FAHAMUDROID

From the Heart — Day 120 of 365 The Pharisee and the Publican, April 30 God, I thank You that I am not like other men ... or even as this tax collector. Luke 18:11 . (Read Luke 18:9-14 .) Both these men are represented as resorting to the same place for prayer. Both came to meet with God. But what a contrast there was between them! One was full of self-praise. He looked it, he walked it, he prayed it; the other realized fully his own nothingness. The Pharisee was looked upon as righteous before God, and thus he was in his own estimation. The publican, in his humility, looked upon himself as having no claim to the mercy or approval of God.... The publican would not so much as lift his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, sa...

From the Heart — Day 119 of 365 The Unjust Judge, April 29 Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. Luke 18:4, 5 . (Read Luke 18:1-8 .) In this parable Christ draws a sharp contrast between the unjust judge and God. The judge, though fearing neither God nor man, listened to the widow because of her constant petitions. Although his heart remained like ice, yet the widow's persistence resulted in her success. He avenged her, though he felt no pity or compassion for her, though her misery was nothing to him. “And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unt...

From the Heart — Day 118 of 365 The Good Samaritan, Part 2, April 28 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Luke 10:34 . In this parable Jesus presented a stranger, a neighbor, a brother in suffering, wounded and dying.... But though priests and scribes had read the law, they had not brought it into their practical life.... In speaking of the manner in which the priest and the Levite treated the wounded man, the lawyer had heard nothing out of harmony with his own ideas, nothing contrary to the forms and ceremonies that he had been taught were all the law required. But Jesus presented another scene: “But a certain Sa...

From the Heart — Day 117 of 365 The Good Samaritan, Part I, April 27 A certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25 . (Read Luke 10:30-37 .) With breathless attention the large congregation awaited Jesus' answer.... But Christ, the true searcher of hearts, understood the intents and purposes of His enemies. He turned the matter over to the lawyer who had asked the question, saying, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” ... And the lawyer said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” ... The lawyer ...

From the Heart — Day 116 of 365 The Older Brother, April 26 But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. Luke 15:28 . Mark the points in the parable. The elder brother coming from the field, hearing the sound of rejoicing, inquires what it all means, and is told of the return of his brother, and how the fatted calf has been killed to provide for the feast. Then is revealed in the elder brother selfishness, pride, envy, and malignity. He feels that favor to the prodigal is an insult to himself, and the father remonstrates with him, but he will not look upon the matter in the right light, nor will he unite with the father in rejoicing that the lost is found. He gives the father to underst...

From the Heart — Day 115 of 365 The Prodigal Son, April 25 A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” So he divided to them his livelihood. Luke 15:11, 12 . (Read Luke 15:11-32 .) It was to answer the accusation of the scribes and Pharisees to the effect that Jesus chose the companionship of sinners that He spake the parables concerning the lost sheep, the lost silver, and the prodigal son, and in these presentations showed that His mission to the world was not to make miserable, not to condemn and destroy, but to recover that which was lost.... These were the very ones that needed a Savior.... The prodigal son was not a dutiful son...

From the Heart — Day 114 of 365 The Lost Sheep, April 24 If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? Matthew 18:12 . (Read Matthew 18:11-14 .) In the parable of the shepherd seeking for the lost sheep is a representation of the tender patience, perseverance, and great love of God. As we contemplate the unselfish love of God, our hearts well up with gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving. We praise Him for the priceless gift of His only begotten Son. There is no animal so helpless and bewildered as is the sheep that has strayed away from the fold. If the wanderer is not sought for by the compassionate shepherd, it will never find...

From the Heart — Day 113 of 365 How Jesus Taught Truth, April 23 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 . If Christ had thought it necessary, He could have opened to His disciples mysteries which would have eclipsed and put far out of sight all the discoveries of the human mind. He could have presented facts concerning every subject that would have gone beyond human reasonings, and yet not misrepresented the truth in any particular. He could have revealed that which was unknown, that which would have put imagination to the stretch and attracted the thoughts of successive generations to the close of earth's history. He could have opened doors into the...

