by J R Miller
September 1
He went and beheaded him in the prison. - Mark 6:27
Jesus knows how His followers can best serve Him. He sent the apostles out to teach and heal.
John the Baptist, however, He permitted to be seized, to languish in prison, and to be put to death.
We should be willing to serve our Master in the way He points out. He may want us to give a long life to active usefulness, or He may want us to serve and honor Him by enduring persecution and suffering wrong.
The life of John seemed to be a failure. He preached only a few months.
He was a great preacher, too, and hundreds went to hear him. It seemed to his friends a pitiful waste of life, an irreparable loss to the heavenly kingdom, when he was murdered.
But John's work was done - all he was sent into the world to do. There really was no reason for his living an hour longer.
When one dies in youth, we are apt to deplore his departure as untimely, but no mistake is made. "Every man is immortal till his work is done."
September 2
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. - Mark 13:31
The Christian need never fear any calamities or judgements that can possibly come.
Our Lord here foretells great destructions and troubles that would come upon the country. But He told His disciples not to be afraid. No harm should come to them. They were only to take heed not to be led astray. If they would continue faithful, they should be kept in perfect peace through all the perils. "He that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved."
History tells us that when the terrible calamity came upon Jerusalem no Christians perished in the awful destruction, because they had been forewarned of the coming disaster and had obeyed their Master's command, all leaving the doomed city before the siege began, and finding safe refuge.
Always those who believe in Christ and obey His word are safe in any danger. Though the earth itself should be destroyed, God's children are safe in His love, from which nothing can separate them.
September 3
As they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them. - Mark 14:22
The last day of our Lord's life on the earth was full of sacred memories.
In the evening was the Last Supper. Jesus craved to be remembered. He was human, and none of us want to be forgotten. We desire especially to live in the hearts of those we love.
Jesus gave the Holy Supper to be kept always, as a feast, in memory of Him.
If we always remember Christ, it will keep us faithful to Him. He wants us to be true and loyal in the midst of our week day cares and temptations as we are when sitting at His table. Remembering Christ will also transform us and make us like Him.
Our thoughts make us. They are the builders of our character. If they are white and pure, they will build a temple of marble in us. If they are spotted and stained, they will make our lives spotted and stained.
If we always remember Christ, we will grow up into the beauty of Christ. That is what the Lord's Supper is meant to help us to do.
September 4
He cometh, and findeth them sleeping. - Mark 14:37
One of the saddest elements in the Gethsemane experience was the disappointment of Jesus in His disciples.
He asked the three most loved of them to be near Him in His great agony. He craved the help of their sympathy. But when He came back to them, hoping to be strengthened by their love, He found them asleep.
A legend of the Brittany peasants tells how the robin got its red breast. As Jesus was being led out to Calvary, a bird, pitying Him, flew down and plucked one thorn from the crown of thorns He wore. The blood spurted from the wound and splashed the bird's breast.
Ever since, the peasants say, the robin has had a spot of red on its breast in remembrance of its pity for the Master that day. The disciples had it in their power that night, not to pluck thorns from their Master's brow, but to strengthen Him by their sympathy.
They missed their opportunity, however, and only made Gethsemane harder for Him.
September 5
Pilate… released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus… to be crucified. - Mark 15:15
Pilate's was a most unenviable distinction. No doubt he felt honoured when he was made governor of Jud? But the honor brought him a responsibility, which proved his undoing.
Pilate did not know, when he was called up so early that April morning, that that day was doomsday for him. He did not realize that he was about to make such a record of infamy for himself. He would better a thousand times have missed the honor of being governor and thus have escaped the making of the terrible mistake he made that day.
The way Pilate put the question was, not "What is right?" the only question a judge should ever ask, but "What will advance my interest?" It was here that he wrecked all.
To-day he is gibbeted before the world as a judge who consciously sent an innocent man to the cross. A writer represents Pilate as washing his hands forever, and looking at them to find them forever stained. The spot will never wash off.
