All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. iii. 12. Take the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and of patience. James v. 10. The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering. Heb. ii. 10. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. 2 Tim. ii. 12. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us. Rom. viii. 18. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matt. v. 10. ON CHARITY. THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not Charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not Charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burnt, and have not Charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long and is kind; Charity envieth not; Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1 Cor. xiii. 1, &c. ON TRUST IN PROVIDENCE. TRUST thou in the Lord with all thy might, and lean not to thy own understanding. Prov. iii. 5, 6. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Prov. xvi. 3. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. Eccles. ix. 11. Except the Lord build the house, their labour is but lost that build it. Psal, cxxvii. 1. Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James i. 17. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in man: it is better to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in princes. Psal. cxviii. 8, 9. Without faith it is impossible to please God but faith without works is dead, being alone; and without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Heb. xi. 6; xii. 14. James ii. 17. Therefore let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith and let us not be weary of well doing; for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not. Heb. xii. 1, 2. Gal. vi.9. ON PRAYER. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Psal. xxix. 2. In every thing by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God Phil. iv. 6. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Matt. vii. 7. |