COMMITMENT

301. When God declares a man righteous He instantly sets about to make him righteous.

302. We are God's expendables!--Created to burn out on His altar of sacrifice--made to wear out as His tools of design--to die, that you might live.--Dad

303. Where God guides He provides. He is responsible for our upkeep if we follow His directions. He is not responsible for expenses not on His schedule.

304. God is a totalitarian Ruler Who demands full allegiance from his subjects.

305. The Christian should resemble a fruit tree, not a Christmas tree.

306. The crosses & comforts of this present time would not make such an impression upon us as they do if we did but believe the things of Eternity as we ought.

307. Men do less than they ought unless they do all that they can.--Thomas Carlyle

308. A missionary was preaching on an Indian reservation & there was a chief sitting in the back. And as the preacher was preaching away, this Indian chief got under conviction & he came running up to the front & said, "This Indian chief give his pony to this Jesus." And he went back & sat down. But it didn't phase the missionary at all! He just kept preaching away & pretty soon the Indian chief came running up again! "This Indian chief give his blanket to this Jesus!" & he went back & sat down. The missionary continued preaching & this Indian chief continued to get under further conviction & he came running up & took off his headdress & laid it at the preacher's feet & said, "This Indian chief give his headdress to this Jesus." & he went back & sat down.
Pretty soon the Indian chief with tears in his eyes came running up to the front & threw himself down on the ground & said, "This Indian chief give HIMSELF to this Jesus!" The missionary knew he'd finally gotten his point across!--And came down & threw his arms around the Chief & wept & prayed with him!

309. Our strength is shown in the things we stand for; Our weakness is shown in the things we fall for.

310. I heard Dr. Morrison tell at Winona Lake about his trip around the world, preaching and teaching the gospel truth. He went on this trip at the same time that Roosevelt went to Africa. Morrison preached the gospel at every port. "Teddy" went to Africa to do some exploring and shoot a few water hogs. When he came back, he was accorded a reception such as few living men had. The governor and the mayor greeted him, the bands played, and countless thousands thronged the wharf to welcome him.
Morrison came home. The governor of the state did not come to meet him, nor did the mayor or the police force. The fire department never noticed him. No flags were waving, no whistles blowing. He did not even have a relative waiting for him. In New York Roosevelt boarded a train and had the same sort of reception all over again when he reached his home city. He was lauded and honored all the way.
Morrison also boarded a train and went home. He did not have a reception at all. Nobody met him. The only person who recognized him was the old baggage master, and he just said, "Hello, there!" in a casual sort of way.
Morrison said: "I picked up my heavy grips and started off, all alone. I could not help contrasting the homecoming of Roosevelt with my own. God had privileged me to lead ten thousand souls to Christ on that trip--and yet there I was, without a soul to meet me! Nobody cared. Suddenly I stopped. A new, glorious truth had gripped me. And I found myself saying aloud, slowly, exultantly, `Maybe I'm not home yet! Maybe I'm not home yet!'"

311. When King George V was opening the Conference on Disarmament, a special room was prepared in New York so that the king's message might be relayed through the United States of America. Just at the critical moment, a man tripped over the cable and broke it, and twenty minutes would be required to repair it. Something had to be done.
Mr. Vivian, who was is charge, threw himself into the breach, seized one end of the cable in one hand and the other end in the other, and stood there as the king's message passed through his body. Then he fell down and was taken to hospital. His body was the vessel used to convey, uninterrupted, the king's message.
(Phil 1:20; 2Tim.2;21)

312. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

313. What kind of an organisation would my organisation be if all of its members were just like me.

314. Many Christians look upon the will of God as bitter medicine they must take, instead of seeing it as the gracious evidence of the Love of God.

315. Likeness comes from liking. We grow to be like that which we like.

316. Conformity to the World can be overcome by nothing but conformity to Jesus.

317. The guard of the train had a rose in his button hole. A drunken man came along the platform and snatched it out. The guard went red but said nothing. An onlooker said, `However did you keep your temper? You said nothing.' The guard replied simply, `I'm on duty.'
As Christians, we should remember that, wherever we are and whatever happens to us, we are always `on duty.'

