My dear readers,

(Extracts from Daily Remembrancer by Pastor James Smith, edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. "I am He that liveth" Rev 1:18 (February 28 MORNING)

“IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE,” for He has conquered death for us. Jesus once died in our stead; He now liveth at the right hand of God. He is the fountain of life. Because he lives, His people shall live also. He lives in heaven to see the fruits of the travail of His soul, in the regeneration, sanctification, preservation, and glorification of His beloved family. He lives to intercede for them, to sympathize with them, and to pour down blessings upon them. He lives to watch over them, to counsel and direct them, and to save them for evermore. He lives to execute the purposes of the Father, to direct all the concerns of His church, and to glorify us with Himself for evermore. Gracious Saviour! earthly friends may die but Thou livest; temporal comforts may be lost but we still have a place in Thy heart; Thou art our Friend before the Father's throne! May we ever remember, Jesus liveth who was dead; and He is alive for evermore and has the keys of hell and of death. O to live for Him on earth who lives for us in heaven! O to live like Him, that as He is, so we may be in this world - representatives of God and holiness! O to live by faith in Him, in sweet and holy fellowship with Him. All because Jesus liveth!

His saints He loves and never leaves,
The chief of sinners He receives;
Cheer up, my heart! with this revive;
The sinner's Friend is yet alive.

2. "Because I live, ye shall live also" Jn 14:19 (February 28 EVENING)

“WITH CHRIST AN ENDLESS HOPE; WITHOUT CHRIST A HOPELESS END.” Christ and His people are one. He is the Head, and they are the members of His body. From Him they receive life, wisdom, power, holiness, and every grace. He has a fulness of good gifts to supply them, and out of that fulness He daily gives them grace as their circumstances may require. We have hitherto been supplied with grace by Jesus, and He who hath supplied us until now, will continue to do so. He lives, necessarily, as God; officially, as God-man. He lives in high authority, possessing all power and unbounded influence. He lives to fulfil His word, complete His work, and lead His people on to the enjoyment of eternal life. They shall live as Christians, persevere in their journey, and be happy in His love for ever. They shall live because Jesus who ever lives is their life, their representative, and their surety. He lives for them, ruling, over-ruling, securing and loving. He lives in them and their life is hid with Him in God. Beloved, see the ground of your safety, the source of your joy, the wisdom of your God. Your life and happiness are identified with the life of our resurrected Lord Jesus.

If my immortal Saviour lives,
Then my immortal life is sure;
His word a firm foundation gives,
Here let me build and rest secure.

3. "God also hath highly exalted Him" Phi 2:9 (January 10 EVENING)

OUR LORD WAS DESPISED AND REJECTED OF MEN. And He was the Son of God. No one ever sank so low as Jesus; no one is or ever will be raised so high. He was considered as unfit to live; He was treated as a despicable worm, and put to death in the flesh; but God hath highly exalted Him. He is gone into heaven, seated at the right hand of God; now He bears a name which is above every name; He possesses all authority in heaven and on earth; thrones, and dominions, and principalities, and powers, are made subject unto Him. His crown glitters with sparkling gems brighter than the morning sun; His sceptre extends over all creation; His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion endureth throughout all generations. He is the object of angelic admiration and adoration, the subject of heavenly song. His exaltation is the reward of His humiliation, sufferings, and death; but it is a sweet thought that He is exalted for His people's good, for His people's glory. He is exalted to give them repentance and remission of sins, to sanctify their sorrows, supply their wants, secure their safe arrival around His throne, and glorify them with Himself forever. Immortal Saviour! may I know the power of Thy resurrection, glorify Thy grace, and be made to sit with Thee in Thy glory!

To Him whom men despise and slight,
To Him be glory given;
The crown is His, and His by right,
The highest place in heaven.

4. "I know that my Redeemer liveth" Job 19:25 (April 16 EVENING)

THE HOPE OF DYING MEN WAS REVEALED TO JOB IN HIS MISERY. He saw the victory of the risen Christ, the hope of a dying world. Friends and relatives are constantly being taken by death. But one relative ever lives. He is our divine Kinsman. To Him the right of redemption belongs. He has paid the ransom price, and He lives to effect our final and complete deliverance. He lives in our nature at the right hand of God. He lives for us in the holiest of all. His existence is eternal, His office is untransferable. He will plead our cause. He will conquer our foes. He will perfect our graces. He will redeem us from death. He will be glorified in us, when He comes again the second time without sin unto salvation. I know Him from the revelation of His word, and by the teaching of His Holy Spirit. I know Him as the object of my trust, confidence, and desire. I know Him as my Redeemer. He has already rescued me from Satan, vile habits, and this present evil world. Into His hands I have committed my spirit, and I know that as He liveth in the character of my Kinsman Redeemer, I shall live also. Dear friends, it is sweet, peculiarly sweet, to have one ever-living, ever-loving Friend. O Lord Jesus may I know and love Thee more!

I know that my Redeemer lives,
And ever pleads for me;
Salvation to my soul He gives,
And life and liberty.

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor