The morning! That is our watchword. Our evening prayers and songs are filled with hope. The morning adds hue to life, imparting color to that which is colorless, and freshening that which is faded. It is the essence of our hopes and dreams. Stars may help to make the sky less gloomy, but they are not the sun – and besides, clouds have now covered them so they are no longer visible. Torches and beacon lights do not help. Our own lights make no impression upon the darkness; it is so deep, so real, so unmistakable. We might give up all for lost if we were not assured that there is a sun and that it is hastening to rise, and we are watching for it. The church’s pilgrimage is nearly complete, yet she is no less a pilgrim as its end draws near. The last stage of the journey might be the dreariest for her. Her path lies through the thickest darkness that the world has yet felt. It is the sound of falling kingdoms that is guiding us onward. It is the fragments of broken thrones lying across our path that assure us that our route is the true one and that its end is near. Then comes the morning with its songs; and in that morning, a kingdom; and in that kingdom, glory; and in that glory, the everlasting rest, the Sabbath of eternity. We belong to the day, and the day belongs to us, as our true heritage – and when it comes, we will not be ashamed for having zealously awaited that great day.
God speaks to us through the Bible. That Book embodies His words. Creation itself is the visible embodiment of His power and wisdom. It is the result of His words. This Book of His is, in a different way, the effect of His speaking. It is His written wisdom and power. There is His voice to us. The thunder and tempest are His loud voice of grandeur. The sunshine and the gentle breeze are His still small voice. But deeper, clearer, keener, softer, and still more penetrating than all of these is His written Word to us. The Bible is what it is because it contains the words of God. It is through the Word, and in connection with it, that God communicates with us. The Word revives: Your word has revived me (Psalm 119:50). The word produces faith: Faith comes from hearing (Romans 10:17). The Word strengthens, comforts, heals, nourishes, and revives. It gets into contact with each part of our souls and works its own work there. And it does this because it is divine. No human words could be trusted to work the work in a human soul so unrestrictedly. It is not eloquence, poetry, nor argument, but something more than all these together. It is something peculiar and indescribable, which man could not have formed and which he cannot understand, that makes it so suitable for the soul of a foolish and sinful man.
Nineteenth century pastor and hymn-writer Horatius Bonar is most widely known for the rich treasury of hymns he bequeathed to this world; but a growing number of believers today are finding inspiration in this hidden gem: a powerful handbook for living the Christian life. It was first penned to give new believers a broad orientation and firm footing as they were sent off on their brand new journey with the Master. In today’s tumultuous spiritual atmosphere, new believers and mature believers alike are finding solace, direction and affirmation in the wisdom and guidance of this big-hearted man of God who himself walked in the footsteps of the Lamb.
Peace & Holiness combines Bonar's two classic devotionals on these twin subjects, God's Way of Peace and God's Way of Holiness. These works were intended for those dealing with sin, hopelessness, and the brokenness of our world. In other words, they are for everyone.
If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water (John 4:10). If you ask, He will give you living water! That is all you have to do – ask. How real, how true, how free – yet how simple! This is grace. He loves us not because we are rich in goodness, but because He is rich in mercy; not because we are worthy of His favor, but because He delights in lovingkindness. His welcome to us comes from His own graciousness, not from our lovableness. Christ invites the weary. It is this weariness that fits you for Him and Him for you. Pardon, peace, and life – all of them are gifts, divine gifts, brought down from heaven by the Son of God, presented personally to each needy sinner by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are not to be bought but received as men receive the sunshine – complete and sure and free. They are not to be earned or deserved by exertions, sufferings, prayers, or tears, but should be accepted at once as the purchase of the labors and sufferings of the great Substitute. They are not to be waited for but taken on the spot without hesitation or distrust, as men take the loving gift of a generous friend. They are not to be claimed on the ground of fitness or goodness, but of need, unworthiness, poverty, and emptiness. Lift up your eyes and look to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith!
The Sermons of Horatius Bonar includes a collection of encouraging and insightful sermons. Here Bonar addresses subjects such as: Follow the Lamb!, The Holy Spirit, The Family Discipline, And much more. "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me." John 10:27 Christian, your whole life is to be one continuous following of the Lord.
Your "turning" or "conversion" is only a beginning, and no more. It is not the whole journey; it is merely the first step. You are a disciple, that is, one who is under teaching; but your teaching, your discipleship, has only just begun. Your life is a book; it may be a bigger or smaller volume, but conversion is only the title page or the preface. The book itself remains to be written, and your years, weeks, and days are its chapters, pages, and lines. It is a book written for eternity; make sure that it is written well. It is a book for the inspection of enemies as well as friends; be careful of every word. It is a book written under the eye of God; let it be done reverently, not frivolously, but also without constraint or terror. For encouragement and help on this journey, please join me in diving into what the Bible says about fruitful Christian living. Make sure you start well, continue well, and end well. The Lord has ensured that you have all the instructions you'll need, if only you take the time to learn and apply them. List of Chapters: Ch. 1: Keep Your Eyes on Jesus Ch. 2: Keep Your Conscience Clean Ch. 3: Hold Tightly to What You Have Received Ch. 4: Deal Honestly with Yourself Ch. 5: Keep Company with God and with the People of God Ch. 6: Study the Bible Ch. 7: Watch Your Steps Ch. 8: Put Away Vanity and the Love of Praise Ch. 9: Watch Against Satan Ch. 10: Beware of One-Sided Truth Ch. 11: Do Something for God Ch. 12: Live with Anticipation for Christ’s Return
It is no easy matter to write a book for the family of God. Yet it is for them that these thoughts on chastisement are written." So begins Horatius Bonar's classic work on how Christians should deal with grief in face of a faith that knows God to be good. Bonar mines Scripture and the wisdom of the church to reveal that God's ways, while not our ways, are intended to manifest righteousness. Indeed, the author argues that earthly bonds may be broken not to bring believers sorrow, but in order to draw them closer to an eternal relationship with God. Profound and timeless, When God's Children Suffer reminds Christians that God will not abandon them but will instead extend grace to His children, giving them "beauty for ashes.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishops to feed the congregation of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. – Acts 20:28 The objective of the Christian ministry is to convert sinners and to edify the body of Christ. No faithful minister can possibly rest short of this. Applause, fame, popularity, honor, and wealth – all these are vain. If souls are not won, and if saints are not matured, our ministry itself is futile. Questions we have to ask ourselves: Has it been the purpose of my ministry and the desire of my heart to save the lost and guide the saved? Is this my aim in every sermon I preach and in every visit I make? Is it under the influence of this feeling that I continually live and walk and speak? Do I pray and toil and fast and weep for this? Do I spend and am I spent for this, counting it, next to the salvation of my own soul, my greatest joy to be the instrument of saving others? Is it for this that I exist? To accomplish this, would I gladly die? Have I seen the pleasure of the Lord prospering in my hand? Have I seen souls converted under my ministry? Have God’s people found refreshment from my lips and gone on their way rejoicing, or have I seen no fruit of my labors? Am I content to remain fruitless? Am I satisfied to preach without knowing of one saving impression I made or one sinner awakened? Opinions are not what man needs; he needs truth. Not theology, but God. Not religion, but Christ. Not literature and science, but the knowledge of the free love of God in the gift of His only begotten Son. Table of Contents Ch. 1: The Importance of Being Hot for Christ Ch. 2: The Importance of Being Right with God Ourselves Ch. 3: The Danger of Unfruitful Ministry Ch. 4: The Importance of Eliminating Our Faults Ch. 5: The Need of Revival in Ministry Former Title: Words to Winners of Souls
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