September 6
Who shall roll us away the stone? - Mark 16:3
The love of the women friends of Jesus shines out very brightly in all the story.
He had healed and blessed them, and they followed Him from Galilee, ministering to Him, doing things for Him. They watched by His cross and wept by His grave. They had no hope or thought of His resurrection, but they loved on in their bitter disappointment, and sought to honor His body as it lay in the grave. They were sorely disappointed when they found it in the grave! Their disappointment was the world's hope.
The good news the angel told them quieted their fears, and dried their tears, and they went forth to be the first messengers of the resurrection.
It is interesting that Christ's first appearance was to a woman, one who loved most because she had been blessed most.
The appearances of the forty days left all the disciples convicted that their Lord had risen indeed, and now believers all over the world rejoice in a living Saviour.
September 7
That ye should earnestly contend for the faith. - Jude 3
This little epistle is full of warnings against disobedience and unbelief. It is well that we remember always that those who live in sin shall perish.
The closing lines of the epistle are full of hope and encouragement for those who keep themselves in the love of God, and look for the mercy of Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
The benediction is singularly beautiful and rich in its assurance. Jesus Christ is able to keep us from stumbling in all our journey through the world. This is a wonderful promise and assurance. Life is full of dangers and temptations. We cannot keep ourselves.
Heaven is promised to us, but heaven is far off and the way is perilous. How can we ever get there? Christ will care for us; keep us not only from falling, but even from stumbling.
There is something else He will do - He will set us before the glory of God without blemish, at last. This twenty-fourth verse alone makes the whole epistle worthy of the place it holds in the sacred Scriptures.
September 8
I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. - Acts 26:19
Heavenly visions are given us to show the possibilities of our lives. They are not meant to discourage us by their brightness and their beauty. They are revealing's of what we may become, and we should be instantly obedient to them.
Paul is an example of a man who puts his beliefs at once into practice. Truth never was to him for mere ornament - it was something to be lived. When he saw his duty, he did it.
If we would think of all Christ's teachings, all glimpses of heavenly things, in this way, we would not live as so many do live - on life's low levels. Agrippa seems to have sneered at Paul's personal appeals as if the preacher would have made him a Christian like himself.
But why not? Paul wanted every man to be a Christian. He was not ashamed to be Christian himself, and he saw no reason why anybody, even Agrippa the king, should be ashamed to be what he himself was - "except these bonds."
September 9
They cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. - Acts 27:29
It is well always to carry anchors with us. We do not know when our only safety will be in casting anchor.
It may be in a business matter. It may be in a friendship. It may be in the drift of our life away from Christ. It may be in a feeling of anger - if we do not check it, it will carry us to some rash act, which we shall forever regret.
In any time of uncertainty, we should throw out anchors and wait for light.
Though God is guiding us, the human part must never be neglected. Paul had said not a life should be lost, yet here he says that if the sailors fled, the ship could not be saved. The cargo, tackling, and furniture had to be thrown out in order to save the ship.
It often happens that the only way we can save our lives is to sacrifice possessions.
One of the finest scenes in the Bible is that of Paul looking up to heaven and giving God thanks before he broke the bread on the storm-swept ship.
September 10
The barbarous people shewed us no little kindness. - Acts 28:2
God's promises never fail. Not one person was lost on the ship that bore Paul. They were saved for his sake. The men were not landed in a very easy and graceful way, but every one of them got ashore safely.
There is a great deal of human tenderness in this world, even among rude people and those who do not know Christ. Paul's company received "no common kindness" from the people on the island, though these were barbarians.
Suffering touches hearts everywhere, making all kin. Nobleness of character reveals itself in all circumstances.
Through all the terrible voyage Paul's rare personality shone out. Here on the island we find him gathering sticks for the fire. One of Christ's promises to the disciples was that if they took up serpents they should not be hurt. This was fulfilled to Paul.
