Category Archives: Meekness

Act, Don’t React!

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

How we respond when we have been hurt or wronged is an eloquent indication of the depth of our walk with God.

As Christians we are called to a higher standard than the world. That standard highlights our inability to live the Christian life in our own strength. We can’t pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. We are totally inadequate for the task.

The following passages of Scripture reveal the standard to which we are held accountable as Christians:

• Luke 6:27-29 – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
• Romans 12:21 – Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
• 1 Peter 3:9 – Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Two wrongs do not make a right. The writer of Proverbs says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). We do not need to treat others in the same way that we have been treated. It is clear from these passages of Scripture that we need to act – not react. Neither should we simply be passive; but God’s Word confirms the need to actively rise above the tit-for-tat behavior that characterizes so many failing relationships.

This is what should set us apart as Christians; and why we need to daily draw on the power of the Risen Christ. The wrongs committed against us are opportunities for us to grow in our walk with God as we acknowledge the Truth of His Word and submit ourselves to be governed by its principles rather than our emotions.

Morris Hull
Home Life Ministries

The Opposite of Love Is Selfishness

“Therefore hear now this, thou…that sayest in thine heart, I am, and there is none else beside me…” (Isaiah 47:8).

Isaiah describes the root of every problem that you will experience in your marriage: Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” That’s the root of all sin. That’s the cause of every crisis and conflict you will ever experience. Sin comes in many different forms but the underlying motive behind every sin is “I am and there is none else beside me.” I just do what I want to do.

Let me illustrate this for you in the area of marriage. The experts tell us that there are four things that rip marriages apart: money, sex, children, and work. Let’s look at “money.” He says “I want a new boat.” She says “I want a new coat.” You say “Oh, it’s a matter of money. If they just had more money then they would be able to resolve their problems.” It’s not a matter of money. The problem is: “I am and there is none else beside me.”

Your issue may be financial, it may be marital, it may come under one of a hundred different labels, but its root cause is always the same. Behind every broken relationship lies this root of sin. Marriages are ripped apart because one or both partners say, “I am and there is none else beside me.”

But the opposite is also true. Strong relationships are forged when we are willing to die to self and put the needs and wishes of others ahead of our own. Marriage provides us with those daily opportunities to die to our own rights and to learn the character of Christ. The conflicts that the enemy intends to use to bring about our destruction can actually serve as motivations for us to grow to new depths in our Christian life.

When Christ was on earth, His continual attitude was “Not my will, but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42). If we have the attitude that says, “I will do this no matter what anyone else says or thinks,” then we are not following the example of Christ but of Satan. Satan says, “I will….” (Isaiah 14:12-14). The Lord Jesus says, “Father, not My will, but Thine be done.”

Look for ways today to die to self rather than fighting for your own rights. Welcome those challenges as opportunities to grow in Christ-like character and to demonstrate to others the love of Christ.

Morris Hull
Home Life Ministries

Anger: A Giant Every Person Must Conquer

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).

When David went to meet Goliath, he chose five smooth stones. One of those stones he used to kill the giant, but Goliath had four bothers which David failed to destroy and they plagued and haunted him throughout his adult life. On one occasion, David’s life was threatened, and if it wasn’t for the quick response of Abishai, David would have been killed (2 Samuel 21:16).

Anger is a giant that every person must conquer; and if we fail to deal with it in our youth, it will cause all kinds of devastation throughout our adult life.

Anger is the leading contributor to two of the biggest problems that destroy families – divorce and teenage rebellion. If offenses are not dealt with properly, and forgiveness is not sought or given, then the tension that accompanies those offenses will not go away! That tension is cumulative, and this is the reason why a list of minor offenses over a period of time can produce a build-up of anger which can destroy a relationship.

