Fwd: Gems From My Reading

Be of good cheer. "Thy brother . . . for whom Christ died."  Romans 14:15 Let us say to ourselves, softly and tenderly as such a name requires, "My brother . . . for whom Christ died."  My "weak brother . . . for whom Christ died" (1 Corinthians 8:11).  How terrible it is that we can "destroy," or cause to "perish," our brother. Surely it means this much, if not more, a wasted life, that might have been fragrant with Christ, a missing of the mark which God desired for him, a grieving of the heart of the Christ who died for him.  Who can measure all this? Many and diverse are the conditions of our beloved brethren for whom Christ died; many are young and tender; many ignorant and ill-instructed; many sick, sorrowful, weary and heavy laden: many scattered and driven away; many lame, halting and stumbled.  Have we tried to help them, have we with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, and forbearing them in love, sought to heal and restore, to teach and to build up, that we may seek to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? Mark the tenderness of that man of God, Paul: "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse (nursing mother) cherisheth her children."  (1 Thessalonians 2:7) O God, melt these stony hearts of our!  Cause us in our dealings with our brethren, to reflect some tiny portion of the tender grace which Christ shows every day to us, ever remembering that Christ died for them, and loves them as He loves us.     S.L.J.  Bible Truth Depot - Los Angeles  Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;  Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, Chords that are broken will vibrate once more.  Fanny Crosby N.J. Hiebert - 8240