"Going to do"

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He that is always "going to do" a great many things, very likely ends in doing nothing. One resolution put into practice is worth any amount of good intentions. The commendation in Matthew 25:21 does not run, "Well intended", or "well planned", but "well done, good and faithful servant".

Satan’s kingdom will never be much shaken by the mere drawing of plans as to what we are "going to do". If the path is clear - if the light of God is shining on our way - then "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might" (Ecc.9:10). While others may be planning, and perhaps dreaming, let us be doing. There can be no objection to planning for our work, and considering well what we are about to do for God. But let us attend to present duty. Let the work of the Lord for this day be done. Let us lay hold of the passing opportunity and utilise it for God.

Being thus faithful in that which is little, our God may commit to us that which is great. Being diligent stewards in the few things, the Master may make us "ruler over many things".
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- Abridged. "Believers Treasury"

The Potter's Wheel

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The Potter's Wheel

By R.S.B.

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A vessel unto honour, sanctified, and
meet for the Master’s use. 2Timothy 2:21.

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He shapeth at the potter’s wheel

The vessel He hath planned,

Our little mould of human clay

Is in His mighty hand:

We dare not tell Him what to do,

Nor should we doubt His skill,

But wholly yield ourselves to Him

To work his perfect will.

He riseth from the potter’s wheel,

His workmanship complete,

And lifteth in His skilful hands

The vessel, trim and neat:

With admiration and delight

He setteth it aside,

Meet only for the Master’s use,

In honour to abide.

‘Tis thus that God doth work in us

That perfect work begun,

And will perform it till we bear

The likeness of His Son:

When in the glory of His house

Each vessel will display

The wonders of His matchless grace

For ever and for aye.

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Little Things

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The saddest failures in Christian consistency may often be traced back to what seemed to be a very small issue. There are things that we call "little sins", but the phrase is misleading.

Sin is sin whether men call it great or small. The so-called "little" ones are often the most mischievous because they can be easily left to do their evil work unchecked. They are, in fact, the "little foxes that spoil the vines" (S. of S.2:15). If the "little foxes" are to be cast out of the vineyard, we must take heed to the thoughts, the tongue and the hands. The heart must be cleansed and kept by the Lord.

We must be specially watchful against the beginnings of evil. - Selected.