The first step toward dealing with anger is to acknowledge it and take responsibility for it. One of the biggest reasons we don’t get victory over anger is because we feel we don’t need to. We feel justified in our anger. We feel we have a right to be angry. But anger is sin. Look at what the following verses have to say about anger:

  • “Cease from anger and forsake wrath” (Psalm 37:8)
  • “A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment…” (Proverbs 19:19)
  • “Anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
  • “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath…” (Galatians 5:19-20)
  • “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger…be put away from you” (Ephesians 4:31)
  • “But now ye put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication…” (Colossians 3:8) 
  • “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:20)

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Our anger is always wrong. Its fruit is always destructive and it will never accomplish the righteous purposes of God.

Do you love your spouse and your children enough to deal with anger in your life? Don’t justify your anger or ignore it. Acknowledge it and take responsibility for it. Ask God for forgiveness and then follow through and ask forgiveness of those you have hurt and damaged with your anger. As we are willing to humble ourselves, God can begin to rebuild those broken relationships.

Morris Hull, Home Life ministries

Expectations destroy relationships!

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).

Expectations destroy relationships!

Everybody has unrealistic expectations for marriage because there are actually six people at the altar when the marriage takes place.

First of all there’s the girl she thinks she is; the girl he thinks she is; and the girl she really is. Then there’s the man he thinks he is; the man she thinks he is; and the man he really is. Six different people standing at the marriage altar.

Shortly after the wedding takes place, four of those people disappear and two are left in clear, sharp focus. When we settle into the reality of married life and discover what the person we married is really like, we tend to react because they have not lived up to our expectations. We become disappointed and even angry and bitter thinking we’ve been cheated or deceived.

We need to accept each other’s differences and realise that God is using those differences to build in us the character of His Son, Jesus Christ. Those differences give us the opportunity to be more understanding, more sensitive and more forgiving. This in turn can produce a oneness of spirit that will bind and knit your hearts together irrespective of any differences you might have.

Give your expectations to the Lord. The less you expect, the less you will be disappointed. The wife who became angry when her husband regularly returned home late from work, finally gave her expectations to the Lord. She was delighted when he arrived home an hour late – because she wasn’t expecting him at all!

Have you placed expectations on your spouse and others? Die to those expectations! Give them to the Lord. Our expectations of others will only destroy our relationships.

When we have learned the valuable character lessons God is teaching us through the differences of others, it’s amazing how He also changes the other person so that “when a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).

The Monkey’s Clenched Fist

In North Africa the natives have a very easy way to capture monkeys. A gourd, with a hole just sufficiently large so that a monkey can thrust his hand into it, is filled with nuts and fastened firmly to a branch of a tree at sunset. During the night a monkey will discover the scent of food, and its source, and will put his hand into the gourd and grasp a handful of nuts.  But the hole is too small for the monkey to withdraw his clenched fist, and he has not sense enough to let go of his bounty so that he may escape. Thus he pulls and pulls without success, and when morning comes he is quickly and easily taken.

Boy Still Standing on The Inside

A mother repeatedly told her little boy to sit down. The boy continued to stand, disobeying his mother. Finally, the mother went to him and forced him down in a chair. The boy said, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but on the inside I’m still standing up!”

Encyclopaedia of 7,700 Illustrations

Peacemaker of The Day

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Godly character does not come naturally to your children – it needs to be taught! You don’t need to teach your children how to steal, lie, cheat or have a temper tantrum; but you do need to teach them meekness, humility, gentleness, kindness, deference, truthfulness, obedience, and forgiveness. These are character qualities that need to be taught. They’re certainly not being taught in the schools. They need to be taught in the home.

I wanted to share with you a little exercise which we enjoyed when our children were younger. It helped teach the Christ-like qualities of meekness and humility, and helped prevent some of the squabbling that takes place between siblings.

Every once and a while, we had a special competition during our morning devotional time as a family – it was called “Peacemaker of the Day.” I would announce to the children that Mom and I were going to be on the lookout for those who demonstrated the characteristics of a peacemaker. A special reward was to be given to the one who…

• gladly and willingly shared his toys
• yielded his rights rather than fighting for them
• praised and encouraged others (rather than being mean and critical)
• took the initiative in serving (without having to be asked)
• obeyed immediately and sweetly (not having to be asked a second time and with a good attitude)
• showed honor and respect (no back talk or attitude)
• demonstrated manners (saying “Thank you” at the dinner table)

Carefully explain each of the characteristics above to your children and let them know what is expected of them. The next morning, have them nominate their siblings by sharing how they saw each other demonstrate Godly character. Mom and Dad make the final decision on who is awarded the coveted prize.

