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Showing posts from January, 2013

DAILY, WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

Good morning and have a blessed day in the Lord. My Prayer for Today Heavenly Father, in the name of Your Precious Son Jesus, I pray for the downtrodden, the sick, lame, financially burden, those on My Prayer List and those that do not know You and of Your saving grace through Your Son Jesus. For those that do know the Word: Bless all and protect them; Give each the desire of their hearts in need if it is in righteousness, because You do not give to those that ask in un-righteousness, or the sinners prayer unless they come in genuine repenting, and accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior; then, and only then, will You answer and grant their petition(s). I pray that people will STOP remembering You when they are in need: sick, overdue bills (learn how to live within your means and save or invest for that rainy day, if not, you will never have anything and be successful!), jobless (many eatery establishments are hiring daily even if it is minimum wage; (at least that is a job and

Morning and Evening

Morning, January 31      Go To Evening Reading          “The Lord our Righteousness.”           — Jeremiah 23:6 It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are “perfect in Christ Jesus.” It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that “Christ is made unto us righteousness,” we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the c

Discipline

January 31: Discipline Hebrews 12–13 I was a stubborn child. When disciplined by my parents, I would sulk for hours afterward. I didn’t see discipline from my parents’ perspective—as something that would mold me into a mature, loving person. Hebrews 12 has a lesson for people like me with a history of wallowing in self-pity when disciplined. Here, the writer of Hebrews tells us that God , a Father to us through the work of Jesus , disciplines us for our good. To emphasize this, the writer of Hebrews draws on the book of Proverbs , where the Father instructs His own Son . “My son , do not make light of the Lord’s discipline , or give up when you are corrected by him. For the Lord disciplines the one who he loves, and punishes every son whom he accepts” ( Heb 12:6 ; compare Prov 3:11–12 ) . The author tells us that being disciplined is a sign of God’s love . It means He is working and active in our lives ( Heb 12:8 ) . Like a chastised child, we might not always recognize God’

My Prayer for Today

Without God as your leader in life; the pitfalls, infirmities and e.g., will all be very harmful and painful, because your solutions will always end in disaster. With the Lord, no matter what life throws your way, God will always supply you with the solution, because He has already gone ahead in your battle and make your enemies His footstool. All battles and  problems will already been conquered. All you have to do is show up. I pray that Christian's will adhere to this prayer of God's unforeseen promises in your life's. To those that are not God's children--the secular--choose you this day God the Father of us all to get all of His promises. First though, you  must be saved by the blood of Jesus to get a prayer through . In God's Son name I pray. Amen.

The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed

February 3 Lesson 10 FOCUSED SOLELY ON CHRIST DEVOTIONAL READING: Ephesians 1:17–23 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Colossians 1 COLOSSIANS 1:12–23 KEY VERSE For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.— Colossians 1:19 The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 2012). 193. The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 2012). 193.

Morning and Evening

Morning, January 30      Go To Evening Reading          “When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then thou shalt bestir thyself.”           — 2 Samuel 5:24 The members of Christ’s Church should be very prayerful, always seeking the unction of the Holy One to rest upon their hearts, that the kingdom of Christ may come, and that his “will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven;” but there are times when God seems especially to favour Zion, such seasons ought to be to them like “the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees.” We ought then to be doubly prayerful, doubly earnest, wrestling more at the throne than we have been wont to do. Action should then be prompt and vigorous. The tide is flowing—now let us pull manfully for the shore. O for Pentecostal outpourings and Pentecostal [labors]  Christian, in yourself there are times “when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees.” You have a peculiar power in pr

Difficult Definitions

January 30: Difficult Definitions Hebrews 11 As an editor, I love definitions. The field of lexicography can be complex, but when a definition is finally solidified, there’s comfort to be found. It becomes something stable. This is also the reason I love the book of Hebrews : the author is keen on definitions, clarifying terminology, and using analogies to prove his points. “Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen” ( Heb 11:1 ) . In this succinct definition, I have perspective on the essence of faith. There is no room for doubt or error. The hope referred to is Jesus . And the proof is in an assurance that even though we cannot see Him , we have confidence in His work both presently and in the future. The author goes on to say, “For by this [faith] the people of old were approved [by God ]. By faith we understand the worlds were created by the word of God, in order that what is seen did not come into existence from what is visible.… By fa

