A Scottish preacher of the last century, Robert Murray McCheyne, said to his people, "I do not know, but I think that the ministry is not esteemed much among you as it ought to be; I may be wrong, but I think it. You are like the horses that have so much hay that they pull it down among their feet and trample on it." Christ described this ministry of the gospel in His words to Peter. He said, "Feed my sheep." The gospel preacher is to feed God's sheep with the water of the Word, the sincere milk of the word and the green pastures of the Word. Christ said, "I am the bread." The evidence of all life is the necessity of sustaining it by feeding. If something is alive, it feeds; and if it is to stay alive, it feeds. I fear, as did McCheyne, that many have little regard for the ministry of God's Word. My fear is born out of what I see in those who profess to have life in Christ. At least two times weekly the table is spread for all who have an appetite for spiritual things, the things of Christ. How few there are who avail themselves of these opportunities. Have we had the gospel so long, in such plenty and abundance, that like the horses who have so much hay that we trample it beneath the feet? Do we assume that it will be there when we want to hear it? Do we think it will go on if we do not support it? Do we have no hunger for the truth of God? That is what I fear the most. The lack of desire, the lack of need which reveals the lack of life! Our God says, "Come and dine!" "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." (Isa. 55:1,2) It is the Lord who gives a gospel ministry and it is the Lord that can take away. Like McCheyne I say, "Ah brethren, though I feel that I have been unfaithful, far more than I can bear, yet you have been so too. Scotland has abused the ministry of the gospel for a long time; many come to hear, and go away displeased; many come to hear and criticize. Ah! think if God take away your candlestick, it will be righteously done." Do not lightly esteem the gospel ministry!

Gary Shepard

If any man come to me, and hate not his father ...

"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."—Luke xiv. 26, 27.

There is no middle path to heaven—there is no intermediate state between hell and heaven; no purgatory for that numerous class who think themselves hardly good enough for heaven, yet hardly bad enough for hell. No; there is no intermediate road nor state. We must win Christ as our own most blessed Jesus, and with him enjoy the happiness and glory of heaven, or sink down to hell with all our sins upon our head beneath his most terrible frown. The soul then that has been charmed with the beauty and blessedness of Jesus longs to win him, and that not for a day, month, or year, but for eternity; for in obtaining him, it obtains all that God can give the soul of man to enjoy as created immortal and for immortality. Under the influence of his grace, it feels at times, even here below, all its immortal powers springing forth into active, heavenly life, and looks forward in faith and hope to a glorious eternity, where it will be put into possession of the highest enjoyment which God can give to man, even union with himself by virtue of union with his dear Son, according to those wonderful words of the Redeemer himself— "That they all may he one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us" John xvii. 21).

J.C. Philpot

The Word of God is the Christian's rule—and the Spirit of God is the Christian's guide.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," 2 Timothy 3:16

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes—He will guide you into all truth." John 16:13

Most people walk by false rules:

1. Some walk by popular opinions.

2. Some walk by worldly customs.

3. Some walk by providence.

4. Some walk by conscience.

5. Some walk by their own reason.

6. Some walk by other men's examples.

7. Some walk by their own lusts.

But, oh! my dear friends, let me beseech you to walk by none of these false rules—but keep close to the Word and Spirit of God.

William Dyer

SAVE, LORD

O Jesus, Saviour of the lost,

My Rock and hiding- place,

By storms of sin and sorrow toss’d,

I seek Thy sheltering grace.

Guilty, forgive me Lord! I cry;

Pursued by foes I come;

A sinner, save me, or I die;

An outcast, take me home.

Once safe in Thine almighty arms,

Let storms come on again;

There danger never, never harms;

There death itself is gain.

And when I stand before Thy throne,

And all Thy glory see,

Still be my righteousness alone

To hide myself in Thee.

E. H. Bickersteth, 1858

(Tune: My faith has found a hiding place)

More and more I am made aware of the importance of worship, prayer, Bible study, and the fellowship of other believers during our earthly journey. "Then they that feared the Lord spake OFTEN one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name." (Mal. 3:16) I need HIM, HIS WORD, AND HIS PEOPLE! By His grace I shall NOT forsake the assembly of believers for any reason; and being like Joshua, the spokesman for my family, I can say, "AS for me AND MY HOUSE, we will serve the Lord." To be involved with this world in such a way that week after week, Sunday after Sunday passes by without worship, instruction in righteousness, and fellowship with other believers is UNTHINKABLE! Such would be a miserable existence for His sheep.

Henry Mahan