318. A young mulatto girl was being sold at auction one day. She was a beautiful girl, tall and slender. The bidding was keen, and quickly mounted higher and higher until at last only two men were left bidding for her ownership: the one a low, uncouth fellow who swearingly raised his bid every time to outbid the other, a quiet man of refinement. Finally the bidding stopped, and to the gentleman who had bid so very earnestly were given the papers which made him the lawful owner of the young girl. With a shove the auctioneer presented her to her new master. Proudly, defiantly, she stood before him, hating him with every part of her being. Suddenly, a change came over her face: first there was a look of pure amazement closely followed by one of utter incredulity. Her owner was ripping up the papers of ownership, and, with a smile of kindness, said to the now trembling girl, "My dear, you are free. I bought you that I might free you." Too stunned for speech, the girl merely stared till finally, with a cry of happiness too deep for words, she cast herself at the man's feet, and through her tears exclaimed, "Oh, master, I'll love you and serve you for life!" What the papers of ownership could not do, the man's kindness had won completely. The Lord Jesus has loved you and has paid such a price that He might buy you from the slavery of Satan and free you. Will you not tell Him, "Master, I'll love Thee and serve Thee for life?"

319. Famous men of the past have bequeathed us statements that have become mottoes. History declares that Henry Clay was about to introduce a certain bill in Congress when a friend said, "If you do, Clay, it will kill your chance for the presidency."
"But is the measure right?" Clay asked, and on being assured it was right said, "I would rather be right than be president."

320. Love to God & obedience to God are so completely involved in each other that any one of them implies the other too.

321. Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere & supreme love to Him.

322. Even the heart of God thirsts after love.

323. Don't throw God a bone of your love unless there's the meat of obedience on it.

324. The proof of love is its capacity to suffer for the object of its affection.

325. To be His slave is to be a king.

326. Many people fervently pray, "Oh, God, guide me": then they grab the steering wheel.

327. There are three possible positions the Lord Jesus can occupy in a Christian's life: In all Christians, He is present. In some Christians, He is prominent. In a few Christians, He is pre-eminent.

328. I you are not living as close to God as you once did, you need not guess who moved.

329. I you were on trial, accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

330. So live, that as people get to know you better they will get to know Christ better.

331. Treasures in Heaven are laid up only as treasures on Earth are laid down.

332. I have held many things in my hands, & I have lost most of them; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.--Martin Luther.

333. A modern fable relates that a hen & a hog were travelling together. They passed a church that displayed the sermon subject for the coming Sunday: "How Can We Help The Poor?" After a moment's reflection the hen ventured: "I know what we can do! We can give them a ham & egg breakfast." The hog promptly relied: "You can say that because for you that's just a contribution, but for me it's total commitment."

334. Life is like a game of tennis. The player who serves well seldom loses!

335. The Gospel brings abundance of life, & also death at the stake; freedom, & also imprisonment; peace, & also the sword.

336. It is far less important to die the martyr's death than to live the martyr's life.

337. Jesus invested His life in you. Have you shown any interest?

338. God is looking for some wicks to burn. The oil & the fire are free.

339. It is much better to suffer for the truth than to be rewarded for a lie.

340. If I really love God there are some things I will have to hate.

341. If you find it hard to stand for Jesus, try kneeling first.

342. The crowd is usually going the wrong way. Sacred & secular history indicate that it is usually God's righteous minority bucking the crowd that is going the right way.

343. What we can do for Christ is the test of service. What we can suffer for Him is the test of love.

344. The service that counts is the service that costs.

345. Service is love in working clothes.

346. Service can never become slavery to one who loves.

347. A century and a half ago there died a humble minister in a small village in Leicestershire, England. He had never attended college and had no degrees. He was merely a faithful village minister. In his congregation was a young cobbler to whom he gave special attention, teaching him the Word of God. This young man was later to be renowned as William Carey, one of the greatest missionaries of modern times. This same minister had a son, a boy whom he taught faithfully, and constantly encouraged. The boy's character and powers were profoundly affected by his father's life. That son was Robert Hall, the mightiest public orator of his day, whose sermons influenced the decisions of statesmen and whose character was as saintly as his preaching was phenomenal. It seemed that the village pastor accomplished little. There were no
spectacular revivals, but his faithful witness and godly life had much to do with giving India its Carey and England its Robert Hall.

