Bible Gems

October 12

"I call to remembrance my song in the night."  (Psalm 77:6)
 
    I have read somewhere of a little bird that will never sing the melody his master wishes while his cage is full of light. He learns a snatch of this, a bar of that, but never an entire song of its own until the cage is covered and the morning beams shut out.
    A good many people never learn to sing until the darkening shadows fall. The fabled nightingale carols with his breast against a thorn. It was in the night that the voice of the angels was heard. It was at midnight that they cry came, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him."
    Indeed it is extremely doubtful if a soul can really know the love of God in its richness and in its comforting, satisfying completeness until the skies are black and lowering.
    Light comes out of darkness, morning out of the womb of the night.
    James Creelmam, in one of his letters, describes his trip through the Balkan States in search of Natalie, the exiled Queen of Serbia. "In that memorable journey," he says,
"I learned for the first time that the world's supply of attar (fragrant oils) of roses comes from the Balkan Mountains. And the thing that interested me most, "he goes on, "is that the roses must be gathered in the darkest hours. The pickers start out at one o'clock and finish picking them at two.
    "At first it seemed to me a relic of superstition; but I investigated the picturesque mystery, and learned that actual scientific tests had proven that fully forty percent of the fragrance of roses disappeared in the light of day."
    And in human life and human culture that is not a playful fanciful conceit; it is a real veritable fact.  (Malcolm J. McLeod - Streams in the Desert)   
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3490 

October 13

"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death." (Song of Solomon 8:6)
 
    The story of love is a promise, set as a seal upon the heart and arm of God.  Promised by a heart that cares; provided by an arm that bears - a seal that cannot be broken  in a world of broken dreams.  The glory of love is its power - strong as death.  Wedding vows limit love's responsibility - "Until death do us part," but His love knows no limit.  It weds love and death together, pronouncing, "greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," (John 15:13) and then goes beyond even that  -  He laid down His life for us when we were enemies.  What a Saviour! 
(Rex Trogdon) 
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3491

October 8

"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 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)
 
    Since redemption's work is accomplished and Jesus glorified, the personal presence of the Holy Spirit on earth is the consequence; and He is the strength and joy of our hearts during the absence of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The disciples seem to have had a foretaste of this joy on the occasion referred to above.
    Nevertheless the Lord's absence still leaves a blank in the hearts of His own, which can never be filled till they see Him.  Therefore the disciples hail with joy the words which fell from the lips of the two heavenly witnesses, who assured these "men of Galilee," who stood looking up into heaven, that this same Jesus, who had been taken up from them into heaven, should so come in like manner as they had seen Him go into heaven.
 
"Tis the treasure we've found in His love
   That has made us now pilgrims below." 
 
And when the Treasure was taken to heaven, the hearts of them that were set upon it were taken there too;  "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  (Matthew 6:21)   (Selected)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3486 

October 9

"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever
therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."  (James 4:4)
 
Whatever may be their ignorance, if the children of God make any alliance with the world, and thus pursue a line of conduct opposed to their true character, they will assuredly find disappointment.  (J.N. Darby)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3487 

October 10

"While He (Jesus) yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He saith . . . BE NOT AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE." (Mark 5:35,36)   
 
The Lord took no notice of the messenger.  He thought only of the effect of the message upon the ruler's heart; and in His infinite grace He immediately covered him with the shield of faith.  "Be not afraid, only believe."  Precious words!
 