If in doing our duty we are required to be among things that are dangerous, we may trust God and not be afraid. Nothing can harm us if we are doing God's will.
September 11
Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him. - Acts 28:30
God's purposes never miscarry. Paul was to go to Rome. The obstacles appeared insuperable. Even the elements seemed to be in league to prevent his reaching there.
But through all hindrances the way was opened, and at last he entered the "Eternal City."
A prison life is not an ideal one for a missionary. But Paul's imprisonment did not limit his usefulness. Indeed, the fact that he was thus under the protection of Rome made him safe from persecution. That was God's way of providing for him.
We are apt to think of shut-in days as lost time. One looking at it only superficially might say, "What a pity Paul had to lose those two whole years in prison!" But perhaps no other two years of Paul's life yielded better returns. From his prison he preached to those who came in. Then four of his epistles were written during that time, and they have been blessing the world now for nineteen hundred years.
September 12
Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. - Mark 5:8
Jesus met the fierce demons that no man had been able to control, and they yielded to Him without resistance.
There is no power of evil, which is not subject to His sway. This ought to be a comfort to us in our effort to save wicked men. We cannot change them, but Christ can. This is the faith that makes missionaries confident as they go among the heathen. Christ can save the worst of them, changing them into quiet, peaceable, and gentle Christians.
Some people say they have such bad tempers that they cannot learn self-control. If they will only put their ungovernable tempers into the hands of Christ, He can tame them, as He tamed the demoniac.
The people of that neighborhood seem to have been angry because they lost their swine. They would rather have had the demon remain in the man than to have given their swine to have the man cured.
We ought to be glad to see such a man freed from the power of evil, whatever the cost may be to us.
September 13
Jesus went with him. - Mark 5:24
Jesus is always quick to respond to calls for help.
He went at once with Jairus when his little daughter was dying. But He is never in a hurry. Although the child was at the point of death, when a poor woman in the throng touched the hem of His garment, with a heart-cry for healing in the touch, Jesus gave heed to her and gave her the blessing she sought. He even lingered to talk with her.
By the time He had done this, it seemed that He had waited too long, for word came that the child was dead. But Jesus is just as able to restore the dead, as He is to heal the sick.
So His delay in reaching the ruler's house resulted in a greater work, when He raised the dead child to life, than if He had hastened and had kept her from dying.
We need never be afraid of Christ's delays - He never tarries too long. We may learn a lesson, too, on the beauty of wayside work. When we are going somewhere on an errand of business we may find opportunities of doing others kindnesses on the way.
September 14
There is nothing from without a man that entering into him can defile him. - Mark 7:15
It is right for us to preserve cleanness of body. A filthy person is not a good Christian.
But it is still more important that we have clean hearts. It is not enough to honor God with the lips - we must worship Him with our heart. A man may work in a coal mine or a foundry, and have blackened hands and face, and yet have a white heart, be pure, sincere, and true in the inward parts. On the other hand, one may have a body washed with water, and yet have a black heart.
If we would please God we must have our hearts pure, even if our bodies are necessarily soiled because we have to work in dust or soot.
The glimpse Jesus shows of the interior of the human heart is not flattering. It is a nest filled with all manner of evil things.
There is a good deal of talk in some quarters about social rank. A man who works on the streets or in certain occupations is rated away down in the scale. But nothing really degrades a man but sin.
September 15
He could not be hid. - Mark 7:24
Jesus cannot be hid. Wherever He is, people know it.
There was a great burden on this Gentile mother's heart, the burden of a demoniac child. When she heard that the Healer was near her, she saw her opportunity and seized it. She believed that He could heal her child, and she was determined to get the blessing while He was within reach.
It would be well if all mothers were as earnest in seeking spiritual blessing for their children as this mother was in seeking the casting out of the demon.
There are other impediments in speech and hearing besides those named in these verses.
