Bible Gems

Feb 6, 2010 at 20:02 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

February 3

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."
(Ecclesiastes 11:1)

If we literally throw bread into the water, can we expect to find it again? Certainly not! It may seem to us just as useless to give the bread of life, the gospel of God's grace, to the world that is like the troubled sea. But this is far from useless. God tells us, "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). If we faithfully give the gospel to souls, even if we see no results all our lives, there will be results, though those "many days" may take us to the judgment seat of Christ. (The Lord is Near)

N.J. Hiebert - 3969

February 4

"Cease to do evil; learn to do well."
(Isaiah 1:16,17)

Do you seek to pursue the steady, onward, upward path of pure and elevated discipleship. And, whether or not you thereby condemn others, is no concern of yours. "Cease to do evil." This is the first thing for the true disciple to do. When he has yielded obedience to this golden precept, he may expect to "learn to do well." "If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."

When God speaks, I am not to turn round to see how my obedience to His voice will affect my neighbours, or to consider what they will think about me. When the voice of the risen and glorified Jesus fell upon the ear of the prostrate Saul of Tarsus, he did not begin to enquire what the chief priests and Pharisees would think of him were he to obey. Surely not. "Immediately," he says, "I conferred not with flesh and blood." (Galatians 1:16) "Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision." (Acts 26:19) This is the true spirit and principle of discipleship. "Give glory to God, before He cause darkness, and your feet stumble upon the dark mountains."

Nothing can be more dangerous than to hesitate, when, divine light shines upon the path. If you do not act upon the light, when you get it, you will, assuredly, be involved in thick darkness. Hence, therefore, as another has said, "Never go before your faith, nor lag behind your conscience." (C.H. Macintosh - Vol. 2)

N.J. Hiebert - 3970

February 5

"Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts."
(Hebrews 4:7)

It was a wild night for our family. At 11:30 p.m., I got a call from my son Steve. "Dad, I'm going to Iraq." "Right now?" I asked in disbelief. "Yes, I'm ready to go." Earlier that day, our navy corpsman (medic) son had told me he thought it would be several months before he would go.

We talked a little more until he had to hang up. Then family phone calls followed as we let his sisters know what was happening. They called him to wish him well and pray for him - and that was it.

A couple of restless hours later, Steve sent a text message: "We're not going. We're headed back." A helicopter ride to another state and back was the extent of Steve's trip that night, but it was still a valuable experience. It tested their readiness. The military had to know that when the call came, the corpsmen would be mentally ready to go.

When it comes to being ready for eternity, we won't get that kind of practice. No one knows when we will depart this earth through death or to be called home at Jesus' return.

If you were called into eternity today, would you be prepared to meet God face-to-face? Have you opened your heart to Him? (Hebrews 4:7). Are your sins forgiven? Are you ready to go? (Dave Branon)

Ready to speak, ready to warn,
Ready o'er souls to yearn,
Ready in life, ready in death,
Ready for His return
.
(Tillman)

God's call may come at any time - so be ready all the time!

Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright 1982, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted permission.

N.J. Hiebert - 3971

February 6

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
(Hebrews 11:1)

It is often a source of sorrow to the heart to mark how the children of God dishonour Him, and as a consequence, lower themselves before the world by losing the sense of His sufficiency for every emergency. So long as we live in the realization of the truth that all our springs are in God, so long shall we be above the world in every shape and form. There is nothing so elevating to the whole moral being as faith: it carries one entirely beyond the reach of this world's thoughts; for how can the men of the world, or even worldly-minded Christians, understand the life of faith? Impossible.

The springs on which it draws lie far away beyond their comprehension. They live on the surface of present things. So long as they can see what they deem a proper foundation for hope and confidence, so long they are hopeful and confident; but the idea of resting solely on the promise of an unseen God, they understand not. But the man of faith is calm in the midst of scenes in which nature can see nothing. Hence it is that faith ever seems, in the judgment of nature, such a reckless. improvident, visionary thing. None but those who know God can ever approve the actings of faith; for none but they really understand the solid and truly-reasonable ground of such actings. (C.H. Macintosh)

N.J. Hiebert - 3972

February 7

"This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven."
(Acts 1:11)

"I will come again."
(John 14:3)

When General Douglas McArthur left the Philippines for Australia in mid - 1942, in advance of approaching Japanese forces, he said, "I will return." He kept his promise on October 22, 1944. Those were the words of a mortal. Believers, however, have the written words of the eternal Son of God. He said, "I will come again". With keen anticipation we await the summons to the skies. Instantaneously, we will be glory bound and His promise will be kept. What a day that will be! (Arnot P. McIntee)

Christ the Lord will come again, none shall wait for Him in vain,
I shall then His glory see: Christ will come and call for me
.
(J. Swain)

N.J. Hiebert - 3973

Feb 2, 2010 at 15:15 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

January 27

"And whatsoever ye do, do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
(Colossians 3:23)

Integrity is more than not being deceitful or slipshod.  It means doing everything "heartily as unto the Lord."

A year or so ago, a picture appeared in a magazine of the Statue of Liberty . . . taken from a helicopter and it showed the top of the statue's head.  I was amazed at the detail there.  The sculptor had done a painstaking job with the lady's coiffure, and yet he must have been pretty sure that the only eyes that would ever see this detail would be the uncritical eyes of seagulls.  He could not have dreamt that any man would ever fly over this head.  He was artist enough, however, to finish off this part of the statue with as much care as he had devoted to her face and her arms and the torch and everything that people can see as they sail up the bay. . . .  When you are creating a work of art, or any other kind of work, finish the job off perfectly.  You never know when a helicopter, or some other instrument not at the moment invented, may come along and find you out.  (TCNL - March / April 1992)

N.J. Hiebert - 3962

January 28

" . . . ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus; that ye put off concerning the former . . . put on the the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." 
(Ephesians 4:21-24)

Nothing is more blessed than to have sympathy with Christ in His thoughts - to be able to say, "I know what Christ cares about, and that which is the care of His heart shall be the care of my heart."  He is caring about a testimony on earth for God; and if I am only little enough in my own eyes, He will say, "I can bring out a ray in you, and place you exactly where it can shine."  Christ has present thoughts about His sheep, - if rays of light shine on them, it is that they may shine from them.  You may have very little light, but the glimmer of a glow-worm shines out brightly in a dark night.  (Gleanings From the Teaching of G.V. Wigram)

N.J. Hiebert - 3963

January 29

" . . . about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; and sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms." 
(Acts 27:27,28) 

Those on board the ship, now having regained some hope after their seemingly hopeless ordeal, begin to show an interest in their progress.  This ought to be found in the life of one who is restored.  That is, there will be an increasing interest in where I am in my life - a concern as to whether I am making real spiritual progress.  Where before, there was only a desire for freedom and liberty to do my own will, real desire to make progress in my Christian life will be evident.  (The Journey of Life - Reflections on Acts 27 - DN)

N.J. Hiebert - 3964

January 30

"The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment."
(Proverbs 12:19)

Truth cannot be killed with the sword nor abolished by the law.