- Words which can carry the soul through every difficulty and every danger,
- Words for a sickbed or a chamber of death,
- Words for all circumstances, all places, and all conditions,
- Words of comfort and consolation for the poor, sinking, fainting, tottering heart. 
"Be not afraid, only believe."  (C.H. Mackintosh) 
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3488 

October 11

"Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.  And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother?  And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:8,9)   
 
Cain threw back an accusation against God when he was challenged, "Where is Abel thy brother?"  He replied with a lie, "I know not," and then added, "Am I my brother's keeper?"  By this last remark Cain charged God with not looking after the one whom He had approved and accepted.  This is the world's plight now.  God sent His beloved Son into it in love, and men killed Him.  God has not forgotten this, though it may seem so to Cain's present followers; nor is God in the least indifferent to it.  He will yet vindicate His Son and judge the world in righteousness "by that man whom He hath ordained" (Acts 17:31); and the resurrection of Christ from the dead is the evidence that Christ will be the judge.  (Selected)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3489

October 6

October 7

 

October 4

"Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.  And he said unto the woman (Eve), yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"  (Genesis 3:1) 
 
The first question of the Bible belongs to Satan and he used it to project doubt on what God said.  It was a leading question, designed not to provoke rational thought, but to instill doubt and invoke rebellion.  The tactic worked on the woman, who quickly slid from the ground of faith into human reasoning.  The first question was rank with unfairness, "Could God be good and yet limit you in such an unfair way?"  Satan still tries the same tactics.  Trust God.  His Word alone is utterly trustworthy.  (Warren Henderson)
 
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know "Thus saith the Lord." (L.S.)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3482 

October 5

"But he (Stephen) . . . looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God . . . and they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  And when he had said this, he fell asleep."  (Acts 7:55,59,60)
 
Looking at past failure, you will constantly find that it arose from settling things according to circumstances.  I cannot settle anything myself; if I am in His presence, I get my guidance from the Lord in His circumstances - from the Son of God up there.  It is a blessed fact that there is a Man in heaven, in the highest possible glory on the throne of God, and that Man has a heart to enter into everything, where His people would not be able to move for themselves.  Is His heart less occupied, His eye less fixed on me than it was on Stephen?  No; the curtain was drawn back for him, and I never expect that, but it is equally true to faith.  (Gleanings From the Teaching of G.V Wigram)   
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3483

September 28

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."  (Proverbs 3:5,6)
 
- It is one thing to rest in God's blessings, and another thing to rest in Himself.
- It is one thing to trust God, when I have before my eyes the channel through which the blessing is to flow; and quite another thing to trust Him when that channel is entirely stopped up.
- God looks for reality, and honours it where He sees it.
- Without trial we can be but theorists, and God would not have us such; He would have us entering into the living depths that are in Himself.
- Faith can do without every one and everything but God.
(Food for the Desert)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3476

September 29

"Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty."  (Judges 5:23)
 
The word about the inhabitants of Meroz, has a stirring message for us all.
 
- "Curse ye Meroz", said the Lord.
- What has Meroz done?  "Nothing."
- Why then is Meroz to be cursed?
- Because Meroz did nothing!
- What ought Meroz to have done?
- Gone to the help of the Lord.
- Could not the Lord do without Meroz?
- The Lord did do without Meroz.
- Did the Lord sustain any loss?
- No, but Meroz did.
- Is then Meroz to be cursed?
- Yes, and that bitterly.
- Is it right that a man should be cursed for doing nothing?
- Yes, when he ought to be doing something.
 
In contrast to the people of Meroz:
 
- We ought to do all the good we can,
- By all the means we can,
- In all the ways we can,
- In all the places we can,
- At all the times we can,
- To all the people we can,
- As long as ever we can.
 
And let us remember that now is the accepted time for the exercise of these sacred ministries.  (Winsome Christianity - Henry Durbanville)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3477

September 30

"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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."  (2 Timothy 3:16)
 
    If the Bible had been written by one individual, or even two, the argument we are about to adduce would not be so powerful, but when we reflect that the Bible is not one consecutive Book, but is composed of sixty-six books, and that in spite of that fact it is indeed one Book, each contribution fitting like stones shaped and polished into a symmetrical whole, each contribution complementary of the rest, we are obliged to believe that there is a Master mind behind it, in short that the Bible is God-breathed, inspired, that God Himself is its Author.
    Bind together sixty-six medical works, or political works, or even theological works, and you would find one writer affirming what another denies; one writer praising what another blames; one writer stating what he believes to be exalted truth, another denouncing it as utter folly.  (Why I Believe the Bible - A.J Pollock)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3478

October 1

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice."  (Psalm 55:17)
 
TIME TO PRAY
 
I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish,
That I didn't take time to pray.
 
