“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”–Prov. 4:23
For the Christian, this is one of the most important verses in the Bible. What we harbor in our heart affects us in every way. We live in a wicked world in troublesome times and the struggle for peace is often difficult. Seeing that the world is so bad it is easy to lose sight of the good. Due to our difficulties it is easy to develop a morbid outlook on life–nothing seems to make us happy. A part of the problem is that we feel our negative thoughts are justified. We tell ourselves that since we ought to be concerned about matters of such a serious nature that it is okay to be miserable– and express it. That’s a struggle we all face. The question is, how do you dismiss from your mind those troubling, painful, depressing thoughts that sap you of your energy, depress your spirit, rob you of peace, and steal your joy?

Fortunately the Bible gives us the answer—it is the answer. In Phil. 4:4-9 Paul gives us the path to “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding“(vs. 7). By thinking on things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, “the God of peace shall be with you“(vs. 9) and the “peace of God—shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus“(vs. 7). Then you will be able to “Rejoice in the Lord alway“(vs. 4). Notice that all of the things he mentions relate to Christ in that they are descriptive of His excellence, and may be summed up in His name. While it is not possible to escape the difficulties of life it is possible to endure them, if we keep “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith“(Heb. 12:2). We are defeated and depressed only when we cease to consider Him. As soon as you feel depression coming on, find a quiet place, open your Bible, and think on these things. It will make a difference.

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me– ” Matthew 25:40

There are many of Jesus’ instructions that we show by our actions we have not fully comprehended or considered—or even believed.

He exhorts us “take no thought for tomorrow” and yet we worry ourselves to death. He promises “my yoke is easy” and yet we prefer to labor under our own. He says, “If you love me, keep my commandments” and yet we ever strive to separate the two. He warns “you cannot serve God and money” and yet we always try to join the two.

But perhaps the revelation which is most widely ignored is this: if you do anything for the least of Jesus’ brethren, it is as if you have done it to Jesus. Do you live like that is true?

Have you visited dingy, smelly nursing homes; given to foreign evangelism; reached out to broken addicts; taught your children the Bible—all as if you were doing it to Jesus? So often we hurry by the hurting faces of Jesus’ brothers and sisters because we consider them beneath us. And yet King Jesus says, “you have done it to me.”

Did you wake up this morning with the realization that today you could do something to minister directly to Jesus? Let that revelation sink in. Live like you take Jesus’ statement seriously. Help the hurting, dust the furniture, teach the Bible, give to the needy, encourage the downcast just the way you would if Jesus was the One you were encountering today. Because He is.–(Baptist Bible Hour)

“God was manifest in the flesh.” 1 Timothy 3:16
I have often said that understanding who you are and what you have as a result of the person and work of Christ is the key to everything in the Christian’s life. Our focus must be on Him or we fail. We must “consider Him” or faint and fall. That is why these following words from the pen of James Smith are so very important and should be of great interest to every believer:

The manifestation of God is in the person and work of Christ, and we are herefrom to learn what our God is, and what we may expect Him to do for us. What Jesus was to those about Him, such Jehovah is; what Jesus did and was willing to do, that our God is willing to do for us. In Jesus we see tender love, melting compassion, and gracious forbearance; mercy and power, rectitude and pity, holiness and long-suffering, justice and harmlessness, united. Such is our God— Love is His name and His nature. And can you slavishly fear such a God? Can you wilfully sin against and grieve such a Being? Cannot you believe His word, depend upon His veracity, rejoice in His name, and expect from Him every promised good? For this purpose His word was written, His name is published, and Jesus died. Always look at God in Christ; attempt not to learn God from nature. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.” “I HAVE MANIFESTED THY NAME.”

Till God in human flesh I see,
My thoughts no comfort find;
The holy, just, and sacred THREE,
Are terrors to my mind:
But if IMMANUEL’S face appear,
My soul surmounts each slavish fear.

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.“ 1 Peter 4:16

A Christian wears the name, possesses the nature, breathes the spirit, lives the life, and devotes himself entirely to the glory of Jesus. All Christ has is his, all Christ has done was for him, and all Christ has promised he may expect. Are you a Christian? Is the matter doubtful? Does Jesus live in you? Are you living by faith upon Him? Is He your daily bread? Do you find that you could as well live without food, as without Jesus? This is a sure evidence. This is the certain effect of the Spirit’s work. If you are a Christian, you pant, pray, and strive to be Christ-like; to bear about in your body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in your mortal body. You put off the old man which is corrupt, and put on the new man which is created in righteousness and true holiness. You would live in newness of life, as one raised from the dead; exhibiting the effects of His death in deadness to the world, love to immortal souls, bearing testimony to the truth, and looking for, and hastening to, the coming of the day of God. O to be a Christian indeed! (James Smith)

“Father, in me reveal Thy Son,
And in my inmost soul make known
How merciful Thou art:
The secret of Thy love reveal,
Any by Thine hallowing Spirit dwell
For ever in my heart!”

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”–Philippians 1:6–7

There is an old saying that if you see a turtle on top of a fence post, it’s pretty sure that he didn’t get there by himself. God’s plan is for His work to be done by His people working together in love and harmony. Paul wrote to the beloved members of the church at Philippi and thanked them for being part of his ministry. Though they remained behind when he continued his missionary trips, they supported him through their prayers and their gifts, and as a result, played a vital part in everything he accomplished. They were just as much a part of the ministry and work as Paul was.

I read a story about an organist giving a concert back in the days when organs had bellows that had to be hand pumped by another person to provide air for the music to play through the pipes. The audience was thrilled with the skill and artistry of the organist; and after each selection applause filled the concert hall. At the end of the concert, the organist stood to address the assembled people and said, “I will now play my final song.” But when he pushed the pedals and keys, no sound came out of the organ. A quiet voice from backstage suggested, “Say we will now play.” God’s focus is on teamwork and partnership within the body. While we each have different roles to play, each one is important, and the work cannot be done as it should unless all of us do our part.(Daily in the Word). Don’t misunderstand this— both were wrong! We should not take all the credit, nor insist in getting any credit. As long as God gets the glory, that’s all that matters!