Some men cannot speak for God, nor can they hear God's words as He speaks to them. Many who profess to be the followers of Christ seem never to be able to speak a word for Him. God gives them messages, but they remain silent, and souls are lost for want of a word, which they might have spoken.
We should seek the freeing for use of all our abilities, for power to its last particle is duty.
September 16
They bring a blind man unto him. - Mark 8:22
There are different kinds of blindness.
People are led along the streets whose eyes see nothing of all the beautiful things in the natural world. Then there are people who have splendid eyes for the things of nature, but who are blind to spiritual things.
This blindness is far worse than the other. Our prayer should be, as we go about through God's natural world, "Open my eyes to see also the lovely things of the spiritual world."
There is a story of a man who lived beside the sea and who was always speaking to his neighbors of the blue mountains beyond. They saw no mountains, and thought he was only a dreamer. But one day he sailed away to visit these mountains. The people laughed at his delusion, as they thought it, but by and by he came back, bringing rich treasures - gold, silver, and precious stones - which he had gathered.
The things of the spiritual world are real, if only our eyes are opened to see them.
September 17
Why could not we cast him out? - Mark 9:28
The disciples were baffled and defeated that night while the Master was absent from them.
When the father came with his boy, they could not cast out the demon.
We are strong only when Christ is with us; we are weak when He is absent from us. Yet the disciples need not have failed in their effort. Jesus chided them for their lack of faith. The father also showed little faith, for in his request he said to Jesus, "If Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." Jesus replied, "If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth."
The father's little faith stood in the way of the child's restoration.
It must often be so, that lack of faith in parents' keeps blessings away from their children. This is a startling thought, that our want of faith may keep blessings from others. Our prayer should be that of this father's: "I believe; help Thou my unbelief."
A Christian should always be able to do impossible things. Nothing is impossible if we believe.
September 18
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness. - Philippians 2:29
It is pleasant to look up the little biographies of good men that we find imbedded in Paul's letters. There is so much that is deep and abstruse in some of his doctrinal discussions that we are apt to think of him as a sort of doctrinaire, without much of the genial, loving side of life in him.
But when we study his letters we discover our mistake. He loved people, he needed friends, and he always saw the best that was in them.
The little story of Epaphroditus that we have in this chapter is very interesting.
Paul appreciated him. Nor did he forget his kindness - he had ministered to his needs. He was the messenger from the Philippian church, and had brought tokens of love to the apostle from his old friends. He had been taken sick, too, in Rome, but God had mercifully spared him. Now he is returning, and is to carry this letter.
This kindly mention of Epaphroditus shows us how somewhere, if not in books, every kindness any of us does is written down.
September 19
I press toward… the prize. - Philippians 3:14
The best ever lies before us if we are truly following Christ.
Life is a mountain climb, and we never get to the summit in this world. Paul tells us that he has not yet reached the end of his race. But he is pressing on with inexhaustible energy and enthusiasm. He forgets the things, which are behind.
Some people live altogether in their past. They tell you over and over of the great things they have done. Paul had done a great many brave and noble things, but he forgot them all, never talked about them, did not take time to record them - he was so eager to get on and to attain loftier heights, to do greater things, to win greater victories. Before him lay the goal with the prize of life, and to this he pressed continually.
It is a noble picture, this old apostle, at an age when many men are talking about "the dead line," still reaching forward and holding eyes fixed on the real goal of his life far ahead.
We ought not to lose the lesson.
September 20
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21
It is a splendid watch-word for life that Paul gives us here - "To me to live is Christ."
A great many people could not fill out the sentence in that way, if they were to write honestly the purpose and motive of their life. Some would write, "To me to live is to make money," or "to gratify my appetites."
Every Christian should be able to make Paul's word his own - "To me to live is Christ."