Problems just tumbled about me
And heavier came each task;
Why doesn't God help me I wondered?
He answered, "YOU DIDN'T ASK."
 
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "BUT YOU DIDN'T SEEK".
 
I woke up early this morning,
and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish.
That I had to take time to pray.
(Submitted by a reader (T.R.)of the "Gems.")
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3479

October 2

"Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water."  (Matthew 14:27,28)
 
    This was scarcely presumption, or his Master would not have said, "Come."  It was rather the ardour of affection.  For a while Peter walked the sea as securely as the Lord Himself; but presently noticing the roughness of the wind, his heart failed him, and he began to sink.  Our safety to-day lies in "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2).  This keeps the heart serene in the midst of life's stormiest billows.  Peter could not have traversed the most placid sea apart from divine aid; but this was amply sufficient to uphold him in safety upon the  wildest sea.
    In his distress Peter appealed to the Lord alone.  "Lord, save me."  Let us imitate the devoted apostle in this.  Are any in distress concerning their sins, and fearful of the wrath to come?  Are others in perplexity and need as to the affairs of daily life?  Let us turn to Christ alone, who is indeed the only Mediator between God and men.  No one has such a heart to care as He; and certainly no created being can furnish us with even a modicum of needed grace.  Our souls are absolutely shut up to Christ for blessing of every kind.  To know Him is to trust and adore Him.  The incident closes with the disciples worshipping at His feet, exclaiming "of a truth Thou art the Son of God" (Matthew 14:33).  That night at sea yielded to them its blessings for eternity.  (W.W. Feredy - Peter the Apostle)
 
NJ. Hiebert # 3480

October 3

"As thou goest step by step, the way shall open up before thee."
(Proverbs 4:12, Hebrew Version)
"And the Lord shall guide thee continually."  (Isaiah 58:11)
 
A father and his son were camped in a wooded area a little ways from the nearest village.  The father had a letter which needed mailing and asked his son to take it to the post office in the village.  The father took his son to the edge of camp and showed him the trail which led to the village.  "But father," said the little boy, "I don't see how that path will ever reach town."  The father took his hand in his and pointed explaining, "See down the trail to that big tree where the trail seems to come to an end?"  "Oh, yes, I see that the path goes that far; but the village is not there!"  "Well, when you get to that big tree, you will see further on around the bend and down the trail.  Just go to the tree and then follow the trail until you come to the next corner, then look ahead and follow it some more until you see some houses.  When you come to the houses, you will see the post office.  There you can mail my letter!"
 
I know not when or where I go from this familiar scene;
But He is here and He is there, and all the way between.
And when I pass from all I know, to that dim, vast unknown,
Though late I stay or soon I go, I shall not go alone.
  
The love of God quite as often withholds the view of the entire distance of the winding path through life.  He reveals it to us step by step and from corner to corner.  Hence it is necessary to trust Him to lead, for He can see around the bend in the road.  He knows what lies ahead, and whether we can cope with the situation now or later.  He consults our wants, not our wishes, like a wise and loving Father.  His corners are not the end of the way.  Corners discipline faith, teach us patience to walk step by step, and fit us for blessing.  Because our vision is limited, it causes us to continually seek His guidance.  (Selected)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3481

September 26

"Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee."  (Job 22:21)
 