348. ANONYMOUS WRITER, about an American tourist's visit to the 19th-century Polish rabbi, Hofetz Chaim:
Astonished to see that the rabbi's home was only a simple room filled with books, plus a table and a bench, the tourist asked, "Rabbi, where is your furniture?"
"Where is yours?" replied the rabbi.
"Mine?" Asked the puzzled American. "But I'm a visitor here. I'm only passing through."
"So am I," said Hofetz Chaim.

349. Father, let me dedicate
All this year to Thee,
In whatever worldly state
Thou wilt have me be:

Not from sorrow, pain, or care
Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer,
"Glorify Thy name."

Can a child presume to choose
Where or how to live?
Can a Father's love refuse
All the best to give?
More Thou givest every day
Than the best can claim,
Nor withholdest aught that may
Glorify Thy name.

If thou callest to the cross,
And its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home;
Let me think how Thy dear Son
To His glory came,
And in deepest woe pray on,
"Glorify Thy name."

If in mercy Thou wilt spare
Joys that yet are mine;
If on life, serene and fair,
Brighter rays may shine;
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
Thee in all proclaim,
And, whate'er the future brings,
Glorify Thy name.
--By L. Tuttett

350. Love goes beyond safety.

351. God rarely seems to use a man who pampers himself with luxury.

352. It doesn't take a great mind to be a Christian, but it takes all the mind a man has.

353. All Heaven is waiting to help those who will discover the will of God & do it.

354. Obedience won't stop the decomposition of our physical lives but it will halt the decay of our spiritual lives.

355. In the nineteenth century people who passed the Rothschild mansion in the fashionable quarter of London noticed that the end of one of the cornices was unfinished. The question maybe asked: Could not the richest man in the world afford to pay for that cornice, or was the lack due to carelessness?
The explanation is a very simple yet suggestive one when it is known. Lord Rothschild was an orthodox Jew, and every pious Jew's house, tradition says, must have some part unfinished, to bear testimony to the world that its occupant is only, like Abraham, a pilgrim and a stranger upon the earth.

356. The Calif Omar said, "Either these books conform to the Koran or they do not. If they do, they are not needed; if they do not, they are positively harmful. Therefore let them be destroyed."
And so he ordered the destruction of the 700,000 manuscript volumes of the great Alexandrian Library.

357. When Robert Morrison, the first missionary to go to China, disembarked from his ship in a Chinese port, the captain sneeringly said, "So you think you are going to make an impression upon China."
Morrison quietly replied, "No, sir, but I believe God will."

358. I am only an average man, but I work harder at it than the average man.--Theodore Roosevelt

359. When Thorwaldson was asked, "Which is your greatest statue," He replied, "The next one."

360. Charles Dickens, when asked the secret of his success, answered, "Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well: whatever I have devoted myself to I have devoted myself to completely." This is simply another version of Paul's advice. "Whatsoever you do, do it heartily." He was writing to slaves, for whom it was hard to throw their soul into the work. He reminded them that they were working not for men but for God. "Ye serve the Lord Christ." (Col.3:23)

361. It's like the old maid: They asked her one day, "How come now you're always so peaceful & you seem now to be happy when before you were always upset & nervous & worried?" She said, "I've quit struggling." She quit worrying about getting a husband, "I quit struggling". When you stop worrying about being good, if you have God's goodness, He will make you good enough for Him, when you stop worrying about what people think about you.--Dad

362. The Rev. J. Alexander Clark, a Scotch missionary from Africa, told in this country a very striking story of an African who had been mauled by a lioness and was well-nigh dead. Mr. Clark cared for his wounds, and when he got well he left. After three months he came back to Mr. Clark, and said, "You know the law of the African forest, that the redeemed belongs to the redeemer. I was dead, but I am now alive. I am yours. Here are my six wives and my children and my cattle; do with me as you will." Are we willing to surrender all to Christ like that? The secret of our lack of power and service is just this--we do not acknowledge that we, the redeemed, belong to the Redeemer.

363. Some years ago a couple of stock buyers in the South rode up to the home of an old colored man and noticed a fine milk cow grazing in the yard. One of them said, "Uncle, we would like to buy this cow. Is she yours?" The old Negro replied, "No, sah, boss, dat ain't my cow. Hit's de Lawd's cow. I'm jest a-keepin' her fer Him."
That old man had grasped the great principle of stewardship. We really do not own anything. Whatever we seem to possess is just loaned to us for a little while, for "the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof."