This means that the one purpose of our living is to honor Christ, to serve Him, to do His will, to love and obey Him, and to advance His kingdom. When one lives thus, one never questions the wisdom of any use of His life Christ may make. If He wants us to work, that is well. If He lays us aside to suffer, it is all right. If He sets aside our plans, we do not complain. Whether He leads us into sorrow or into joy, it matters not.
Our life is his, and whatsoever pleases Him is right.
September 21
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. - Philippians 1:3
It has been noted that the Philippian church never gave Paul any anxiety.
Most of the churches founded by him lay heavily on his heart at some time or other. They had quarrels, and he had to be peacemaker. Or there were cases of wrong-doing, and he had to bear the burden. But the Philippian church was happy in itself. There were no wranglings', no dissensions. Paul got only joy and comfort from this church. Here he thanks God for it.
It is a great thing to live so as to be a comfort to our friends, to those who love us and live for us. It is a great thing for a church to be a joy to a pastor, never to put thorns into his pillow. It is a great thing for children to be a comfort to their parents.
A father was just saying that not one of his children - now all married and settled in life - has ever caused him an anxious day or a sleepless night. Why should we not set for ourselves the aim always to be a comfort to our friends?
September 22
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord. - Ephesians 6:10
Strength is commended in all the Bible as a duty. We are never exhorted to be weak. God is very patient with weakness, but He would have it brought to Him, and then it becomes strength.
Paul exhorts us here to be strong in the Lord. Life is not easy for us. All its best things have to be won in struggle. Only he that overcometh can receive the reward.
It is a comfort to us to know that He in whose name we are to be strong is the Mighty One. He overcame the world, and thus is able to help us in all our battles. No one ever can be defeated who has Christ for his Friend and Helper.
Those who would enter the battle must put on the whole armor of God. They must not only fight, but must also stand in defense when assailed - and oftentimes it is harder to stand than to fight. If we would be strong we must be true and must keep right with God.
Apart from Christ we can do nothing; in Christ we can do all things.
September 23
We are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. - Ephesians 5:30
Nothing in this world means more to God than a beautiful home of love and prayer.
Our chapter for to-day is given to suggestions as to the making of a home. Each member of the family has a share. There is the husband's part. He must love his wife and give himself to her, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. This is a high order of love. The wife has a part. She is to love her husband and live for her home. There is a part also for parents. They live for their children. They care for them. They train and teach them. They show them how to live. They are the revealers and interpreters of God to them. There is a part also in the home-making for the children. They are to obey their parents.
People sometimes say facetiously that in these days the commandment runs, "Parents, obey your children." Where this is the interpretation, it is an unhappy reversal.
The true Christian home is one in which love rules, and where each one fills his own place.
September 24
Now are ye light in the Lord. - Ephesians 5:8
We are able to walk in this world as children of light. Light stands for all that is beautiful, true, right, and good. Darkness is the emblem of all that is wrong, evil, unbeautiful, unholy.
As Christians we belong to the kingdom of light. We should so live that our lives shall always give out light. We are the light of the world. We are to make life brighter for others. We are to live so as to make the way plain to some who do not know where to go or what to do.
It would be very sad if any persons in darkness should look to us to learn how to live, and find our light not shining. If the light in a lighthouse were to go out some night, ships might be wrecked. If our light fails to shine even for a little while, we know not who might perish in the darkness.
We are all children of light, and dare never to have our lamp grow dim.
September 25
Ye have not so learned Christ. - Ephesians 4:20
Christians are not to live as other people do. Something far better is expected of them.
They have come out from the world, and they are to show the world an example of heavenly life. They are no longer to "walk as the Gentiles also walk."
Those who have learned Christ should put away all the evil things of their former life, and be renewed in the spirit of their mind.
They should put away falsehood and speak truth with their neighbors. If they get angry they should be sure not to hold hate in their hearts overnight. "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." If they had ever stolen, they should steal no more, but should earn by honest labor whatever they get. They should keep special watch over their speech, never speaking any corrupt words. They should utter only words that will do good, imparting grace, making people happier and better. They should be careful never to do anything to grieve the Holy Spirit. They should keep their hearts free from all bitter thoughts and should be kind to everybody.