Make the reward big – at least in their eyes. You’ll be amazed at how the younger children will respond to this challenge.

Morris Hull, Home Life Ministries

Man’s Anger Is Always Wrong

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath…” (Ephesians 4:26).

The initial emotion of anger is not sin. It’s a signal. Everyone experiences certain physiological symptoms that accompany the emotion of anger. These may include teeth grinding, fists clenching, flushing, paling, numbness, sweating, muscle tensions and temperature changes. This is God’s way of alerting us that we are about to do or say something that we will regret. If that anger is not quickly and Scripturally dealt with, it will turn into wrath and become sin.

Our anger is wrong and will never accomplish anything good. James 1:20 says, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Our anger will never accomplish God’s righteous purposes. Instead, it will leave a trail of broken relationships and wounded spirits.

One of the biggest reasons we don’t get victory over anger is because we feel we don’t need to. We feel justified in our anger. We feel we have a cause for our anger. We feel we have a right to be angry.

I heard of one man who explained the reason for his anger as: “It keeps the family in line.” He said, “I know it’s not a good way to raise kids, but it works. When I get mad, they quiet down and do what I tell them to do.”

That man’s approach will probably work for a while. But you cannot violate Scripture without there being consequences. If he is controlling his family with anger, he will ultimately pay a very heavy price because he is sowing the seeds of bitterness and rebellion in the hearts of his family.

Don’t justify your anger by calling it “righteous.” Don’t excuse it by labelling it as “passion.” Anger is just plain wrong; and if we have hurt or damaged others by our anger, then we need to take responsibility for it and ask for their forgiveness.

How Much Does The Holy Spirit Have of You?

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?” (James 4:5).

There is much talk today about the Holy Spirit. Much of what is said is irreverent and unbiblical. Many think that the goal in the Christian life is to possess more and more of the Holy Spirit; when in reality the opposite is true – He seeks to possess more of us. James 4:5 can be translated: “The Spirit who indwells you, jealously yearns for you.”

As a Christian, you have been bought with a price and for a purpose; and we discover that purpose by the giving and yielding of ourselves to the control of God’s Spirit. 2 Samuel 15:15 says, “And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.” That’s the kind of servants God is looking for.

In 1882 a small congregation had gathered for a gospel service in a barn. The name of the preacher was Henry Varley. As he concluded his message on 1 John 2:17, he lifted his eyes to a nearby haymow where an interested young man was seated, and he said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with, for, in, and through one man who is fully consecrated to Him!” The young man who was listening was stirred and convicted by those challenging words. He said to himself, “Varley means any man. He is not saying he has to be educated or brilliant or anything else – just a person who is willing to be used! Well, by the Holy Spirit in me, I will be that man.” Within just a few years after that commitment, the world was feeling the impact of the life of that young man who had totally surrendered himself to the Spirit of God. His name was Dwight L. Moody, and God used him as an instrument of revival that circled the globe.

The issue is not about how much you have of the Holy Spirit – but how much does the Holy Spirit have of you? What “areas” of your life are you holding on to, refusing to allow God to have control? These are the areas that the Spirit of God yearns for you to give to Him.

Morris Hull, Home Life Ministries

Dig Another Well

One of the most powerful stories in the Bible of “meekness” is found in Genesis chapter 26. Isaac had settled in the land of Gerar and needed water to survive, so he had his servants dig a well.

Verse 17 says, “And the herdmen of Gerar strove with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is ours…” Isaac didn’t react, he just quietly moved along. Verse 21 says, “And they dug another well, and strove for that also” Now what is Isaac going to do? Verse 22 says, “And he removed away, and dug another well; and for that they strove not.”

