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All We Possess Comes From God, August 2
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to
offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of
thine own have we given thee.
1 Chronicles 29:14
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Those who live on this earth should unite with the heavenly host in
ascribing all praise and glory to the Creator. No man has the least cause
for boasting or self-exaltation....
Constantly God is laboring to make up man’s deficiencies. Even
repentance is brought about through the application of grace. The natural
heart feels no need of repentance. The tears that fall from the eyes of
man because of sorrow for his sinfulness and because of sympathy for
other sinners, start unbidden. They are as dew from eyes that belong to
God.... The reformed life is but the better employment of a life that has
been ransomed by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. No credit should we
take to ourselves for anything that we may do....
Faith, too, is the gift of God. Faith is the assent of man’s understanding
to God’s words, that binds the heart to God’s service. And whose is man’s
understanding if it be not God’s? Whose the heart if it be not God’s?
To have faith is to render to God the intellect, the energy, that we have
received from Him; therefore those who exercise faith do not themselves
deserve any credit. Those who believe so firmly in a heavenly Father that
they can trust Him with unlimited confidence; those who by faith can
reach beyond the grave to the eternal realities beyond, must pour forth to
their Maker the confession, “All things come of thee, and of thine own
have we given thee.” ...
Heavenly bestowed capabilities should not be made to serve selfish
ends. Every energy, every endowment, is a talent that should contribute to
God’s glory by being used in His service....
Let no one seek to exalt himself by talking of his deeds, extolling his
abilities, displaying his knowledge, and cultivating self-conceit.... Christ
was never self-confident or conceited.
He to whom God has entrusted unusual gifts should return to the
Lord’s storehouse that which he has received, by freely giving to others
the benefit of his blessings. Thus God will be honored and glorified.
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