****

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
(Psalm 34:18)

God listens to our hearts rather than to our lips.
(Selected)

N.J. Hiebert - 3965

January 31 

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
(Matthew 11:29)

The godly Macarius of Optino was once told that his spiritual counsel had been helpful.

"This cannot be," Macarius wrote in reply.  "Only the mistakes are mine.  All good advice is the advice of the Spirit of God; His advice that I happen to have heard rightly and to have passed on without distorting it."

There is an excellent lesson here which we must not allow to go unregarded.  It is the sweet humility of the man of God who was enabled to say, "only the mistakes are mine."

He was fully convinced that his own efforts could result only in mistakes and that any good that came of his advice must be the work of the Holy Spirit operating within him.

Apparently this was more than a sudden impulse of self-deprecation, which the proudest of men may at times feel; it was rather a settled conviction that gave set and direction to his entire life.  His long and humble ministry which brought spiritual aid to many reveals this clearly enough.

It is our belief that the evangelical movement will continue to drift farther and farther  from the New Testament position unless its leadership passes from the modern religious star to the self-effacing saint who asks for no praise and seeks no place, happy only when the glory is attributed to God and himself forgotten!  (A.W. Tozer - Renewed Bay By Day)

N.J. Hiebert - 3966

February 1

"When He had given thanks, He broke it (bread), and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me."
(1 Corinthians 11:24)

Doing is an active thing.  Symbols are only representations.  So at the Lord's Supper, the Lord Jesus graciously emphasized the doing.  The symbols, though precious, are not the essence of the matter.  Why then, "This do"?  It is to help us to remember Him.  The Lord realized that our minds, though now willing and loving, are apt to be feeble and forgetful and so He instituted the precious feast, not as an end in itself, but to help us to remember Him in His death on the cross.  Do you love the remembrance feast as you should?  (Choice Gleanings - Mark Fenn)

Only bread, and only wine, but to faith the solemn sign;
Of the heavenly and divine.  We give Thee thanks O Lord
!
(Horatius Bonar)

N.J. Hiebert - 3967

February 2

"Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)

This is what is wrought in a soul when it is converted: there is a new life given, even Christ.  Hence there is much more than a change.  That would be very far short of the truth as to a Christian.  Of course the Christian is a changed man; but then the change is because of something still deeper.  A Christian is a man born again, possessing a life now, that he possessed not before.  I do not mean merely that he lives after a new sort, but that he has a new life given to him which he had not before.  It is in this way that he becomes a little child.  Then this new life has to be cultivated and strengthened.  Our natural life as men develops, or it may be checked and hindered by various circumstances.  So it is with the spiritual life.  (William Kelly - Lectures on the Gospel of Matthew)

N.J. Hiebert - 3968

Jan 29, 2010 at 15:28 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

January 24

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 5:16)

Annie Johnson Flint had no sympathy with those who made great profession of believing the whole Bible and yet were constantly manifesting a spirit contrary to all its deepest teaching. Her thought of the Bible was to have it transfered into the life that it transfigures. In one of her poems on "The World's Bible", she says,

We are the only Bible
The careless world will read,
We are the sinner's gospel,
We are the scoffer's creed,
We are the Lord's last message,
Given in deed and word.
What if the type is crooked?
What if the print be blurred
?
(Annie Johnson Flint)

N.J. Hiebert - 3959

January 25

"Grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

Wisdom and philosophy never found out God; He makes Himself known to us through our needs; necessity finds Him out.

The sinner's heart — yes, and the saint's heart too — is put in its right place in this way. I doubt much if we have ever learned anything solidly except we have learned it thus.

We never ought to be discouraged, because the Lord we trust in never fails, nor can. It is just in 2 Timothy, when all was in ruin and declension, that Paul looks for his dear son to be strong in the faith: there never is so good a time for it, because it is needed, and the Lord always meets need.

I have learned at the cross what God was to me as a sinner; and now I have to learn how He meets my wants as a saint, by feeling my need and bringing it to Him. To be hungry is not enough, I must be really starving to know what is in His heart towards me. When the prodigal was hungry he went to feed upon husks; but when he was starving, he turned to his father's house, and then learned the love of the Father's heart. (Pilgrim Portions for the Day of Rest - JND)

N.J. Hiebert - 3960

January 26

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you."
(2 Peter 1:2)

In grace and peace we have the Greek and Hebrew forms of greeting combined. But can we not also view them as cause and effect? Our Christian life only began when we came to know "the grace of God in truth," receiving "the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Then were our hearts thrilled with joy and filled with peace, a peace which put a new complexion on life and delivered us from fear of judgment. Have you experienced grace? Do you have peace? (W.P.W. McVey)

Grace is the sweetest sound
That ever reached our ears;
When conscience charged and justice frowned,
'Twas grace removed our fears
.
(T. Kelly)

N.J. Hiebert - 3961

January 27

"And whatsoever ye do, do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
(Colossians 3:23)

Integrity is more than not being deceitful or slipshod. It means doing everything "heartily as unto the Lord."

A year or so ago, a picture appeared in a magazine of the Statue of Liberty . . . taken from a helicopter and it showed the top of the statue's head. I was amazed at the detail there. The sculptor had done a painstaking job with the lady's coiffure, and yet he must have been pretty sure that the only eyes that would ever see this detail would be the uncritical eyes of seagulls. He could not have dreamt that any man would ever fly over this head. He was artist enough, however, to finish off this part of the statue with as much care as he had devoted to her face and her arms and the torch and everything that people can see as they sail up the bay. . . . When you are creating a work of art, or any other kind of work, finish the job off perfectly. You never know when a helicopter, or some other instrument not at the moment invented, may come along and find you out. (TCNL - March / April 1992)

N.J. Hiebert - 3962

Jan 19, 2010 at 00:07 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

January 17

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
(Colossians 3:23)

With God

To talk with God no breath is lost; - Talk on!
To walk with God no strength is lost; - Walk on!
To toil with God no time is lost; - Toil on!
Little is much, if God is in it;
Man's busiest day not worth God's minute:
Much is little every where,
If God the business doth not share.
So, work with God, - then nothing's lost;
Who works with Him does well and most.
(Submitted by a reader)

N.J. Hiebert - 3952

January 18

"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."
(John 10:11)

It is not enough when I wring my heart when I see Christ the Son of God becoming Son of man to bear all that He bore down here?  And then He went back to God.  Can I see Him here and see Him there, and not fall down and worship?  Oh, what a revelation of God in the Nazarene!  Can I know Christ and not know God?  Impossible!  And that Christ is my life, and the keeper of it.  He is my anointed Saviour.  I belong to Him.  Is it in the sheep to keep itself?  No, but in the Shepherd.  (Gleanings From the Teaching of G.V. Wigram)

N.J. Hiebert - 3953

January 19

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the the Word of God."
(Romans 10:17)

If we act upon the Word, and nothing else, we shall find God with us.  It will be called bigotry; but this is part of the reproach of Christ.  Faith will always appear proud to those who have none;  but it will be proved in the day of the Lord to be the only humility, and that everything which is not faith is pride, or no better.  Faith admits that he who has it is nothing - that he has no power nor wisdom of his own, and he looks to God.  May we be strong in faith, giving glory to Him!  (William Kelly)

N.J. Hiebert - 3954

January 20

"Let your life so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 5:16)

Norman Angell once introduced a friend in this way. 