Morning and Evening

Morning, January 29      Go To Evening Reading          “The things which are not seen.”           — 2 Corinthians 4:18 In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part, to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown, and onward is the goal. Whether it be for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love, the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith. Looking into the future we see sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. Looking further yet, the believer’s enlightened eye can see death’s river passed, the gloomy stream forded, and the hills of light attained on which standeth the celestial city; he seeth himself enter within the pearly gates, hailed as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the arms of Jesus, glorified with him, and made to sit together with him on his throne, even as he has overcome and h

The New Deal

January 29:  Hebrews 10 “I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.” These words were spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a speech which unveiled a series of economic strategies for ending the Great Depression . We love newness because it holds hope. The same should be true when we look to the new covenant of Jesus . Although it may not feel quite as new as it did nearly 2,000 years ago—when it altered the spiritual landscape like the New Deal forced economic vitality into America —it still holds the same power today. This covenant is first mentioned in Hebrews 8 ; and in Hebrews 10 , we see the full implications of it: “For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.… Now where there is forgiveness of [sins], there is no longer an offering for sin” ( Heb 10:14 , 18 ) . Prior to Jesus , there was a need for regular sacrifices for sins to be made, but since Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, that is

Morning and Evening

Morning, January 28      Go To Evening Reading          “Perfect in Christ Jesus.”           — Colossians 1:28 Do you not feel in your own soul that perfection is not in you? Does not every day teach you that? Every tear which trickles from your eye, weeps “imperfection”; every harsh word which proceeds from your lip, mutters “imperfection.” You have too frequently had a view of your own heart to dream for a moment of any perfection in yourself. But amidst this sad consciousness of imperfection, here is comfort for you—you are “perfect in Christ Jesus.” In God’s sight, you are “complete in him;” even now you are “accepted in the Beloved.”  But there is a second perfection, yet to be realized, which is sure to all the seed. Is it not delightful to look forward to the time when every stain of sin shall be removed from the believer, and he shall be presented faultless before the throne, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing? [7 highlights] The Church of Christ then will be so

Carpe Diem

January 28: Carpe Diem Ecclesiastes 11:1–4 The Latin phrase Carpe Diem , means “seize the day.” Taking risks to make your life extraordinary is biblical , if done according to God’s plan and principles . The idea behind this comes from Ecclesiastes : “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” ( Eccl 11:1 ) . Bread acts as the symbol for substance in the ancient world; the author of Ecclesiastes is suggesting that we should follow God’s plan , even at the possible cost of our livelihood. He then suggests that what we give to God , He will return. This is opposite from a self-protection mentality. The “waters” in the proverb represent chaos, suggesting that in letting go of even the most chaotic circumstances, we learn about God’s ability to give what we need. This is further illustrated when the author says, “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.… He who observes the wind will not sow, and h

My Prayer for Today

On this The Lord's Day, my prayer is what Jesus told those that questioned Him as coming from God as He spoke:  33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. ln the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  Jn 16:33 . Using this analogy as a prayer, I pray His words in His precious name. Amen. - Min. Lynwood F. Mundy

The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013

January 27 Lesson 9 STANDING FIRM IN CHRIST DEVOTIONAL READING: Matthew 25:14–29 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Philippians 3:12–4:1 KEY VERSE Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.— Philippians 3:16 The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013 , ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 2012). 185.

Twelve Months of Sundays: Reflections on Bible Readings

The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany Deuteronomy 18:15–20 Revelation 12:1–5a Mark 1:21–28 Authority, so problematic for us, is central to the biblical message. The Kingdom of God is not a democracy, as a character in Chariots of Fire pointed out. When the [Israelite's] banded together to decide things their own way, they voted either to go back to Egypt or to make a golden calf. Almost the only time the apostles acted unanimously was when ‘they all forsook him and fled’. God’s redemptive word of authority, calling us to order, breaks through the noise of humans stampeding in the wrong direction. Admitting this means swallowing pride. Refusing to recognize it means conniving at self-destruction. Lemmings all go together when they go. And yet. We learnt long ago that power corrupts; we learnt more recently that all authority is to be distrusted. Humanly speaking these are important lessons. Yet one can no more live on suspicion than one can eat a Marxist tract. Without trust bre

