No Toil, No Gain

From the flyleaf of a Bible

Whoever doth read these sacred lines,

Let him search deep their golden mines,

For many an ore of priceless worth

Is found beneath the dust of the earth,

And many a gem can be found,

More worth then aught of earthly ground.

The deepest dug, the rarest gem

(The plant set deep, the strongest stem)

Dig deep, and tho’ thy toil be hard,

Rich spoils will be thy great reward.

Men have been seeking, and will seek

As long as the earth supports the weak

Yet though they searched for aye there’d be

Still gems to fill eternity.

But without toil no good is gained,

And without prayer no prize obtained.

Then search, and searching thou wilt find

Thy heart expanding with thy mind.

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Fairle Thorton

Little or Much

He that is down needs fear no fall,

He that is low, no pride;

He that is humble ever shall

Have God to be his guide.

I am content with what I have,

Little it be or much;

And, Lord, contentment shall I crave,

Because Thou savest such.

Fullness to such a burden is

That go on pilgrimage;

Here little, and hereafter bliss,

Is best from age to age.

John Bunyan

How content are you? 

You will find all you need in Christ Jesus, forgiveness for your sin, joy, peace, eternal life. Repent and receive and live a life of contentment despite trials, tribulations, pain, sorrow, persecution, bad health. All the external things that get you down cannot hold you down when you are a new creature in Christ. The world cannot give you this forgiveness, peace, joy, and rest, because it only has external things to offer and not deep down lasting spiritual things that satisfy the hungry, dry and thirsty soul.

Jesus said: 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29 New King James Bible