We are predestined to be conformed to Christ’s image. But now we groan, being burdened with sin. Now we are grieved, because . . .
  our tempers are so unlovely,
  our feelings are so carnal,
  our minds are so wandering, and
  our hearts are so depraved.

“But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him— for we shall see Him as He is!” 1 John 3:2. We shall be exactly like Him — in every sentiment, feeling, and design! Then selfishness will be forever done away. There will be no more . . .
  rebellion in the will,
  hardness in the heart,
  wandering in the affections,
  guilt in the conscience, or
  blindness in the understanding;
but every faculty will be perfect in holiness — and the whole soul filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory!

We shall be like Him! Then we shall be perfect in knowledge!—- love!—- happiness!—-

We shall be like Him! Then we shall be glorious!
Is Jesus enthroned? We shall sit with Him on His throne.
Is Jesus crowned? He will give unto us an unfading crown of glory!

“But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him — for we shall see Him as He is!”–James Smith

“When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:”–Proverbs 8:29

John Newton was a wicked and immoral man before his conversion. Active in the slave trade he would later work so hard to outlaw, Newton was on his way home to England from Africa when a storm nearly sank his ship and he cried out to God for mercy. Newton eventually became a faithful pastor in Olney, England, where he wrote the poem we know as the wonderful hymn “Amazing Grace.” Late in his life Newton was almost completely blind and deaf, but he insisted on continuing to do what he could for the Lord.

In his diary Newton wrote: “Oh, for grace to meet the approach of death with a humble, thankful, resigned spirit becoming my profession. That I may not stain my character by impatience, jealousy or any hateful temper but may be prepared and permitted to depart in peace and hope and be enabled, if I can speak, to bear my testimony to thy faithfulness and goodness with my last breath. Amen.” A friend who visited Newton just before his death recorded some of his final words. Newton told his friend, “My memory is nearly gone but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Saviour.”

No matter what else happens in our lives, we can always rely on the faithfulness of God. From the very creation of the world all of His decrees and promises have been kept. His Word never fails, and we can fully rely on Him to do everything that He has said. Trials and difficulties do not shake our faith when we focus on the God who never changes. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).–(Daily in the Word)

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.—Psalm 23:2-3a

As far as we can tell, earth still spins at exactly the same speed as when King David wrote Psalm 23 and when Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled.” But it surely seems to have sped up for most of us. Instead of long walks into town, we jump in our cars and fight the traffic. Instead of slow cruises across the Atlantic, we take flights of six jet-lagged hours. Rather than going to bed at sunset, we work into the night and deprive ourselves of sleep.

It’s better to be busy than bored; but being too busy to pray is a clear indication our schedule is no longer under the Holy Spirit’s control. Jesus interspersed periods of intense activity with seasons of withdrawal, carefully guarding His spiritual and emotional well-being.

If you’re rushed at prayer, something’s wrong. Stop a moment, figure out how you can again enjoy your necessary daily time with the Lord, and let Him restore your soul. Beware the barrenness of busyness.

Most of us are far too busy for our own spiritual good.–Copied

—- in the Lord—, Eph. 6:1-10

Understanding who you are and where you are changes your view of everything. Those who are “in Christ” have a totally different outlook on life, death, and eternity than those who aren’t in Christ. “In Christ” we have treasures unknown to the rest of the world. Focus on your position in Christ and it will transform your attitude and your character. John Henry Jowett wrote:

A starling never reveals the richness of its hues until we see it in the sunlight. A duty never discloses its beauties until we set it in the light of the Lord. It is amazing how a dull road is transfigured when the sunshine falls upon it! God’s grace reveals the graces in all healthy things. Hidden lovelinesses troop out when we set them in the presence of the Lord.

And so the Apostle counsels an obedience which is “in the Lord.” He wants us to know how beautiful common things can be when they are linked to Christ. And what he says about obedience he says about everything. One of the great secrets in the teaching of Paul is expressed in just this phrase, “in the Lord,” “in Christ.” It meant connection with a power-house whose energy would light up all the common lamps of life—the lamps of hope, of faith, of love, of daily labour, and of human service.

And this is the secret of the Christian life. We need no other; at least, all other secrets are involved in this. If we attend to this little preposition “in,” we have entry into the infinite. If we are “in Christ,” we are in the kingdom of everything that endures, and we are outside nothing but sin.

“—-we live unto the Lord.”–Romans 14:8

If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but just believed in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, he might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven at once. Why then are we here? Would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the battle-field when one charge might give them the victory? Why are his children still wandering hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary word from his lips would bring them into the centre of their hopes in heaven? The answer is—they are here that they may “live unto the Lord,” and may bring others to know his love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the “salt of the earth,” to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for him, and as “workers together with him.” Let us see that our life answereth its end. Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to “the praise of the glory of his grace.” Meanwhile we long to be with him, and daily sing—

“My heart is with him on his throne,
And ill can brook delay;
Each moment listening for the voice,
‘Rise up, and come away.’
—Charles Spurgeon