"Blessed is he that shall not be offended in Me."

Ah! that is it. That stinging little reproach, or flat contradiction, went very deep; but look up, and behold the glorious "ME!" who stands ever between the believer and circumstances. The life-story of each child of God is a wondrous record. "God writes straight on crooked lines," says a Spanish proverb, and it is even so. King David recognised the Hand that held the pen when he said of Shimei, "Let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him." Our loving Father could easily remove all frets and worries far from us, but He has a better preparation for His Living Epistles," in order that they may be "known and read of all men," and bring glory to His Holy Name.

Here is the secret which those who run may read. Exchange the me of self by full consecration (Gal. ii. 20) for the "Me" of Christ. See those two letters written by Him on every little thing which aggravates or stings. They are shining out from that disappointment, or gleaming across that thwarted plan, and blotting out that bitter word by their brightness.

Let us write them in their beauty upon all that meets us, and, while doing this, the fret and anger will vanish, and we shall be kept in that "great peace" which belongs to those, who, loving the commandments of the Master, can hear Him "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me."

say,

Daily Bible Thoughts for the Month.

ON THE UNION OLD TESTAMENT READINGS.

By Blanche A. Rowan.

"I have somewhat to say unto thee......Master, say on.”—Luke vii. 40. HOSEA X. TO NAHUM II.

JULY 1.-Hosea x. 12. What do we know of this preparation for His coming thus so richly to bless us? breaking up our fallow ground

by giving way to the "Breaker" (Micah ii. 13; Deut. xxxii. 39; Luke xiii. 8), and seeking the Lord with the faith that finds? (Matt. vii. 7).

July 2. Ch. xi. 4. If we have been drawn to Jesus, and caused to "love Him because He first loved us," we may go on to know Him as the "lifter up" (marg.) of every yoke that presses, whether of sin, or care, or unbelief, substituting His own easy yoke "—His will.

July 3.-Ch. xii. 8, 9. Let none think who are living for themselves, that because all seems prosperous with them, it is a sign that the Lord is well pleased with their ways. Often it is the most terrible state of soul slumber when the Lord lets them alone. To such He says, "I will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles "-stripped, alone, "emptied from vessel to vessel." See the remedy in Rev. iii. 17, 18.

July 4.-Ch. xiii. The whole of this picture of God's Heart of Love, and'eternal justice, and necessary judgment of sin, drawn by Himself, should teach us to cleave closely to Him, who, however great His patience may be, has ordained that we reap what we sow (2 Cor. v. 10). July 5.-Ch. xiv. 2-5. The backslider's confession and resolve, immediately followed by the tender threefold “I wills” of the blessed Trinity. The "I will heal" of the wounded Son (Is. liii. 5). "I will love," of the Father's embrace (Luke xv. 20), "I will be as the dew "—the Holy Spirit "clinging about him, and wrapping him in Himself."

July 6.-Joel i. 4. "The Palmer-worm, and locust "—little things, trifling occupations, and amusements, which cut up the life interests of Christians who ought to be working for Christ. Yet if we lay them aside there is hope. See chap. ii. 25.

July 7.-Ch. ii. II. Notice that this terrible destroying army is the Lord's army, and yet faith takes courage even from this very fact, and humbles itself before His Power, pleading His honour and His love. See the answer, verse 19 to end. Verily heaven's measure of blessing and restoration, undeserved, "yet pressed down, running over."

July 8.-Ch. iii. 17. As the Lord dwells in our hearts, His holiness becomes ours, and there shall be no more even of the defilement of passing strangers (Ps. cxxvii. 1). Notice His promised cleansing dependent on His indwelling in verse 21.

July 9.-Amos i. II. and Matt. xviii. 21, 22. message is in Matt. v. 23,

Contrast the sin of Edom with Luke xxiii. 34, Are we in any way guilty? The Lord's 24.

July 10.-Ch. ii. 13-16. Notice the result of what we were reminded last month concerning verse 13. "Running," hindered (Heb. xii. 1).

"Strength" unrenewed (Is. xl. 31). Defeat instead of victory (Zech. ix. 13, 14; Ps. xlv. 5). “Nakedness instead of white rainment " (Rev. iii. 18).

July 11.-Ch. iii. 8. Here is the secret of prophecying, not in the sense of foretelling events, but of uttering Divine truth under Divine influence, which is what is referred to in 1 Cor. xiv. I, etc. First, hearing and only speaking what we have heard. Are there any who hear and do not speak? let such answer this Divine query.

July 12.-Ch. iv. 7-9. Solemn picture of many souls-not rained upon (Ps. lxxii. 6; Deut. xxxii. 2), therefore withered !

Away from the Lord, seeking refreshment in the world, therefore unsatisfied, mildewed. (See Jer. ii. 13).

July 13.-Ch. v. Three times in this chapter, "Seek Him,” and “he that seeketh findeth." Faith seeking, says, “I have found Him whom my soul loveth," without waiting for feeling or realisation—and then the turning of the shadow of death into morning is His work. But "believe to see," and do not hinder Him. See the "let" of verse 24.

July 14.-Ch. vi. I, 4, etc. By far the greater number of those who are glad to shelter under the Blood from the destroying Angel, are alas! here described. Let us "arise" (Rom. xiii. 11), and "spend and be spent," literally for the Master.

July 15.-Ch. vii. 2, 3, 5, 6. As soon as the soul takes the low place ("he is small,") God can come in in grace (1 Sam. xv. 17; Jer. xlv. 5 ; 1 Pet. v. 5).