"This is Harold.  He doesn't do anything.  He just is."

We shall be remembered more for what we are than for anything we do.  Deeds are always the product of our nature, and accurately reflect what is in us.  When we are judged by our deeds, it will be because the deeds wrongly done reveal the lack of Christian content in ourselves and not because of the deeds themselves.  In a very real sense what we do is an indication of what we are.
(Traveling Toward Sunrise)

A Christian never is - he is becoming.

N.J. Hiebert - 3955

January 21

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think . . ." (Ephesians 3:20)


God - Thou hast made the world so beautiful!
A flock of birds on pinions fleet and strong,
Then - though it were not yet enough to soar -
Gave to them a song.
God - Thou hast made the world so beautiful;
A bower of June with roses gay abloom,
Then - though it were not yet enough to grow -
Gave them perfume.
God - Thou hast made the world so beautiful;
A million beings, soul their priceless gem,
Then - though it were not yet enough to live -
Gave love to them.
(Theodosia Pearce)

All the wealth brought to earth from heaven above is yours as the gift of Christ's love.

N.J. Hiebert - 3956

January 22

"He . . . carried them all the days . . ."
(Isaiah 63:9)

The picture of Jesus with the little ones in His arms is very beautiful.  Jesus takes a child in His arms is very beautiful.  Jesus takes a child in His arms; there is love, tenderness, protection.  The bosom is the place of warmth, of affection, of intimacy, of confidence.  The encircling arms imply safety, support, shelter.  He lifted up a child and held it in His arms; so he carries His people through this world.  He does not merely tell them how to go, but He takes them on His shoulders, carrying not their burdens only, but themselves.  Thus He bears them on through life and through death.  (J.R. Miller)

Instead of trying to escape from our problems, let us try encompassing them with God.

N.J. Hiebert - 3957

January 23

"I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand."
(1 Corinthians 15:1)

Some time ago a poor weaver in Scotland preached a brief sermon on three texts:

- (1) "The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin."  He said: "That's ma sin awa."

- (2) "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God.  Ye are of more value than many sparrows."  "That's ma cares awa."

- (3) "We shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air."  "That's masel' awa." 
(Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care - George Henderson)

N.J. Hiebert - 3958

January 24

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 5:16)

Annie Johnson Flint had no sympathy with those who made great profession of believing the whole Bible and yet were constantly manifesting a spirit contrary to all its deepest teaching.  Her thought of the Bible was to have it transfered into the life that it transfigures.  In one of her poems on "The World's Bible", she says,

We are the only Bible
The careless world will read,
We are the sinner's gospel,
We are the scoffer's creed,
We are the Lord's last message,
Given in deed and word.
What if the type is crooked?
What if the print be blurred
?
(Annie Johnson Flint)

N.J. Hiebert - 3959

Jan 14, 2010 at 04:27 o\clock

Bible gems

My apologies for the advertising pop-up ads recently added to this blog site.  Additional Bible gems archived monthly back to 2003 can be found on a separate web site without any advertising.

You can read these Bible gems at http://biblegems.blogspot.com

Jan 13, 2010 at 16:43 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

January 11

"Let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee!"
(Psalm 5:11)

Do we hold dear the Lord's name?  The apostle found joy in declaring and suffering for His name.  The early church enjoyed fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ.  Bearing the Lord's name is not easy!  Paul was selected to suffer for Christ's name.  The Lord warned His disciples that they would be hated because of His name, but it they continued praying in His name, that His joy would abide in them.  The Lord chose not to make a name for Himself in His first advent.  Let us endeavor to joyfully make a name for Him now.  What a privilege to communicate the very name on earth which the Father has already exalted above all in heaven!  (Warren Henderson)

Name of Jesus!  Highest Name!
Name that earth and heav'n adore!
From the heart of God it came,
Leads me to God's heart once more. (G.T.)

N.J. Hiebert - 3946

January 12

"And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
(Acts 11:26)

Antioch in Syria (not in Pisidia) is where the name "Christian" was coined.  This was a Gentile city and the location of an early assembly composed of believers from among the Gentiles.  The city was notoriously famous for witty or scurrilous nicknames, and the name "Christians" was one of reproach and contempt.  These followers of the Man whom the world crucified were a despised lot.  In those days it cost something to be Christians, and they were indeed a marked and separated people.  As soon as mere professors came into the ranks, and it became less odious to be named a follower of Christ, the real truth of what a Christian is was lost.  

It is no longer a reproach in so called Christian countries, to be called a Christian, because professed Christianity and the world are almost indistinguishable.  King Agrippa used the name when he addressed Paul (Acts 26:28).  Peter in his first epistle says that to "suffer as a Christian" is a cause for thanksgiving (1 Peter 4:16).  May our thoughts of what a Christian is be formed by the Word of God, and may we be more marked as a people separated from the world that crucified Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Christian Truth - Vol. 22 - July 1969)

N.J. Hiebert - 3947

January 13

"Upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
(Matthew 16:18)

You cannot see the foundation, but that is what determines
how long a building will stand.

******

"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that 
proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
(Matthew 4:4)

The study of God's Word for the purpose of discovering God's will, is the
 secret discipline which has formed the greatest characters.

******

"The Pharisees which were with Him - said unto Him, are we blind also?  Jesus said unto them, if ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, we see; therefore your sin remaineth."
(John 9:40,41)

The blind with their hand in God's can see more clearly than those who 
can see who have no faith.
(Selected)

N.J. Hiebert - 3948

January 14

". . . the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works."  
(2 Timothy 3:15-17)

There is but one supreme and paramount authority, and that is the Word of God.  Scripture is all-sufficient.  We want absolutely nothing in the way of guidance and authority beyond what we possess in the holy Scriptures - that peerless, precious volume which our God has written for our learning.

No doubt it is only by the Holy Spirit we can understand, appreciate, or be guided by Scripture; and moreover, God may use a human voice or a human pen to help us; but Scripture is divinely sufficient.  It can make a child wise unto salvation; and it can make a man perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works

Now, having such a guide, such an authority, what becomes us as Christians - as children of God and servants of Christ?  Why, clearly to submit ourselves absolutely and unreservedly to its teachings in all things; we are bound, by every argument and every motive which can possibly sway the human heart, to test everything in which we are engaged, or with which we stand associated, by the Word of God; and if we find aught, no matter what, which will not stand that test, to abandon it at once and forever.  (C.H. Macintosh )

N.J. Hiebert - 3949

January 15

"That ye may be blameless and harmless,
the sons of God, without rebuke, 
in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine as lights in the world."
(Philippians 2:15)

We can see the reality of this New American Famine all around us.  Our culture - and the Christian subculture - has lost touch with Biblical knowledge and values.

