William Mason --Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God

I will be posting daily from [h=1]A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God: Consisting of a Meditation for Each Day in the Year[/h]
Oct 23,


Is any thing too hard for the LORD? Gen_18:14.


A clergyman went to read prayers on a working-day. There was but one person in the church, beside himself and the clerk. On which he said to the clerk, As there is nobody else here, what signifies my reading prayers? Sir, said the clerk, Is not God present? O said the priest, I forgot God. Do not we too often the same? Is it not hence, that our minds are exercised with doubts, fears, and distress? This question the Lord put to Sarah, when an unbecoming laugh of incredulity appeared, and this unbelieving speech dropt from her lips, “Shall I, of a surety, bear a child, who am old?” O the longsuffering kindness, the condescending goodness of our Lord! He is Jesus the Saviour, for instead of striking her dead at his feet, for her contempt of his word, he mildly reasons with her. As though he had said, Sarah, look not at yourself. Consult not flesh and blood. Judge not according to nature, reason, and the state of things. Consider the promise, look at the Promiser, the Lord God omnipotent. “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” O think of the love of an incarnate God! This question, doubtless, broke the strong fetters of Sarah’s unbelief, for it is thus recorded of her, “Through faith, Sarah received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful, who had promised,” (Heb_11:11.) Here is a matter brought to pass, beyond the power, and contrary to the laws of nature. But who shall set bounds to the God of nature? O soul, whenever thy mind is puzzled with any mysterious truth of God’s word, solve the difficulty with thy Lord’s own interrogation, “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” It is quite sufficient to silence all thy carnal reasoning, quell the risings of unbelief, and cause thee to leave all thy hard matters and difficult concerns in thy Lord’s hand. Never forget his everlasting love. Never doubt his almighty power. Say, thou hast a hard heart, a sea of corruptions, a storm of afflictions and temptations, potent enemies, strong unbelief; yea, say, thou hast death and hell to conflict with. Yet say not that any, or all of these are too strong for thy Lord: too hard for him to support thee under, and save thee from. O then, in all thy straits, difficulties, and trials, never, never forget thy Lord’s question, Is any thing too hard for the Lord? “Remember the eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath thee are his everlasting arms. He will speak destruction to thy foes, and salvation to thy soul.” Deu_33:27.


The Lord we serve’s omnipotent,
Let faith then trace his pow’r,
For that’s engag’d by covenant,
To keep us ev’ry hour.


Whene’er strong foes do us assault,
And sin and lust do rage.
Lord, keep our souls from ev’ry fault,
And on our side engage.

OCTOBER 24.

The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord, he is their strength in the time of trouble. Psa_37:39.


We may say of righteousness, as Job says of wisdom, “Where shall righteousness be found? And where is the place of perfect righteousness? Man knoweth not the price thereof, neither is it to be found in the land of the living,” (Job_28:12-13.) The Patriarch says, It is not in me. The Prophet says, It is not in me. The Apostle says, It is not in me. The Lord saith, “All flesh hath corrupted his way,” (Gen_6:12.) “There is none righteous, no not one,” (Psa_14:3.) Why then do the Scriptures speak so much of the righteous, if there be no such persons upon earth? Indeed there are. This is a point of great importance. The Lord settle it well in your heart and mine. We are guilty sinners in ourselves. We have no righteousness of our own. Yet, saith the Lord Jesus, the righteous one, “Their righteousness is of me,” (Isa_54:17.) We are made the righteousness of God in Christ, (2Co_5:21.) When we are taught this by the Spirit of truth, instead of looking into ourselves for righteousness, we cry out in the joy of faith, I have found it. “In the Lord have I righteousness.” (Isa_45:24.) Then we have a living union with the Lord our righteousness, by faith. Being perfectly righteous in him, we have righteous hopes, fears, desires, a righteous walk, and righteous expectations. For we know our salvation is of the Lord. The Spirit of truth does not leave us to the unrighteous notions of salvation, on any condition of our own work, duties, and performances, either in whole or in part. But he shews us such matchless glory in our Lord’s one everlasting righteousness, that it puts us at once, both out of conceit with our own filthy rags, and prevents us from placing any dependence on them for salvation. The Lord increase our faith in this righteousness. Lord quicken our love to thee for making us righteous. So neither are we left to live in sin, and walk in sin. But though thus righteous, yet sin is in us, therefore we have our troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Are we in trouble about the number of our enemies, the greatness of our sins and corruptions-the weakness of our graces-the strength of our temptations-a sense of desertion-the want of comfort, peace, and joy from the Lord? These are righteous troubles. The righteous Lord is our strength to support, under them-he has power to remove them. He neither wants strength of love, nor ability of power to save us from them. For the Lord delivereth the righteous out of all his troubles. Psa_34:17.


Salvation is a joyful theme,
To sinners lost and poor.
While Lord, ‘tis thine most glorious scheme,
O let us feel its pow’r.

