TFTD - May 2017

[Resource Manager]

01 May 2017

 

"For each day as it comes God’s promise is that sufficient strength will be given us, but just for a day at a time. “As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25). There in the Bible is the secret of the art of living a day at a time, depending on God for daily strength in the simplest, most trustful fashion."

 

- Claud Lamb

So Shall Your Strength Be (1997)

[Resource Manager]

02 May 2017

"The power of the resurrection ... is the power of seeing beyond death and beyond the kingdom, to the time when Jesus will have accomplished all that God planned through him, when he, as Son, shall be subject to the Father, that "God may be all in all". It is the power which should permeate our lives and deeply influence our actions so that we may remain, to the end, "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord". (1 Corinthians 15:58)"

- John Marshall
The Spiritualities (1965)

[Resource Manager]

03 May 2017

 

"With the heart a man has faith which is accepted for righteousness and leads to righteousness. Faith begins with a reckoning for righteousness as an act of grace because the repentant sinner has not a righteousness of his own, but at the same time his new-found faith will find its fulfilment in righteousness: unless it does, it is not faith, however zealously it may be held as a form of knowledge. Faith is in itself active and obedient." 

 

- L.G. Sargent

The Way of Approach (1969)

[Resource Manager]

04 May 2017

 

"When our Saviour sat opposite the treasury he pronounced the noblest eulogy over her who had cast into it “two mites”. On estimating her merit he remembered her bonds: “She of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had” (Luke 21:14). The poor widow’s heart was larger than her means. She may have lamented she had not more to give. So Jesus will give the same kindly consideration to the different hindrances with which we have to contend—and haply they who through their lives have been regretting they have done so little, may receive at last the unexpected acknowledgement, ‘At least you have done what you could.’ “I therefore, the prisoner of (in) the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called” (Ephesians 4:1)."

 

- Claud Lamb

Remember My Bonds (1988)

[Resource Manager]

05 May 2017

 

"The Tabernacle was a prophecy of the work of Jesus, and there are valuable lessons to be learned from it by those who strive to follow him. Like him they need to be covered by the gold of the power of God, before they can attain to deathlessness. They must strive to show, in some degree, the qualities which were predicted of him in the Tabernacle. Perhaps the whole is summarised in the description of the boards which enclosed the erection. They were made of acacia wood, “standing up”. We have the mortal sinful nature, typified by the wood, yet by the grace of God we can ‘stand up’ in uprightness and finally find ourselves clothed upon with the gold of immortality."

 

- F.E. Mitchell

Offerings, Feasts and Sanctuary

[Resource Manager]

06 May 2017

 

"We have been given different talents, but we must employ them together for the common good. We must not be individualists. We must remember what Paul went on to say in that fourth chapter of Ephesians, "From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16)."

 

- David Caudery

Be Ye Imitators (1991)

[Resource Manager]

07 May 2017

 

"There are times of stress in life which test men’s “building”: a greater time of testing is coming when the responsible to God stand before Christ as their judge. With solemn reiteration in these closing words of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says this test will come to all—wise and foolish—who know his will; but the building that will stand is the life founded on the rock of his teaching and obedience thereto."

 

- John Carter

God’s Way (1974 Edition)

[Resource Manager]

08 May 2017

 

"Faith means, simply, belief—belief in the promises of God. Faith is not an isolated virtue. It is the quality from which other qualities develop. Thus Peter exhorts, "... in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; and in your knowledge temperance; and in your temperance patience; and in your patience godliness; and in your godliness love of the brethren; and in your love of the brethren love" (2 Peter 1:57, R.V.). All springs from faith. To be without faith is to be devoid of all virtue. "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23)."

 

- Peter Watkins

The Friend of God (1966)

[Resource Manager]

09 May 2017

 

"... The references to his suffering were specific; those that concern God’s discipline of His other children are general. He saw all before; we only see the particular application of any circumstance when it comes to us. But if we have fed our minds on God’s word we may meet and use adversity to our good and so be more than conquerors through him who loved us."

 

- John Carter

Searchings of the Heart (1954)

[Resource Manager]

10 May 2017

 

"We are human beings, descended from those who first introduced sin into the world. Left to ourselves we should manifest the works of the flesh. By the grace of God men and women may become sons and daughters of God, and as such, produce fruit of the spirit. In an endeavour to do this it is well to remember the words of the Apostle, “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). If that is done, then it will produce in us the fruit of the spirit. Our part in the process is in a sense subordinate, just as it is in the grower of fruit. He can influence the quality of the fruit; but the natural processes that are indispensable are not produced by him; they are of God. A final reflection in the matter is “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) that the “sap” may do its part to bring forth the fruit of the spirit."

 

- W.H. Boulton

Reflections (1956)

[Resource Manager]

11 May 2017

   

"Spiritual descendants of David are parties to the covenant God made with Abraham. By faith they are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise, having been baptized into Christ. Though the natural sons and daughters of Abraham had great privileges and were nominally sons and daughters of God, the election according to grace has called believers to a relation “better than” these sons and daughters, though the term “sons” is still used of them. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” This being our relation, we know that when Jesus shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:12)."

 

- E.J. Green

The Love of God (1955)

[Resource Manager]

12 May 2017  

 

"The Lord Jesus was rejected by his generation for the same reason as Moses and the other prophets were rejected by theirs. All these men of God spoke words which were offensive to the natural mind; and instead of humbly striving to improve their minds and make the Word of God more acceptable, people clung to their human prejudices and refused to admit that the words that offended them had come from God. As with Moses, so with the Lord Jesus, they found an “escape” in his humanity. “Is not this the carpenter?” (Mark 6:3); “Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet” (John 7:52). They found it convenient to think of Jesus of Nazareth as a man, and even a member of an inferior community—certainly not the Son of God who spoke only the words of his Father.

 

It is not difficult to see that we can err in the same way today in our attitude to the written Word. Our indignant refusal to admit the possibility does not necessarily clear us, any more than the Pharisees were cleared of guilt by saying, “If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets” (Matthew 23:30)."

 

- Peter Watkins

The Inspired Scriptures—Our Sure Foundation (1961)

[Resource Manager]

13 May 2017

 

"Where are you going? There is only one road to the City of God, and whatever good or ill fortune may come our way, that is the road we must walk. We may at times, be compelled to rest awhile at a junction whilst we think things out, but at whatever cost, we must keep to the highway and refuse to be diverted into a side lane."

 

- John Marshall 

Where Are You Going? (1966)

[Resource Manager]

14 May 2017

 

"There is no flaw in God’s arrangements. He who, in fit time, was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and stood like a sheep before its shearers dumb, opening not his mouth, will yet cause the world to tremble with the lion-roars of his mouth. “He shall not fail, nor be discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth” (Isaiah 42:4)." 

 

- Robert Roberts

Sunday Morning (1891)

[Resource Manager]

15 May 2017

 

"The restoration of the kingdom of God on earth can come about only by the “hallowing” of God’s name and the doing of His will on earth. Man alone can never achieve this. Without help from God man will remain in his shackles. The story of the Gospel is the glad tidings of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Christ is God’s answer to man’s need, and through him the blessings of Eden, and more, will be restored to this torn planet adrift from God. Christ alone has totally hallowed the name of God on earth and completely done His will. Therefore, in him lies the ultimate answer to man’s distress ..."

 

- Harry Tennant

The Christadelphians - What they Believe and Preach

[Resource Manager]

16 May 2017

 

"It is amazing how much the great treasury of Bible knowledge will yield if we address ourselves, seriously and prayerfully, to the purpose of searching out its mysteries. After all, the Scriptures were provided for our instruction."

 

- Peter Watkins

The Devil the Great Deceiver 

[Resource Manager]

17 May 2017

 

"... This age is also a materialistic one, which has abandoned faith of every sort and gone in search of false and illusory gain. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. We all recognize the truth of these words, but the busy and anxious lives we lead often deny their force. In our modem economy, it is difficult not to be caught up in the search for possessions, comfort, and ‘security’. We need the constant reminder which Paul gives Timothy regarding that which constitutes true gain, Godliness with contentment."

 

- T. Haltom and G. Booker

Godliness with Contentment 

[Resource Manager]

18 May 2017

 

"The gospel is for men’s salvation, and is a revelation of God’s will. A perversion of the gospel misrepresents God’s will and takes away knowledge of salvation. A perverter of the gospel is a destroyer of the true hope—he is one who throws away the key of knowledge and leaves closed the door by which men can enter into the Kingdom of God."

 

- John Carter

The Letter to the Galatians 

[Resource Manager]

19 May 2017

 

"Cowper wrote, "Wisdom and knowledge far from being one, have ofttimes no connection."

 

The poet was trying to express the truth that wisdom is superior to knowledge, but in his statement of the difference he went too far. There is bound to be a connection, for although it is possible for men to have knowledge without wisdom, no one can be wise without possessing knowledge. Wisdom makes use of knowledge as mind makes use of matter. It is superior because it is comprehensive. A new-born babe begins life without knowing anything of the world he has entered and without any of the qualities that may come with experience. He cannot possibly be wise until he has knowledge—knowledge of the difference between good and evil, knowledge of the God who has called him into being, and knowledge of the way of life. Wisdom is revealed in the proper use of that which is known. The One who is perfect in wisdom has also the perfection of knowledge."

 

- Islip Collyer

Principles and Proverbs 

[Resource Manager]

20 May 2017

 

"The Bible is the connected history of a divine development on earth. We cannot afford to leave parts out. Everything that is written in the Scriptures is contributive to that state of enlightenment that is acceptable to God. To be understood, the Scriptures must be known, and to be known, they must be read, and to be read to any purpose, they must be read systematically, daily, and perseveringly. By this, we shall come at last to know God and His glorious purpose and His beneficent will. By this, we shall be drawn to Him in friendship and prayer, and “thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16). By this, we shall have hope of eternal life in the Kingdom of God that is coming."

 

- C.C. Walker

The Word of God 

[Resource Manager]

21 May 2017

 

"None of us can ever hide where He cannot find us, and every act of waywardness is performed in the daylight of His awareness. Neither can any of us stumble or be in any kind of need but He knows it. "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him" (Psalm 34:6). Never fear, He that keeps Israel keeps us. When the final trumpet sounds and the walls of this age are rent the Lord will be the refuge of His people."

 

- Harry Tennant

Both Small and Great (1961)

[Resource Manager]

22 May 2017

 

"Incorruptible life, with glory and honour in the Kingdom of God restored again to Israel at the resurrection of the just, is the hope set before us in the Gospel, “the one hope of the calling”. Being promised in “the Covenants of Promise”, those who obtain a right to the promise in obtaining that right become “heirs” of this inestimable gift. Hence the phrase “heirs together of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7). An heir is one who hopes to possess; and, at the same time, his hope is according to law, or he is not the lawful heir, however, earnestly he may hope. An heir of immortality, the Kingdom, etc., is not a present possessor of these things, but one who has obtained a scriptural right to the Tree of Life and the City."

 

- John Thomas 

Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come (1857)

[Resource Manager]

23 May 2017

 

"We too are called on in the words of Proverbs 24:27: "Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field, and afterwards build your house." The master builder will shortly be here to examine our workmanship. This chapter gives us a clear idea of the relative values of the labours of the wise and the foolish. How do we stand?"

 

- David N. Wood

Wisdom is Strength (1961)

[Resource Manager]

24 May 2017  

 

"We must measure all our actions, our words, our thoughts, by the extent to which they assist in building up the Body. Nothing must be allowed to disrupt this unity and dismember the body. Even our tongues must be controlled to this end. Paul bade them let no corrupt or worthless communication pass their lips, but only speech that contributes to the building up. Are our remarks always directed towards the upbuilding of others? Sometimes the body is built up better by silence than by words finding fault with trivial failings."

 

- W.L. Bedwell

Stumbling Blocks—and Building Up (1964)

[Resource Manager]

25 May 2017

 

"Divine counsel enables us, if we humbly test ourselves by His word, to know something of human weakness; at the same time the Son of God provides us with an example of purity of thought and perfection of conduct. When men come in close contact with him they know, as Peter declared, 'I am a sinful man, O Lord'. That is the beginning of self-knowledge that leads to the way of holiness."

 

- John Carter

Delight in God’s Law