What has been the result of this Biblical illiteracy?  We are experiencing a kind of spiritual lethargy and disorientation caused by lack of nourishment.  Unhealthy and unsatisfying cultural junk food - drugs, sensuality, moral relativism, non-theistic humanism and New Age ideas, to name a few - have moved in to fill the void.  Unfortunately, this is occurring not just in the society at large, but in churches and Christian families as well.  The question is no longer, "What do we believe?" but "Do we really believe in anything anymore?" 

The tragic irony is that all of this is happening at a time when there are more Christian books, magazines and broadcasters than ever before.  As another has said, "We're over-preached and under practiced."  The real application of Biblical principles in daily life needs to be brought center stage once again. But where do we begin?

We begin with you and me.  It isn't enough for us to shake our heads at this "crooked and perverse generation."  We need to examine ourselves.  How committed are we?  Is God's revealed truth the central reality of our lives?  Or have we, too, been numbed to its power?  (Selected - CNL March - April 1992)

N.J. Hiebert - 3950

January 16

"But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat . . .  then appeared the tares also.  . . . He said unto them, an enemy hath done this."
(Matthew 13:25,26,28)

It is evident that the tares were sown almost immediately after the good seed.  No matter what the work of God is, Satan is always close upon its heels.  When man was made, he listened to the serpent, and fell.  When God gave the law, it was broken even before it was committed into the hands of Israel.  Such is always the history of man.  (W. Kelly)

N.J. Hiebert - 3951

Jan 9, 2010 at 16:48 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

January 6

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
(2 Timothy 2:15)

George Mueller was asked what was the secret of his service? There was a day when I died, utterly died: Died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes and will, died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends, and since then I have studied only to show myself approved to God!

May we be able to say:

The service of Christ is the business of my life.
The will of Christ is the law of my life.
The presence of Christ is the joy of my life.
The glory of Christ is the crown of my life.
(Selected)

N.J. Hiebert - 3941

January 7

"Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."
(Revelation 22:7)

The first thing that His near return should effect in our hearts is renewed obedience to His precious Word. How sad it would be if when the Lord returns in the clouds to rapture His redeemed, they were found walking in sin and disobedience to His precious Word. He told His disciples (and tells all believers) in John 14:15; "If ye love Me, keep My commandments". Thus our Lord's first promise to come quickly is connected with our obedience to Himself through His Word.

We should expect Him to come at any moment. What a wonderful motive for obedience. Oh! that when He comes He will find His beloved saints walking obediently. "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psalm 119:11). (TCS)

N.J. Hiebert - 3942

January 8

"Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high."
(Hebrews 1:3)

All power in heaven and in earth is His, but the way He manifests that power is by His word. For instance, when He came up to the tomb of Lazarus - Lazarus had been lying there corrupting for four days. As the Son of God (Jesus) approaches that tomb, the power is all there, but it is the word that makes it effective. The word that said, "Lazarus, come forth," was in itself that which gave that carcass to be suddenly transformed into life - real, pulsating, human life - and come forth into light and life and joy, and association with the best that this world had - back to his loved ones, back to his home, and back to the side of the Son of God.

It was the power manifested by the word. Is that not wonderful? Someday that same power is going to be manifested on behalf of every one of us who knows the Saviour. Oh, yes, it is going to work in you mightily, and when it works in you it is going to take you right up into the glory of God (heaven); and you will inhabit that place for ever and ever with him. (C.H. Brown - 1944)

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January 9

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
(Galatians 6:14)

A born again Christian need never be disappointed by this world. Do you ask, How? Never expect anything from it. Always remember that it is the same world - even the polite and amiable part of it — that crucified your Saviour. The Apostle Paul was never disappointed by it. He said, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (P.Wilson)

N.J. Hiebert - 3944

January 10

"I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you."
(1 Corinthians 15:1)

Did you ever notice how quickly things get old or outdated?

I thought about this the other day as I taught my class at a Christian college. They're on the cutting edge by providing a laptop computer for each student. It wasn't too long ago when it was innovative for a college to have computers for students in the library. Then it was cutting edge to provide them for dorm rooms. But someday even personal laptops will become obsolete as well.

Everything man creates will eventually go out of date. Everything, that is, but the gospel. The gospel is over 2,000 years old. . . . the gospel is still as relevant today as it was when it was written.

The gospel is this: (1 Corinthians 15:1)
- Jesus Christ came to earth.
- Jesus Christ lived a perfect life.
- Jesus Christ gave up His life by being sacrificed on a cross.
- Jesus Christ was buried in a borrowed tomb.
- Jesus Christ was raised from the dead 3 days later.

Because He took our punishment for sin on Himself, He can forgive our sins and make us children of God if we put our faith and trust in Him (Acts 13:38-39).

Let the greatest story ever told make you brand-new - forever. It's the story that never grows old. (Adapted)

N.J. Hiebert - 3945

Jan 4, 2010 at 23:41 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

December 29

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men."
(Luke 2:14)

The introduction of the cross changes the aspect of things entirely

- There I find God dealing with sin in such a manner as to glorify Himself infinitely.
- I see the magnificent display and perfect harmony of all the divine attributes. 
- I see love, and such love as captivates and assures my heart, and weans it, in proportion as I realize it, from every other object. 
- I see wisdom, and such wisdom as baffles devils and astonishes angels. 
- I see power, and such power as bears down all opposition. 
- I see holiness, and such holiness as repulses sin to the very furthest point of the moral universe, and gives the most intense expression of God's abhorrence thereof that could possibly be given. 
- I see grace, and such grace as sets the sinner in the very presence of God - yea, puts him into His bosom. 

Where could I see all these things but in the cross
Nowhere else.  Look where you please, and you cannot find
aught that so blessedly combines those two great points, namely,
"glory to God in the highest," and "on earth peace
." 
(C.H. MACKINTOSH)

N.J. Hiebert - 3933

December 30

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
(1 Corinthians 3:6)
"He that watereth shall be watered also himself."
(Proverbs 11:25)

Paul planted the gospel seed.  Apollos watered the new believers by teaching the Word.  Water is a picture of the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26).  Christ gives the living water (John 4:10) that out of the believer may flow rivers of living water (John 7:38-39).  Today we need people like Apollos who will water God's people with His Word.  Even a cup of cold water will not be forgotten (Matthew 10:42)  (R. E. HARLOW)

Blest river of salvation,
Pursue thy onward way;
Flow thou to every thirsty soul,
O bless Thy Word today
!
(S. F. SMITH)

N.J. Hiebert - 3934

December 31

"Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. "
(John 15:2)

Without union there could be no living branch; without pruning there would be very little fruit.  The chief tool of the vinedresser is his knife.  Pruning looks merciless and wasteful, but it is done scientifically; there is no random cutting; nothing is cut away but what it is a gain to lose.  Let us note carefully that it is the fruitful branch that is pruned, just as it is the one whom God loves, that He chastens.  " For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth. "  (Hebrews 12:6)

Pruning is thus the perfect philosophy of Christians suffering.  Is there not an explanation here of many things in our lives difficult to understand?  The spiritual meaning of it came home to Lord Cecil on one occasion with comforting power.  In deep dejection of spirit, because of painful heart wounds, he was pacing to and fro in a botanic garden at Oxford, when he observed a fine specimen of the pomegranate, almost cut through the stem.  On asking the gardener for the reason, he received the following answer:  " Sir, this tree used to shoot so strong that it bore nothing but leaves.  I was therefore obliged to cut it in this manner; and when it was almost cut through, then it began to bear plenty of fruit."