364. A young lady stood talking to an evangelist on the subject of consecration. "I dare not give myself wholly to the Lord," she said, "for fear He will send me out to China." The man of God said: "If some cold, snowy morning a little bird should come, half frozen, pecking at your window, and should let you take it in and feed it, thereby putting itself entirely in your power, what would you do? Would you grip it in your hand and crush it? Or would you give it shelter, warmth, food, and care?" A new light came into the girl's eyes. "Ah, I see, I see!" And her face shone as she went away. Two years later she again met the clergyman and recalled to him the incident. With a countenance all aglow with holy joy, she said, "And, do you know, I am going to China!"

365. The Christian needs won't power as well as will power.

366. There are three particular temptations that assail Christian workers: the temptation to shine, the temptation to whine & the temptation to recline.

367. I don't like to hear cut-&-dry sermons. When I hear a man preach I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees.--Abraham Lincoln

368. Salvation is a helmet, not a nightcap.

369. You do not do God a favour by serving Him. He honours you by allowing you to serve Him.

370. Service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy in this World.

371. We are saved to serve, not to be served.

372. To be of use in the World is the only way to be happy.

373. Shamgar had an oxgoad
David had a sling,
Samson had a jawbone,
Rahab had a string,
Mary had some ointment,
Aaron had a rod,
Dorcas had a needle,
All were used for God.

374. If we are correct & right in our Christian life at every point, but refuse to stand for the truth at any particular point where the battle rages--then we are traitors to Christ.--Martin Luther.

375. "Work for Christ"

1) The field is large. Mat.13:38
2) The need is great. Jn.4:35
3) The time is now. Gal.1:10
4) The call is urgent. Mt.20:6
5) The work is varied. 1Cor.12:12
6) The partner is Almighty. 2Cor.6:1
7) The means are provided. Lk.19:15

376. A ship is safe in the ocean as long as the ocean is not in the ship, & a Christian is safe in the World so long as the World is not in the Christian.

377. Commitment is a relationship with the Lord Jesus that enables us in the midst of life's greatest comforts to be willing to die, & in the midst of life's greatest trials to be willing to live.

378. Give your life to God; He can do more with it than you can!

379. Sonship costs us nothing,
Jesus paid the price.
Discipleship costs us all we have,
A total sacrifice.

380. If the Lord Jesus isn't worth serving every moment of every day, then He is not worth serving any moment of any day.

381. Discipleship is not dynamic until it is willing to be despised by the World. Furthermore, discipleship is not dynamic until it is despised by the World. And the converse is equally true. Discipleship is not despised by the World until it is dynamic.

382. The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.

383. The secrets of the Lord are for those who live close to Him.

384. He who lives for God's honour & glory seeks neither praise nor reward, but in the end he is certain of both.

385. 1. Others saw the giants, Caleb saw the Lord;
They were sore disheartened, he believed God's word;
And that word he fully, fearlessly obeyed-
Was it not sufficient that the Lord hath said?

Chorus:

"I will never leave thee, go in this thy might;
One shall chase a thousand, two put ten to flight."

Oh, to follow fully like this one of old;
Oh, to be like Caleb, doing what is told;
Then the Lord's rich blessing will be ours today,
He will prosper ever those who Him obey.

If we are half-hearted, we'll not taste God's best;
Those who follow wholly will be wholly blest,
Blest in soul and spirit, body, mind and heart,
Rich in heav'nly treasure, which He will impart.

Oh, to have one Master, only One to please;
Oh, to have one purpose, not our will or ease;
Pressing ever onward to the goal before,
Serving gladly, wholly, Him Whom we adore.
--Mabel Johnston Camp.

386. I dare not choose my lot; would not if I might,
Choose Thou for me, my God, so shall I walk aright.
--H. Bonar (1808-1888)

387. A fugitive is one who is running from home,
A vagabond is one who has no home;
A stranger is one away from home,
And a PILGRIM is on his way home.