Preach for a Year

    The Bible is the Word of God       2 Timothy 3:16           I.      Introduction          A.      The Greatest Question of All          1.      Is the Bible really the Word of God?          2.      If not, we are wasting our time          3.      If so, nothing else even compares in importance           B.      We Believe the Bible to be the Verbally Inspired Word of God          C.      Why?           II.      Body          A.      Because of its Unity and Perfection          1.      What a great library it is!            a.      Over 40 different authors            b.      Writing over a period of 1600 years            c.      All agreeing on one central theme           2.      Compared to any other literature, it is a giant            a.      The great classics shrink beside it            b.      The books of the cults do not compare to it           3.      No contradictions. It is always right          B.      Because of its fulfilled Prophecy        

Christian Worship One Year Lectionary

SUNDAY , JANUARY 27, 2013 | EPIPHANY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY              Old Testament       Exodus 15:22–27              Psalm       Psalm 145              New Testament       Romans 12:6–16a              Gospel       John 2:1–11 Christian Worship One Year Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2013 | EPIPHANY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY YEAR C               Old Testament       Nehemiah 8:1–3 , 5–6 , 8–10              Psalm       Psalm 19 (UMH 750)               New Testament       1 Corinthians 12:12–31a               Gospel       Luke 4:14–21 Vanderbilt Divinity Library, United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer

SUNDAY , JANUARY 27, 2013 | EPIPHANY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY YEAR C               Psalm       Psalm 113              First Reading       Nehemiah 8:2–10              Second Reading       1 Corinthians 12:12–27               Gospel       Luke 4:14–21 The Episcopal Church, Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary ( Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010).

Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary

SUNDAY , JANUARY 27, 2013 | EPIPHANY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY YEAR C               Old Testament       Nehemiah 8:1–3 , 5–6 , 8–10               Psalm       ( Psalm 19:1–6 ) 7–14              Epistle       1 Corinthians 12:12–31a               Gospel       Luke 4:16–30 Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

Catholic Lectionary

SUNDAY , JANUARY 27, 2013 | ORDINARY TIME THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C               First Reading       Nehemiah 8:2–4a , 5–6 , 8–10               Response       John 6:63c               Psalm       Psalm 19:8–10 , 15               Second Reading       1 Corinthians 12:12–30 or 1 Corinthians 12:12–14 , 27               Gospel Acclamation       Luke 4:18               Gospel       Luke 1:1–4 , 4:14–21 Catholic Lectionary (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009).

Morning and Evening

Morning, January 27      Go To Evening Reading          “And of his fulness have all we received.”           — John 1:16 These words tell us that there is a fulness in Christ. There is a fulness of essential Deity, for “in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead.” There is a fulness of perfect manhood, for in him, bodily, that Godhead was revealed. There is a fulness of atoning efficacy in his blood, for “the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” There is a fulness of justifying righteousness in his life, for “there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” There is a fulness of divine prevalence in his plea, for “He is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by him; seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” There is a fulness of victory in his death, for through death he destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil. There is a fulness of efficacy in his resurrection from the dead, for
January 27: Revenge Isn’t Sweet Genesis 42:29–43:34 It’s easy to revel in vigilante justice, be joyful in the irony of someone getting “what’s coming to them,” or feel satisfied when “bad Karma comes back around” to others. The colloquialisms around the subject alone demonstrate our infatuation with justice. Joseph is similarly impassioned; he schemes against his brothers who sold him into slavery. At the beginning of Gen 43, Joseph’s brothers must go back to Egypt to request food from him—their younger brother, whom they do not recognize. Joseph waits for the youngest, Benjamin, to join them. What Joseph intends to do when he does, we’re not told. When Benjamin and the other brothers arrive, Joseph is either moved with empathy or chooses to act upon his original plan of revealing himself in front of all his brothers (Gen 43:16, 29). Joseph even helps them financially, signaling that he somehow still cares for them (Gen 44). Yet it doesn’t seem that Joseph has forgiven them yet, b

My Prayer for Today

My Prayer for Today Jehovah, thank You for blessing and keeping us through Your Sabbath day as celebrated by our Jewish brother's and sister's. Bless us to see the Christian Lord's Day tomorrow if it is Your will. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 

Morning and Evening

Morning, January 26      Go To Evening Reading          “Your heavenly Father.”           — Matthew 6:26 God’s people are doubly his children, they are his offspring by creation, and they are his sons by adoption in Christ. Hence they are privileged to call him, “Our Father which art in heaven.” Father! Oh, what precious word is that. Here is authority: “If I be a Father, where is mine honour?” If ye be sons, where is your obedience? Here is affection mingled with authority; an authority which does not provoke rebellion; an obedience demanded which is most cheerfully rendered—which would not be withheld even if it might. The obedience which God’s children yield to him must be loving obedience. Do not go about the service of God as slaves to their taskmaster’s toil, but run in the way of his commands because it is your Father’s way. Yield your bodies as instruments of righteousness, because righteousness is your Father’s will, and his will should be the will of his child. Father!