Let us ever remember that the One with Whom we have to do - infinite in holy wisdom, as well as boundless in compassionate love - orders our stops as well as our steps.  "He breaks plans, quenches hopes, cuts off ambitions, denies comforts; nevertheless, every surgery, every mutilation of the living bough, is a deliberate design for richer, riper, clusters of holiness."  That is the end to which all is directed.  (HIS LAST WORDS by Henry Durbanville)

N.J. Hiebert 3935

January 1

Something New Tomorrow

"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
(2 Peter 3:13)

The year ends with a world in turmoil, sudden destruction possible.  Peter tells us of a coming catastrophe that sounds like an atomic holocaust.  How up-to-date,  ". . . the elements shall melt with fervent heat . . ." (2 Peter 3:10)!  But the Christian is looking not just for a new year but a new age - new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells.  "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be.  . . . diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless" (2 Peter 3:11,14).  While the world drinks and dances into the New Year to spend tomorrow with a hangover, let the Christian meet it on his keens and meet tomorrow with a hallelujah!  (All the Days by Vance Havner)

N.J. Hiebert - 3936

January 2

"His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." 
(Psalm 1:2)

Many of our New Year's resolutions may actually accelerate our pace of life instead of helping us to slow down.  In our quest for greater productivity and efficiency, we over schedule our days, then rush through meals, drive impatiently, and wonder why the joy of living eludes us.

Slowing down can positively affect our lives at work and at home.  Rushing can cloud our judgment and cause us to overlook important things and valuable people.  We should slow down and even consider the radicle idea of welcoming red traffic lights and using the waiting time to meditate.

In Psalm 1, there is no hint of a frenzied pace.  It describes a person who enjoys the blessing of God.  Instead of thinking and acting like those who rarely consider spiritual matters, "His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." (v.2)  The result is a fruitful life and a well-nourished soul (v.3).

Isaiah wrote, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee." (Isaiah 26:3).  Just for today, try thinking about that verse whenever you have to wait.  Isn't it time for all of us to slow down and live?  (Adapted)

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January 3

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
(1 Corinthians 10:12)

Be bold in what you stand for - and be careful for what you fall for.

***

"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again."
(Proverbs 24:16)

If you fall seven times stand up eight.

***

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us
."
(Hebrews 12:1)

Running with patience is perseverance in the long run.
(Selected)

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January 4

"And He touched his ear, and healed him."
(Luke 22:51)
"Ye are complete in Him."
(Colossians 2:10)

In a moment of passion, Peter had drawn his sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest.  We are sure that the Jewish authorities would have loved to have arrested and charged Peter as well as the Lord.  However, they lacked evidence.  Doctor Luke tells us that the high priest's servant's ear was restored to pristine condition - not even a scar to indict Peter.  Spiritually, we have been healed and forgiven completely through the same wonderful Physician.  God sees no evidence of our scars when we are seen in Christ.  What a salvation! What a Saviour!   (Brian Russell)

N.J. Hiebert - 3939

January 5

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
(John 3:36)

I have often had people come to me and say, "Oh, I do long for the assurance of my salvation.  I have come to Christ, I have asked God to save me.  I do believe that Jesus died for me.  But I am so miserable about my sins.  I have no assurance, I have no peace, I have no realization that God has accepted me."  I say to people like that, "Don't you fear, dear friend; no natural man seeks after God.  The fact that you are going through all these exercises is, in itself, a proof of your regeneration."

Take a corpse lying here and put 500 pounds of lead upon the breast of that corpse.  There is not a sign of distress.  Why?  Because the man is dead.  But if you put the 500 pounds upon a living man, what then do you have?  Groans of anguish, crying for deliverance.  Why?  Because there is life there. 

That is why people are so troubled about their sins.  Because there is life there, divine life.  God has already begun to work.  Therefore, if that is your case, thank God that His Spirit has begun to work in your soul, and be persuaded that, "He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ." 

Now take God at His word, believe what He has said about His blessed Son, and receive the peace that is rightfully yours.  No natural man receives the testimony of God, but "He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."  That is faith - nothing more nor less than believing that God means what He says.    (Gospel of John - H.A. Ironside)

N.J. Hiebert - 3940

Dec 28, 2009 at 17:49 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

December 22

"Behold I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."  
(Revelation 3:11) 
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
(Philippians 4:13) 

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, and you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't quit!

Life is tough with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the Victor's cup;
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close to the over comer's crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you can never tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;  
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worse that you mustn't quit.

For we know the Father above looks down,
He sees our struggles and holds a crown
He knows the way, though it's rough and drear,
He will give us strength, so we need not fear.
He offers to you the refreshing cup
Of the water of life; then in faith look up,
And struggle on till the crown is won,
Which He will give when our work is done.
 (Author Unknown)

N.J. Hiebert - 3926

December 23

"Wherefore He is ABLE  also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him,
seeing He ever liveth  to make intercession for them."
(Hebrews 7:25)

God is Able

God is able to save sinners in need. (Hebrews 7:25)
Able to strengthen us saints when we plead. (Romans 14:4)
Able to shepherd through life's murky mire (Jude 24)
Able to satisfy life's deep desire. (Ephesians 3:20)
Able to succor at each time and place, 
With supplies of His infinite grace. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
So in the doubting days common to man, 
Faith quickly answers, "With God I can!"
(TCNL)

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December 24

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen 
thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." 
(Psalm 27:14)   

We are bent upon doing something which God does not want us to do at all; upon going somewhere that God does not want us to go.  We pray about it, and get no answer.  We pray again and again, and get no answer. How is this?  Why, the simple fact is that God wants us to be quiet, to stand still, to remain just where we are.  Wherefore, instead of racking our brain, and harassing our souls about what we ought to do, let us do nothing but simply wait on God.  (FOOD FOR THE DESERT)

N.J. Hiebert - 3928

December 25

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah , though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall HE come forth unto Me 
that is to be Ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from Everlasting."  
(Micah 5:2)

"And the angel said unto them (shepherds) Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOUR, which is Christ the Lord."  
(Luke 2:10,11)

It was night and the world was slumbering when Christ the Lord was born. . . . Mary's family were poor.  Her poverty would naturally have kept her at Nazareth at such a time; hence all the world is set in movement to bring it about that Christ should be born at Bethlehem.  The Roman Emperor makes a decree that all the world shall be enrolled.  This evidences on the one hand the low estate of Israel as subject to the Gentile power; on the other hand, the faithfulness of God to His own word and promise, for it obliges Joseph to go up from Galilee to Judea "unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child." (Luke 2:4,5)  The whole world is set in motion politically to accomplish prophecy.

