Days of Heaven on Earth

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Tuesday, July 19, 2011

If you seem to have so much fighting to do, it may be because you did not have one sharp, decisive battle to begin with. It is far easier to have one great battle than to keep on skirmishing all your life. I know men who spend forty years fighting what they call their besetting sin, and on which they waste strength enough to evangelize the world.

Does it pay to throw away your lives? Why not have one battle, one victory and then praise God. There is labor to enter in. The height is steep; the way of the cross is not an easy way. It is hard to enter in, but having entered in, there is perfect rest. And when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about (Deuteronomy 12:10). May God help us and give us His perfect rest.

0 come, and leave thy sinful self forever

Beneath the fountain of the Saviour's blood;

0 come, and take Him as thy Sanctifier,

Come thou with us and we will do thee good.

Scripture
Nevertheless, David took the castle of Zion—1 Chronicles 11:5

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Monday, July 18, 2011

In Jesus we are now complete. Even as the architect's model is planned and prepared and completed in his office, so the perfect pattern of the life of holy service, for which Jesus has redeemed and called us, is now in Him in heaven.

But now it must be formed in us and transferred to our earthly lives, and this is the Holy Spirit's work. He takes the gifts and graces of Christ and brings them into our lives as we need and receive them day by day, just as the various sections of a vessel may be reproduced in a distant land. Thus we receive of His fullness, even grace for grace-His grace for our grace, His supply for our needs, His strength for our strength, His body for our body, His Spirit for our spirit. He Himself of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

But it is much more than mere abstract help and grace, much more even than the Holy Spirit bringing us strength, and peace and purity. It is personal companionship with Jesus Himself!

Lord, help us receive from Thee today that grace in all trials that shall result in our being made perfect.

Scripture
Ye are complete in him—Colossians 2:10

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Let this be a day of self-forgetting ministry for Christ and others. Let us not once think of being ministered unto, but rather say with Him: I am among you as he that serveth (Luke 22:27). Let us not drag our burdens through the day but drop all our loads of care and be free to carry His yoke and His burden. Let us make the happy exchange, relinquishing ours and taking His. Let the covenant be: Thou shalt abide for me . . . so will I also be for thee (Hosea 3:3).

In such abiding we lose our heaviest load-ourselves- and find our highest joy, divine love, more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Let us do good to all men as we have opportunity. Let us lose no occasion of

blessing, and let us look for ingenious ways of service and usefulness. Especially let us seek to win others to Christ.

The Days of Heaven are busy days,

They serve continually.

So spent for Thee and Thine, our days,

As the Days of Heaven would be.

Scripture
Even Christ pleased not himself—Romans 15:3

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Sunday, July 17, 2011

Are you missing what belongs to you? Jesus has promised to sanctify you. He has promised sanctification for you by coming to you Himself and being made of God to you sanctification. Jesus is our sanctification. Having Him, we have obedience, rest, patience and everything we need. He is alive forevermore.

If you have Jesus nothing can be against you. Your temptations will not be against you. Your bad temper will not be against you. Your hard life, your circumstances- even the devil himself will not be against you. Every time he comes to attack you, he will only root you deeper in Christ. You will become a coward at the thought of being alone; you will be thrown on Jesus every time a trouble confronts you. From now on, all things will work together for good to your spiritual welfare. Since God is for you nothing can be against you.

My heavenly Bridegroom sought me and called me one glad day.

"Arise, my love, my fair one, arise and come away,"

I listened to His pleading, gave Him all my heart,

And we are one forever and nevermore shall part.

Scripture
By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified—Hebrews 10:14

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Saturday, July 16, 2011
In order to enter into a life of consecration, there must be a sense of need-the need of purity, of power and of a greater nearness to the Lord. Christians often experience a second conviction. It is not now a sense of guilt and God's wrath so much as of the power and evil of inward sin, and the dissatisfaction with the life the person is living. It usually comes from the deeper revelation of God's truth, from more spiritual teaching, from definite examples and testimonies of this life in others. Or it may result from an experience of deep trial, conflict and temptation in which the Christian has found his attainments and resources inadequate for the real issues and needs of life.
The first result is often a deep discouragement and even despair, but the Valley of Achor is the door of hope, and Romans 7 with its bitter cry, 0 wretched man that I am (7:24) is the gateway to Romans 8 with its shout of triumph, The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death (8:2).
Scripture
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 0 God—Psalm 42:1