This looks like something I would like to own. I just cannot underline it here.
And I love to mess up books like this.

Amazon has a hard copy $$.

or if you use E-Sword you can download the 2volume version for free here...
Latest e-Sword Downloads, Modules, Utilities, and News - e-Sword News, Downloads, and Forums - www.BibleSupport.com

Also got this one: WORDS FROM ABOVE

William G. Mason is a Hebrew Christian who in 1979 began hearing the Lord speak to his spirit. He was instructed to write these things down, which he did. Through the years he has received these "words" and faithfully recorded them and been given much solace and encouragement personally. Then after his wife and life partner passed from this life into the arms of God in May of 2008, he was told to send these words out. He thought to print each one and distribute them individually. It was a short time later that he understood that he was to record all these in a book. This has been his "labor of love" both for the Lord whom he serves with joyful heart and for all those who seek His Face.

Actually I think it is a different person...
1719-1791
William Mason - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thank you for sharing this crossnote. I look forward to reading more if you wish to share. God bless you my precious big brother.

You are right Crossnote - this is not the same person, since your Mason died way back when. Too quick on the trigger.
Well - the book is coming anyways - maybe God wants me to read it.
And I got a rep point for it - life is good.

Yes, I suppose one a day. I used to have a paperback version and it was my favorite devotional because it lacked a lot of the fluff most have. I even preferred or at least equally liked Mason's to Spurgeon's devotional.

I love Spurgeon! That is why the writing you posted today appealed to me. Same truth - no fluff.

I also love Oswald Chambers - tried to think of his name yesterday. He is one of the best too.

October 25th

How can ye believe which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?—John 5:44. "The fear of man bringeth a snare."—Prov. 29:25.

It is a great enemy to the power of faith in the heart. The esteem of men, to be well spoken of, to have honor and applause from them, are pleasing to the flesh, but hurtful to the Spirit. The wisdom and learning of natural men, are contrary to the simplicity that is in Christ, incompatible with the cross of Christ, and withstands an open confession of him who is an honor to us; for by the faith of Jesus we are honored of the Father to be his children, and to enjoy sweet fellowship and communion with him in our spirits. Here is the blessedness of the faith of disciples; "It standeth not in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God."—1 Cor. 2:5. Hence we are to "call no man Rabbi, for one is our master, even Jesus." We are to suffer no man to lord it over our faith; not to pin our faith on any man's sleeve; merely to believe what any man says, be he ever so wise and learned. Some are fond of being at the head of a party; others love to humour them, and become tails and tools to them; and their poor hearts are hereby sadly rent and torn, by disputes and divisions which so much abound. But have we not the plain, simple teachings of our blessed prophet to look to? O, how often do disciples of Jesus give honor to men, in expecting that teaching and that comfort from them which cometh from God only! Too oft is it the cry, I will hear what such a one saith, what this and the other teacheth, instead of "I will hear what the Lord God will speak," what he hath taught in his word. I will abide by that only. This honor cometh from God only, to speak peace by Jesus Christ outwardly in his word, and inwardly by his Spirit: therefore we are to search the word diligently, wait for the Spirit patiently, treasure up and ponder upon the sayings of Jesus in our hearts continually. This is to honor him whom the Father honors, to be the prophet of his church. Believers have an "unction from the Holy One that teacheth them all things."—1 John 2:20. Surely they ought not to hear those who know not the truth! "Them that honor me, I will honor," saith the Lord,—1 Sam. 2:30. Jehovah commands us. "Hear my beloved Son."—Mark 9:7. In the face of all opposition to believe the word, the promises, and the oath of the Lord concerning full and free salvation by his Son Jesus only, this is the honor the Lord requires from his children: and this obedience of faith, God will honor with inward peace, and the witness of his Spirit; with a life of love, and the sanctifying renewings of the Holy Ghost from day to day. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils."—Isa. 2:22.

Tomorrow I'm speaking to a women's group on "Sanctifying the Lord God in your hearts." Since sanctify means to "set apart", I'm addressing the different ways we can "set the Lord apart" from all else. There are many ways. Why don't you give me a few ideas on this also........? Anyone?

Quick thoughts:As the Lord sanctifies us through His Word, His Spirit and ahem, yes trials, we in turn grow to esteem Him above all else in both our heart and actions. There is no formula.

Using the meaning of sanctify as "set apart", I am mostly covering the way we need to set apart a special time each day for only Him (not with the cell phone sitting next to us). In other words, to set Him apart in our hearts above all else in our lives. Sounds easy, but in reality not always done. A lot of Christians believe in Christ, try to live right - but I want to bring out the sanctification of our devotion to Him.

It's actually only the end of my talk. Mostly, I am talking about how we are sanctified through all those things you said, Crossnote. For instance, the truth "sets us apart" from believing lies. And even trials can be sanctified "set apart" for His use more powerfully when we give thanks for all things (as we are told to do.) To praise in the midst of trials, etc.