Who was the strongest here? It looks like those herdmen were, but they weren’t. Isaac was! Because Isaac had the maturity to give-in and yield his rights. Anyone can get into a fight. Squabbles and fights among toddlers and their siblings are something most mothers deal with on a daily basis. But it takes a person of strength – a person of character – not to be drawn into a fight. It takes a mature person who understands the high value of relationships to give in, rather than to demand their rights.

The person that gives-in may be thought of as weaker, but in reality they are the stronger. When two Christians disagree, the person who gives in is usually the more spiritually mature of the two.

And if you can teach your children from an early age the value of yielding their rights rather than fighting for them, you will be strengthening their future marriage and relationships. Look for ways to avoid conflicts. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn into one.

Not Can’t But Won’t

The choices we make tell a lot about the type of person we are – like our choice of friends, vocation, and how we spend our money. But there are choices which we as Christians make every day that not only reveal what type of Christian we are but those choices also shape our destiny.

Paul says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” This speaks of the special power or enablement that God provides to help us live victorious Christian lives.

Now I’d like to contrast this verse with a list of statements which we as Christians have a tendency to make:

  • “I just can’t get along with my wife.”
  • “My husband and I can’t communicate.”
  • “I just can’t give up the affair I’m having.”
  • “I can’t find time to read my Bible and pray.”
  • “I can’t give up this certain habit.”
  • “I just can’t speak to people about Christ.”
  • “I just can’t be the spiritual leader in my home.” 

Based on Philippians 4:13, you’ll have to agree that the word really should not be “can’t” but “won’t.”

As Christians, every one of us has the choice each day to walk in the flesh or to walk in the spirit. How do you walk in the flesh? That’s very easy – just live as though God’s Word isn’t important; as though the only thing that matters is your happiness or success. That’s how to walk in the flesh!

How do you walk in the spirit? That’s a different matter! It begins with a choice that only you can make – no one can make it for you. It begins with a choice to die to self – your own will, your rights, and your expectations of others (especially those in your own family).

You can make that choice today.

Morris Hull, Home Life Ministries

Choose to Serve

Philippians 2:7 tells us that Jesus “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

Most people don’t mind being a servant as long as they’re not treated like one. We like the recognition. We like the pats on the back. We like our name in the church bulletin. But the true test of a servant is not getting upset whenever we’re treated like one. When no one sees or hears of the time and effort we’ve expended and we get no recognition – that’s the true test of being a servant.

Jesus chose to become a servant. He chose! It was an act of the will. You don’t become a servant by sitting around and hoping that one day you’ll feel like it. You might never feel like it. That’s why we have to make a deliberate choice each day.

Think of the people that come into your life every single day. These are the ones God wants you to serve. These are the ones God wants you to pour your life into. Your wife, your husband, your children, the people you work with, the people at church, and your neighbors next door. And it’s as we’re willing to humble ourselves and serve others and put the needs of others before ourselves, that we demonstrate true greatness and reflect the character of Christ. Jesus Himself said, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).

Look for practical ways to serve those that God brings across your path today.

Morris Hull, Home Life Ministries

“I Wish I Had Given Him More”

The story is told of a prince who disguised himself in the clothes of a beggar. As he was walking through the streets of the city, he came across another beggar who had just been given a large loaf of bread. The prince pleaded with the beggar for some of the bread. The beggar at first refused, but then rather grudgingly gave the prince three small pieces of bread.

The next day when the prince returned to his palace, he sent his servant to the place where the beggar sat, with a gift of three gold coins and a note that read: “One piece of gold for each piece of bread.” As the servant explained what had happened the previous day and read him the note from the prince, the beggar said, “Oh, I wish I’d given him more.”

That will be the cry of many Christians as we stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ. Not, “Look at all the great things I have done.” Not, “Look at how much I’ve given to the church and missions.” But we will be confronted with the reality of the time wasted, the money misspent and the opportunities missed to share the Gospel with others.

