_Then shall ye discern between the righteous and the wicked. Mal. iii. 18._ Said Anne of Austria to Cardinal Richelieu: "God does not pay at the end of every week, but He pays at last!"--_Selected._ =December 11th.= _What is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeared for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James iv. 14._ "Only one life; 'twill soon be past-- And only what's done for Christ will last."--_Selected._ =December 12th.= _He (Jesus) . . . looked up to heaven. Mark vi. 41._ In working for God, first look to heaven. It is a grand plan. Over and over again our Lord Jesus Christ looked to heaven and said, "Father." Let us imitate Him; although standing on the earth, let us have our conversation in heaven. Before you go out, if you would feed the world, if you would be a blessing in the midst of spiritual dearth and famine, lift up your head to heaven. Then your very face will shine, your very garments will smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces where you have been with your God and Savior. There will be stamped upon you the dignity and power of the service of the Most High God.--_McNeil._ =December 13th.= _The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts xi. 26._ This name suggests that the clear impression made by our character, as well as by our words, should be that we belong to Jesus Christ. He should manifestly be the center and the guide, the impulse and the pattern, the strength and reward, of our lives. We are Christians. That should be plain for all folks to see, whether we speak or be silent. Is it so with you?--_Alex. McLaren._ =December 14th.= _Having therefore these promises. 2 Cor. vii. 1._ The forests in summer days are full of birds' nests. They are hidden among the leaves. The little birds know where they are; and when a storm arises, or when night draws on, they fly, each to his own nest. So the promises of God are hidden in the Bible, like nests in the great forests; and thither we should fly in any danger or alarm, hiding there in our soul's nest until the storm be overpast. There are no castles in this world so impregnable as the words of Christ.--_J. R. Miller._ =December 15th.= _Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. xiii. 13. (R. V.)_ Love is the greatest thing that God can give us: for Himself is Love; and it is the greatest thing we can give to God: for it will give ourselves, and carry with it all that is ours.--_Jeremy Taylor._ =December 16th.= _He (Thomas) . . . said, Except I shall see . . . I will not believe. . . . Jesus . . . said . . . Be not faithless, but believing. John xx. 25, 27._ Every doubt in the heart of a Christian is a dishonor done to the Word of God, and the sacrifice of Christ.--_Selected._ =December 17th.= _Lot . . . pitched his tent toward Sodom. Gen. xiii. 12._