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November | November | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
6 - December 6
All day 2015.12.06-2016.12.05 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls--Prov. 25: 28.
The battle with self is the greatest battle, and we have the Lord's word for it that he that "ruleth his spirit [his own mind, will] is better than he that taketh a city," because he has to that extent learned to exercise the combativeness of a true character in the right direction, in self-control. It is after we have had considerable experience in battling with sin and selfishness in ourselves, in casting the beam out of our own eyes, in subduing anger, malice, hatred and strife in our own hearts and flesh—it is then, and by means of this severe battle and experience, that we shall be prepared to assist the brethren, and to assist our neighbors in their difficulties—to help them to overcome their besetments and weaknesses—Z '01, 295 (R 2877).
The word spirit here means disposition; and to have no rule over one's spirit means to lack self-control. Such a person, from the standpoint of character, is a wreck. Solomon illustrates this by a city that is broken down and without walls. Accordingly, in our dispositions we are like a city, our various good qualities corresponding to the homes, our good thoughts to the soldiers defending the city and self-control to the wall of the city. Outside are sin, error, selfishness and worldliness, as soldiers under Satan, their general, and the flesh and the world, his lieutenants. These will chiefly assault our self-control, which breaking down, they will desolate every good thought and quality in our possession. Our chief concern is to prevent a breach in the wall of self-control. So doing, we will prove victors in our defensive warfare, preserving our symbolic city from ruin—P '34, 174, 175.
Parallel passages: Psa. 116: 11; Prov. 14: 29; 16: 32; 19: 2; 21: 5; 23: 2; 25: 8; 29: 20; Eccles. 5: 2; 7: 9; Luke 14: 26, 27; Rom. 8: 12, 13; 13: 14; 14: 1—15: 5; 1 Cor. 6: 12; 8: 13; 9: 12, 15, 18,19, 23, 25-27; Col. 3: 5; Titus 2: 12; 1 Pet. 4: 1, 2; 2 Pet. 1: 6.
Hymns: 145, 136, 125, 267, 1, 183, 130.
Poems of Dawn, 206: Wait Upon the Lord.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 87 (R 5652).
Questions: Have I this week exercised or failed to exercise self-control? Why? How? With what results? WAIT UPON THE LORD
WHEN clouds hang heavy o'er thy way,
And darker grows the weary day,
And thou, oppressed by anxious care,
Art almost tempted to despair,
Still wait upon the Lord.
When friends betray thy loving trust,
And thou art humbled in the dust,
When dearest joys from thee have fled,
And Hope within thy heart lies dead,
Still wait upon the Lord.
When Death comes knocking at thy door,
And in thy home are sorrows sore,
Though age comes on and eyes grow dim,
Still look to Christ, still trust in Him,
And wait upon the Lord.
Whate'er thy care, believe His word;
In joy or grief, trust in the Lord.
Good courage He will give to thee,
And strong, indeed, thy heart shall be,
By waiting on the Lord.
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13 - December 13
All day 2015.12.13-2016.12.12 Lay not this sin to their charge--Acts 7: 60.How great a blessing it would be for all spiritual Israelites to learn well this lesson; namely, that if we accept the results of any matter as being good, and if we realize that we were guided to those results by Divine providence, we should think and feel most generously, most kindly, toward those who were the instruments used by providence, notwithstanding the fact that they might have been unwilling instructors or, like Joseph's brethren, have verily intended opposite results. Those who are enabled to take such a view of affairs and forces operating in their daily lives are enabled "always to triumph through the Lord," as the Apostle expresses it. And such find no room for bitterness or railing, either against Satan or against any of his servants—Z '01, 331 (R 2895).St. Stephen is a splendid example of forgiving one's enemies. It is easy to think and to say: "I will forgive my enemies," when one has none. It is quite a different thing to refrain from resentment in the heart toward those who wrong us. It is harder still to cherish no resentment toward people, while to their and our knowledge, they are doing us wrong. But the hardest of all things is to wish and do them good, while they are in the act of wronging us. Such was the sublime height of character to which St. Stephen climbed. While the rocks and stones were striking him with most painful force, he prayed God to forgive his tormentors. If we would attain to a like character, we must be very self-oblivious, meek, zealous, loving and faithful. These qualities practiced in the small things of life gradually impart to our characters strength that is equal to the demands of our hardest experiences. While failure to meet our daily small trials aright will result in defeat in great crises—P '34, 175. Parallel passages: Matt. 5: 40-48; 6: 12, 14, 15; 18: 21-35; Luke 6: 28; 23: 34; Rom. 12: 14, 17, 19, 20; Ex. 23: 4, 5; Prov. 19: 11; 24: 17; Eccles. 7: 21; Mark 11: 25; Luke 6: 35-37; 17: 3, 4; 1 Cor. 4: 12; Eph. 4: 32; Col. 3: 13; Philemon 1: 10; 1 Pet. 3: 9. Hymns: 190, 132, 290, 101, 113, 165, 166. Poems of Dawn, 94: Trust.Tower Reading: Z '13, 185 (R 5259).Questions: Have I been forgiving this week? How? Why? What helped or hindered? With what results? TRUST
"BLESSED ARE THEY WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED."
CHILD of Mine, I love thee, listen now to Me,
And make answer truly while I question thee.
