar about our character, if we are true Christians.

It will never do to idle through life, thinking and living like others, if we mean to be owned by Christ as His people.

Have we grace? Then it must be seen.

Have we the Spirit? Then there must be fruit.

Have we any saving religion? Then there must be a difference of habits, tastes, and turn of mind, between us and those who think only of the world.

It is perfectly clear that true Christianity is something more, than being baptized and going to church.

Daily Supplies

(Thomas Vincent, "Love to the Unseen Christ")

Such as are very wealthy, are greatly loved by the poor and indigent—if they find them also to have large hearts and open hands—ready to distribute unto their needs and necessities.

Consider Christ's fullness and all-sufficiency. None have such fullness and plenty as the Lord Jesus Christ—and none are so willing to give unto the needs of such as are poor in spirit, and sensible of their need.

"It has pleased the Father, that in Him all fullness should dwell!" Colossians 1:19. There is not only fullness in Him—but all fullness! Not the fullness of the cistern—but the fullness of the fountain! Not the fullness only of sufficiency for Himself—but the fullness of redundancy for His people! Not some fullness for some good things—but all fullness for all good things! Not fullness for some time, and to continue but for awhile—but all fullness dwells in Him, and abides for all His people throughout all generations!

Christians have need of daily supplies of Christ's grace. They have need of Christ . . .
when they are dark—to enlighten them;
when they are deadened—to quicken them;
when they are straitened—to enlarge them;
when they are weak—to strengthen them;
when they are sad—to comfort them;
when they are tempted—to support them;
when they are fallen—to raise them;
when they are in doubts—to resolve them;
when they are under fears—to encourage them;
when they stagger—to establish them;
when they wander—to restore them!
None but Christ can do all this—and more than this, for them!

You are empty—Christ is full!
You are poor—Christ is rich!
You are indigent—Christ is all-sufficient!

Christians, will not you love Christ—who is able to do for you beyond what you are able to ask or think; and is as willing as He is able to supply all your spiritual necessities? Will you not love Christ—who is an overflowing and everflowing fountain of goodness; who has inexhaustible treasures of graces and comforts in Him, which are set open before you, and unto you—and every day you may freely come and fetch such jewels out of His treasury as are of higher worth, and of greater use, than any earthly riches!