    You are called to know God.  That was always true, but you are now called to know God in Christ.  Oh that the world may not get into our hearts in such sort as to make us incapable of enjoying God!  He is leading us from circumstances by the communication of the divine nature to the knowledge and enjoyment of God.  If I am in sorrow, God is my comfort; if I have suffered loss, Christ is everything to me.  We are to cast all our cares upon Him, great  and small; and so "The peace of God shall keep our hearts and minds by Christ Jesus."  Is His throne shaken by our cares, because they are so many, and so great?  No; His throne is unaffected by them all.  Thus, while it is applicable to the commonest cares, all these things but bring us into the knowledge of God.
    May our communion and fellowship be such as that we may know His peace; not peace with Him, but the peace in which He dwells; to know that His throne is not disturbed by all our cares, and thus to know Him, and find our joy in Him, and wait to be like Him, "purifying ourselves even as He is pure!" (1 John 3:3)  (J.N. Darby)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3474

September 27

"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."  (2 Corinthians 5:8)
 
    Those of us who have watched in sadness as someone close to us has died may wonder about their new existence.  Our hearts ache to know what they are doing or where they are.  If they had trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour, we know they are in heaven.  But, for now, a veil separates us from our loved ones and we cannot see behind it.
    We do have a few clues about this mystery, though.  We know that our departed loved ones are enjoying God's presence (2 Corinthians 5:8).  We also know that they are recognizable and conscious of their surroundings - just like the rich man and the beggar Jesus spoke of in Luke 16:22-23.  And we know that they haven't yet received the perfect body that will be theirs when Christ returns to snatch up all the redeemed ones.  
 
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)
 
    Beyond that, we are left with this truth: God, in His matchless love and power, is planning a glorious reunion. Then, our eternal rejoicing will begin. The last page of this great mystery has a happy ending.  (Selected)
      
The Lord has promised to prepare
A place in heaven above -
A home where we will always be
With Him and those we love.
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3475

September 22

"I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right;
and I hate every false way."  (Psalm 119:128)
 
Three boys went down to a spring to fetch a pail of water.  One carried a pail that was brown inside and out, and another likewise a green pail, and the third a blue.  Upon looking into the pails the boys discovered that the water in each pail appeared brown, green and blue respectively.  Each boy might be convinced that the true water colour is what is found in his pail until, of course, the water is poured out and the truth becomes evident.  So it is often with us and the Word of God.  The 'truth' sometimes takes on the 'colours' of the bearer and, if it isn't 'poured out' for all to see, we can become convinced that the truth IS only as I see it.  (Submitted by a reader of the Gems - D.M.) 
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3470

September 23

New Hearts Need Careful Tongues
 
"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."  (James 1:26)
 
    We know that the heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) but here, it is deceived. A true believer with a new heart can deceive that heart by not being careful with his tongue.  How often we speak unseemly things about others, even passing false reports about friends or brethren which we may not even realize we are doing.  Sadly often this happens when preceded by these words, "We need to pray for..." and then we repeat an unkind or even untrue thing about that person.  Thus an unruly tongue is cloaked in the guise of religion and care for that person, when in reality we have but deceived our own hearts.
    May we earnestly pray to the Lord  "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:30)  Do we not often have to hang our heads in shame for what we unwisely, unkindly, and unguardedly have spoken against someone.  May the Lord help us to judge a careless tongue that presents itself in a "religious" form, but in reality is an unjudged tongue.  How much pain, sorrow and tears an unruly tongue can cause to others and ourselves.  (TCS - July 2005)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3471

September 24

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."  (Psalm 40:1-3)
 
I was in a slimy pit and needed help.  It was impossible to pull myself out.  But through His work on the cross, the Lord Jesus pulled me from that horrible pit.  He paid the debt of my sins and He has become the Rock on which I stand.  He has given me a new heart and a new song.  What He has done for me, He can do for you.  Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.  (V. Gaynier)
 
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the Rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love
And covers me there with His hand.
(Fanny Crosby)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3472

September 25

"Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."  (Colossians 4:12)   
 