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Friday, July 15, 2011
I am the Lord's then the Lord is mine. If Christ owns me I own Him. And so faith must reach out and claim its full inheritance and begin to use its great resources. Moment by moment we may now take Him as our grace and strength, our faith and love, our victory and joy, our all in all. And as we thus claim Him we will find His grace sufficient for us, and begin to learn that giving all is just receiving all.
Consecration is taking Jesus fully in exchange for our own miserable lives. There are two persons involved in such consecration. One of them is the Lord Himself. And for their sakes, He says, I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth (John 17:19). The moment we consecrate ourselves to Him, He consecrates Himself to us. Thereafter the whole strength of His life and love and everlasting power is dedicated to keep and complete our commitment to Him and to make the very best and most of our consecrated lives. Who would not give himself to such a Savior? Today, let us first give ourselves to Jesus, and then present to Him each moment as it comes, to be filled and used.
Scripture
I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine—Song of Solomon 6:3

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Thursday, July 14, 2011

Let this be a day of prayer. Let us realize that our highest ministry and power is to deal with God for men. Let us be obedient to all the Holy Spirit's voices of prayer in us. Let us consider every pressure a call to prayer. Let us cultivate the spirit of unceasing prayer and constant communion.

Let us learn the meaning of the ministry of prayer. Through prayer let us reach people this day whom we cannot reach in person. Let us expect results that we have never dared to claim before. Let us count every difficulty only a greater occasion for prayer. And let us call on God, who will show us many great and mighty things which we know not.

And let this also be a day of joy and praise. Let us live in the promises of God and the expectancy of His deliverance and blessing. Let us never dwell on the trial but always on the victory just ahead. Let us not abide in the tomb, but in the garden of Joseph and the light of the resurrection. Let us keep our faces toward the rising sun. Arise, shine. Rejoice evermore. In everything give thanks. Praise ye the Lord.

Lord, give us Thy joy in our hearts which shall lift us to lift others, and fill us so we may overflow to others.

Scripture
Men ought always to pray—Luke 18:1

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Let this be a day of self-forgetting ministry for Christ and others. Let us not once think of being ministered unto, but rather say with Him: I am among you as he that serveth (Luke 22:27). Let us not drag our burdens through the day but drop all our loads of care and be free to carry His yoke and His burden. Let us make the happy exchange, relinquishing ours and taking His. Let the covenant be: Thou shalt abide for me . . . so will I also be for thee (Hosea 3:3).

In such abiding we lose our heaviest load-ourselves- and find our highest joy, divine love, more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Let us do good to all men as we have opportunity. Let us lose no occasion of

blessing, and let us look for ingenious ways of service and usefulness. Especially let us seek to win others to Christ.

The Days of Heaven are busy days,

They serve continually.

So spent for Thee and Thine, our days,

As the Days of Heaven would be.

Scripture
Even Christ pleased not himself—Romans 15:3

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Consecration is entered into by an act of faith. We are to take sanctification as a gift from God, believing and confessing that we have it. We must step out on it firmly. We must let the devil also know we have it. When once we tell the Lord, boldly, "I am yours, "He answers back from the heavenly heights, "You are Mine, and the echoes go ringing down through all our lives, "Mine!" "Yours!"
If you dare confess Christ as your Savior and Sanctifier, He has bound Himself to make these truths a reality. But you must stand behind His mighty Word. It is the essence of testimony to tell what Jesus has promised to become to you. It is right to have a glorious word of testimony. God would have us put our seal on the promises and lift up our hands and acknowledge them as ours.
Then you are to ignore the old life and reckon it no longer yours-even if it should return to trouble you again. Every time it appears say, "This is from the underworld. I am sitting in the heavenly places with Christ."
Scripture
When ye pray, believe that ye receive—Mark 11:24

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Monday, July 11, 2011
A day with Jesus. Let us seek its plan and direction from Him. Let us take His highest thought and will for us in it. Let us look to Him for our desires, ideals, expectations in it. Then it will bring to us the exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Let Him be our Guide and Way. More even than thinking of His plan and way, let us think of Him as our personal every-moment Guide, on whom we constantly depend to lead us step by step.
Let Him also be the sufficiency and strength for all the day. Let us never forget the secret: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13). Let us have Jesus Christ Himself in us to do the works, and let us every moment depend on Him, both to will and do [in us] of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Let our holiness be the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). Let our health be the life . . . of Jesus . . . manifest in our mortal flesh (2 Corinthians 4:11). Let our faith be the faith of the Son of God, who loves [us] (Galatians 2:20). Let our peace and joy be His peace and joy. And let our service be not our works, but the grace of Christ within us.
Scripture
For it is God which worketh in you—Philippians 2:13

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Sunday, July 10, 2011

The highest blessings of the gospel are just as free as the lowest; when you have served God ten years you cannot sit down and say, "I have an experience now and I count on that." We so often do that! We say, "Now I know I am saved, I feel it." And so we are building a different foundation-we build on something in ourselves.