But though this is true, yet how sad to see the utter unconcern not only of Gentiles, but of Jews  as well.  Bethlehem slumbered when Christ the Lord was born. A few humble shepherds were the only ones who were brought into proximity to the mind of heaven at this stupendous moment in the history of the universe.

While earth slept, all heaven was astir - "Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God . . ." (Luke 2:13).  That moment revealed more than five hundred years years before to Daniel (Daniel 9:25-27) had come, the Messiah was born "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)  

The angels return to heaven, which seemed so near; and the shepherds go to Bethlehem where lay the holy Babe cradled in the manger, the emblem of that rejection at the hands of men which marked His entrance into a world which soon was to give Him but a cross.  Yet all the counsels of God were centered in that Babe.  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."  (A.H. BARRY - adapted)

N.J. Hiebert - 3929

December 26

"His name shall be called Emmanuel . . . God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

"The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) 

A few years ago a striking Christmas Card was published, with the title, "If Christ had not come."  It was founded upon our Saviour's words, "If I had not come." (John 15:22) The card represented a preacher falling into a short sleep in his study on Christmas morning and dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream he found himself looking through his home . . . In his library he noticed that every book about the Saviour had disappeared!

A ring at the door-bell, and a messenger asked him to visit a poor dying mother.  He hastened with the weeping child and as he reached the home he sat down and said, "I have something here that will comfort you." He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended at Malachi, and there was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and he could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair. 

Two days afterward he stood beside her coffin and conducted the funeral service, but there was no message of consolation, no word of glorious resurrection, no open Heaven, but only "dust to dust, ashes to ashes," and one long eternal farewell.  He realized at length that "He had not come," and burst into tears and bitter weeping in his sorrowful dream.  

Suddenly he woke with a start, and a great shout of joy ad praise burst from his lips as he heard the singing of a beautiful hymn:

"O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the king of Angels,
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord."

Let us be glad and rejoice today, because "He has come."  And let us remember the annunciation of the angel, 
"Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto 
you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 
(Luke 2:10,11)

"He comes to make His blessing flow,
Far as the curse is found."

May our hearts go out to the people in many lands who have no blessed Christmas day. 
 "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared." (Nehemiah 8:10)  
(STREAMS IN THE DESERT)

N.J. Hiebert - 3930

December 27

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: 
return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee.” 
(Isaiah 44:22)

 

Sin is the blot which defiles the glorious works of God; it is the cancer which, if it were permitted to spread unchecked, would consume the beauty of the universe; it is the curse which pierces the life of man with a thousand sorrows, and bows his head in memory of a thousand shames.  But it should be clearly understood that while God can never treat sin lightly, and while He may use even the devil's tauntings to increase our horror and hatred of it, He never harasses His people.  When He forgives, He choses not to remember them and, having learned the solemn lesson which our failure has taught us, it is wisdom on our part also to chose not to remember them.
 
The Bible makes a sevenfold declaration of what God has done with the sins of His people.  It affirms that they are: Expiated (Isaiah 6:7); Remitted (Luke 24:47); Buried (Micah 7:19); Obliterated (Isaiah 44:22); Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7); Cleansed (1 John 1:7); Remembered no more (Hebrews 10:17). (Submitted by S.L., a reader of the"Gems.")
 

“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17

 
N.J. Hiebert - 3931

December 28

"I will make him an help meet for him."
(Genesis 2:18)

"I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife."
(Revelation 21:9)

The Bible opens with a wedding and closes with a wedding.  Not surprising, since a wedding is at the heart of God's plans for all of eternity. God the Father will have a bride for His Son.  This is the reason why the sinless Son of God suffered, died, and rose again from the dead - to make ready a bride who would be righteous and would love Him for His great work to make her so.  May our heart's affection today be directed toward Him who loved us and gave Himself for us - our future Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. (FRANK BURGESS)

N.J. Hiebert - 3932

December 29

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men."
(Luke 2:14)

The introduction of the cross changes the aspect of things entirely.  

- There I find God dealing with sin in such a manner as to glorify Himself infinitely. 
- I see the magnificent display and perfect harmony of all the divine attributes.  
- I see love, and such love as captivates and assures my heart, and weans it, in proportion as I realize it, from every other object.  
- I see wisdom, and such wisdom as baffles devils and astonishes angels.  
- I see power, and such power as bears down all opposition.  
- I see holiness, and such holiness as repulses sin to the very furthest point of the moral universe, and gives the most intense expression of God's abhorrence thereof that could possibly be given.  
- I see grace, and such grace as sets the sinner in the very presence of God - yea, puts him into His bosom.  

Where could I see all these things but in the cross?  
Nowhere else.  Look where you please, and you cannot find 
aught that so blessedly combines those two great points, namely, 
"glory to God in the highest," and "on earth peace."  
(C.H. MACKINTOSH)

N.J. Hiebert - 3933

Dec 21, 2009 at 17:13 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

December 20

"And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto Him, Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head."
(Luke 9:57,58)

Christ puts him to the test.  You cannot go if you do not take up your lot with One who had not where to lay His head; for you may sooner go to the birds of the air for a nest, or to the foxes for a hole, than to the Son of Man for a home in this world.  They were not now to come to Him as the One who had the promises, but to One whose portion was utter and entire rejection.  Following Him could not be accompanied with ease and comfort here.  He was to be delivered into the hands of men.  At His birth we see the same things.  Every one found room in the inn save He, but any who wanted to find Him whom angels celebrate must go to the manger.  (J.N. DARBY)    

N.J. Hiebert - 3924

December 21

"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?
The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ
?"
(1 Corinthians 10:16)

How simple is the truth as to the remembrance of the death of our Lord as given us in 1 Corinthians 10:16, quoted above. 
When we as Christians partake of the loaf and the cup, we remember the Lord as He requested.  We do so in loving remembrance of Him in death.

"No blood, no altar now,
The sacrifice is o'er!
No flame, no smoke ascends on high,  
The lamb is slain no more.
But richer blood has flowed from nobler veins,
To purge the soul from guilt,
And cleanse the reddest stains
."
(Horatius Bonar, 1808-1889)

(From - Christian Truth - Vol. 19 - January 1966)

N.J. Hiebert - 3925

December 22

"Behold I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." 
(Revelation 3:11)
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
(Philippians 4:13)

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, and you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't quit!

Life is tough with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the Victor's cup;
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close to the over comer's crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you can never tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar; 
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worse that you mustn't quit.