It is only where divine affections for the people of God exist in the heart, as so markedly exemplified in Moses and in Paul, as well as in Daniel and Ezra, that there can be power in intercession on their behalf.  And may it not be suggested that the urgent need of to-day is that of intercessors? holy men and women who, divinely taught and filled with the Spirit, shall be enabled, like Epaphras, to labour fervently for the saints in prayer.  (Edward Dennett)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3473

September 19

"Ye shall do my judgments, and keep Mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God."  (Leviticus 18:4)

The Word of God must settle every question and govern every conscience.  There must be no appeal from its solemn and weighty decision.  When God speaks, every heart must bow.  Men may form and hold their opinions; they may adopt and defend their practices; but one of the finest traits in the character of "the Israel of God" is profound reverence for, and implicit subjection to, "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord."  The exhibition of this valuable feature may, perhaps, lay them open to the charge of dogmatism (positive or arrogant assertions, as of belief, without proof), superciliousness (haughty, contempt or indifference), and self-sufficiency, on the part of those who have never duly weighed the matter; but, in truth, nothing can be more unlike dogmatism than simple subjection to the plain truth of God; nothing more unlike superciliousness than reverence for the statements of inspiration; nothing more unlike self-sufficiency than subjection to the divine authority of Holy Scripture.  (C.H. Mackintosh - Notes on Leviticus)

N.J. Hiebert # 3467

September 20

"And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints." (Revelation 5:8)

That last clause is very peculiar, as connected with the grace of God in His own proper nature.  There are things His people suffer from, and that He never forgets.  All their prayers are treasured up before God - their tears are put in His bottle, and treasured up.  What! the sorrow I have forgotten, has God put that down?  Is that one of the things that will shine?  He can use all for His glory; but can the prayers and groans of a saint be kept and have a special place, be an odour of a sweet savour to God?  The sinner does not know this; but a poor broken one can say, "Not only does God remember my prayers, but He puts it by on His throne, like the pot of manna which He wanted to be laid up,  to be remembered as a trophy of the way He carried His people through the wilderness."  And so will their prayers tell there what their special need of His presence was here.  "Golden vials."  Gold marks the divine character of that by which they are kept; the odour, a fragrant incense going up; the fragrance ever the same.  Is that said of the prayers of the saints?  Yes; not one of them is lost.  The Lord Jesus knew them all; they were ever before God.  (G.V. Wigram)  

N.J. Hiebert # 3468

September 21

"If Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt." (Romans 4:2-4)

To earn salvation by works would be to put God in man's debt.  He would owe it to the successful worker to save him.  This is the very opposite of grace, which is mercy shown "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly." (Romans 4:5)  It is his faith that is counted for righteousness.  To this then Abraham bears testimony.  And David too is heard singing the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness without works, when he cries in Psalm 32: "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."  In the Psalm the Hebrew word for "covered" means "atoned for."  This is the gospel.  Atonement has been made.  Therefore God does not impute sin to the believer in His Son, but imputes righteousness instead.  (H.A. Ironside - Lectures on Romans)

N.J. Hiebert # 3469

 

September 15

"For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,  and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12) 
 
When the people of God are feeding upon Christ, they are getting a sword for the enemy.  God can use even feeble and partial apprehensions of Christ as a most effective weapon.  The lad had but five barley loaves of bread, yet these were enough in the Lord's hand to feed the multitude.  So it is ever.  Will we not learn the simple lesson?  Weakness, helplessness, nothingness - in Christ's hands will win the day against all the power of the world.  The Lord grant that we may know more of this practically, for the sake of Christ our Lord, and the help of His church.  (Ridout)  
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3463

September 16

"I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."  (Hebrews 13:5)
 
    One time a Christian man was walking with John Wesley.  Rehearsing his many troubles, he said he did not know what to do.  They approached a stone fence, over which a cow was looking.
    "Why is that cow looking over the wall?"  Wesley asked.
    "I don't know," replied the man.
    "I'll tell you," said Wesley: "because she can't look through it.  That is what you must do with your troubles - look over them."
    In Christ we can look over our troubles.  We cannot see through many of the things we are called upon to bear in life; but trusting the Lord, we can look over them, for has He not proven his infinite love and care for us!  (Selected)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3464