Always take grace as something you do not deserve, something that is freely bestowed. The long, deep, boundless river is free-as free at the mouth as it is at the little feeder stream. It is free all along its course; anybody can come and drink, and anybody can come and bathe in its refreshing waters. Do you believe that?

God has given us His Holy Spirit that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God. It is a sad thing for a poor starving child to look longingly through the window and see a fire and the happy family sitting around a laden table. What is the good of knowing that there is warmth and love and light if it is not free? God has freely given all the goodness of His grace and love.

Scripture
That we might know the things that are freely given to us of God—1 Corinthians 2:12

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Sometimes when we bring a burden to God, we do so much groaning over it that it seems as though God is having a dreadful time, too. In reality it does not burden Him at all. God says in effect, "It is a light thing for Me to do this for you." Our load, though heavy for us, is not heavy for Him. Christ carries the whole on one shoulder, not two shoulders. The government of the world is upon His shoulder, and He is not struggling and groaning with it. His mighty arm is able to carry all our burdens.
There is power in Christ for our sanctification. Yes, the Lord can sanctify, the Lord can heal, the Lord can do anything. You must have faith in God. If you come to a river this morning, will it take you as the mighty Niagara would take a little boat and carry you along-to a precipice? Oh, no, but to the heart of love and blessing forever.
Oft there comes a wondrous message,
When my hopes are growing dim,
I can hear it thro' the darkness
Like some sweet and far-off hymn.
Nothing is too hard for Jesus
No man can work like Him.
Scripture
Cast thy burden on the Lord—Psalm 55:22

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Friday, July 08, 2011
Grace literally means that which we do not have to earn. It has two great senses always; it comes without charge, and it comes when we are helpless. Grace does not merely help the man who helps himself-that is not the gospel. The gospel is that God helps the man who cannot help himself. In addition, God helps the man to help himself, for everything the man does comes from God. Grace is given to the man who is so weak and helpless he cannot take the first step. That is the meaning of grace-at least a little of its meaning. We can never know the fullness of it.
This river of grace is as free as it is full, but some people, surprisingly, have the idea that when they get a little farther on they must pay an admission, or pay to reserve a seat, and they shrink back from the higher blessings of the gospel. Ordinary Christians scarcely dare to claim them. If I understand the meaning of the gospel, God has not put the higher blessings apart for a separate class who somehow are nearer to Him. God is no respecter of persons.
Scripture
Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh—Galatians 3:3

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Thursday, July 07, 2011
In the last chapter of Exodus we read of all the Lord commanded Moses to do. As he fulfilled these commands the glory of the Lord descended and filled the tabernacle until there was no room for Moses. From that time the pillar of cloud overshadowed the tabernacle as Israel's guide and their protection.
Even so we have been building as the Lord Himself commanded, and now the temple is to be handed over to Him, to be possessed and filled. He will so fill us, if we will let Him, that self and everything else will be taken out of the way. The glory of the Lord will fill the temple, encompassing, lifting, guiding, keeping; and from this time our moon shall not withdraw its light, nor our sun go down.
Do you want power? You have God for it. Do you want holiness? You have God for it. You have God for every need! He is bending down from His throne today to lift you to your true place in Him. From this time on may the cloud of His glory so surround and fill us that we shall be lost sight of forever.
Scripture
And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle—Exodus 40:35

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
If the household be too little for the lamb. . . . What does all this mean for us as redeemed men and women? Surely, this-that we have no right to claim the purchase of the Savior's blood for ourselves alone, and that we are guilty of selfishness, dishonesty and base in gratitude if we can be content to be saved without having done everything in our power to give our fellow men an equal opportunity of eternal life. Have we understood this? Have we lived it?
But who is the neighbor with whom we are to share God's Lamb? He is spoken of here as the one that is next to us, the one in closest contact with us. Surely, that means that God brings people into touch with us in order that we may be stewards of His grace to them. The people in our families, the fellow traveler, friends in our social circles and people with whom we work-these are the neighbors to whom we owe a spiritual responsibility. Have we met it according to our utmost ability?
Did'st Thou love and die for
A sinner like me?
Then, Master, I will take
More thought for the perishing
Souls I may meet
If it's only for Thy sake.
Scripture
If the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls—Exodus 12:4

