Sermons & Devotionals by J.R. Miller
J.R. Miller
Christian Essentials 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24
"We urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle!" There is a duty of warning others. We may not always speak words of commendation and approval. When people are living in a disorderly way, that is, not in harmony with the Word of God—they are to be admonished. We must make sure, however, that we do ... Read More
J.R. Miller
Christian Liberty Galatians 4:1-16
When Paul sent his message to the Christians of Galatia, he emphasized emphatically the great doctrine of justification by faith, for this was the preaching they most needed. After saying that all Christians, without regard to nation, were children of God by faith in Christ, he went on to tell of th... Read More
J.R. Miller
Christian Living Romans 12:1-15
Paul's philosophy of Christian living, is compactly stated in these fifteen verses. "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God; which is your reasonable service." God wants us to be his. We are his by actual right. "All souls ar... Read More
J.R. Miller
Christian Self-Restraint 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Paul taught this lesson in verse 19, "I made myself servant unto all." We are not our own. We are Christ's. But we are Christ's for love and service. He does not want us to spend our time merely praising him in words and songs. He wants us to go out into the world and do our work. He wants us to liv... Read More
J.R. Miller
Christlike Living in a Sinful World
Character Reputation is what a man's neighbors and friends think of him. Character is what the man IS. Character is personal. It is not a possession we can share with someone else. We can give a hungry person part of our loaf of bread; we can divide our money with one who needs it; but character is ... Read More
J.R. Miller
Close of Paul's Second Missionary Journey Acts 18:1-22
Nobody noticed a plain man walking along the streets of Corinth, one day, travel-stained and weary. Yet his coming into Corinth meant more for that city than the entrance of any other man in the city's whole history. He brought the gospel there, and the gospel is the power of God wherever it goes. T... Read More
J.R. Miller
Close of Paul's Third Missionary Journey Acts 21:1-17
Life is full of parting and meetings, of letting go things that are past and laying hold of things in the future. The missionaries and these friends had been together but a week, and yet they had become so attached to each other, that their parting was tender. Wherever true Christians meet, they are... Read More
J.R. Miller
Comfort in Christ's Knowledge of Us
To many people, the thought of Christ's perfect knowledge of them is an unwelcome one. It frightens and troubles them. But if we are living as we should live, if we are true to our purpose and sincere in our striving, the consciousness that Christ knows all about us should give us great comfort. Too... Read More
J.R. Miller
Coming to the End
We are always coming to the end of something; nothing earthly is long-lived. Many things last but for a day; many, for only a moment. You look at the sunset-clouds, and there is a glory in them which thrills your soul; you turn to call a friend to behold the splendor with you—and it has vanished, an... Read More
J.R. Miller
Compensation in Life
Every shadow—has its light; every night—has its morning; every pang of pain—has its thrill of pleasure; every salt tear—has its crystal beauty; every weakness—has its element of strength; every loss—has its gain. So all through life, these balancings run. He is not a thoughtful or reverent observer,... Read More
J.R. Miller
COPYING BUT A FRAGMENT
Nothing is more striking to a close observer of human life, than the almost infinite variety of character which exists among those who profess to be Christians. No two are alike. Even those who are alike revered for their saintliness, who alike seem to wear the image of their Lord, whose lives are a... Read More
J.R. Miller
Counsel and Help
CHOICE EXCERPTS A living, loving, personal Savior We are in the habit of saying that Christ saved us by dying for us on the Cross. In an important sense this is true. We never could have been saved, if He had not died for us. But we are actually saved by our relationship to a living, loving, persona... Read More
J.R. Miller
DANGERS OF DISCOURAGEMENT
We are not apt to think of discouragement as either dangerous or sinful. Some people seem to think it rather a pleasant experience than otherwise; at least, they appear to find a sort of relief and satisfaction in dropping down now and then, into a depressed mood. They make no effort to overcome the... Read More
J.R. Miller
DEALING WITH OUR SINS
It takes courage to look our own sins in the face, and to deal with them as we would counsel another to do, if the sins were his. It was one of the old psalm-writers who said, "I thought on my ways." It is not likely, that even he found it an easy thing to do. It is usually very much harder to think... Read More
J.R. Miller
December 1. The Sacred Garments
"And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get." Mark 15:24 We love to think of those sacred garments which our Savior had worn. Perhaps they had been made by His mother's hands, or maybe by the hands of some of the other women who followed Him from Galil... Read More
J.R. Miller
December 10. It Is Finished!
"He said, It is finished!" John 19:30 This was the sixth saying of the Savior on the cross. His allotted life-work was done; all His task was ended, all things set for Him to do were done, and nothing more remained for Him — but to die. Many people come to the end even of long lives — and find their... Read More
J.R. Miller
December 11. Last Words
"Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit." Luke 23:46 This was the seventh and last of Savior's sayings on the cross. Christ's work as Redeemer was now altogether done; His last word, "It is finished," marked its completion. Now He is ready to go back to His Father. Before Him now lies the myste... Read More
J.R. Miller
December 12. The Rent Veil
"At that moment, the veil of the temple was rent in two from top to bottom!" Matthew 27:51 The veil was the symbol of separation from God. In the Holy of holies behind it — was the place where God's presence dwelt. Men could not pass the veil. The teaching was, that God could not be approached by si... Read More
J.R. Miller
December 13. Ministering Women
"And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him" Matthew 27:55 These were the earliest of a great and noble army of holy women — attached to Christ by deep, personal love — following and ministering unto Him. In all the ages since, Christian ... Read More
J.R. Miller
December 14. Joseph of Arimathea
"Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body." Mark 15:43 Joseph had been a disciple of Christ for some time before — but had lacked the courage to come out boldly. He was rich and influential... 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.