July 16.-Ch. viii.

Oppression of any kind is hateful to God. The strong are to" support the weak," i.e., go underneath them, the rich are stewards over God's money (See 1 Jno. iii. 17). This is a terrible famine (ver. 11), which sometimes goes with "great possessions " (Luke xviii. 22, 23).

July 17.-Ch. ix. 9. How comforting is the promise with which this verse closes! Perhaps we are conscious of little else but the sifting," but He is silently “building” us all the time also: do we believe it? and rest in the certainty that where He is sifting He is also restoring? (verses II, 15).

July 18.-Obadiah, 10-15. God does not put the sword into our hands against our brethren. Vengeance and judgment are both His. However wrongly they may have acted towards us or others, the love which covers a multitude of sins is what He looks for."

July 19.-Jonah i. Trace the downward course of Jonah-Ist disobedience to the Lord's Word, "Arise, go "-then distance "from the

presence of the Lord "-then independence, "he found," "he paid, etc."—then indifference, ver. 5, leading to (spiritual) death, ver. 15.

July 20.—Ch. ii. Then the steps back again—confession, faith (ver. 2); repentance, ver. 4; prayer and praise, all before the deliverance

came.

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July 21.-Ch. iii. 2. Arise, go," again followed by obedience. We have to go back to the first point of declension. If we are conscious of having stifled any leading of the Spirit, and excused ourselves by any human "I cannot," let us judge ourselves, and at once do what was put before us.

July 22.—Ch. iv. "God prepared.'

We cannot learn too perfectly

to trace His hand in every circumstance of life.

July 23.-Micah i. 3, 4. No barriers can stand before the Lord. We have Him for us now, and yet instead of the "Nothing impossible to him that believeth," we are prone to say with Jacob, "All these things are against me."

July 24.-Ch. ii. 10. How little is this command obeyed! Let us each ask ourselves, "What have I left for Christ? " "Am I seeking to rest here?”

this would be true Power of God, in

July 25.-Ch. iii. 8. If "filled with the Spirit," of us in our measure, as it was of Christ who is the His (Luke iv. 14). As Eph. v. 18 is a command, let us claim the filling in brokenness and emptiness of spirit, and believe that we receive, not waiting for feeling, but expecting His Power to be manifested when needed.

July 26.-Ch. iv. 13. Having "arisen" and "departed " (Ch. ii. 10), first, there follows a further command, Arise, thresh." Separation first, then acceptable work.

July 27.—Ch. v. 5. Christ Himself our Peace, less! Not an experience here, but a Person. experience instead of Himself.

and therefore changeMany are seeking an

(marg.) with Him

July 28.-Ch. vi. 8. "Humble thyself to walk " —after Him (Hos. xi. 10; Jno. x. 4 ; 2 Kings xxiii. 3). We walk with Him as we remember He is ever with us according to His promise (Matt. xxviii. 20; Is. xli. July 29.--Ch. vii. 14. and the place where we

10).

The solitary place-a good place for foodmeet God (Num. xxiii. 3, marg.) Yet we shrink from it so often. Recall how frequently our Lord sought solitude (See Mark i. 35; vi. 31). We mourn solitude of soul often-no sympathy-but we need not !

July 30.-Nahum i. 7.

"He knoweth." Recall how many things!

"The way I take" (Job xxiii. 10). The secrets of the heart (Ps. xliv. 21). Our thoughts (Ps. cxxxix. 2). Our need (Matt. vi. 32). Our works (Rev. ii. 2). Our walking (Deut. ii. 7). How to deliver (2 Pet. ii. 9).

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July 31.-Ch. ii. 1. "Keep, Watch "-How? By taking the Lord as your keeper (Ps. cxxvii. I; cxxi. 5. Strengthen" (Rev. iii. 2). How? By deeper dependence, by constant communion, and feeding on Christ in His Word (Is. xxx. 15; Ezra vii. 28; Dan. x. 18 ; Jno. vi. 57).

Scripture Reading and Prayer Union.

1. Every MEMBER reads daily the same Chapter of the Old Testament, and a short Evening Portion of the New. ASSOCIATES read only the New Testament portion, any time during the day.

2. Persons of all ages and all denominations may join.

All readers of "CHRISTIAN PROGRESS are invited to join this Union, either as Members or Associates, and to ask their friends to do so. They should send their full names and addresses (stating whether Rev., Esq., Mr., Mrs., or Miss) to the Rev. ERNEST Boys, Beverley, Sidcup, Kent. Óne stamp must be enclosed, and a card of Membership will be forwarded.

THE increase of the past month has been rather under that of the previous one. The number of new names which have reached us to the 9th of June, is as follows:-Members, 790; and Associates, 545; in all, 1,335. Our registered total up to the same date is 64,603 Members, and 32,003 Associates; amounting altogether to 96,606.

Of course, our actual strength is considerably less than this, as the numbers probably include many who have ceased to read, without returning their cards. It includes also all who have departed this life during the last seven years. Allowing, however, for all these, we are very glad to feel that so many thousands are united together in the daily readings. How fast we should increase if every Member and Associate made a point of promising one fresh one each month.

July 1st begins our eighth year of existence, may it be one of Spiritua blessing, and of large increase!

All who are going from home on holiday this month, should take a supply of LETTERS OF INVITATION to make the Union known whereever they go. They can write for as many as they want, which will be sent, post free.

SUBJECT FOR PRAYER FOR JULY.

That Members and Associates who are scattered abroad this summer may be made a blessing to others whom they may meet.