Lifestyle and Balance

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name." Psalm 29:2 God's glory is the result of His nature and acts. He is glorious in His character, for there is such a store of everything that is holy, and good, and lovely in God, that He must be glorious. The actions which flow from His character are also glorious; but while He intends that they should manifest to His creatures His goodness, and mercy, and justice, He is equally concerned that the glory associated with them should be given only to Himself. Nor is there aught in ourselves in which we may glory; for who maketh us to differ from another? And what have we that we did not receive from the God of all grace?  Then how careful ought we to be to walk humbly before the Lord ! The moment we glorify ourselves, since there is room for one glory only in the universe, we set ourselves up as rivals to the Most High. Shall the insect of an hour glorify itself against the sun which warmed it into life? Shall ...

"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God." Romans 8:28 Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks most. He believes that an invisible hand is always on the world's tiller, and that wherever providence may drift, Jehovah steers it. That re-assuring knowledge prepares him for everything. He looks over the raging waters and sees the spirit of Jesus treading the billows, and he hears a voice saying, "It is I, be not afraid." He knows too that God is always wise, and, knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes; that nothing can occur which ought not to arise. He can say, "If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose than have, if God so wills: the worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing that could befall to me if God ordains it." "We know that all things work ...

Spiritual  leadership by J Oswald Sanders

"The people that do know their God shall be strong."  Daniel 11:32 Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the Scriptures as being persons who are enlightened and taught of the Lord; they are said to "have an unction from the Holy One," and it is the Spirit's peculiar office to lead them into all truth, and all this for the increase and the fostering of their faith. Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door, and then through that door we see our Saviour. Or, to use another similitude, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait then we love Him, we cannot love a Christ whom we do not know, at least, in some degree. If we know but little of the excellences of Jesus, what He has done for us, and what He is doi...

The  person  who  fills  a  role  appointed  by God need  not  worry  about  vindicating  his  or  her  work  when  rivals  become  jealous or  treacherous.  Such  a  leader  is  safe  in  the  hands  of  a  heavenly  Protector.  Indeed, God shows  how safe  with  His  ominous  words  to  Miriam:  “Why  then  were  you  not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:8). Moses  faced  a  second  challenge  from  Korah  and  his  henchmen,  noted  for their  jealousy  of  Moses  and  Aaron.  Korah  wondered  why  these  special  two  should enjoy  the  privilege  of  high  office?  Were  not  others ...