Apr 14, 2026 – Yoke
Simpson shares and then explains an important point, “A true and pure Christian life attracts the world. There are hundreds of men and women who find no inducements whatever in the lives of ordinary Christians to interest them in practical religion, but who are won at once by a true and victorious example.” I remember hearing about Mahatma Gandhi being interested in the Christian religion, but he was disillusioned by the behavior of some Christians. Google explains that “Gandhi was fond of Jesus but believed that the ‘Christian church’s practice of segregation’ and hypocrisy made it unappealing…. Gandhi was turned away from a church in South Africa, with ushers suggesting he worship with his ‘own people’ because the church was for Europeans only.” A loss to Gandhi and the world.
Power – Proverbs 15:15 – “All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances]. It’s interesting to think that the people in that South African church could have read/heard that verse in one moment and turned Gandhi away in the next. Google explains that, “Despite this, Gandhi continued to engage with Christian teachings throughout his life and was deeply influenced by the teachings of Jesus.”
Joyce points out what it seems Gandhi had learned and manifested in his life, “Our joy doesn’t come from our circumstances…. God is positive, so you should be too. Face every day with excitement, believing something good will happen. And if it doesn’t, believe it for the next day….The minute you decide to have a more positive attitude, you will begin to feel more joy in your life.”
Utmost – Matthew 11:29 – “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me.” Chambers starts with this, sometimes difficult to accept, verse from Hebrews 12:6 – “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth.” It seems that when we don’t learn what God has for us to learn, chastening will result. Chambers explains, “How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us into the place where we can have communion with Him, and we groan and say – ‘Oh Lord, let me be like other people!’ Jesus is asking us to take one end of the yoke – ‘My yoke is easy, get alongside Me and we will pull together.’ Are you identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God for the pressure of His hand.”
