TFTD - July 2014

[Resource Manager]

26 July 2014

"To those early disciples who sought the company of the Lord Jesus when he was on earth, the coming Kingdom seemed far off. To us who strive to follow in faith, the return of our Lord seems long delayed. But the end is sure, for all who call upon the Father, not only in times of trial but in all the changing scenes of life. For those whose constant practice is to seek the Father’s presence day and night in prayer, the Kingdom is near."

- David Walters
Prayer and Faith (1968)

[Resource Manager]

27 July 2014

"The love of God and love of neighbour were not sectioned off in the Lord’s life; they were interconnected and indivisible in his words and actions. Even in his death we see, on the one hand, a loving obedience to his heavenly Father and, on the other, we see him laying down his life for his friends. The Lord Jesus’s whole life–in every part–was lived in the context of his faith. At all times and in all activities, every word and attitude was motivated by a central love of God."

- Martin Turton
Bearing the Infirmities of the Weak (1996)

[Resource Manager]

28 July 2014

"Learning" of Christ, as Paul said in Ephesians 4:23-24, is "being renewed in the spirit of your mind, putting on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." As Peter said, "For even to this were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps." (1 Peter 2:21) Since the death of Christ on Calvary and his ascension to his Father, we have left, apart from prayer, apart from faith, but an example to follow. Whatever we may do in this world has to be compared with that example and whenever we feel inclined to take the easy way out, let us think "But you have not so learned Christ". (Ephesians 4:20)"

- W. Bury
The Risen Christ (1959)

[Resource Manager]

29 July 2014

"Christian love, since it is inspired by the love of God, is selfless, not self-seeking, strives not for its own satisfaction but for the good of others, is quietly persistent, not intermittent, is all-pervading, not limited in time or place, and is never contaminated by evil things such as jealousy. It is like that because the love of God is like that. God’s love sought us not because we had any merit or anything to commend us in the sight of God but because God is love. Our love needs to be quickened by that which gives it pleasure and satisfaction but God’s love is not so, for “God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)"

- E.J. Newman
The Life We Share (1962)

[Resource Manager]

30 July 2014

"God’s face sets hard as flint against the obstinate and stiff-necked. But He is gentle and easy to be intreated of the humble, and His steadfastness reveals itself in a purpose which does not fail, a help which is not withdrawn as long as it is asked for, and a bright vision of the goal which can inspire an unflagging onward march by His servants."

- A.D. Norris
Steadfastness (1950)

[Resource Manager]

31 July 2014

"And how shall they hear without a preacher?" This is the down-to-earth question of the great Apostle whose total dedication to the service of Christ and to the work of the Gospel urged him ever on in search of new fields of activity (cf. Romans 15:18-21). It is a reminder that while God is not dependent on any of us, yet the normal medium He employs is human agency. Seed can be borne great distances by birds, by wind or river, but the harvests of the earth are the fruits of human endeavour. The Parable of the Sower shows this clearly, and Christ instructed his followers to pray to the Lord to send forth labourers into His harvest."

- T.J. Barling
The Spirit of Our Witness