September 17

"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." 
(Exodus 14:13)
"Sit still . . . until thou know how the matter will fall." 
(Ruth 3:18)
"Be still, and know that I am God." 
(Psalm 46:10)
 
How difficult, yet how essential it is, to be still.  How we tend to be impatient, to be restless, and to be always hurrying.  But whether for salvation, for guidance, or for comfort, we must learn to be still and wait for Him who, in His own time, will graciously come to our aid and meet our need.  (Jim Flanigan)  
 
Be still, my soul - the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide,
In every change He faithful will remain.
(Katherina von Schlegel)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3465

September 18

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven . . . and the dead in Christ shall
rise first: then we which are alive . . . shall be caught up together with
them . . . to meet the Lord in the air."  (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17)
 
    Many years ago there was a beautiful custom in Sicily.  When fishermen went to sea, their wives, children and sweethearts accompanied them to the shore.  As they embarked, all raised their voices in a hymn of supplication to God for His protection.  This was followed by a hymn of praise.  Those in the receding boats and those on shore blended their voices in an antiphony of trust and devotion until the voices of the fishermen faded away.
    As we say goodbye to our loved ones who have died in the Lord, we are comforted in knowing that the separation is only temporary.  When we awaken with the likeness of Christ in glory we'll see them again and be forever with the Lord.  (Selected)  
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3466 

 

September 12

"And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, what mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, it is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover."  (Exodus 12:26,27)
 
The Word of God has power as enacted by the Spirit of God to affect our lives. The practical side must be worked out by those who will apply it and do it making it a part of their lives.  Sin, pictured as leaven, is always present around us and must be done away with to provide a clean vessel fit for the Master's use.  What we do according to His Word stands as a question in the hearts of those who do not participate.  Our children must not only know we stand for what we believe but they must see us standing and walking in the truth as we know it.  (B.R. - Meditations in Exodus) 
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3460 

September 13

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures."  (1 Corinthians 15:3)
 
    "Christ died for out sins."  That is the brief record of the greatest and most wonderful event in God's moral universe.  The patriot dies for his country; the martyr dies for his faith; the loving and devoted mother would willingly die for her suffering child; and "peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die."  (Romans 5:7)
    Self-sacrifice is common enough, and it is noble, beautiful.  But, the self-sacrifice of Christ!  Is there anything to compare with it? Comparison is impossible.
It has no parallel, and can have none.  It is altogether exceptional and unique.  "Christ died for OUR SINS."  Of no one else can that be said in the sense in which it is it said of Him. Of no one is it said.  Of no other being in the universe could it be said.  And it could not have been said of Him if He had not been God as well as man.  And now, "Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified." (Acts 13:38)  (Christian Truth - Vol. 15 - May 1962)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3461

September 14

"For as he thinketh in his heart so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)
 
- Duties are more apt to lead the soul from God than open sin.  Many a Christian has been ensnared by duties, whose heart would have shrunk from open sin.  But we have only one duty in all the varying circumstances of life: to serve HIM.
- Hypocrisy is the pretension to be what I am not.  Guile is the attempt to cloak what I really am.
- Love is the spring of obedience.  Any obedience that does not spring from love is legality, servility and selfishness.
(TCN)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3462

September 4

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Yea a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works."  (James 2:14-18)  
 
    A rich farmer, during his prayer at family worship one day, petitioned God long and earnestly that help for their bodily needs might be sent to a poor family living nearby.  His small son was observed to be in deep thought afterwards, and at last he ran to his father with a bright face. "Daddy," said the child, "you can answer your prayer for the poor Smiths, yourself, can't you?"  That is a modern interpretation and a very pungent application of the great passage quoted above.  "My little children," says the loving-hearted John, "Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18).  From this we learn that emotional fervour and eloquent  expressions are of little value; but, that practical deeds are of vital importance.  (Henry Durbanville - Winsome Christianity)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3452

