January 30

Unclasped possessions

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Phil. 3:7-8).

It was on one of his birthdays that David Livingstone said: “I will place no value on anything that I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of Christ. If anything that I have will advance the interest of that kingdom it shall be given or kept as by giving or keeping it I shall most promote the glory of Him to Whom I owe all my hopes, both for time and eternity. May grace be given me to adhere to this.”

I could not choose a larger bliss
Than to be wholly Thine; and mine
A will whose highest joy is this,
To ceaselessly unclasp in Thine.

Beneath the splendor of Thy choice,
Thy perfect choice for me, I rest;
Outside it now I dare not live,
Within it I must needs be blest.

Then may Thy perfect glorious will
Be evermore fulfilled in me,
And make my life an answering chord
Of glad, responsive harmony.

Oh! it is life indeed to live
Within this kingdom strangely sweet;
And yet we fear to enter in,
And linger with unwilling feet.

We fear this wondrous will of Thine
Because we have not reached Thy heart.
Not venturing our all on Thee
We may not know how good Thou art.
—Jean Sophia Pigott.

God never gave this gift of His Holy Spirit to any human soul who had not come to the point that he would sell all he had to get it. While there is a spark of insubordination or rebellion or dictation, one will never get it. Truly submissive and obedient souls only enter this kingdom. Anywhere He tells you to go, anything He tells you to sacrifice or fly from, you will have to do. The Spirit is one of His choice gifts that He has reserved for His choice servants—those who serve Him with all their hearts.
—Catherine Booth.

Read full article...