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  • 18
    18.June.Sunday

    Daily Manna - 18th June

    All day
    2017.06.18-2018.06.15
    June 18
    In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore–Psa. 16: 11.
    In the Lord’s presence, no matter where we are, is fullness of joy. Let us cultivate the Lord’s acquaintance more, drawing near to Him in prayer, in the study of His precious Word, in meditation upon all His goodness, His providential care, the marked manifestations of His grace in our own individual experiences, and His precious promises which are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus. Thus “draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (Jas. 4: 8); He will manifest Himself to you and take up His abode with you. It is indeed the will of God that all His children should be happy in Him, that they should be always rejoicing; and if anyone lack this blessing, he is living below his privileges—Z ’96, 54 (R 1948).
    By the presence of God, we may understand is meant the condition of God’s favor in our present sacrificing state, and in our future glorified position. Fullness of joy, that is joy to one’s fullest capacity, is the privilege of either condition; and the Christ class, who enjoy His fullest favor, is blessed with eternal pleasures—P ’36, 78.Parallel passages: Acts 2: 28; Prov. 4: 18; 1 John 3: 2; Matt. 5: 8; Psa. 17: 15; 36: 8; Heb. 12: 2; Luke 14: 14; John 6: 39, 40, 44, 54; 14: 2, 3, 19; Acts 2: 26-28; 26: 6, 7; 1 Cor. 15: 40-57; 2 Cor. 5: 1-5; Phil. 3: 10, 11, 21; Rev. 20: 4, 6.Hymns: 179, 32, 109, 273, 201, 176, 58.
    Poems of Dawn, 184: His Will, Not Mine, Be Done.
    Tower Reading: Z ’96, 53 (R 1949).Questions: What has this text meant to me this week? How did I use it in my daily life? What were the results?
    HIS WILL, NOT MINE, BE DONE
    O THOU of little faith! why dost thou fear?
    Didst thou forget that Jesus is so near?
    And hast thou thought that thou must walk alone?
    Behold now at thy side the loved One!Aye, more than this, thou’rt held within His hand,
    And ’twas Himself that hath thy trial planned!
    There was a need be seen by Eye Divine,
    Although, perchance, not visible to thine.And, wherefore wouldst thou see? Thou canst not tell
    If what thy heart contends for would be well;
    Perhaps thy hope’s fruition would be vain,
    Or prove a life-long discipline of pain!Hast thou not seen, in retrospective life,
    That will of God which caused thee bitterest strife
    Hath turned to sweetness—while the thing He gave
    To suit thy will grew darker than the grave?There’s rest supreme for souls that choose His will;
    A blest security from every ill.
    The things God chooses for us never fail!
    They have their anchorage within the veil.
  • 19
    19.June.Monday

    Daily Manna - 19th June

    All day
    2017.06.19-2018.06.16
    June 19

    Light [Truth] is sown for the righteous, and gladness [the joys of the Truth] for the upright in heart–Psa. 97: 11.The true children of God love the Truth because they have an affinity for it. … When they have found the Truth they recognize its value; they prize it, and meditate upon it. … They say, It is just like God: it is the manifestation of His glorious goodness, the reflection of His loving, benevolent, wise and just character. And therefore they love the Truth and the God who gave it; they treasure it up in their hearts and con it over again and again; and as they look into it, and admire all its symmetry and beauty, they strive more and more to conform their own characters to the same lines of beauty and seek to commend it by word and conduct to others, that they also may be blessed by it—Z ’96, 55 (R 1949).

    As the natural light makes the way clear to the natural eye, so Truth makes plain the way to our eyes of understanding. It is God’s provision to open the eyes of understanding of those only whose hearts are in sympathy with righteous principles. To others the Truth would be an injury. The Truth is a blessing to the righteous, and they are a blessing through it, hence its blessings fill their hearts with joy—P ’30, 78.

    Parallel passages: Dan. 2: 28; Amos 3: 7; Rom. 16: 25, 26; John 15: 15; Psa. 29: 9, 11; Prov. 3: 32; Matt.11: 25; 24: 45-47; Luke 8: 10; 12: 42-44; Rev. 19: 9, 10; 22: 8, 9, 16.

    Hymns: 22, 296, 260, 238, 46, 97, 300.
    Poems of Dawn, 61: Trust Him More.
    Tower Reading: Z ’09, 231 (R 4444).

    Questions: What conditions did I fulfill to receive the Truth? What has helped or hindered therein?

    TRUST HIM MORE
    SINCE the Father’s arm sustains thee,
    Peaceful be;
    When a chastening hand restrains thee,
    It is He.
    Know His love in full completeness
    Fills the measure of thy weakness;
    If He wounds thy spirit sore,
    Trust Him more.Without measure, uncomplaining,
    In His hand
    Lay whatever things thou canst not
    Understand.
    Though the world thy folly spurneth,
    From thy faith in pity turneth,
    Peace thine inmost soul shall fill,
    Lying still.Like an infant, if thou thinkest
    Thou canst stand,
    Child-like, proudly pushing back
    The proffered hand,
    Courage soon is changed to fear,
    Strength doth feebleness appear;
    In His love if thou abide,
    He will guide.Therefore, whatso’er betideth,
    Night or day,
    Know His love for thee provideth
    Good alway.
    Crown of sorrow gladly take,
    Grateful wear it for His sake,
    Sweetly bending to His will,
    Lying still.