From the Heart — Day 112 of 365 The Lord's Vineyard, April 22 There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it. Matthew 21:33 . (Read Matthew 21:33-41 .) A description of this vineyard is given in Isaiah: “Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: and he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein.” This figure represents the advantages and opportunities given to Israel.... Through Moses they received divine precepts and commandments.... God gave them riches and prosperity. The...

From the Heart — Day 111 of 365 The Wedding Garment, April 21 When the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. Matthew 22:11 . (Read Matthew 22:1-14 .) By the help of the Holy Spirit, men and women can rise from commonness and live pure, holy lives. Those professed believers who do not do this lie against the truth.... They do not show forth in word and deportment the transforming power that attends the truth. How can the Lord be pleased with those who make no effort to rise to a high standard? Do they not claim to have received a high, noble truth? ... God does not ask men and women to surrender anything that is for the health of soul or body, but He does ask them to surrender d...

From the Heart — Day 110 of 365 The Marriage of the King's Son, April 20 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Matthew 22:2, 3 . (Read Matthew 22:1-14 .) The king sent his messengers first to those who were called his chosen people. But these, wholly intent on securing worldly gain, sent in their refusal, saying, “I pray thee have me excused.” ... When the class that were first called refused the invitation, the king sent his messengers into the highways, where were found those who were not so deeply absorbed in the work of buying and selling, planting and buildi...

From the Heart — Day 109 of 365 How Often Shall I Forgive? April 19 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:22 . (Read Matthew 18:15-35 .) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.... “The kingdom of heaven [is] likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all t...

From the Heart — Day 108 of 365 The Pearl of Great Price, April 18 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45, 46 . By comparing the kingdom of heaven to a pearl, Christ desired to lead every soul to appreciate that pearl above all else. The possession of the pearl, which means the possession of a personal Savior, is the symbol of true riches. It is a treasure above every earthly treasure. Christ is ready to receive all who come to Him in sincerity. He is our only hope, our Alpha and Omega. He is our sun and shield, our wisdom, our sanctification, our righteousness. Only by His power can our ...

From the Heart — Day 107 of 365 The Vine and the Branches, April 17 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1 . In His lessons, Christ did not aspire to high-flown, imaginary things. He came to teach, in the simplest manner, truths that were of vital importance, that even the class whom He called babes might understand them. And yet, in His simplest imagery there was a depth and beauty that the most educated minds could not exhaust.... The vine had often been used as a symbol of Israel, and the lesson Christ now gave His disciples was drawn from this. He might have used the graceful palm to represent Himself. The lofty cedar that was towering toward the skies, or the strong oak that spreads its branches and...

From the Heart — Day 106 of 365 Captivating Words, April 16 No man ever spoke like this Man! John 7:46 . The educated were charmed with Christ's teaching, and the uneducated were always profited, for He appealed to their understanding. His illustrations were taken from the things of daily life, and although they were simple, they had in them a wonderful depth of meaning. The fowls of the air, the lilies of the field, the seed, the shepherd and his sheep—with these objects, Christ illustrated immortal truth; and ever afterward when His hearers chanced to see these things in nature, they recalled His words. Christ's illustrations constantly repeated His lessons. Christ always used the most simple language, yet His ...

From the Heart — Day 105 of 365 What Can Be, April 15 To everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. Matthew 25:29 . Those who accept Jesus as their personal Savior will live lives of humility, patience, and love. They did not give themselves to the Lord for the sake of the profit they should receive. They have become one with Christ, as Christ is one with the Father, and daily they receive their reward in being partakers of the humility, the reproach, the self-denial, and the self-sacrifice of Christ. They find their joy in keeping the Lord's ordinances. In true service they find hope, and peace, and comfort; and with faith and courage...

From the Heart — Day 104 of 365 The Unfaithful Servant, April 14 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.” Matthew 25:24, 25 . The teaching of this parable is plain. All the gifts of intellect or of property which anyone has are entrusted to him. They are the Lord's goods, and are to be used to His honor and glory. They are to be improved and increased by use, that the Lord may receive returns from them. But the Lord receives no returns from many talents; for, like the unfaithful servant, those to whom they are entrusted pu...