MEAT IN DUE SEASON ----J.C. PHILPOT

"These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season." Psalm 104:27

The "meat" which God's children long after is to have "the truth as it is in Jesus," in its various branches, revealed with power to their hearts. Not merely to see a certain truth in God's word; that is like a hungry beggar looking at savoury provision through a window, from which he is barred out; such a sight whets his appetite rather than satisfies it. The meat that God's people are longing after, and the only thing which can assuage their spiritual hunger, is "the truth as it is in Jesus" manifested, revealed, discovered, and applied with power to their souls; dew, unction, savour, sweetness, life, light, liberty accompanying the word, so that truth falls as heavenly manna into their hearts. It is not sufficient that the Holy Ghost should create the appetite, but He must overshadow the soul with His Divine influences, breathe abroad a heavenly savour, and fill it with some sensations of His presence, with some meltings of heart at the feet of Christ, with some drawing forth of affection to God, and thus communicate an inward reception of the truth and an enjoyment of its sweetness and savour.

"Thou givest them." It is not to be taken out of the Bible, because it may be read; not to be caught up, as the minister throws it forth, because it may be heard; not to be got out of books; but to be bestowed by the holy Hand of Jehovah Himself, and received in the posture of a penitent, in the attitude of a suppliant, a sinner prostrate at the foot of the cross, without anything in self but wounds, condemnation, and guilt.

But there is a due season: "Thou givest them their meat in due season." There are many living souls, who are hungering after divine blessings, but the "due season" has not come. "The times and the seasons the Father hath put in his own power." You are not yet fit for it; the Lord has to bring you lower; you will have to travel through darker paths, to pass through sorer exercises. There is a "due season" for the manifestation of gospel blessings; there is a fitting time which the Searcher of hearts knows. And that Searcher of hearts knows that many of the true Church of God are at this present time in that state, that He will not manifest to them His greatest and richest blessings. There is a "due season" in which they are revealed and manifested to the soul; and that season will be as suitable to all its wants, as it will be most glorious to God. That "due season" will most probably be when the soul will least expect to receive it. The promise having been so long delayed, it seems as though it would never come; the blessing having been so long withheld, it appears as though the Lord would never bestow it; having denied His countenance so long, it seems as though He had drawn a black cloud over the throne, and through that cloud the rays of the sun would never shine. But it is a "due season;" it will surely come — "though the vision tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry." There is a "set time to favour Zion," and when that set time arrives, the Lord will build up Zion and appear in His glory, for "he will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer." (Psalm 102:17)

ALL THAT GLISTENS IS NOT GOLD---THOMAS BROOKS (1608-1680)

Here is some more wisdom from one of my favorites, and, I hope yours too, Thomas Brooks. If you have opportunity, get some, or all of his writings. He will grow on you. He had spiritual insight that will be good for you, and your family. Like most Puritans, he was patient and earnest in preaching. Read him! (cw)

[1.] First, Hereby you will give an evident proof of the soundness and uprightness of your own hearts, Philippians 1:27-29. Afflictions and persecutions will discover what metal men are made of. All is not gold that glisters: many there be that glister and look like golden Christians, but when they come to the fire, they prove but dross: he is a golden Christian indeed, who remains gold when under fiery trials. The stony ground did glister and shine very gloriously, for it received the word with joy for a time, but when the sun of persecution rose upon it, it fell away, (Mat 13:20, 21).

Men that now embrace the word, will, in times of persecution, distaste the word, if it be not rooted in their understandings, judgments, wills, affections, and consciences. Men may court the word, and compliment the word, and applaud the word, and seemingly rejoice in the word, but they will never suffer persecution for the word, if it be only received into their heads, and not rooted in their hearts. The house built upon the sand was as lovely, as comely, as goodly, and as glorious a house to look upon as that which was built upon the rock; but when the rain of affliction descended, and the floods of tribulation came, and the winds of persecution blew and beat upon that house, it fell, and great was the fall of it, (Mat 7:26, 27). No professors will be able to stand it out in all winds and weathers, but such as are built upon a rock. All others will sink, shatter, and fall when the wind of persecution blows upon them, (Mal 3:2); as sure as the rain will fall, the floods flow, and the winds blow, so sure will an unsound heart give out when trials come.