388. Who builds a church within his heart
And takes it with him everywhere
Is holier far than he whose church
Is but a one-day house of prayer.
--Morris Abel Beer, 1887-

389. The English novelist, J. B. Priestly, was once asked why it was that several gifted writers who were young with him had not matured in their arts as he had. His answer was this: "Gentlemen, the difference between us was not in ability, but in the fact that they merely toyed with the fascinating idea of writing, I cared like blazes! It is this caring like the blazes that counts."

390. Sir Joshua Reynolds was one of the most distinguished painters of his day; and, in answer to the inquiry, how he attained to such excellence, he replied: "By observing one simple rule, viz., to make each painting the best."

391. Always & everywhere the servants of Christ are under order to evangelise.

392. If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two....
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored guest
And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there....

But....when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to our heav'nly visitor?
Or would you maybe change some things before you let Him in.
Hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?

Would you turn off the loud TV & hope He hadn't heard,
And wish you hadn't uttered that last, loud and hasty word?
Would you hide your wordly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?

And I wonder....If the Savior spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the books you read?
And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed

Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go,
Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends,
Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends?

Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on,
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do,
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.

393. It's like the story of Saint Dominic: He came into this town & he was preaching the Gospel & they grabbed him & they were going to kill him. They had false witnesses paid to testify against him & they accused him. They said, "You're a thief!" He said, "Yes, I am." They said, "You're a liar!" He said, "Yes, I have been a liar too!" "You're a bad wicked man!" "Yes, it's true!"
All the things they accused him of he said, "That's true! I'm very bad, wicked. I'm a sinner, all these things." "You deserve to die!" He said, "Yes, I do!" But he said, "God has forgiven me because Jesus died for me. I'm all these bad things, I would be even this & worse except for God & His goodness!"--Dad

394. I have learn'd the wondrous secret
Of abiding in the Lord;
I have tasted life's pure fountain,
I am drinking of His Word;

I have found the strength and sweetness
Of abiding 'neath the blood;
I have lost myself in Jesus
I am sinking into God.

I am crucified with Jesus,
And He lives and dwells with me;
I have ceased from all my struggling,
'Tis no longer I, but He.

All my will is yielding to Him,
And His Spirit reigns within;
And His precious blood each moment
Keeps me cleansed and free from sin.

All my sicknesses I bring Him,
And He bears them all away;
All my fears and griefs I tell Him,
All my cares from day to day,

All my strength I draw from Jesus,
By His breath I live and move;
E'en His very mind He gives me,
And His faith, and life and love.

For my words I take His wisdom.
For my works His Spirit's pow'r;
For my ways His ceaseless Presence,
Guards and guides me ev'ry hour.

Of my heart, He is the Portion,
Of my joy the boundless Spring;
Savior, Sanctifier, Healer,
Glorious Lord and coming King.

Chorus:

I'm abiding in the Lord,
And confiding in His Word;
And I'm hiding in the bosom of His love.
Yes, abiding in the Lord,
And confiding in His Word,
And I'm hiding in the bosom of His love.

--Rev. A. B. Simpson; J. H. Burke.

395. We can't afford to win the gain that means another's loss;
We can't afford to miss the crown by stumbling at the cross.
We can't afford the heedless jest that robs us of a friend;
We can't afford the laugh that finds in bitter tears an end.
We can't afford the feast today that brings tomorrow's fast;
We can't afford the race that comes to tragedy at last.
We can't afford to play with fire, or tempt a serpent's bite;
We can't afford to think that sin brings any true delight.
We can't afford with serious heed to treat the cynic's sneer;
We can't afford to wise men's words to turn a careless ear.
We can't afford for hate to give like hatred in return;
We can't afford to feed a flame and make it fiercer burn.
We can't afford to lose the soul for this world's fleeting breath;
We can't afford to barter life in mad exchange for death.
But blind to good are we apart from THEE, all-seeing Lord;
Oh, grant us light that we may know the things we can't afford!

396. Unless Jesus Christ is Lord of all, He cannot be Lord at all.

397. D. L. Moody said he wanted the "O & O" degree--"Out & Out" for Jesus.

398. Testimony of an enthusiastic Christian: "If people want to call me a nut, that's OK. But remember, I'm screwed on to a strong Bolt!"

399. Is the Holy Spirit only a resident in your life, or is She president of your life?

400. I have resolved never to do anything that I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.