Found in a home near Perth, Ontario, long after the writer Mrs. JBD., had gone home to be with the Lord, these notes are shared with the hope and prayer that they may still bear fruit in lives now for His glory for Whom we wait.
The knowledge of the Lord's coming is the most purifying and the most separating truth, but it is the most difficult for us to keep before our minds.
He knows and loves and cares
Nothing this truth can dim
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.
Deliverance we don't enter into. Deliverance by power and putting down all against us and leaving us in the old place, the flesh might welcome. But deliverance by death and the condemnation of sin in the flesh, our state as in Adam, is only understood and valued as He Himself, our Deliverer, is known and our hearts won by Him. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us." 1 John 3:1616Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16).
"My strength and song is Jehovah and He is become my salvation." This song is found three times.
Jesus Christ the same:
Ex. 15 brought out yesterday
Isa. 12 brought in today
Psa. 118 brought through forever
Just to leave in His dear hand little things,
All we cannot understand, all that stings;
Just to let Him take the care sorely pressing,
Finding all we let Him bear, changed to blessing;
This is all and yet the way, made by Him who loves Thee best,
Secret of a happy day, secret of His promised rest.
F. R. H.
Wait awhile, it is never wise to pass judgment on the Lord's dealings until we have seen the end of them.
Exhortation to come out of world. 2 Cor. 6.
Sad to lose the enjoyment of this love through an unequal yoke. We cannot do without Thee. We do not want to do without Thee.
God our Father, lead us along for we are so weak and foolish in thought and word. We need to be guided by Thy wisdom through the circumstances before us. Do guide and strengthen with might by Thy spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith, that we being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fullness of God, that we may be able to overcome the world in the strength that cometh from Thee. We pray for our brothers and sisters, (named, a long list). We ask for them what we ask for ourselves. Bless all.
O give us grace and strength to come out and be separate from the world, that we may enjoy and practically know what it is for the ever-existing almighty God to be acting a Father's part toward us. We ask Thee to direct us in all our ways today. Our lives are not made up of big things, but 1000's of little things. Deliver us from doing our own will.
What growth there would be in our souls, what power and what testimony in our lives, if, as the light of God shone in, we opened up more willingly these dark hidden things. He knows they are there, and we know many of them ourselves, but alas! We often close our hearts, desiring to keep within us, or around us, things which will not bear His judgment. "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in the thing which he alloweth." Rom. 14:2222Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. (Romans 14:22). Happy indeed, and one may add, that none other is truly blessed. "Kept by Thy faithfulness."
Nothing we could do, could satisfy Him, if our hearts were not dwelling in His love. When He is before the heart, all our service to Him is sweet. What encouragements there are to go on with the Lord. We need to have the will of God before us. 2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19). "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (unrighteousness)." This will make us men of God.
The efficacy of prayer, if we call upon Him, He answers abundantly. Cast all your care into the unfathomable depths of God and we can go on in peace carried by His might. The sound of abundance of rain came after self judgment, not after the prayer for rain. Two evils. 1. Forsake Me. 2. Hewed them out cisterns. 1 Sam. 7:1-51And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord. 2And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. 3And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only. 5And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord. (1 Samuel 7:1‑5). We want to go on with the Lord and something else. We feel weak and dull and little blessing. The pouring out of the water was the place of utter helplessness and weakness. 2 Sam. 14:1414For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. (2 Samuel 14:14).
1 Sam. 7:99And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. (1 Samuel 7:9). On the ground of what Christ did on the cross we can ask for anything. As failing saints, we cannot claim anything, but we can ask because of what Christ is. As He was offering, then came the victory. Devoted life. I must count the cost and own that I can do nothing, but cast over on Him. The Lord makes His strength perfect in weakness. We can't build the tower or fight the king. We can't be a disciple unless we give up relatives, country. We have to do it in principle at the beginning. We must count the results as well as the resources. "I know whom I have believed." 2 Tim. 1:1212For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12). The Lord was with him. One of the marks of a true disciple. There must be no affectation of giving it up and not doing so. Ephesians gave up their first love. Hos. 11:4, 84I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. (Hosea 11:4)
8How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. (Hosea 11:8). God's love and man's ingratitude shown. Does not that tell us the secret of getting back is to get back. Go back to His unchanging first love. How He loved and died for us. Judge ourselves for falling. There is no outward fall, till there is an inward one first.
Works: Work of faith.... We can preach without much faith.
Patience of hope.... Him to come.
Labor of love....... Loving to do.
Works that have love to the Lord as the motive, please Him. It is the motive that gives character to the act.