Nothing speaks out more soundness and uprightness than a pursuing after holiness, even then when holiness is most afflicted, pursued, and persecuted in the world to stand fast in fiery trials argues much integrity within.

JESUS ONLY!---W.F. BELL

"They saw no man, save Jesus only" (Matthew 17:8).  We declare without apology that this is the greatest need of our day!  These words should be written upon our hearts!  The transfiguration of Christ truly proclaims His great glory.  How wonderful to see "no man, save Jesus only."  Sinners, even religious ones, often blind us to the Savior, but Christ is above all men, no matter their name.  This is why we must never "glory in men" (I Corinthians 3:21).

Jesus, my All, to heaven has gone,
He whom I fix my hopes upon.

"Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1).  Yes, "Consider Christ Jesus."  We must see Him alone as "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14), "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9).  The Lord of glory is totally unique, having no rivals, being Himself our Teacher and Treasure.  All sinners are blind and dead, lost and hopeless, without Christ.

Let us never substitute a false Jesus for the real one, including any puny preacher or pope.  We must exalt Christ only as "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6).  No doctrine that does not glorify Him is worth teaching!  No denomination of men must claim our loyalty above Christ!  His atonement alone redeems us, not any work we do!  Christ is a mighty Savior, never being disappointed or frustrated!  Calvary only is our refuge, and may it never be said of us, "For we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves" (Isaiah 28:15).  Religion without Christ is a false place to hide!

Nothing in my hand I bring;
Simply to Thy cross I cling.

Christ exalted is our song,
Hymned by all the blood-bought throng.

The Lord Jesus Christ has sought us and bought us!  Regeneration has made us "new creatures in Christ."  King Jesus alone has the "preeminence"  in His church (Colossians 1:18).  Nothing is greater than the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.  "But we see Jesus" (Hebrews 2:9), and truly what a liberating sight it is!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.       

WHOSE VOICE DO YOU LISTEN TO?----MARIANNE LORDI

Today I am presenting to you a meditation by my friend, Marianne Lordi. This is a blessed bit of spiritual advice. I pray that you will be blessed by this writing. Be sure and comment if you have questions.

 

In the course of our day, we go through a series of choices.  What time to get up, where to go and what to eat are just some of them.  But the most important choice we make each day is whose voice will we listen to?

In the bible, God says in Deuteronomy 30:19  “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life”.  That is a decision you alone must make. The enemy comes around like a roaring lion seeking to destroy you.  If you allow Satan to have a foothold in your life, you are allowing the thief entry to steal your joy.

Jesus said in John 10:10 “I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly”.  Jesus never promised that we would not have problems. He promised that despite our struggles, he would still be able to give us peace and joy in the midst of them and to those who endure blessings for having gone through them.  There is not a circumstance in your life that Christ cannot turn and use for your good.  It doesn’t matter what pain, addiction, illness, financial problem or relationship heartache that you are going through, the power of Christ can and will take you through it. 

The enemy wants you to believe that your situation is hopeless and there is nothing that can help you.  The truth that sets you free is the knowledge that God has a perfect plan for your life.  Those who have put their faith in the shed blood of Jesus need to know that the enemy has no power over your life.  The trials you face are only the winds that God allows as you sail toward the reward he has for you in eternity.

What Satan sends to harm you cannot crush you.  A child of God can never be defeated!  Satan already knows this so his job is to try and convince you that you that your battle cannot be won and that no one cares.  That is a lie from the father of lies.  Remember that it was God who sent his only Son to save us so that none should perish.  It was God who loved us before we first loved him and who works all things out for our good. And it is God, through his Son Jesus, who will never leave us alone but has promised believers an inheritance in eternity.  The only promise the enemy can fulfill is one of pain and despair.  He has no other power. 

Each day begins as a gift from God.  You have a choice to walk in the light of truth which comes from the word of God.  It is a life full of promise and joy in the midst of your problems and a hope that God will fulfill his purpose for you.  Finally, it is the strength to turn from the voice of the enemy who seeks to destroy you and to live the life that Christ has already won for you.   The victory is yours. Choose life!