For we know the Father above looks down,
He sees our struggles and holds a crown
He knows the way, though it's rough and drear,
He will give us strength, so we need not fear.
He offers to you the refreshing cup
Of the water of life; then in faith look up,
And struggle on till the crown is won,
Which He will give when our work is done.
 (Author Unknown)

N.J. Hiebert - 3926

 

Dec 18, 2009 at 22:18 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

December 17

The Eraser of Confession

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins."
(1 John 1:9)

From the time that Joseph Dixon (1827-1869) began producing the pencil during the US Civil War, the only substantial change in its design has been the addition of an eraser.  Consider for a moment this unique little writing stick.  At one end is a hard black point and at the other a small rubber tip.  This simple instrument can be used to scribble, sketch, compute complicated formulas, or compose lofty poetry.   But it can also quickly correct an error, change a figure, or start all over.

Each day the Christian inscribes words and deeds on the record of his personal history.  But as he reflects upon what he's said and done, he becomes aware that some of what's been written is not of the quality that will please the Saviour.  He remembers attitudes and actions that should never be part of a believer's life.  Yet these sins are forgiven and fellowship with God restored through honest confession and repentance.

In John's first epistle, he told us how to walk uprightly and enjoy fellowship with Christ and with one another.  But John was a realist, knowing that some of the pages of our composition would be marked by daily flaws and failures.  That's why 1 John 1:9 is such a blessed promise.  It tells us we can use the eraser of confession and start over.  (DENNIS DE HAAN)

We're thankful, Lord, that when we fall
We can begin anew
If humbly we confess our sin,
Then turn and follow Thee
.
(SPER)

Confession is the soil in which forgiveness flourishes.

Our Daily Bread, RBC ministries, Copyright (2006), Grand Rapids, MI.  Reprinted permission.

N.J. Hiebert - 3921 

December 18

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
(Psalm 91:1)

There is no short cut to the life of faith, which is the all-vital condition of a holy and victorious life.  We must have periods of lonely meditation and fellowship with God.  That our souls should have their mountains of fellowship, their valleys of quiet rest beneath the shadow of a great rock, their nights beneath the stars, when darkness has veiled the material and silenced the stir of human life, and has opened the view of the infinite and eternal, is as indispensable as that our bodies should have food.  Thus alone can the sense of God's presence become the fixed possession of the soul, enabling it to say repeatedly, with the psalmist, "Thou art near, O God."  (F.B. MEYER - DAIY MEDITATIONS FOR PRAYER)

Conscious nearness to God, entering into the inner sanctuary where His glory shineth, is both the inestimable privilege and the indispensable essential of true prayer.  To pray without a consciousness of God, without fellowship with Him is to make prayer empty and powerless.

N.J. Hiebert - 3922

December 19

" . . . all things work together for good to them that love God."
(Romans 8:28)

Fanny Crosby in her autobiography comments concerning the doctor who unwittingly caused her blindness as follows: "I have heard that this physician never ceased expressing his regret at the occurrence; and that it was one of the sorrows of his life.  But if I could meet him now, I would say, 'Thank you, thank you, over and over again for making me blind.' . . . Although it may have been a blunder on the physician's part, it was no mistake on God's.  I verily believe it was His intention that I should live my days in physical darkness, so as to be better prepared to sing His praises and incite others to do so."  Thus by a doctor's apparent mistake, God gave to the Church the wonderful heritage of a blind Fanny Crosby who, with her increased spiritual insight, was able to write thousands of enduring hymns.

A visitor once went to see an old lady who had very few earthly possessions - just a bed, an old chair, a table, a stool, and a cupboard.  After a little while the guest asked, "Do you never feel like murmuring at your difficult lot?"  "Well sometimes Satan does tempt me to complain, but then I just ask the Lord to put me into  my easy chair, and to keep me quiet."  The visitor looked around to see what she could mean, but all he saw was the hard stool and the broken armchair.  "I don't see any easy place for you to sit," he said.  "No, you misunderstand me," said the precious old saint.  "My easy chair is Romans 8:28.  It is always close by.  When I need it the Lord just sets me into it, and I am at rest and say to Satan, 'Now you be quiet!' "

Someone has said that in eternity we will probably thank God more for the difficulties of this earthly life than for some of the experiences that we now consider to be pleasant and desirable.  (SELECTED)

Stop sitting on the edge of the stool of worry; go and relax in the restful rocker of Romans 8:28

"God often empties our hands in order to fill our hearts; He gives us crosses here that we may wear crowns over there."  

N.J. Hiebert - 3923

 

Dec 15, 2009 at 18:07 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

December 14

"When they were come unto the place called 
Golgotha. . .  they crucified Him."
(Matthew 27:33,35)

Golgotha: the place of the skull.  If one approaches this holy, awful place with human reasoning alone, the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus would seem to be the most mindless act of all time.  But for those whose hearts having been opened by the Spirit of God, we can see that through this greatest miscarriage of justice ever enacted, our sins were put away - in perfect justice.  As we draw near to Golgotha today, may our hearts be open to the Spirit of God and may we worship in spirit and in truth.  (DREW CRAIG)

Can it be  true that Thou didst bear, upon the accursed tree,
My load of sin, its curse, its sting, its stripes, instead of me?

N.J. Hiebert - 3918
December 15
"All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over Me."
(Psalm 42:7)

Here is profound truth for the heart and conscience of a believer.  "All God's billows and waves" passed over the spotless Person of the Lord Jesus when He hung upon the cross; and, as a most blessed consequence, not one of them remains to pass over the person of the believer.  At Calvary, we see, in good truth, "the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven opened."

"Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of Thy waterspouts."  Christ drank the cup, and endured the wrath perfectly.  He put Himself, judicially, under the full weight of all His people's liabilities, and gloriously discharged them.  The belief of this gives settled peace to the soul.  If the Lord Jesus has met all that could be against us, if He has removed out of the way every hindrance, if He has put away sin, if He has exhausted the cup of wrath and judgment on our behalf, if He has cleared the prospect of every cloud, should we not enjoy settled peace?  Unquestionably.  Peace is our unalienable portion.  To us belong the deep and untold blessedness, and holy security, which redeeming love can bestow on the righteous ground of Christ's absolutely accomplished work.  (C.H. MACINTOSH)

N.J. Hiebert - 3919
December 16
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
(1 Corinthians 15:58}  

You who have put your faith in the Saviour, are you still going on for Christ?  Have you been distracted by the things of this world and thus now find yourself floundering in the Sea of Life, discouraged and distracted?  It's time for a fresh look at the Saviour.  Even after he witnessed the Lord's resurrection, the apostle Peter turned back to fishing and his old ways.  With a fresh look to the Saviour he turned his eyes from this earthly scene and went on in the Lord's work again - stronger, more steadfast and unmovable.   (JERRY PROCTOR)

N.J. Hiebert - 3920

Dec 12, 2009 at 15:37 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

December 12


"The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."
(Psalm 46:7,11)

"The God of Jacob."  Why not the God of Israel?  "The Lord of hosts" gives us the sense of His power; "the God of Jacob" tells us the kind of people He shows mercy to, and the omnipotence of that mercy.  None but God could have gone on with Jacob, and at the last brought him to worship as, in the weakness of death,  he leaned upon his staff.