September 26
He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. - Ephesians 4:11
"To each one his work." Some are apostles, some evangelists, some pastors, some teachers, and some helpers only in small ways. But every Christian has something to do.
If the smallest wheel in a watch fails to do its part, the watch stops. If the least Christian in a church neglects his duty, the whole church suffers. No one should ever say, "My little work will not be missed, I am so small and weak." No one is unimportant.
The purpose of the Church is the perfecting of the saints. We all begin as little children - only babies - but we are not to continue infants.
It is a sad home in which the baby never grows, and at four or five years of age is a baby still. Yet there are Christians four or five years old who are no farther on than when they were born. The work of the Church is to stimulate the growth of each Christian and develop and train him so that he will attain "unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
September 27
Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. - Ephesians 3:20
It is a comfort to us to know, when we pray, that God is able to do for us all that we ask.
Paul tells us that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. This is not saying that He will actually give us everything we ask for. We ask sometimes for very unfit things. We think they would supply our wants, or satisfy our heart-hungers, or give us the joy we lack. But really they would not. Perhaps they would do us harm.
God will not give us these things, no matter how earnestly we ask for them.
We may plead to have some impending trouble or burden averted. God is able to do it - we are sure of this. But it may be that His love for us requires that we bear the burden or endure the sorrow. We may be sure; therefore, that there is nothing we may ask which God could not do. If He does not do what we wish, we know that it is better it should not be done.
September 28
I will shew thee my faith by my works. - James 2:18
It is not enough to have an intellectual faith. There are people who will believe all the Bible, so far as assent to its teachings is concerned, and yet who are not a whit the better for it.
The only faith that is of any avail is that which draws the life after it in obedience. We must show our faith in our works, and by our works. One may seem very sympathetic when need is before him, but if he does nothing to relieve the distress, his sympathy is only a pretence.
Abraham was the great prince of faith, and when he began to believe in the true God he left home and country and followed the divine bidding over a trackless way, without question. The son of promise had been given to him, but when he was commanded to offer this son on the altar, he did not question the command nor ask how it could be consistent with the promise, but instantly obeyed.
If we believe God, we must surrender our lives to Him absolutely.
September 29
When they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes. - Luke 5:6
Christ is able to help us in our business affairs as well as in our spiritual matters.
The disciples had been fishing. They had toiled all night, and their nets were empty in the morning. Jesus told them that if they would push out farther and drop their nets in a certain place, they would find plenty of fish. They did as He asked them to do, and were rewarded.
Some people seem never to learn that they can have God's guidance in their secular affairs.
A young woman was trying to find something to do. A friend, after advising her, asked her if she had taken the matter to God. "Why, you would not pray about a matter of this kind, would you?"
That is precisely what we should do. God is interested in everything in our lives, in our smallest daily affairs, as well as in our largest spiritual interests. Jesus tells us that the very hairs of our heads are all numbered.
This means that nothing in our lives is too small for God's notice.
September 30
They went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling. - Luke 5:19
We should be earnest in helping others.
We have a splendid example in the story of the four men who brought their neighbor to Jesus. This neighbor was a paralytic. He never could have got into the presence of the Healer without their aid. These men carried him where Jesus was that day. They found such a crowd about the door that they could not enter. But that did not discourage them. They were determined to have their friend healed, and when they could not get in they carried him to the roof and, opening a way, let him down into the very presence of Jesus.
If we were as eager to do others good, we would not be easily disheartened in our efforts.
The truth is, we try languidly to help our neighbors, and nothing comes of our efforts. If we really love people, we will stop at no cost in trying to do them good.
The Good Samaritan is another example of this. He is Christ's own illustration of what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves.
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