Christ is our object. Think of this, that you are an object to His heart. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:3434For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:34). It is just as true of the blessed Lord Jesus that where His treasure is. We are His treasure. Matt. 13. Sold all that He had and bought the field (His life for us.). In proportion that we realize that we are a treasure to Him, etc. He has not lost His first love. The overcomer in Ephesus is the one who gets back to his first love. Our Lord has not left His first love.
Repentance means self-judgment. God has a righteous government amongst His people. There must be exercise of soul and self-judgment before we get back. Earnest seeking of the Lord's face. Sol. 5:2-62I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. 3I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? 4My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. 5I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. 6I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. (Song of Solomon 5:2‑6). We do not half realize what He has gone through for us. Repent in God's presence. Get a divine estimate of the evil and judge ourselves in that light.
Feeding on the tree of life is for the overcomer. 2 Cor. 6:14-1814Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14‑18). The clear-cut course for Christians. Not our relationship to God as children, but He will be a Father to you, act the part, provide. Note the three names, the Ever-existing, Almighty God. The testing time will come if there is a turning to the Lord. Christ is the true David, the Holy One and true.
Holy—what He is personally
True—what He is relatively
Holy—hast kept my Word
True—hast not denied my name
"Hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations." Rev. 2:25, 2625But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (Revelation 2:25‑26). Weakness here. Strength there. John 14. The Holy Ghost is provision for us while He is away. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost. We do not pay sufficient attention to the Divine Guest within. He is with us, leading us along. He is the power by which all the rest will be apprehended. I will come to you in a spiritual way. The Holy Ghost makes us know the blessedness of His presence.
Nothing will satisfy the heart of a dead and risen Christ, but us.
John 17. "Father, I will that they also."
Luke 13. "Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise."
Matt. 13. "Sold all that He had and bought it"
"If ye love me, keep My commandments, and I will pray the Father." v. 15. All the blessings are realized in obedience. Shall we find it hard? No, sweet, when we realize whom we obey. v. 18. "I will come to you." Himself The world saw Him no more after the sepulcher. v. 21. Test of discipleship, keeping His commandments, obedience, submission to the Lord. We are to enter into the mind of the Lord, what would please Him, glorify Him. His commandments are not grievous. Results: 1. My Father will love him. 2. We will come and make our abode with him.
All is from His good hand, give back a part to Him. Continue to do this through life and God's blessing will be upon you. He will enrich you in soul, which is better than this world's riches. It will make you happy here and will be a rich gain in eternity. And neither will the Lord allow you to suffer here through what you have given. Rejoice that you have something to give. Praise Him that has opened your heart to make you wish to give to Him. You little know what a storehouse of treasure above you will be getting in this way. But the most blessed part of it is that He who has done all for you, will be getting glory out of it. The soul that is miserly shrivels up, but "the liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself" Prov. 11:2525The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25).
"The love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, if one died for all, then were all dead, and he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but to him who died for them and rose again. They live to Him and nothing else! It may be a motive for various duties, but it is the motive and end of life. We are not our own, but are bought with a price and are to glorify God in our bodies. The Christian judges of everything by Christ.
If it hinders His glory in oneself or in another, it is cast away. It is judged of not as a sacrifice, but a hindrance. All is dross and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. To cast away dross is no great sacrifice. Love delights to serve. Living to God inwardly is the only possible means of living to Him outwardly. All outward activity not moved and governed by this is fleshly and even a danger to the soul. It tends to make us do without Christ, and bring in self It is not devotedness. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Be always confident in God. 1 Cor. 1:88Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8). May we be so rejoicing and happy that out of the abundance of the heart our mouths may speak. Shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life. Phil. 2:1515That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:15).
Learn to grapple with souls.
Aim at the conscience. Exalt Christ.
Use a sharp knife with yourself
Say little, serve all, press on.
This is true greatness, to serve unnoticed and work unseen.
O the joy of having nothing and being nothing, seeing nothing but a living Christ in glory. And being careful for nothing but His interests down here.
If our desires after spiritual blessings seem tardy in their fulfillment, we are not therefore to suppose that are disregarded. Invisible is the process by which we receive them. They are deep and hidden as the life is hid with Christ in God, and only when the tempest has swept over us, or the daily furnace has been entered, where none walk with us but the Son of God, have we realized that grace has really been granted to us according to our prayers. Its reception must be the work of faith. Nothing is more dishonoring to God as unbelief. Hinder not the holy life, growing in spirit. It is written, "If ye abide in me, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you." John 15:77If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7). And what does the longing soul desire but conformity to Him without whom it can do nothing? "We shall be satisfied when we awake with His likeness." Psa. 17:1515As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15).
