Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1914-01-01

q Two recent ex.
periences have
hxed the text in
my mind and heart for the work and
need OF the year. One day was In
the office OF a Christian business man
and when he told me OF bis up-and-
down experiences and his fear OF fail.
ure ! gave him this verse and asked
him TO put II on his desk Before the
day was over ! was engaging in per
sonal work In an evangelistic meeting.
and to man who said he vas afraid
to confess Christ for fear he could not
hold out. I said. Take Philippians I:s.
and count on God holding out He
made the venture on faith, and finds
Christ meeting every need with SUN.
cient grace.
How Can ! Get Through
How many Christians are fearfu.
and doubtful about the continuance
and completion OF that new life which
began in them when they took Christ
as their Savior. To them the Christian
life is not only difficult.. It is a daily
struggle. and a daily fear OF collapse
and defeat They began well. but
something has hindered them. or they
stand In dread OF some spiritual ca
lamity. Service for Christ IL irksome.
Prayer has little meaning and less
blessing or power. The Bible is neg
lected or forgotten. Joy has fed from
the soul. and gladness from the life.
Some days are bright and others
gloomy. Some days are happy. but on
others you wonder whether God is still
alive. You begin to question the real
ity OF your conversion. you wonder
how you will ever get through. and
you despair Of WANING heaven at last
Remember the assurance OF the text
IL takes two TO live the Christian life
Christ and the believer: and every DAY
you may have all Of him you need.
Always remember that the Christian
nfe Is not a matter Of attainment. but
ootainment-take II from Christ This
Is truth that needs to be masnined.
When God moves into the heart OF q
man. and a man yields up his life to
the instruction and guidance Of God.
God will take him through. There may
De disappointments-days when every
thing goes wrong: there may be temp
tAtions days when the devil presents
the strongest and most aiiuring ap-
peais to eyegate or ear-sate or to
other avenues Of the life. seeking to
get your consent to some entfcement
and TO bring you into subsection to the
powers Of darkness: there win be days
OF sorrow-days when friends fail you.
when loved ones leave you. when you
look into an open grace and reach out
after help: there will be days when
you doubt-when you think your
Christian life is thing of no conse-
Guenee to yourself and no contribution
to the cause Of Christ or the coming
CT his kingdom. But-and be sure of
this-God will see that he wins In the
end This Is his will: this is what he
loves to do: this Is what he has begun
in you; and nothing is too hard for
him-he will perfect Il. Always he
Is working TO perfec, In US the very
image OF Jesus Christ.
II is a work OF liberation. of enamel.
patton. and Of transformation. The re-
demptivs work Of Christ Is followed
by the ssnetifyins and glorifyinx work
OF the Aoiy Spirit Our entire being
Is subl@c, 10 the process. Il reaches
our minds giving - understanding IN
me thinss q God Il PARTIES our az
teetionH. 80 that more and more We
learn 10 love after the pattern OF aim
who nrst loYed Us. Il snlighteus the
conscience. setting I, IN line with n.
law OF God specially as written IN ~.
word. IL guides our xiIls. so thar they
are no longer ours except as Ne DE-
light to do that good and aeeep,ahla
and perfect will OF God.
In all our need We nav count upon
the persistence. patience and perfac
ton OF christs work.
The AILsurseien, Savior.
The text is also an evanxeI for IN.
sinner. and he who hesttates To hsr,n
the Christian life may be assured her.
and now that he which hath barpr
will perfect" All he watt. n,
Is your faith. your surrender v,u,
obedience: then you will enter upon a
new year which by the grace Of the
mighty God OF Jacob will 20 on into
an eternal life. and this life i. In nj.
Son He says. My son. give me thine
heart When you do that he will
enter In and take possession Of tina,
throne and from II rule every region
OF tne hfe Just so far as you yield n
10 him Do not hesitate to do II you
VIII md Christ an all-suficient savior
AS your substitute he will deal with
.ne CUNT OF sin: as your Righteousness
ne viii deal with the defilemen, q,
SIN; and as your Lord he win aa.,
with the power Of sin. Nothing /. to-
hard for God. Wv
There 10 thrss-foid card In IN.
New Year evangei. /. Prophecv-
Until the day Of Christ"--vhsn Won
VIII be complete in him. .. Promise
He which hath begun . good vorh /,
you VIII perfect IT," God viii NOT y.s,
until his work 10 done: and vhen Il "a
done he viii call II good. .. Per,us.
sion-"Beins confdsnt Of this yerv
thing" May you have the confidence
which says. Il know when I have he
iieved. and am persuaded that he ia
able to keep that which ! have com.
mitted unto him. against that day"