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
The figure here is of a beautiful, fruitful enclosure, not a wilderness. Garden soil is cultivated soil, very different from the roadside or wilderness. The idea of a garden is culture. The ground has to be prepared, to be broken up by ploughing, to be mellowed by harrowing. All the stones have to be removed and the roots of all natural growth dug up. The good things we are seeking are not natural growths and will not prosper in our natural soil. We all feel we should try to improve the old nature, but that is not God's way. His method is to get self out of the way entirely, and let Him create anew out of nothing, so that all shall be of Him; and Jesus will be the acknowledged Alpha and Omega.
The thing we want to learn here is to die. There can be no real life till self dies. And we dare not try to die ourselves, but ask God to slay us; He will make a thorough work of it.
This the secret nature hideth,
Summer dies and lives again,
Spring from winter's grave ariseth,
Harvest grows from buried grain.
Scripture
A garden enclosed—Song of Solomon 4:12

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Monday, July 04, 2011
What becomes of our old nature when we are sanctified? Many people are unduly concerned to know if it can be killed outright and seem to desire a sort of certificate of its death and burial. It is enough to know that it is outside and Christ is in us. It may show itself again, and even knock at the door and plead for admittance, but it is forever outside while we abide in Him. Should we step out of Him and into sin we might find the old corpse in the ghastly cemetery, and its foul aroma might yet embrace and overcome us once more. But he that abideth in him sinneth not and cannot sin while he so abides.
Let us therefore abide and let us not be anxious to escape the hold of eternal vigilance and ceaseless abiding. Our paths are made and we are given strength to pursue them; let us then walk in them. God has provided for us a full sanctification. Since He has given us His own holiness, is it strange that he should require us to be holy, even as He is holy? Let us then put on our beautiful garments and prepare to walk in white with Him.
Scripture
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not—1 John 3:6

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Sunday, July 03, 2011

Yes, our perplexities would become plain if we kept on a spiritual elevation. Often when the traveler quite loses his way he can discern it again from some hilltop where all the winding paths on which he has come appear behind him, and the whole homeward road opens before. So, from the heights of prayer and faith, we too can see the plain path and know we are going home.

There is no other way in which we can gain the victory over the world. We must rise above it. We must see it from the side of our great reward. Then it will look like earthly objects do after we have gazed upon the sun for a while. We are blind to them.

When the Italian fruit seller finds that he is heir to a ducal palace you cannot tempt him anymore with the paltry profits of his trade or the company of his old associates. He is above it all. They who know the hope of their calling and the riches of the glory of their inheritance can well despise the world. It is the poor starving ones who go hungering for the husks of earth. We are born from above and have a longing to go home. Let us go forth today with our hearts on the home stretch.

Scripture
Look from the top—Song of Solomon 4:8

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Ascension is more than resurrection. Much is said of it in the New Testament. Christ rises above all things. We see Him in the very act of ascending, as we do not in the actual resurrection. With hands and lips engaged in blessing, He gently parts from His disciples. So simply, so unostentatiously, He has brought heaven near to our common life.
We, too, must ascend, even here. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above (Colossians 3:1). We must learn to live on the heavenly side and look at things from above.
To contemplate all things as God sees them, as Christ beholds them, overcomes sin, defies Satan, dissolves perplexities, lifts us above trials, separates us from the world and conquers fear of death. Such a perspective enables us to view them as we shall one day look back upon them from His glory, and as if we were now really seated with Him, as indeed we are, in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
Let us arise with His resurrection and, in fellowship with His glorious ascension, learn to live above.
Scripture
And hath raised us up together—Ephesians 2:6

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Friday, July 01, 2011
Are we learning love in the school of suffering? Are our hearts being mellowed and deepened by the summer heat of trial until the fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance-is ripening for the harvest of His coming, and our sufferings are easily borne for His sake? This is the school of love, and the lessons make Him unutterably more dear to our hearts and us to His. In this way only can we learn with Him the heavenly charity which suffers long, and is kind.
We see that the very first and the very last features of the face of love, as delineated in Paul's portrait of it (1 Corinthians 13), are marks of pain and patient suffering-suffers long, endureth all things. So let us learn in the school of love to suffer, to be kind and to endure all things. Surely it will not be hard to love through every circumstance when it is the heart of Jesus within us that will love and continue to love to the very end.
I want the love that suffers and is kind,
That envies not nor vaunts its pride of fame.
Is not puffed up, does not discourteous act,
Is not provoked, nor seeks its own to claim.
Scripture
After that ye have suffered a while—1 Peter 5:10