We can never speak against one for whom we have prayed. Fruit bearing is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Gal. 5:22, 2322But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22‑23). O God, give me grace to need grace. O God, give me grace to ask for grace. O God, give me grace to receive grace when Thou giveth the grace I need. O God, give me grace to show grace when I received grace from Thee whether I get grace shown to me or not. "Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one whom Jesus loved." John 13:2323Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. (John 13:23). "We do not know half how blessed it is to have the mind of Christ. But the mind of Christ was to go down to the cross." J.N.D.
What one fully consecrated, lowly, self-sacrificing life can do! Thousands of sad weary hearts are wanting a little ministry of love. Who then is willing to consecrate his service to the Lord? He leaves us here to learn lessons and to witness to Him. "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?"
"Oh, I wish I were up in heaven!" You can go there any moment you like. Just sit down up there, look at your place up there. If we were to rise up there more often than we do, we should be above things. Not selfish, with all the saints.
You will never make Christ your object while you are an object to yourself. The One who has made us so thoroughly His object has liberated me so that I may make Him my Object, like Mary in John 12. She knew what it was to have Him meeting her in the moment when everything in this scene was gone from her. John 10, at a time when no other could have met her. He comes and He walks with her, sustains her, and fills her heart, and in chapter 12, she is in sympathy with Him. "I remember how Thou didst walked with me in my sorrow; I am made free to walk with Thee in Thy sorrow. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures."
"I have created him for My glory." Isa. 43:77Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. (Isaiah 43:7). "My servants shall sing for joy of heart." Isa. 15:14. "These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full." John 15:1111These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11). He would have us not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, but be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The Lord is above all, and will humble us in His faithful love. 2 Cor. 3:1515But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. (2 Corinthians 3:15) Eph. 3:1717That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17).
Teach me, O Lord, to fix mine eyes upon Thy spotless Lamb,
So shall I love Thy blessed will and glorify Thy name.
We shall never be able to utter His praise so long as our own interests engage us instead of Christ. "And it shall be in that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call Me Ishi ( my Husband); and shalt call me no more Baali ( my Lord)." Hos. 2:1616And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. (Hosea 2:16). Israel will one day know and enjoy her place of restored nearness to God, near and dear relationship of the closest earthly tie. This is our privilege now. The Lord would have our deepest affections engaged with and knit to Himself, so that the heart being enlarged may run, His mind learned, our lips may praise as we lean on Him. This may increase not only when redemption is learned, or at the end of the journey (as with some), but singing all along the way, in the conscious enjoyment of a relationship nearer than that of Israel.
It is the wealth that is found in Christ that draws us and keeps us with Him. We have a great inheritance in Christ. Let us live in the good of it, let us possess our possessions. Obadiah 1717But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. (Obadiah 17). "When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee." Isa. 43:22When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:2). God's presence in the trial is much better than exemption from the trial. The sympathy of His heart with us is sweeter far than the power of His hand for us.
Let go, and let God have His way,
Surrender your life and your will today:
His fullness of life will satisfy
And grace unto you will multiply.
"Ye were as sheep going astray." 1 Peter 2:2525For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25). The nature of the sheep never changed. Left to itself, it would lose its way. We are helpless and dependent on Him. If we travel in the right path, it is not because we have unerring reasons, but because we have an unerring Shepherd. Ex. 15:23, 2523And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. (Exodus 15:23)
25And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, (Exodus 15:25). When suffering for Christ, we generally receive comforts from Christ. Though the cross appears rugged and forbidding, it bears sweet and delicious fruit. "Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:22Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2). The more faithful the saint is, the more trouble he will have; the more blessings he has, the more trials, because there is much to be removed that would hinder the blessing when given.
Then Lord remove whate'er divides
our longing souls from Thee;
`Tis fit that where the Head resides,
the member's hearts should be.
God has a plan according to His good pleasure for each soul which He brings into being and puts in Jesus Christ.
Father, I know that all my life is portioned out to me,
And the changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see.
I ask Thee for a patient mind, intent on pleasing Thee.
"Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain." Prov. 25:1414Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. (Proverbs 25:14). "What hast thou that thou didst not receive?" “Dost thou glory as if thou didst not receive it?" 1 Cor. 4:77For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7). A person usually fails most in that which he boasts of. Give ourselves credit for nothing. Let Christ be your boast. The sense of our own littleness and of His perfect grace is the way, and the only way to go on well. God's work in us is far more important than what we may be doing for God. God is calm, never perturbed as He works out His purposes. God's way is perfect. Faith always takes God's side. When we get the answer for our trials in the coming day, we will bless and praise the Lord for it. We ought to bless and praise Him now for them.
"Peace I leave with you."
John 14.
"As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you."
"I will instruct thee and teach the in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."
"Blessed... are the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance."
"How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings."
Psa. 36;7.
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
"The night is far spent, the day is at hand,"
We're nearing each moment the heavenly land;
Take courage, my brothers, my sisters, behold,
At not a great distance, the city of gold!