Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

by the Holy Spirit's blessing, of my sense of unworthiness, for the strengthening of my faith, for the quickening of my love, and for the stirring me up to more watchful and diligent service. His holy bread, His holy cup must not be taken by spiritually unwashen hands; His sacred flesh and blood cannot be taken at all by unsanctified hearts. As the LORD'S Passover could not be eaten by a stranger, a foreigner, an hired servant, or any uncircumcised person, so none but the circumcised in heart can partake of Christ in this His holy Supper. Bless the Lord, O my soul, that thou hast been brought, by grace, into the covenant; thou hast been made, by adoption of sons, an heir of God and jointheir with Christ.

Keeping these precious truths in mind, I may approach the holy Table with boldness, not in myself, but in His word to me, and in His work for me; because He invites,-yea, commands-me for love's sake to come. It is not only my privilege, it is also my duty to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance

of faith." "He is faithful that promised." My sacrifices of praise, the offering of my substance, the presenting my body a living sacrifice all are poor and in themselves unworthy; but He who accepted not only the great sin-offering presented by Aaron on the Day of Atonement, but also the "small cattle" and the handful of meal laid day by day on the altar by Aaron's sons-He will graciously receive what I offer and present to Him in the name of Jesus. He, my Saviour, by the sacrifice of His own body, once for all made atonement for all my sins. Now at His Table, and hereafter in His kingdom, may I "be found in Him," to the glory of GOD!

Prayer.

ET the words of my lips and the

meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." O Father of mercies, help by Thy Holy Spirit mine infirmities in prayer; hear me asking in the name of

Jesus Christ. Praise and blessing, thanks and love be to Thee Father, Son, and Spirit-one God, for all Thy glory and for all Thy goodness, for ever and ever. At Thy feet I bow, humbly acknowledging my unworthiness, and all Thou knowest against me; accept my confession. Glorify Thy Name in me; may Christ be magnified in my body and in my spirit; may His strength be made perfect in my weakness. May the Spirit of truth lead me out of all error and ignorance into all truth, teaching me all I need to know, giving me all I need to have, emptying me of self, and filling me with Christ. Forgive me, O Father in heaven, all thinking, speaking, doing, and leaving undone that I need to be forgiven. I trust that Thou hast forgiven all my old sins, and that Thou wilt not enter into judgment with Thy servant, because I believe in Him whom Thou hast sent, and I submit myself to "the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe." Nevertheless I have to ask-Wash away from

me every spot and stain which, by ignorance, weakness, negligence, forgetfulness, sloth, self-indulgence, and sinfulness of nature, I have brought on myself, to my soul's hurt and to Thy displeasure. And give me not only pardon, but more and more grace. Perfect my sanctification of body, soul, and spirit, that thus I may be complete in the likeness of Thy Son, and made meet to be presented faultless before the presence of Thy glory. I lack wisdom; open my understanding and fill it with Divine instruction, that I may know the deep things Thou hast revealed, and be made thoroughly wise unto salvation. Endue me with might in the inner life, inspire me with courage, and crown me with victory in the warfare to which Thou hast called me. At the Table of my Lord may I hunger and thirst after righteousness, there feast with spiritual relish, then go on my way refreshed. with His meat and drink indeed, and find that the joy of the Lord is my strength. O God, whom no man hath seen nor can see, the Only-Begotten hath declared Thee; be pleased

to manifest by Thy Spirit to my spirit more clearly and more fully Him who is the express image of Thy person. And although I am but a vessel of clay, grant that the light of Christ in me may shine so brightly that others may be drawn and helped to walk in His narrow way. Give me to know in sweet experience the fellowship of saints one with. another, and of all with God. Let nothing hinder the work of the Spirit in me, or by me. My devotions, my service, my offerings, my substance, my will, my love, my life, my allI offer unto Thee through the hands and intercession of Jesus our only Mediator. As Thou hast accepted Him for me, accept me and mine in Him. In coming to the holy Table, in my daily duties, in seasons of trial, and in times of peace, perfect that which concerneth me, and lead me from grace to grace till I come to where Thou art, and abide for ever with the Lord. Even so, Father, as Thou wilt, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

« PoprzedniaDalej »