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Men are choosing every day the spiritual or earthly. And as we choose we are taking our place unconsciously with the friends of Christ or the world. It is not merely what we say; it is what we prefer.
When Solomon made his great choice at Gibeon, God said to him, Because this was in thine heart . . . to ask wisdom, . . . wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee (2 Chronicles 1:11-12). It was not merely that he said it because it was right to say and would please God if he said it. But it was the thing his heart preferred, and God saw it in his heart and gave it to him, along with riches, wealth and honor that he had not chosen.
What are we choosing? it is our choice that settles our destiny. It is not how we feel, but how we purpose. Have we chosen the good part? Have we said, "Whatever else I am or have, let me be God's child; let me have His favor and blessing; let me please Him?" Or have we said, I must have this thing, and then I will see about religion?" Alas, God has seen what was in our hearts, and perhaps He has already said, "They have their reward."
Scripture
Therefore, choose—Deuteronomy 30:19

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Do not fail to mark these two stages in Christian life. The one is the Spirit's work in us, the other is the Spirit's personal coming to abide within us. All true Christians know the first, but few, it is to be feared, understand and receive the second.
There is a great difference between my building a house and my going to reside in that house and making it my home. And there is a great difference between the Holy Spirit's work in regenerating a soul-the building of a house-and His coming to reside, abide and control in our innermost spirit and our whole life and being.
Have we received Him, not as our Guest, but as the Owner, Proprietor and Keeper of the temple He has built to be an habitation of God through the Spirit? (Ephesians 2:22).
This is my wonderful story,
Christ to my heart has come,
Jesus the King of glory
Finds in my heart a home.
I am so glad I received Him,
Jesus my heart's dear King,
I, who so often have grieved Him,
All to His feet would bring.
Scripture
He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you—John 14:17

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Will we make the claim most practical and real and, like John, at the Last Supper, lean our full weight upon our Lord's breast? That is the way He would have us prove our love. "if you love me lean hard," said a heathen woman to her missionary, as she was timidly leaning her tired body upon her stalwart body. She felt slighted by the timorous reserve and asked the confidence that would lay all its weight upon the one she trusted.
Jesus says to us, [Cast] all your care upon [me]; for [I care] for you (1 Peter 5:7). He would have us prove our love by a perfect trust that makes no reserve. He is able to carry all our care, to manage all our interests, to satisfy all our needs.
Let us go forth leaning upon Him and feeding on His life. For John not only leaned but also fed. It was at supper that he leaned. This is the secret of feeding on Him, to rest upon His bosom. This is the need of the fevered heart of man. Let us cry to Him, Tell me, 0 thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon (Song of Solomon 1:7).
Scripture
Leaning upon her beloved—Song of Solomon 8:5

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Monday, June 27, 2011
Some of the effects of being filled with the Spirit are:
1. Holiness of heart and life. This is not the perfection of the human nature, but the holiness of the divine nature dwelling within.
2. Fullness of joy so that the heart is constantly radiant. This does not depend on circumstances, but fills the spirit with holy laughter in the midst of the most trying surroundings.
3. Fullness of wisdom, light and knowledge, causing us to see things as He sees them.
4. An elevation, improvement and quickening of the mind by an ability to receive the fulfillment of the promise, We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
5. An equal quickening of the physical life. The body as well as the mind and soul was made for the Holy Spirit.
6. An ability to pray the prayer of the Holy Spirit. If He is in us there will be a strange accordance with God's working in the world around us.
Scripture
Be filled with the Spirit—Ephesians 5:18

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Sunday, June 26, 2011
He is able to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). The word "touched" is very expressive. It means that our troubles are His troubles, and that in all our afflictions He is afflicted. It is not a sympathy of sentiment, but a sympathy of suffering.
There is in this thought abundant help for the tired heart. It is the foundation of Christ's Priesthood, and God meant that it should be to us a source of unceasing consolation. Let us realize more fully our oneness with our Great High Priest, and cast all our burdens on His great heart of love.
if we know what it is to ache in every nerve with the responsive pain of our suffering child, we can form some idea of how our sorrows touch the heart of Christ. As the mother feels her baby's pain, as the heart of friendship echoes every cry from another's anguish, so in heaven our exalted Savior, even in the raptures of that happy world, is suffering in His spirit and even in His flesh with all that His children bear. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, . . . let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14,16) and let us come to our Great High Priest.
Scripture
When he saw the multitudes he was moved—Matthew 9:36