    To His own the Savior giveth
    Daily strength;
    To each troubled soul that striveth,
    Peace at length.
    Weakest lambs have largest share
    Of this tender Shepherd’s care.
    Ask Him not, then, When? or How?
    Only bow!

  • 20
    20.June.Tuesday

    Daily Manna - 20th June

    All day
    2017.06.20-2018.06.17
    June 20

    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him–1 John 2: 15.To fellowship the world is to walk in harmony with its ideas and to conform to its ways. In this sense we may not love it, but must be apart from it and in opposition to it. The way thus pointed out to us is, in some respects at least, a difficult way, and a lonely way, but it is the only way of peace and happiness. This world with the lust thereof is rapidly passing away; it is hollow and unsatisfying and eventually leads to disaster and ruin; but those who delight in the Lord’s way have blessed communion and fellowship with Him. Their joys come from a source which the world cannot comprehend. They live on a higher plane, breathe a purer atmosphere and enjoy a holier, sweeter friendship than the world could ever offer—Z ’96, 67 (R 1955).

    The world is the present order of affairs. The things of this world are its various parts and sentiments. To love these would imply sympathy with evil. No child of God could be in sympathy with the present order of affairs, its parts and sentiments, and yet be filled and controlled by the Lord’s Spirit, which mainly is the love of God. The Divine love, controlling our conduct, makes us long for the order of affairs that will prevail during the next dispensation; and it will certainly restrain us from loving this world and the things of this world—P ’35, 102.

    Parallel passages: Matt. 6: 24; Luke 14: 26; Rom. 12: 2; 8: 5; Gal. 1: 4; 6: 14; Jas. 4: 4, 14; 1 John 2: 16, 17; 3: 1, 11-18; 4: 7-21; Psa. 119: 37; 39: 6; 1 Cor. 7: 31; 1 Pet. 1: 24; 1 Cor. 13:1-13.

    Hymns: 150, 48, 97, 176, 180, 213, 312.
    Poems of Dawn, 38: Whom Will Ye Serve?
    Tower Reading: Z ’12, 370 (R 5138).

    Questions: How did the love of God this week cast out from my heart love for the world? What helped or hindered therein? What was the result?

    WHOM WILL YE SERVE?
    John 19: 12, 13.
    CASESAR’S friends? or friends of Jesus?
    Solemn question for to-day!
    Friends of Caesar! Friends of Jesus!
    Take your sides without delay.
    If ye pause for man’s forbidding,
    Caesar’s friendship ye secure;
    If ye do the Father’s bidding,
    Scorn, reproach, ye shall endure.Friends of Caesar! Friends of Jesus!
    Stand revealed! your choice declare!
    Who in truth two masters pleases?
    Who may rival banners bear?
    Jesus’ friends account Him precious,
    Lose for Him all other gain:
    Dearer far the smile of Jesus
    Than the praise of worldly men.Free from Caesar, friends of Jesus!
    Stand in phalanx! never fear!
    Love, severely tried, increases;
    Courage yet! The Lord is near!
    Onward still, His name confessing,
    Weaving crowns to grace His brow;
    Lo! His hands are full of blessing,
    Lifted for your succor now.Caesar’s friends were we, but Jesus
    Owns us for His friends to-day!
    What! Shall rival friendship please us,
    While the Bridegroom is away?
    No! through grace would we surrender
    Caesar’s things to Caesar’s care,
    whilst to God, our God, we render
    Filial homage, praise, and prayer.
  • 21
    21.June.Wednesday

    Daily Manna - 21st June

    All day
    2017.06.21-2018.06.18

    June 21

    Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart–Matt. 11: 29.

    Truly, in a meek and quiet spirit is the secret of rest. To be meek is to cultivate the graces of patience, of loving submission to the will of God, of abiding confidence in His love and care and in the wisdom of His guiding counsel and overruling providences, and persistently to pursue this course through evil and through good report, or through favorable or unfavorable circumstances. Let the beloved children of God seek more and more to copy Christ’s meek and quiet spirit, accepting the providences of God and obeying His precepts and leading, as He did, armed with the strength which He alone can supply, and will, to those who take His yoke upon them, and learn of Him—Z ’96, 79 (R 1961).

    When our Lord said that He was meek, He meant that He was submissive in heart and mind and therefore teachable and tractable. When He said that He was lowly in heart, He meant that He had a proper self-estimate. These two qualities He commends to us for our imitation. If they adorned His character, how much more are they fitting for us who are by nature weak and out of the Way! From Him we can learn these graces—P ’34, 95.

