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In Contact With Others
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love of God for you. Faith can endure trial, resist temptation, bear
up under disappointment. Jesus lives as our advocate. All is ours
that His mediation secures.
Think you not that Christ values those who live wholly for Him?
Think you not that He visits those who, like the beloved John in exile,
are for His sake in hard and trying places? God will not suffer one
of His truehearted workers to be left alone, to struggle against great
odds and be overcome. He preserves as a precious jewel everyone
whose life is hid with Christ in Him. Of every such one He says: “I
... will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee.”
Haggai 2:23
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Then talk of the promises; talk of Jesus’ willingness to bless. He
does not forget us for one brief moment. When, notwithstanding
disagreeable circumstances, we rest confidingly in His love, and shut
ourselves in with Him, the sense of His presence will inspire a deep,
tranquil joy. Of Himself Christ said: “I do nothing of Myself; but as
My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent
Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always
those things that please Him.”
John 8:28, 29
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The Father’s presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him
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but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world.
Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued
with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. Whatever comes to him
comes from the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence.
Nothing can touch him except by the Lord’s permission. All our
sufferings and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our sadness
and griefs, all our persecutions and privations, in short, all things
work together for our good. All experiences and circumstances are
God’s workmen whereby good is brought to us.
If we have a sense of the long-suffering of God toward us, we
shall not be found judging or accusing others. When Christ was
living on the earth, how surprised His associates would have been, if,
after becoming acquainted with Him, they had heard Him speak one
word of accusation, of fault-finding, or of impatience. Let us never
forget that those who love Him are to represent Him in character.
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honor preferring one another.” “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing
for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto
called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
Romans 12:10
;
1 Peter 3:9
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