"The God of Jacob."  How it appeals to us, for is there not something of Jacob in each of us?  Scheming, plotting, covetous man!  As Jacob, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, to commend him.  He took advantage of his brother's dire need to deprive him of his birthright.  He deceived his blind old father to secure it.  His aftercourse was marked by intrigue and weakness.  And yet the psalmist at a later date could write, "The God of Jacob is our refuge."

Was it that God condoned Jacob's plotting and wickedness?  Far be the thought.  And if we find, even as Christians, the tendency to evil within and constant failure that only our God knows, is it that He can go on with sin?  We may be outwardly irreproachable in conduct; but how many, nay, all of us, mourn over our weakness and inconsistency?  How, then, can God be the God of Jacob - our God?  

Is it not that He breaks down the Jacob in us?  Do we not all halt upon our thighs more or less?  Step by step God weakened Jacob till at length, in the very weakness of death, he could, leaning on his staff, worship. 

And so "The God of Jacob" deals with us.    

May we trust "The Lord of hosts" more - may we submit to the way of "the God of Jacob" with us, and blessing will result.  What a God is ours!  How perfect are His ways!  (A.J.P.)   

N.J. Hiebert - 3916

December 13

"He shall stand upon the earth."
(Job 19:29)

Greater Than Walking on the Moon

Colonel James Irwin, related how he stood on the moon seeing Planet Earth suspended in space, glowing like an iridescent jewel.  He said that as he walked on the surface of the moon his thought was - "Man walking on the moon - this is the greatest event of human history!"  But at that very moment he heard an inner voice quietly speak to his heart; "I did something greater than that - I WALKED ON THE EARTH!"

Colonel Irwin returned from the moon a different man - not with a desire to be a celebrity but to walk as a servant of the Lord of the universe - the Lord Jesus Christ - who came from glory and walked on earth.

The greatest event this world has ever experienced is the incarnation - God manifest in flesh in the Person of the Son.  The fullness of the Godhead clothed in the garb of humanity.  The infinite becoming the humble Servant.  The Sovereign becoming the Saviour.  Another expressed: "The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ into the world is the most stupendous event of human history."

"He shall stand upon the earth" (Job 19:29).  This remarkable declaration of Job, anticipated centuries in advance of our Lord's coming to earth, was for Job his great hope.  It enabled him to endure and maintain his faith amid the fiercest of trials as God lovingly dealt with His dear child.

What a grand realization!  Our redeemer has come to earth and given His life a ransom for many.  Because He came, died on the cross and rose again the third day, we can say with even greater confidence than Job, "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:26).  (ANON, ADAPTED - TCS - DECEMBER 2008)

N.J. Hiebert - 3917

Dec 10, 2009 at 15:09 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

December 9

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will." (Proverbs 21:1)

"Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?"
(Proverbs 20:24)

There is no monarch so great that he can act in independence of God.  Whether he owns it or not, Jehovah is controlling him as He controls the flow of the water brooks.  He who "hath His way in the whirlwind and the storm" can make the wrath of man to praise Him, and restrain the remainder thereof. 
(H.A. IRONSIDE NOTES ON PROVERBS)

N.J. Hiebert - 3913

December 10

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
(Proverbs 22:6)

The whole business of Christian education is summed up in two brief sentences: Count on God for your children, and, train your children for GodThe first without the second is lawlessness; the second without the first is legality; to take both together is sound, practical Christianity.

It is the privilege of all Christian parents to count upon God for their children with all confidence.  There is, however, in the government of God, an inseparable link connecting this privilege with solemn responsibility as to training.  For parents to speak of counting on God for the salvation of their children and for the moral integrity of their future career in this world while the duty of training is neglected is simply a miserable delusion.

We press this solemnly upon all Christian parents, especially upon those who have just entered upon the relationship.  There is great danger of shirking our duty to our children, shifting it over upon others, or neglecting it altogether.  We do not like the trouble of it; we shrink from the constant worry.  But we shall find that the trouble, worry, sorrow, and heart-scalding arising from the neglect of our duty will be a thousand times worse that all that can be involved in the discharge of it.

To every true lover of God there is deep delight in treading the path of duty.  Every step taken in that path can always count upon the infinite resources that we have in God when we are keeping His commandments.  We have simply to take ourselves, morning by morning, hour by hour, to our Father's exhaustless treasury, and there get all we want in the way of grace and wisdom and moral power, to enable us to discharge aright the holy functions of our responsibilities as Christian parents.   (C.H. MACKINTOSH)

N.J. Hiebert - 3914

December 11

"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies."
(Psalm 119:59)

Seeing God's work in our lives puts a new song on our lips.

As we draw near to Christ we are drawn near to each other.

No one is beyond the reach of God's love.

If you're searching for nuggets of truth, the Bible is a gold mine.

We don't need more of the Spirit; the Spirit needs more of us.

Living daily for Christ requires dying daily to self. 

If God didn't have a purpose for us, we wouldn't be here.
(SOME THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER - R.K.)

N.J. Hiebert - 3915

Dec 7, 2009 at 21:07 o\clock

Gems worth pondering

December 6

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
(Philippians 2:13)

When we know that it is God who works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, ought there not to be fear and trembling, and a solemn feeling - not on the ground of what we are, but of what God is doing in us?  If He has taken me up for Christ, and is blessing me and working in me, to make me like Christ, there ought to be a very practical feeling in my soul as to walk.  (G.V. WIGRAM - GLEANINGS)

N.J. Hiebert -  3910

December 7

"Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me."
(Luke 22:42)

What anguish in Gethsemane drew the blood-like sweat from the Man of Sorrows as He contemplated "this cup."  Peering into its sable depths, He knew it's loathsome consequence, to be "made sin."  In that cup, He "saw the place afar off," the "land not inhabited" where He must go to bear away the sin of the world.  This was not a battle of two disparate wills, but the blending of two individual wills, eternally in perfect and holy harmony, to fulfill the divine purpose, "I come to do Thy will, O God."  (J. BOYD NICHOLSON)

N.J. Hiebert - 3911

December 8

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think . . . be glory . . . throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen."
(Ephesians 3:20,21)

Many gaze in wonder at the pyramids of Egypt.  Contemplate with wonder and amazement this Scripture pyramid:

Ask
All that we ask
All that we ask or think
Above all that we ask or think
Abundantly above all that we ask or think
Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think
Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.
My heart rejoices in God's will, 'tis ever best - I do not doubt;
He may not give me what I ask, but gives me grace to do without.
O blessed, hallowed will of God, to it I bow with heart devout.
(TCNL)

N.J. Hiebert - 3912