“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” – Ecclesiastes 9:10

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,” refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do. It is well it is in our heart; but if we would be eminently useful, we must not be content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must practically carry out “whatsoever our hand findeth to do.” One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we “find to do” day by day. We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God. Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do-“do it with thy might.” Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of to-day. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do to-day. Whatever you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little slurred labour, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength.

But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself, for he is perfect weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of Hosts. Then let us seek his help; let us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our “hand findeth to do,” let us wait upon the Lord for his blessing. What we do thus will be well done, and will not fail in its effect. — Morning and Evening

– – – hear ye Him.– Matt.17:5
Strange that we listen to the crude jokes of a stranger, the carnal music of a concert, the lies of a politician, hours of make believe on TV, and yet find no time to hear the Son of God. We would do well to consider what James Smith said to his congregation in 1840:

“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.”

Have you heard a word from the Lord today? He is still speaking. Are you listening? Why?

“—walk worthy of God.” 1 Thessalonians 2:12
Understanding who we are and what we have in Christ plays a major role in what we do for Christ. And that makes an impact on those with whom we have contact. As Christians we are to walk worthy of God that others might see Christ in us. James Smith wrote:

“GOD hath call us with a holy calling, to enjoy a holy Saviour, believe a holy Gospel, possess a holy nature, and walk in a holy way. All the provisions of free grace, all the promises of infinite love, and all the precepts of reigning holiness, unite to require us to be a holy people unto the Lord our God. We are to imitate the conduct of our God. He feeds His foes, loves His people, and always acts becoming His glorious character. Enemies will lie in wait to deceive you, errors will be broached to mislead you; but beware, least being led away by the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own steadfastness. Consider your character: children of God; your high privileges: united to Jesus, temples of the Holy Ghost, companions of saints and angels the friends of God; your destination: to fill a throne of glory, wear a blood-bought crown, and reflect the praises of Jehovah for ever. Walk worthy of God; suitable to your character, profession and destination. Walk with God; walk as Jesus walked; walk circumspectly; walk in love, walk honestly, as in the day; so will you adorn your profession, and secure to yourself comfort and peace.”

When thus we walk with God and men,
The life and conscience clean,
Our faith assumes a body then,
And may be felt and seen.

– – – trouble is near- – -Psalm 22:11
An old song says, “Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear”, but that could have been written in any generation and still be true. Adam pulled a curse down upon out heads and as a result, “Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble”(Job 14:1). What we need to remember is that although trouble is near, help is here! One pastor of long ago put it like this:

“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)

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.–Rom. 1:11
“I long to see you–“. It is a sad fact that, if we’re honest, we often don’t want to see others. We just want to be left alone and not interrupted. We certainly don’t want to be bothered if they have needs and are looking to us for help. But, Paul was different. He actually wanted to be with people. Notice why—“that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift”. He didn’t want to see them to get something, but to give something. He wanted to be a blessing and give them something that would be helpful in life and ministry. It would be good if we were like-minded.

J. R. Miller wrote: “We ought always to desire to be a blessing to those we love. God sends many of his best spiritual gifts, through human hearts and hands. There could be no fitter morning prayer, as we go out for the day, than that we may be permitted to carry some help, comfort, instruction, inspiration, courage, or cheer—to every life that our life touches. There are always those who need such help. No aim in life is nobler—than to be a help to others in all gentle, quiet ways.

We should make sure, too, that it is the best we have, that we impart to others. There are times when the best thing we can do for a man is to make him laugh. But there are other gifts which we should seek to impart. Sometimes it is cheer to a disheartened spirit. Sometimes it is comfort for sorrow. Sometimes it is the inspiration of a fresh thought which we have found. We should make sure at least that to everyone we meet—we are ready to impart some gift which will do him good.”