For I see that shadows do thy soul oppress,
And thy faith so weakens, that I cannot bless.
Thou hast craved My power and presence in thy soul.
Wilt thou yield thee truly unto My control?
Wilt thou let Me ever with thee have My way,
Yield thyself in all things simply to obey?
Though My presence ofttimes seem to be withdrawn,
Of Mine inward workings not a trace be shown,
Wilt thou count Me present notwithstanding all,
Still believe I'm working ever in thy soul?
When I give to others what I thee deny,
Flood them with My sunshine, wholly pass thee by,
Wilt thou still believe in My strong love for thee,
Yield thee to My purpose whatsoe'er it be?
When I to thy pleadings seem no heed to pay,
And thy foes grow bolder, claim thee as their prey,
Though toward thee I'm silent, wilt thou stand the test,
On My Word of promise lay thee down to rest?
If to these My questions thou canst answer "Yes,"
Thou shalt be forever one I love the best.
To the inner circle of My favored few,
Thou shalt be admitted, and My glory view.
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20 - December 20
All day 2015.12.20-2016.12.19 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth—2 Tim. 2: 15.There is much significance in that word "study"; and only the studious find the narrow way to the Divine approval and acceptance. Study to show thyself approved—study the doctrine; study your course of conduct, to keep it in harmony with the doctrine. Study how to promote the peace and prosperity of Zion, and how to shield yourself and others from the missiles of error and from the poison of an evil, worldly spirit. Study to perform the duties of a faithful soldier of the cross—the seemingly insignificant, as well as the bravest and noblest deeds—Z '02, 318 (R 3096).God's children, especially those who are teachers, should not accept with blank, unquestioning minds any opinions offered them. They are to study and test them as to their harmony or disharmony with themselves, Bible passages and doctrines, God's character and Christ's Ransom, facts and the designs of the Bible Godward, Christward, Churchward and Worldward. Only such things as are proven to be in harmony with these seven things, should the Lord's people accept. Such study, testing, is necessary, if we would be workmen approved unto God, and will result in our never having to hang our heads with the shame of defeat and controversy with gainsayers, and will enable us more and more rightly to distinguish one feature of the Word from another, giving us clear and correct views of the separate doctrines, precepts, promises, exhortations, prophecies, histories and types of the Bible, and giving us ability to use them—P '34, 175. Parallel passages: Josh. 1: 8; 2 Chron. 29: 11; Isa. 40: 9; 52: 11; 57; 14; Jer. 1: 7, 8, 17-19; Ezek. 2: 6-8; 3: 8-10, 17-21, 27; Matt. 7: 6; 10: 7, 11-13, 16, 25, 27, 28; 20: 25-28; 28: 19, 20; John 21: 15-19; Acts 20: 28; Rom. 12: 6-8; 1 Cor. 4: 1, 2; 9: 16, 17; 2 Cor. 1: 24; 4: 1, 2, 5; 1 Tim. 1: 3, 4, 11, 18, 19; 4: 6, 7, 12-16; 2 Tim. 4: 2, 5. Hymns: 22, 49, 70, 116, 164, 210, 309. Poems of Dawn, 5: Great Truths.Tower Reading: Z '14, 232 (R 5511). Questions: Have I this week served the Truth? How? Why? Under what circumstances? What helped or hindered? With what results? GREAT TRUTHS
GREAT truths are dearly bought. The common truth,
Such as men give and take from day to day,
Comes in the common walk of easy life,
Blown by the careless wind across our way.
Great truths are dearly won; not found by chance,
Nor wafted on the breath of summer dream;
But grasped in the great struggle of the soul,
Hard buffeting with adverse wind and stream.
Sometimes, 'mid conflict, turmoil, fear and grief,
When the strong hand of God, put forth in might,
Ploughs up the subsoil of the stagnant heart,
It brings some buried truth-seeds to the light.
Not in the general mart, 'mid corn and wine;
Not in the merchandise of gold and gems;
Not in the world's gay hall of midnight mirth,
Nor 'mid the blaze of regal diadems;
Not in the general clash of human creeds,
Nor in the merchandise 'twixt church and world,
Is truth's fair treasure found, 'mongst tares and weeds;
Nor her fair banner in their midst unfurled.
Truth springs like harvest from the well-ploughed fields,
Rewarding patient toil, and faith, and zeal.
To those thus seeking her, she ever yields
Her richest treasures for their lasting weal.
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27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | January | January |
The Birmingham class have been meeting together for 45 years since 1967, we are a small group of individuals who fellowship in harmony with the bible teachings (Matt 18:20). We meet once a week in an informal setting where we are able to relax & learn from the bible, everyone has the opportunity to ask questions, give their opinion, share their thoughts so that we ALL fully understand the TRUTH, whilst promoting and encouraging FAITH and erasing fears based on common misperceptions of the Bible. It is not our intention to attack or denigrate the beliefs of others. The Birmingham Bible Class are supporters of the Bible Standard Ministries. You can read more about the movement here. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information. If you do not live in Birmingham but would like to fellowship, there are other similar classes around the UK (Hyde, London, Sheffield, Cardiff, etc.) and the World (USA, France, Germany, Brazil, Poland, India, Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, etc.) .
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