    Parallel passages: Matt. 7: 29; 22: 16; 23: 8; John 3: 2; 13: 15; Zech. 9: 9; Isa. 50: 5, 6; 53: 7; Matt. 26: 49-53; 2 Cor. 10: 1; Matt. 9: 10; Luke 22: 27; Acts 8: 32, 33; Phil. 2: 5-8.

    Hymns: 172, 1, 95, 125, 197, 198, 209.
    Poems of Dawn, 31: A Present Help.
    Tower Reading: Z ’96, 78 (R 1961).

    Questions: Have I this week learned of Christ in meekness and humility? How? Why? Under what circumstances? With what results?

    A PRESENT HELP

    THERE is never a day so dreary,
    But God can make it bright;
    And unto the soul that trusts Him,
    He giveth songs in the night.

    There is never a path so hidden,
    But God will show us the way,
    If we seek for the Spirit’s guidance,
    And patiently wait and pray.

    There is never a cross so heavy,
    But the loving hands are there,
    Outstretched in tender compassion,
    The burden to help us bear.

    There is never a heart that is broken,
    But the loving Christ can heal;
    For the heart that was pierced on Calvary,
    Doth still for His people feel.

    There is never a life so darkened,
    So hopeless and so unblest,
    But may be filled with the light of God,
    And enter His promised rest.

    There is never a sin nor a sorrow,
    There is never a care nor a loss,
    But that we may carry to Jesus,
    And leave at the foot of the cross.

    What more can we ask than He’s promised?
    (And we know that His Word cannot fail,)
    Our refuge when storms are impending,
    Our help when temptations assail.

    Our Savior, our Friend and Redeemer,
    Our portion on earth and in Heaven;
    For He who withheld not His own Son,
    Hath with Him all things freely given.

  • 22
    22.June.Thursday

    Daily Manna - 22nd June

    All day
    2017.06.22-2018.06.19

    June 22

    It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. … Every man according to his several ability–1 Cor. 4: 2; Matt. 25: 15.

    The “pound,” being the same to all, fitly represents that blessing of Divine grace which is common to all God’s people—Justification. Other endowments differ in quantity, according to our natural opportunities, and are generally of the Father—for instance, the Word and the Spirit. Our justification, while planned by the Father, is a gift from Jesus, because He paid for it with His own precious blood. The one “pound” each places all on a common footing as acceptable servants and permits each to show his zeal by his sacrificing’s. But the “talents,” being distributed according to every man’s ability, represent opportunities for the service of God along the lines of such abilities as we possess. They may be talents of education, or money, or influence, or good health, or time, or tact, or genius, with opportunities for their use in God’s service—Z ’07, 63 (R 1972).

    A steward is one entrusted with the administration of another’s goods, and the one who so entrusts him has the right to expect fidelity on his part. Jehovah makes us the stewards of as much of His goods as we have consecrated to Him, expecting us to be faithful in the exercise of this our stewardship. On His part He furnishes us with every opportunity necessary to the exercise of our stewardship in the interests of His cause. His kindness in this respect deserves our most loyal service—P ’33, 79.

    Parallel passages: 1 Cor. 2:1-16; 3:1-23; 4:1-21; 2 Cor. 3:1-18; 4:1-18; 5:1-21; 6: 1-10; Matt. 25: 14-30; Luke 12: 37, 38, 42-48; 16: 10-12; 19: 13-27; Rom.12: 6-8; 1 Cor. 12: 7, 11, 29; Eph. 4: 11; Titus 1: 7; 1 Pet. 4: 10.

    Hymns: 309, 332, 200, 8, 208, 225, 272.
    Poems of Dawn, 160: Cumbered With Much Serving.
    Tower Reading: Z ’14, 23 (R 5385).

    Questions: Have I this week been a faithful steward according to ability? What helped or hindered therein? What were the results?

    CUMBERED WITH MUCH SERVING

    CHRIST never asks of us such arduous labor
    As leaves no time for resting at His feet;
    This waiting attitude of expectation
    He ofttimes counts a service most complete.

    He sometimes wants our ear, our rapt attention,
    That He some sweetest secret may impart;
    ‘Tis always in the time of deepest silence
    that heart finds fullest fellowship with heart.

    We sometimes wonder why the Lord has placed us
    Within a sphere so narrow, so obscure,
    That nothing we call work can find an entrance;
    There’s only room to suffer—to endure.

    Well, God loves patience; souls that dwell in stillness,
    Doing the little things, or resting quite,
    May just as perfectly fulfill their mission,
    Be just as useful in the Father’s sight,

    As they who grapple with some giant evil,
    Clearing a path that every eye may see;
    Our Savior cares for cheerful acquiescence
    Rather than for a busy ministry.

    And yet He does love service, where ’tis given
    By grateful love that clothes itself in deed;
    But work that’s done beneath the scourge of duty,
    Be sure to such He gives but little heed.

    Then seek to please Him, whatso’er He bids thee,
    Whether to do, to suffer, to lie still;
    “Twill matter little by what path He leads us,
    If in it all we sought to do His will.

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