“ But why dost thou judge thy brother? or * why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.“–Rom. 14:10

Jack Graham wrote, “A friend of mine told me about a man who was always criticizing the church. This man was at church one day and he saw the custodian cleaning the floor with a brand new mop. He was infuriated! He went to the pastor and told him, “What makes you think we can afford a new mop? The old one was just fine!”

The pastor told him it was the church treasurer’s decision to buy the mop. So the man went off to the treasurer and voiced his opinion. He was fuming, “You always talk about being short of our budget, and then you go and buy a new mop?!”

With a smile on his face, the treasurer calmly answered the man, “You know, I’d be pretty upset too if all the money I’d given to the church over the past year was tied up in a mop!”

Perhaps you’ve noticed that those who criticize the most tend to be the ones who contribute the least. Whether it be at church, at work, or on a project, critics and cynics are right at home pointing out problems rather than being part of the solution.

Don’t be an uncommitted critic. Work together with others in ministry and help move the mission of your church forward. Avoid being a cynic by being actively involved..”

“Beloved now are we the sons of God.” 1 John 3:2
Over nearly 50 years I have preached from this text on many occasions and have been an eye witness to the great affect it has had on people. This morning I read for the first time what James Smith wrote about it in 1840 and it was as though I was reading my own notes. That served to remind me that God’s Word never changes and it forever changes those who receive it.

“What surprising grace is this! For what are we? Poor, vile, depraved, unworthy sinners. So base by nature that we had not one redeeming quality, and even now, apart from the work of the Spirit, there is in us no good thing. But– we were born again of the Spirit; and grace has put us among the children, for its own glorification. Beloved, now, while we feel so much corruption, while despised by the world, harassed by Satan, tormented with fears, NOW are we the sons of God. And will God neglect or disregard His beloved sons? No: let us then cherish the thought, believe the fact, and rejoice in the relationship. Let us walk and act as the sons of God, coming out from among the formal, the self-righteous, and the profane; and devoting ourselves entirely to the Lord’s service and glory. Let us remember in trouble, in sickness, and in death itself, God is our Father, Jesus is our Brother, and heaven is our home. Let us approach God as children, and plead with Him as sons. He says to us, “Come near unto Me, My son, that I may bless thee.” His blessing maketh rich.”

The God who reigns above, we call
Our Father and our Friend;
And, blessed thought! His children all
Shall see Him in the end.

“…trouble is near….” Psalms 22:11

Trouble and the Christian are seldom far apart, or long apart; this may sound discouraging; but Jesus and the Christian are never apart. He will never leave us, and trouble is intended to prevent our leaving Him, or to bring us back if we have already wandered. His loving heart guides the hand which smites; and nothing is done by Him, or permitted, but that it may be over-ruled for our good. Trouble may be near, but the throne of grace also is near; His word of promise is near; and He is near who justifieth us. In trouble God can glorify His grace, deepen His work in your heart, brighten your evidences, and fill you with joy and peace in believing; plead with Him to do so, let not trouble fill you with confusion, weaken your faith, or drive you from Him; but listen to, and act upon His word. He says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” “I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him.” “Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” Every trouble is intended to endear Jesus to your heart. (James Smith, 1840)

This land, through which His pilgrims go
Is desolate and dry;
But streams of grace from Him o’erflow,
Their thirst to satisfy:
Jesus has all His saint can want,
And, when they need, He’ll freely grant.

“Hear ye Him.” Matthew 17:5

Jesus speaks to us in His word; He tells us all His mind; and the Father commands us to hear Him. He speaks to us on a variety of subjects; He instructs, exhorts, warns, directs, and comforts. He always speaks in love. Every word is intended to do us good. Let us then take up His word and say, “I will hear what God the Lord will speak.” How much better this than to listen to Satan, unbelief, carnal reason, or men. Let us believe what He says, for He speaks truth; expect what He promises, for He intends to bestow; practise what He commands, for His ways are peace; and abstain from what He prohibits, for it is sure to be injurious. Hear Him, and plead His word in prayer. Hear Him, and oppose what He says, to fear, Satan, and appearances. Hear Him, and compare all doctrines with His word. Hear Jesus everyday, give Him your attention at least for a few minutes; you can hear nothing better than what He speaks; no one that has a greater claim upon your attention. Hearing Jesus with attention, prayer, and faith, will prevent a great number of real evils.(James Smith, 1840)

Jesus my Prophet, heavenly Guide!
Thy sweet instructions I will bear;
The words that from Thy lips proceed,
O how divinely sweet they are!
Thee, my great Prophet, I would love,
And imitate the bless’d above.

“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.“ Psalm 119:97

Here the lamb may wade–and here the elephant may swim!

The blessed Scriptures are of infinite worth and value!
Here you may find . . .
  a remedy for every disease,
  a balm for every wound,
  a plaster for every sore,
  milk for babes,
  meat for strong men,
  comfort for the afflicted,
  support for the tempted,
  solace for the distressed,
  ease for the wearied,
  a staff to support the feeble,
  a sword to defend the weak.

The holy Scriptures are . . .
  the map of God’s mercy–and man’s misery,
  the touchstone of truth,
  the shop of remedies against all maladies,
  the hammer of vices,
  the treasury of virtues,
  the exposer of all sensual and worldly vanities,
  the balance of equity,
  the most perfect rule of all justice and honesty.

Ah, friends, no book befits your hands like the Bible!

The Bible is the best preacher.
This book, this preacher will preach to you . . .
  in your shops,
  in your chambers,
  in your closets,
  yes, in your own bosoms!
This book will preach to you at home and abroad;
it will preach to you in all companies; and it will
preach to you in all conditions.

By this book you must live.
By this book you must die.
By this book you shall be judged in the great day!
By this book you shall be saved–or by this book you shall be damned!

Oh, therefore . . .
  love this book above all other books,
  prize this book above all other books,
  read this book before all other books,
  study this book more than all other books!
For he who reads much–and understands nothing,
is like him who hunts much–and catches nothing!

“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.“ Psalm 119:97
–Thomas Brooks