THE heart not subject to the word of God kicks at the restraints it meets with in it; but the moment it is subject it likes to do His will. The word comes in to give devotedness the right shape; if I have devotedness apart from God's word I shall get it in a wrong shape. But the heart that is subject will be catching the mind of the Lord. The question is: Would He like me to do this? Then go on. Remember David's mighty men at the Well of Bethlehem. David did not turn round, and say to them, Go, and get me. a drink of water. But there were those standing by who caught the desires of David's heart. Did they only say, We would like to go? No. They put their swords by their sides, and went clean through the Philistines. They did not think of them; they did not measure themselves; but they got the water, and laid it at David's feet.
(J. B.)
THE sealing of the Spirit is, I know that I am God's property. The earnest of the Spirit is that I have got property.
(J. B. S.)