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Every victor must first be a self-conqueror. But the method of Joshua's victory was the uplifted arm of Moses on the mount. As Moses held up his hands, Joshua prevailed; as he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. It was to be a battle of faith and not of human strength. The banner that was to wave over the discomfited foe was Jehovah-nissi. This, too, is the secret of our spiritual triumph. If we are led of the Spirit we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14).
Have we begun the battle and in the strength of Christ planted our feet on our own necks? And thus victorious over the enemy in the citadel of the heart, have we been set at liberty for the battle of the Lord and the service of others? It was this lack that hindered the life of Saul, and it has wrecked many a promising career. One enemy in the heart is stronger than ten thousand in the field. May the Lord lead us all into Joshua's first triumph and show us the secret of self crucifixion through the greater Joshua, who alone can lead us on to holiness and victory!
Scripture
[Who] always causeth us to triumph—2 Corinthians 2:14

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Friday, June 24, 2011
For Paul every exercise of the Christian life was simply the grace of Jesus Christ imparted to him and lived out by him. To be holy meant to put on the Lord Jesus and all the robes of His perfect righteousness which Paul describes so often in his beautiful letters.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, he says to the Colossians, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:12). None of these things is regarded as an intrinsic quality in us. Rather, they are all imparted graces from the hand of Jesus. And even in the later years of life, and after the mature experience of a quarter of a century, we find Paul exclaiming, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may win Christ, and be found in him (Philippians 3:8-9).
Lord, enable us today to go out, clothed in Thy robes of perfect rightness, and with our hearts in adjustment with Thy perfect love.
Scripture
I will clothe thee with change of raiment—Zechariah 3:4

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Thursday, June 23, 2011
We are the sons of God. We are not merely called such or even legally declared so, but we actually are sons of God by receiving the life and nature of God. And so we are the very brethren of our Lord, not only in His human nature, but still more so in His divine relationship.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call [us] brethren (Hebrews 2:11). He gives us that which entitles us to that right, and makes us worthy of it. He does not introduce us into a position for which we are uneducated and unfitted, but He gives us a nature worthy of our glorious standing; and as He shall look upon us in our complete and glorious exaltation-reflecti ng His own likeness and shining in His Father's glory-He shall have no cause to be ashamed of us.
Even now He is pleased to acknowledge us before the universe and call us brethren in the sight of all earth and heaven. oh, how this dignifies the humblest saint of God! How little we need mind the misunderstanding of the world if He is not ashamed to call [us] brethren.
So let us go out today to rightly represent His royal family.
Scripture
Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be—1 John 3:2

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us (2 Corinthians 1:9). This was the supernatural secret of Paul's life; he drew continually in his body from the strength of Christ, his Risen Head.
The body that came out of Joseph's tomb was to him a physical reality and the inexhaustible fountain of his vital forces. More than the other apostles he has imparted to us the secret of his strength. We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones (Ephesians 5:30). The body is . . . for the Lord; and the Lord for the body (1 Corinthians 6:13).
Marvelous truth! Divine elixir of life and fountain of perpetual youth! Earnest of the resurrection! Fulfillment of the ancient psalms and songs of faith! The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1). My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26). Have we learned this secret, and are we living the life of the Incarnate One in our flesh?
Scripture
This is that bread which came down from heaven—John 6:58

Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
In the Apostle's lists of officers in the church, the helps are mentioned before the governments, By the ministry of prayer, by the ministry of giving, by the ministry of encouragement, by the shining face and mute pressure of the hand and a little word of cheer, and by the countless ways in which we can help-or at least can keep from hindering-we can all still find the footprints of Aquila and Priscilla, if we want to follow them.
It is a valuable gift to be able to rejoice in another's work and pour our lives, like affluent streams, into great rivers. But God knows the source of every drop, and in the greater day of recompense many of the helps shall have the chief reward.
Are you helping? Are you helping your pastor, your brother, your husband, your mother, your father, your fellow worker? And when the harvest comes shall not he that soweth and he that reapeth rejoice together?
You can help by holy prayer,
Helpful love and joyful song,
Oh, the burdens you may bear,
Oh, the sorrows you may share,
Oh, the crowns you yet may wear,
If you help along.
Scripture
God hath set some in the church . . . helps—1 Corinthians 12:28