Sermons & Devotionals by J.R. Miller
J.R. Miller
Loyalty to Christ
Loyalty to Christ begins in the heart. We must love him supremely. "He who loves father or mother more than me—is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me—is not worthy of me." Nothing makes worthy discipleship, if love is lacking. In these days, Christian activity is emphasiz... Read More
J.R. Miller
Making a Living and Making a Life
Governor Russell, of Massachusetts, in addressing a graduating class, said, "There is one thing in this world better than making a living — and that is making a life." The words are worthy of most careful pondering. It is the duty of everyone to make a living. "Six days shall you labor," runs the ol... Read More
J.R. Miller
Making or Marring Beauty
"Little things make perfection." In nothing is this more true than in character and conduct. There are many people who in great matters of principle, and in the cardinal virtues — are without fault; yet the luster of whose life is dimmed by countless little blemishes and flaws. One man who is uprigh... Read More
J.R. Miller
Making the Most of Life - Part 1
Making the Most of Life by J. R. Miller, 1891 A Word of Introduction. To have the gift of life is a solemn thing. Life is God's most sacred trust. It is not ours to do with as we please; it must be accounted for—every particle, every power, every possibility of it. These chapters are written with th... Read More
J.R. Miller
Making the Most of Life - Part 2
Making the Most of Life by J. R. Miller, 1891 Chapter 13. Without Axe or Hammer. We read of the temple of Solomon, when it was being built, that it was built of stone made ready in the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it went up. So it is, that... Read More
J.R. Miller
Manly Men
The Christian life is more than a tender sentiment. Christian character is more than gentleness, patience, meekness, humility, kindness. There are some men who have these qualities—who lack the more robust characteristics of manhood. They are weak, nerveless, spineless. They are lacking in courage, ... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 1. When Earth's Wine Runs Out!
"When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother said to Him: They have no more wine." John 2:3 This incident is a very fitting illustration of the failure of all this world's joys. The wine ran out at a wedding-feast. There was not enough of it to last through to the end of the feast. It is just so with all e... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 10. He sat on the well
"Jesus therefore, being wearied from his journey — sat down on the well." John 4:6 In all the gospel story, there are few more tenderly suggestive pictures of Jesus, than that which we have in these words. He has been traveling all day in the hot sun, and coming to this resting-place, He sits down o... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 11. Give Me a drink
"A woman of Samaria came to draw water. 'Give Me a drink,' Jesus said to her." John 4:7 This illustrates to us how full the world's common walks are of Christ. This woman went out from her home on a very ordinary and commonplace errand, to draw a little water from the public well, and before she ret... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 12. Earthly Joys
"Whoever drinks of this water — shall thirst again!" John 4:13 That is just as true of all of earth's springs of joy — as it was of Jacob's well. Men and women drink of them today — and find a measure of satisfaction for a little while — but soon they are thirsty as ever again! The human soul cannot... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 13. A Living Spring
"But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again — ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life!" John 4:14 The soul was made for God, and when it returns to God — it finds peace and satisfaction. It... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 14. True Worship
"God is a Spirit: and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24 God loves to be worshiped — to have the praise, the adoration, and the homage of His children. In the olden days, burning incense was the symbol of worship; its fragrance rose up toward Heaven, and God sm... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 15. Bread from Heaven
"I have food to eat that you know nothing about." John 4:32 The disciples had left Jesus hungry, when they went away to buy bread; they came back to find His hunger departed, and in these words we have the reason He gave for it. He was intently engaged in His Father's work, doing His will — and in t... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 16. Doing the Father's Will
"My food is to do the will of him who sent me." John 4:34 Thus Jesus explained to His disciples how He had been nourished during their absence. He had been laboring in His Father's work, and this labor had revived Him. There is for all of Christ's people a wonderful secret of hidden blessedness in t... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 17. Fruit unto Life Eternal
"He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto eternal life" John 4:36 Those who work for this world — often fail of reward; but those who do God's work — are sure of good wages and of glorious harvest. "The wages of sin — is death." The wages of much of earth's toil — is disappointment. But t... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 18. Sowing and Reaping
"One sows, and another reaps." John 4:37 This word of Christ is ofttimes illustrated in its literal sense. Many a man sows a field of wheat — and before the harvest, lies in his grave. Many a man plants a tree, and does not live to taste its fruits; others coming after him enjoy the benefit of his l... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 19. Trials Leading us to Christ
"When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to Him and begged Him to come and heal his son, who was at the point of death." John 4:47 The trouble in his home — sent this man to Christ. Perhaps he would have never have gone at all — had it not been for his son's sicknes... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 2. The Lord's Time
"My hour has not yet come." John 2:4 He meant that His time for beginning to work miracles had not yet come. With all divine power slumbering in His hands — He would do nothing at any bidding but His Father's. Even His human mother's request, He could not in this matter regard. One thought here is o... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 20. Death, the Gate of Life
"When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to Him and begged Him to come and heal his son, who was at the point of death!" John 4:47 This man's son was just on the edge of death — just at its door! The point of death is a point to which all of us must come at some tim... Read More
J.R. Miller
March 21. The Return to Nazareth
"He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up." John 4:47 It was a hard place for Him to visit and to preach in. He had lived there from infancy. The young people knew Him as schoolmate and playfellow, and then as the village carpenter. One day He went away from home, and soon strange reports a... Read More
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.