A Little Folly

January 26: A Little Folly Ecclesiastes 10:1–9 ; Hebrews 3:1–5:10 Like dead flies in perfumer’s oil, the writer of Ecclesiastes aptly proclaims that a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. Sometimes fools are elevated to positions of power, while those who are fit for the position are given no influence. The Preacher says, “I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves” ( Eccl 10:7 ) . It’s not difficult to nod our heads and say “Amen” when we come to this example of an “evil under the sun.” We probably all have a story to tell about a leader who wasn’t fit for a position and about the injustices we endured under their authority. When a fool is set up as an authority figure, everyone suffers. The Preacher gives a suggestion, though: “If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest” ( Eccl 10:4 ) . This doesn’t just tell us we should have a posture of humility and obedience befo

My Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the ones that read this prayer and your Internet ministry; many said that this would not work, but You ordained it. Now several decades find that the secular have come to Your Son Jesus through genuine repentance, and accepting Him as their Lord and Savior. Hallelujah! Thank You for the saints that find Your ministry has given them. Hallelujah! As I close this prayer of thanksgiving, I thank You for those that evangelize Your Word not only in democratic countries, but countries that they can be killed for reading Christian material; establishing home or open churches; just saying the word Jesus; saying that they are Christians; receiving this ministry through the underground Internet. All of the aforementioned means of receiving Your Word, if caught means death or long prison terms or severely beaten. Thank You for those saints that hunger for Your Word, even unto death.  I thank You that You chose this once foolish person to the ministry and to

Morning and Evening

Morning, January 25      Go To Evening Reading          “I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us.”           — Isaiah 63:7 And canst thou not do this? Are there no mercies which thou hast experienced? What though thou art gloomy now, canst thou forget that blessed hour when Jesus met thee, and said, “Come unto me”? Canst thou not remember that rapturous moment when he snapped thy fetters, dashed thy chains to the earth, and said, “I came to break thy bonds and set thee free”? Or if the love of thine espousals be forgotten, there must surely be some precious milestone along the road of life not quite grown over with moss, on which thou canst read a happy memorial of his mercy towards thee? What, didst thou never have a sickness like that which thou art suffering now, and did he not restore thee? Wert thou never poor before, and did he not supply thy wants? Wast thou never in straits before,

Radiance

January 25: Radiance Hebrews 1–2 When I was a boy, my dad took me to his construction site, and told me, “Don’t look directly at the welding light; it can blind you.” But a welding flame is cool and dangerous. As my father was talking with the foreman, I fixated on the light. I saw spots for the rest of the evening, but didn’t tell anyone. I secretly feared that the radiance had actually blinded me. The radiance of Christ is blinding—it was for Paul ( Acts 9:1–31 ) . In an epic hymn about the work of God’s Son throughout history, the author of Hebrews calls Jesus “the radiance of [God’s] glory and the representation of his essence, sustaining all things by the word of power” ( Heb 1:3 ) . It’s easy to wonder if sustainability is possible, if the world will one day crumble and fall. But in Christ , there is hope. Jesus is much like the sun. You don’t always notice its power, warmth, or even that it’s there. That is especially the case for the cloudy days. We forget that wit

Morning and Evening Devotions

Go To Morning Reading      Evening, January 24          “Martha was cumbered about much serving.”           — Luke 10:40 Her fault was not that she served: the condition of a servant well becomes every Christian. “I serve,” should be the motto of all the princes of the royal family of heaven. Nor was it her fault that she had “much serving.” We cannot do too much. Let us do all that we possibly can; let head, and heart, and hands, be engaged in the Master’s service. It was no fault of hers that she was busy preparing a feast for the Master. Happy Martha, to have an opportunity of entertaining so blessed a guest; and happy, too, to have the spirit to throw her whole soul so heartily into the engagement. Her fault was that she grew “cumbered with much serving,” so that she forgot him, and only remembered the service.  She allowed service to override communion, and so presented one duty stained with the blood of another. We ought to be Martha and Mary in one: we should do much serv