September 5

"Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed . . . by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true." (2 Corinthians 6:3,8)
 
    Paul says, "Through evil report and good report," he did not stop to explain; a true servant of God has not time for that, and to defend yourself only leads to further charges.
    We are never to seek to vindicate ourselves when it is a personal matter, but when the Lord's name is dishonoured for His glory we may speak.
    You never find the Lord defending Himself.
    Your character may not be vindicated down here.  Jesus died under a cloud.  He was never cleared in this world of the false accusations that had been made against Him.
    The will of God was the only law of Christ's life.  He was never governed by human considerations or affections.  Are we set upon this - that the will of God should be our only law?
    A soul who is in the secret of the divine mind must be content to be unappreciated and to walk alone.
    If we are not in the path of God's will  we are not in the path of power.
    Our true wisdom is in subjection to the will of our Lord.  To human eyes no plan of taking Jericho could have been more foolish than that which Joshua adopted; but it was God's plan, and hence its complete success.  (Edward Dennett - Footprints for Pilgrims)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3453

September 6

"Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children."
(Deuteronomy 6:7)
 
O happy house whose little ones are given early to Thee, in faith and prayer -
To Thee, their Friend, who from the heights of heaven guards them with more than mother's care.
O happy house where little voices their glad hosannas love to raise,
And childhood's lisping tongue rejoices to bring new songs of love and praise.
(Karl J. Spitta)
 
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old ,
he will not depart from it."
(Proverbs 22:6)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3454

September 7

"Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19)
 
    "Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves."  You cannot turn a lamb into a wolf to defend itself. . . . The testimony is brighter . . .  when I take things quietly and submit, not desiring to be a wolf among wolves.  It is exceedingly difficult for one's heart to bow and say, "I will be nothing but a lamb,"  but that is our place, for the Lord says, "Vengeance is Mine."  (J.N. Darby)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3455

September 8

"There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise." (Proverbs 30:24)
 
    A group of men were carrying on a friendly conversation.  One of the men remarked that he had learned not to pay much attention to little things.  "Little things," he said, "don't bother me."  One of the men smiled.  "Are you sure?" he asked.  "Would you believe that a little thing, just a pair of socks I wore once, changed the course of my entire life?"  I can hardly believe that," was the reply.  "It is true though," continued the man.  "It happened this way.  One day I expected to take a trip with some of my friends on a canal boat.  Two days before we intended to leave, I was chopping wood.  The axe I was using slipped and injured my foot.  The blue dye in the homemade socks I wore poisoned the wound, and I was compelled to stay at home, while my friends went on the trip.
    While they were on their journey, a powerful preacher came to our town to hold some meetings.  Since I didn't have anything else to do, I decided to attend.  The message the preacher brought touched me deeply.  He spoke to my heart.  As a result of it, I surrendered to the Lord.  Truly converted, I saw that my life needed a real change.  New desires and purposes took hold of me.  I determined to seek an education that would enable me to live more usefully for my Lord." 
The man who told the story - James A. Garfield  (November 19, 1831 - September 19, 1881)  was the twentieth President of the United States.   
Little things often have far-reaching consequences.  On the one hand, we should beware of coddling "little sins," for often they grow into great tragedies; on the other, we should not neglect little duties and small kindnesses that await our attention on the road of life, for by tending them with care we will find many jewels of true reward sparkling our future.
    Big things are obvious; it is the little things that often cause us to stumble.  (Selected)
 
God sees the little sparrow fall,
It meets His tender view;
If God so watches little things,
I know He loves me too.
(M. Staub) 
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3456

September 9

 ". . . I will uphold thee with the RIGHT hand of My righteousness."
(Isaiah 41:10)
"Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble."
(Proverbs 3:23)
 