When you get to the end of your life, what will you be able to look back on and say, “This is what by God’s grace, I have accomplished for the kingdom of God.” What are you doing with your life that is going to make a difference in eternity?

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28).

Morris Hull, Home Life Ministries

Desires Are Not Rights

In teaching self-control it is important to understand the difference between desires and rights. Our children may desire an extra helping of dessert, but it is not a right. A young man may desire to drive at 70 mph in a 30 mph area, but it is certainly not a right. To be law-abiding citizens, children must recognize that just because they desire something, it is not their right to have it.

–Character First! Education Series 2

Self-Control in the Pulpit

What I’m about to describe has and is happening. In fact, it is exacerbating and complicating the problem of anger in our homes. A preacher gets angry in the pulpit, or uses anger in his preaching, or has an angry spirit while he is preaching. “How do I know?” Because I’ve been guilty. But I’m afraid I’m not alone. In fact, I have been in meetings where the “Amens” were the loudest when the preacher was the most angry. And I’m not against “Amens!” Sadly, most preachers who have this problem are like James and John. They don’t know it. It’s easy to get confused and think that the emotional high of anger is the same thing as the power of God upon your life.

Some people who hear an angry preacher preach know that he’s angry. But many men in the congregation have the same problem and therefore don’t know it. For a strong Bible preacher to have an angry spirit is not only an accepted thing in our day. It is also, in some circles, a strongly promoted, encouraged, and expected thing. Preachers have said things like: “If you don’t get in the pulpit and have a royal fit once every few months then you’ll have carnal, worldly church members and your church will never be all it ought to be.” So the use of the carnal, worldly weapon of anger is supposedly proper and powerful to fight carnality and worldliness. Sometimes the angry spirit is heard in the things a preacher says, or the way he says them, or both!

Why do we use anger? Every preacher would have to answer that question for himself. But it’s easy to use anger as a substitute for study. If the point is not well supported with Scripture, Scriptural principle, Scriptural illustrations, strong reasoning, or other illustrations . . . . just use a little anger to drive the point home! Then, if a fellow is really talented, he may use some humor to gloss over the hurt being caused by his anger. Like a father trying to get a child to laugh after he just said or did something cruel or hurtful. Humor may wisely be used to make truth more acceptable. But humor should not be used to make anger more acceptable. Incidentally, anyone who says anything in anger will probably say the wrong thing. BUT, if you do say the right thing it will probably be said the wrong way. Proverbs 14:17 says, “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.”

What are the results of this angry spirit in our pulpits? There are several of them:

(1) Continual strife among pastor and deacons, and pastor and people, and people and people. Remember that Proverbs 29:22 says, “An angry man stirreth up strife.”

(2) Empty pews and people going to churches that don’t teach and preach the Bible just to get away from the angry spirit in the Bible-believing church. One preacher said to me, “I don’t believe all the people I ran off for years and blamed it on them when it wasn’t anything but my own angry spirit.”

(3) A plague of anger is spread throughout homes, businesses, and society.

I was very careful how I chose those words. Anger is like a contagious plague! Since the anger is behind the pulpit, it must be right not only for there but for anywhere else. But that’s not the worst problem we have in this area. We are not simply defending and justifying a carnal work of the flesh. We are also promoting the spread of something that God himself says is contagious like a deadly disease. Proverbs 22:24-25 says, “Make no friendship [the Hebrew word means to pasture or feed] with an angry man [the Hebrew word means “ruler” or “leader”]; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: [WHY?] Lest [means “beware] thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.” When a preacher stands in the pulpit with an angry spirit, the fathers in the church “catch it” and don’t know they have it. Then many of the youth rebel against their parents and we can’t figure out how or why it has happened. I know this isn’t the only reason for problems in our churches and homes, but it is probably a bigger one than we realize.

(4) Vengeance is being handled by someone not Biblically qualified to handle it. An angry preacher may think he is giving reproof and correction. In reality, he is exercising vengeance upon God’s people.