How the sanctification process is a partnership.........and so on.

But very interesting subject. Pray for me tomorrow morning 9:30 Western time if you think about it. Would appreciate it.

Once again truly beautiful. Thank you.
God has called us to simplicity and yet we soooo want to be pleasing to men but deep in our hearts we are so tired of trying to look Christian in order to please others. It becomes a never ending circle. Let us let go of what others think or say, let us truly just rest in worshipping God in truth and Spirit. Blessed be the name of The Lord .
Amen

October 26th

Knowing, that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.—Col. 3:24.

Saving knowledge is accompanied with humility, productive of love to Jesus, and delight in his service. To desire to know more of the truth, in order to gain greater measures of love, and more cheerful conformity to him, this is praiseworthy. "For whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed."—James 1:25. Christian, thou art not called to dream over dry disquisitions and subtle refinements, merely to fill thy brain with nice speculations; but to have thy heart warmed with love, thy practice influenced to obedience, as well as thy judgment established in truth. Remember thy calling, study thy reward, glory in being a servant of Jesus; his work is pleasant, his service perfect freedom, his wages infinitely great, reward in thy work, reward for thy work, and an eternal inheritance when thy short day's work is ended; and all of the rich favor and free grace of the Lord Christ. Shall the pleasures of sin, which are but for a season, the vile drudgery of Satan, which is miserable bondage, the alluring smiles of a perishing world; shall these be placed in competition with the service of Jesus? "Knowing that we serve the Lord Christ." O, how does this sweeten duty, and make every path delightful! Canst thou hesitate one moment, when the question is, choose you this day whom you will serve, Christ or Satan? No, verily thou canst not, if so be thou hast tasted of the infinitely rich grace of the eternally precious Christ. Hath HE bought us with his blood? Redeemed us to God? Wrought out a righteousness to clothe and adorn us, and prepared mansions in heaven to receive us? And shall our conduct be contrary to our profession? Our practice not conformable to our judgment? Or our walk inconsistent with our faith? Where then is the proof that we serve the Lord Christ? What evidence that we know the Lord is interested in, or may expect the reward of his inheritance? We may well cry out, Woe to our wretched, sinful nature, which is contrary to Jesus, and is ever opposing his truth, ways, and love! Shame to us, we love him no more, nor serve him no better! Blessed be Jesus for the gift of his Spirit. O, that through his sanctifying and sin-mortifying operations, we may be in love, wholly devoted to his service, who in mercy wholly devoted himself for our salvation! How strong thine arm is, mighty Lord! Who would not fear thy name! Jesus, how sweet thy graces are! We love and serve the Lamb. He has done more than Moses did, Our Prophet and our King; From bonds of hell he freed our souls, Taught us to love and sing.

And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. Gen_46:30.


Strange request! What, just come to the sight and embrace of thy long lost son, and yet want to leave him at the very first interview? One should have thought the language of Jacob would have been, Happy man! I not only see my beloved son, but also see him governor over all the land. Well, I hope I shall live long to enjoy his riches and grandeur. But, no. The good man had lived long enough to make an estimate of the uncertainties of life: to know the evil of days, the vicissitudes of time, and how soon the day of brilliant joy might be changed into the night of gloom and sadness. The sight of his son was the summit of his wishes: that granted, he sought no more. He wished to be at home with his Lord. Happy Christian! thus to set loose to all creature enjoyments, even when there is the highest enjoyment of them, than to have one’s mind go out in longings after the heavenly world, evidences the spirituality of the affections. Many have manfully withstood the frowns of the world: but its smiles have caressed, enchanted, and hugged them to death. To choose death, to be with Jesus, when all things around are inviting and engaging, shews that Christ has the supreme affections of our hearts. Here see the nature of Christian faith. (1st.) It confesseth that Christ is come in the flesh: that, though he is dead, yet he is alive for evermore, and hath the keys of hell and death; and that he has opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Therefore, (2d.) as truly as Israel rejoiced to see his beloved son, and could depart in peace-so the believer rejoices at the sight of Christ by faith. A living Christ is the glory of a believer’s soul. He can die easy, peaceful, and comfortable, viewing the death of Christ for his sins, and the life of Christ for his justification; and the intercession of Christ, prevailing for his eternal glorification. And this faith is somewhat more than a notion in the head; for, (3d.) it brings victory into the heart. For this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he who believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1Jn_5:4-5.) It is impossible to overcome the world any other way, than by seeing greater glory and happiness in the Son of God than this world can bestow. But by faith we do it. Therefore, we exchange shadows for substance; baubles for jewels. O rest not in a dead faith, which brings not the glory of Christ into the heart, and brings no glory to Christ in the life.


Lord, having seen by faith thy face,
And felt thy precious love;
I long to feel thy rich embrace,
In thy bright court above.