Prayer

Lord, bless this nation that is renewing its boiling political points with the bigotries and "political correctness" toward the poor and middle class of peoples. I plea with these people of "gun rights"; Second Amendments rights"; "abortion rights"; "remove god from our schools and all of their activities in prayer"; "Evolution Rights"; "Darwin Theory" "Gay Rights". What about God's rights as He is our Creator, and we are created in their images? He says that we are not to have any other god's before him; Politicians who swear on Bibles in a country that was created and built on:  "In God We Trust"  are outright lying. They have placed God on the  "back-burner" .  That isn't and cannot be . We must remember that we are not higher than our Master--God. He is the I Am that I Am--Hebrew for before there was a beginning, YHWH was. YHWH sent His Son Jesus to die for all man sins

Undue Favor

January 24: Undue Favor Genesis 38–39 Genesis 38 interrupts the climax of the Joseph narrative with another tale: Judah and Tamar . Switching protagonists is a surprising enough, but the tale itself shocks us. We’re hardly given time to process the strange cultural practices of the ancient Near East , prostitution, deception, and the sudden death of those who displease God before we’re returned to Joseph’s struggles in Egypt . The story is additionally confusing because it seems to lack a hero. Judah uses Tamar , as his two sons did—though he at least acknowledges his actions. Tamar uses her wits and risks her life to secure a future for herself, but she does so through deplorable means. Attempts have been made to justify the characters and put it all in perspective, but there is no neat packaging. The characters in this story face dire circumstances and a unique cultural context—one that is nearly impossible for modern readers to understand. But we don’t need a lesson in a

Prayer

YHWH, bless this nation from those that are already began to lift their heads in rhetorical hatred for the President to continue to do and make laws for the nation without prejudicial diversity. I pray that this nation return from hate to the love of Jesus Christ; first they must be saved; those that claim salvation, but, with diversity of love return to the Lord through true repentance and forgiveness to be "born again"! Without unity; there is division; with division. there is a falling away from the body--of the nation. Return to the Lord and be richly blessed or the nation will continue to disaster. In Jesus' name I pray. - Min. Lynwood F. Mundy  P

Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, Complete and unabridged; New modern edition

Morning, January 23      Go To Evening Reading          “I have exalted one chosen out of the people.”            — Psalm 89:19 Why was Christ chosen out of the people? Speak, my heart, for heart-thoughts are best. Was it not that he might be able to be our brother, in the blest tie of kindred blood? Oh, what relationship there is between Christ and the believer! The believer can say, “I have a Brother in heaven; I may be poor, but I have a Brother who is rich, and is a King , and will he suffer me to want while he is on his throne? Oh, no! He loves me; he is my Brother .” Believer, wear this blessed thought, like a necklace of diamonds, around the neck of thy memory; put it, as a golden ring, on the finger of recollection, and use it as the King’s own seal , stamping the petitions of thy faith with confidence of success. He is a brother born for adversity, treat him as such. Christ was also chosen out of the people that he might know our wants and sympathize with us.  

Pride in Disguise

January 23: Pride in Disguise Matthew 26:57–27:31 Sometimes recognizing our sin for what it is can throw us into deep shame. In Matthew , we find that two of Jesus’ disciples experience this moment of remorse—Judas after he betrays Jesus , and Peter when he denies Jesus . From their responses, we learn what true repentance looks like. Judas is remorseful when he realizes the enormity of his betrayal. But he doesn’t move from remorse to repentance. He tries to absolve his guilt by returning the payment he received for betraying Jesus —an attempt to buy back his innocence. And when the “blood money” is refused and he is unable to eliminate the guilt, Judas hangs himself ( Matt 27:5 ) . Peter , the disciple with an impulsive, childlike loyalty to Jesus , denies his Lord when questioned by a mere servant girl. When Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction , he leaves, “weeping bitterly.” However, the Gospel of John tells us that Peter glorified God in his death ( John 21:15–19 )

Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

Morning, January 22      Go To Evening Reading          “Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?”            — Ezekiel 15:2 These words are for the humbling of God’s people ; they are called God’s vine , but what are they by nature more than others? They, by God’s goodness , have become fruitful, having been planted in a good soil; the Lord hath trained them upon the walls of the sanctuary, and they bring forth fruit to his glory ; but what are they without their God ? What are they without the continual influence of the Spirit , begetting fruitfulness in them? O believer, learn to reject pride, seeing that thou hast no ground for it.  Whatever thou art, thou hast nothing to make thee proud. The more thou hast, the more thou art in debt to God ; and thou shouldst not be proud of that which renders thee a debtor.   Consider thine origin; look back to what thou wast. Consider what thou wouldst have been but fo