(5) It causes us to lose the battle to spread God’s truth among the nations of the world. Our spirit of anger weakens or neutralizes our presentation of the truth.

The truth of the spirit is not the most powerful when it is presented with a work of the flesh. The truth of the spirit is the most powerful when it is presented with the fruit of the spirit.

A pastor said to me, “But couldn’t the intensity of our presentation of the truth cause people to think we’re angry when we’re really not?” My reply to him was this: “Our love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance should be so obvious that there would be no question about our being angry.” The Holy Spirit knows better how to use His Sword than do we! Let me make clear what I’m saying here. I am not against strong, clear, plain, powerful, bold preaching. I’m for that. I am for preaching that exposes sin and Satan. What I am saying is this: It may be a fine line, but there must be a line drawn: between being emphatic or being enraged; between being fiery or being frightening; between being watchful or wrathful. There must be a line between correction and condemnation; between intensity and indignation; between reproving and raging. I’m not suggesting passivity. No great leaders in the Bible were passive men. I am suggesting that our attacks and our defenses be filled with spiritual propriety and humility and a heart of concern. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you, a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

Luke 4:22 tells about Jesus’ message in the synagogue at Nazareth. What was it that stood out about Jesus’ preaching? “And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.”

From the message, “Freedom from the Spirit of Anger” by Dr. S.M. Davis

Meek as a Lamb

Understand how sheep illustrate the quality of meekness by studying references to sheep in Scripture.

Young children will enjoy making sheep masks after studying the meekness of sheep. Using paper or Styrofoam plates, cut out the centre, leaving the rim. Around the edge of the rim let the children glue on cotton balls. From white construction paper, cut out two lamb-shaped ears and staple to the sides of the plate. Use string to tie the mask to each child’s head with his face peering from the hole. Now have the children practice being meek as little lambs.

Parent Guide Planner Booklet 5, Advanced Training Institute, Oak Brook, IL

How Jesus Demonstrated Meekness (Philippians 2:5-8)

1. Christ yielded His right to wealth

2. Christ yielded His right to a good reputation

3. Christ yielded His right to be served

4. Christ yielded His right to physical comforts

5. Christ yielded His right to make His Own decisions

Perhaps the most difficult right to yield is the right of making final decisions. Without yielding this right to God, we will never experience God’s full potential for our lives. When Christ was on earth, He made no decisions on His own but did only that which was directed by His Heavenly Father. His continual attitude was “Not my will, but Thine be done.” Once we have that same attitude, it is then possible for God to accomplish His will through our lives. If we have the attitude that says, “I will do this no matter what God says,” then we are not following the example of Christ but of Satan. Isaiah 14 describes the fall of Satan and it reveals his attitude of pride and rebellion (v.v.12-14). Satan says, “I will….” The Lord Jesus says, “Father, not My will, but Thine be done.” If we want to live for God and be used by Him to make an impact upon this generation for Jesus Christ, then it is so important that we allow Him to make the decisions in our lives. Who’s authority are you submitted to? Are you controlled by the Holy Spirit? Have you ever yielded your rights to God?

Moody’s Monopoly

A committee of ministers in a certain city was discussing the possibility of having D.L. Moody to serve as the evangelist during a city-wide evangelistic campaign. Finally, one young minister who did not want to invite Moody stood up and said, “Why Moody? Does he have a monopoly of the Holy Spirit?” There was silence. Then an old Godly minister spoke up: “No, he does not have a monopoly of the Holy Spirit; but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly of D.L. Moody.”

General Gordon’s Medal

It is related of General Gordon, affectionately known as “Chinese Gordon,” that when the English government sought to reward him for his magnificent service in China, he declined all money and titles, but accepted a gold medal on which his name and a record of his thirty-three engagements was inscribed. After his death the medal could not be found. Finally it was learned that he had sent it to Manchester during a famine, with a request that it be melted and used to buy bread for the famishing poor. In his diary that day he had written these words: “The last and only thing that I had in this world that I valued. I have given over to the Lord Jesus Christ.”

-Wilbur E. Nelson