    Fear of falling is wholesome.  To be venturesome is no sign of wisdom.  Times come to us when we feel we must go down unless we have very special support.  God's right hand is a grand thing to lean upon.  It is not only His hand but His RIGHT hand; His power united with skill, His power where it is most dexterous!  Fearful is our danger, but joyful is our security.  The youth whom God upholds, devils cannot throw down.  He will hold me fast!  Our worst peril is in our own carelessness, but against this the Lord Jesus has put us on our guard saying, "Watch and pray."
    Oh, for grace to walk this day without a single stumble!  It is not enough that we do not actually fall; our cry should be that we may not make the smallest slip with our feet, but may at the last adore Him "Who is able to keep us from stumbling."  (C.H. Spurgeon)
 
He holdeth the waters in the hollow of His hand,
This mighty restless seething sea In His had.
Oh, hand so sure, so safe, so strong
That it can hold the sea,
Mid the storm-tossed waves of the sea of life
It can, it will, hold me.
(M. Slattery)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3457

September 10

"Little children, yet a little while I am with you. . . ."  (John 13:33) 
 
    In John 13:33 the Lord for the first time addresses His disciples as "children," viewing them as those who had been introduced into the family of God.  "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12)   We enter the Divine family by being born of God, and the very life of the family is love, for God is love.  The Lord makes it plain that while He is in the hidden glory of heaven, the children, left in the world of darkness and hatred, are to prove their discipleship by manifesting love.  Glory there, and love here, was the Divine thought.  The former is perfect, but, alas! how imperfect the latter!  (F.B.H.)  
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3458

September 11

"For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer." (Psalm 109:4)
 
It's painful experience, when in return for love and help, some believers not only do not reciprocate the kindness, but become your accusers.  What is the answer?  Tell it to the Lord, and treat them as before.  We can defend ourselves and complain bitterly, but, at the end of the day the accusers will remember your complaints rather than feel shame for their actions.  (Brian Russell)
 
When your heart was filled with anger,
Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace, my brother,
That you might forgive another,
Who had crossed your way?
(Mary Ann Kidder)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3459

August 29

August 30

August 31

 

September 1

September 2

September 3

 

August 26

August 27

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."  (Ephesians 3:20)
 
I doubt whether many know the sweetness of going into the presence of God as a channel or pipe to be filled in order to bring out what is wanted for others - saying, "I have got the ear and heart of Christ."  He let the apostle Paul pour out all his thoughts and met them with His grace, far above all that He was asked.  Blessing is not measured merely by the wants of the individual, but by all that is in the heart of God towards those who are in Christ.  (Gleanings of G.V. Wigram) 
 
N.J. Hiebert # 3444

August 28

August 24

"When I see the blood, I will pass over you."  (Exodus 12:13)

    The Israelite was saved by blood alone, and not by his thoughts about it.  His thoughts might be deep or they might be shallow; but, deep or shallow, they had nothing to do with his safety; he was not saved by his thoughts or feelings, but only by the blood.  God did not say, "When you see the blood, I will pass over you."  No; but, "When I see. . . . "  What gave an Israelite peace was the fact that Jehovah's eye rested on the blood.  God saw it, and that was quite enough.

    The application of this to the question of a sinner's peace is very plain.  Christ's blood has been shed as a perfect atonement for sin, and God's testimony assures the believer that everything is settled  on his behalf.  All the claims of justice have been fully answered, and the full tide of redeeming love rolls down from the heart of God along the channels which the sacrifice of Christ has opened for it.

    To this truth the Holy Spirit bears witness.  He ever sets forth the fact of God's estimate of the blood of Christ.  He points the sinner's eye to the accomplished work of the cross.  He declares that all is done; that sin has been put far away and righteousness brought nigh - so nigh that it is to all them that believe.  Believe what?  Believe what God says because He says it, not because they feel it.  (C.H. Mackintosh)    

N.J. Hiebert # 3441   

August 25

August 22

August 23