The Believer's Daily Remembrancer

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5 ESV

NEVER forget that in the Lord is our righteousness and strength.

We are not sufficient to think rightly of ourselves, but through Him we can do all things. Never attempt anything without looking to Jesus for power. Let a knowledge and constant sense of weakness keep you near to Him; sensibly depending on Him; and ascribing...

THE fears of the Christian are a dishonour to his Lord, a denial of his creed, and a fruitful source of distress to his own soul. All things are of God, He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will, and in every event He says to us, "IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID." If friends turn to foes and distress us, if death enters our dwellings and bereaves us, if sickness lays us aside and fills us with pain, He says, "It is I; be not afraid." If losses, crosses, and sore trials come upon us, and...

THIS implies DANGER. The Christian may be in danger from sin, self, foes. FEAR--his fears may be groundless, but they are often very painful. INABILITY--to defend himself or overcome his opposers. FORESIGHT--he sees the storm in the distance, and looks out for the covert. PRUDENCE--he hides before the storm, ere the enemy comes upon him. A laudable CONCERN for safety and comfort. The believer, if wise, will at all times flee to Jehovah. Jacob flies to Laban; the manslayer to the refuge; the...

THIS was David's conclusion, from the belief that the Lord was his Shepherd. If we are the sheep of Christ, He will supply us. He has all things in His possession, the silver and the gold are His, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. His private mark is upon all. All spiritual blessings are in His possession also; and He has a kind, tender, and liberal heart. He will give. He has engaged to supply, conduct, protect, and present His flock upon Mount Zion. He has promised to be to us, do for...

THEN David was one of the Lord's sheep. All His sheep know Him, love Him, and follow Him. They possess His disposition; He was meek, and lowly in heart. Are you a sheep of Christ? Are you looking to, following of, and rejoicing in, your Shepherd? If so, it is His province to lead you, feed you, protect you, and heal you. Your person, life, health, comforts, and safety, are committed to His care. He is the good Shepherd, He laid down His life for His sheep; He searches and seeks out His sheep...

SIN is the parent of trouble; all sorrow originated in departing from God. It is generally occasioned by transgression, or sent as a preventive to a greater evil; it may be occasioned by good, for saints are sometimes persecuted for righteousness' sake. It is intended to correct, improve, and to bring us near to God. Whatever may be our trouble, if we are the Lord's, He is with us; and with us for the most gracious purposes. He fixes the period of our troubles, nor can they continue longer...

AND what were the people whom He loved? Poor, oppressed, rebellious, stiff-necked, hard-hearted, unworthy creatures. Just such are His people by nature now. Such are we. Yet He loves us; pities us; and distinguishes us from others around us. He spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all; and with Him He will freely give us all things. Though He has not yet all His people with Him, yet He has Jesus sitting at His right hand, who is their Representative; the express image and...

NEVER trust him, for his heart is deceitful; never expect from him, for he is an empty cistern; never follow him, for he is a false guide. Cursed be the man who trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Trust ye not in a friend. One object of trust is enough: He has all you want, and has offered to give whenever you ask. He never did deceive, He never can. It is impossible for God to be. Looking to man, dishonours His fulness; trusting in man, is...

NOT only because He has chosen me from others, in Jesus His beloved Son; nor merely because I am redeemed from among men, by the precious blood of Immanuel; but also because I have surrendered myself up into the Lord's hand, with all I have and am, to be taught by His Spirit, ruled by His word, supplied by His providence, and devoted to His praise. The Lord claimed me, and I was enabled to acknowledge the claim; He has a right to me, and that right should never be forgotten by me. Am I...

THESE are the words of Jesus. He address them to us this morning. They suppose want, and inability to supply ourselves. They intimate that provision is made, and may be obtained. They invite us to ask with confidence, assuring us we shall receive. Jesus has a boundless fulness of blessings, and a loving, tender heart to bestow them. He will supply all our needs. Let not want, then, lead you to despond, but look to Jesus; He has, He gives. He tells us to ask, and receive. Can any terms be...

THE Lord's people often feel faint, being burdened with a body of sin and death, pursued and assaulted by Satan, tried and hindered by the world; but though faint they continue to pursue. Waiting on the Lord they renew their strength. The Lord has said, "I will strengthen thee." Brother, remember the promise and faithfulness of thy God; yield not to fear, or you will surely faint. Believe because God is true. David says, "I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in...

OUR compassionate Lord was surrounded by a starving, fainting multitude; His disciples had only five small coarse loaves, and two little fishes, and yet He had bidden them to feed the company. The commands of Jesus are often intended to try our faith, and bring us as children to His feet. He says, "Bring them to Me." Things are not what they appear, but what Jesus makes them. His blessing produces a wonderful change. He bids you bring everything to Him. Have you a family? He says "Suffer the...

WHOSE sins? Thine, if thou believest in Jesus. For to Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name all the prophets witness, that through His name WHOSOEVER believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God pardons, for Christ's sake, every one who believeth, confesseth and forsaketh sin. He thus proves Himself ready to forgive, plenteous in mercy, and full of...

THE disciples were in a storm, surrounded by danger, and filled with fear; they apply to Jesus. This was right. They doubt His care, question His love, and cry, "We perish." This was wrong. Jesus demands, "WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?" May He not put the same question to us? We have His word, but do we heartily believe it? We speak of His love, but do we confidently trust it? We read of His care, but do we see our safety in it? We often seem to believe any one sooner than Jesus; to trust any word...