Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit.

~ John 15:8

What a possibility, what an inspiration, that we can enhance the glory of “our Father”! Our hearts leap at the thought.

How can this be done? By bearing “leaves,” a profession of love for Him? No. By bearing some fruit? No. “That ye bear much fruit.” In the abundance of the yield is the joy, the glory of the husbandman. We should, therefore, aim to be extraordinary, “hundred–fold” Christians, satisfied with none but the largest yield. Our lives should be packed with good deeds. Then at harvest time we can say, “Father, I have glorified Thee on the earth!”

~ W. Jennings

The sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

~ Jonah 1:11

Sin in the soul is like Jonah in the ship. It turns the smoothest water into a tempestuous sea.

~ Selected

The life which I now live in the flesh.~ Gal 2:20

I expect to pass through this world but once therefore, if there be any kindness I can show or any good thing I can do to any fellow human being, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
~ Marcus Aurelius

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

~ 2 Cor 12:9

God’s way of answering His people’s prayers is not by removing the pressure, but by increasing their strength to bear it. The pressure is often the fence between the narrow way of life and the broad road to ruin; and if our Heavenly Father were to remove it, it might be at the sacrifice of heaven. Oh, if God had removed that thorny fence in answer, often to earnest prayers, how many of us would now be castaways! How the song of many a saint now in glory would be hushed! How many a harp would be unstrung! How many a place in the mansions of the redeemed would be unfilled! If God answered all the prayers we put up to heaven, we should need no other scourge. Blessed it is that we have One who is too loving to grant what we too often so rashly ask.

~ F. Whitfield

… Sinners of whom I am chief…. Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

~ 1 Tim 1:15,17

Only those who have struck the deepest note of penitence can reach the highest note of praise.

~A. J. Gordon

Being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:3

This lingering for forty days is the crowning proof of Christ’s tender regard for His little flock. He who had laid down His life for them is loath to leave them. Though they had forsaken Him, and doubted Him, they had not wearied, much less had they worn out, His love. He stays to look again, and yet again, and yet again, upon them, as if turning back and lingering to bless them. It is all of a piece with His life of love. Everywhere He meets them without a touch of upbraiding, without recalling a single memory of all His bitter suffering, revealing Himself to the disciples with a tenderness and blessedness indescribably beautiful.

How can He go till He has healed the Magdalene’s broken heart? He must linger till poor Peter can venture near to have his forgiveness assured. He must stay to strengthen Thomas’ faith. He must tarry with them till He has made them feel that He is just the same friendly, brotherly Jesus that He has ever been, caring for them in their work, watching them with a yearning pity, stooping to kindle a fire for their warmth, and to cook the fish for their meal, and then to bid them come and dine.

~ Mark Guy Pearse