Bible Gems

Apr 4, 2005 at 11:55 o\clock

Gems from April 4, 2005

by: soundwords

April 4

"Mary . . .sat at Jesus feet, and heard His words."  (Luke 10:38) 
 
Devotedness is a much deeper and at the same time a much simpler thing than many suppose.  Most think that if they are earnestly engaged in the Lord's work, and looking to Him for guidance and blessing, this is being devoted; but devotedness is much more than this.  It is having Christ Himself as the delight and resource of my heart, and the bent of my mind toward Him.  The highest service we can render the Lord is to serve His heart, and that is a service to which few devote themselves.  Occupation with Christ, with a view to becoming more intimately acquainted with His character, studying Him that we may learn what pleases Him, is very rare indeed.  Many can be found who are occupied for Christ, like Martha; few who are occupied with Him, like Mary.  (Selected)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 2208

Apr 2, 2005 at 16:39 o\clock

Gems from April 2, 2005

by: soundwords

April 2
 
"The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." (Psalm 46:7,11)
 
    Twice in this psalm, we get these remarkable words, "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" -  a psalm too, for the sons of rebellious Korah.  It is like the wonderful refrain, "For His mercy endureth for ever," occurring again and again in the Old Testament, and repeated 26 times in the 26 verses of Psalm 136 - a mercy that nothing can exhaust or break down, a mercy that endureth forever.
    "The Lord of hosts"!  What a comforting _expression!  How it stills our hearts in the presence of all the power of the enemy!  "The Lord of hosts," whose unlimited power and boundless resources make the victory certain.  And if we can complete the sentence, however feeble and weak, we may well remain in perfect peace.  The Lord of hosts is with us.  Absolutely feeble, absolutely weak, it matters not. "The Lord of hosts is with us."  That settles everything.  (A.J.P.)
 
N.J. Hiebert # 2207

Apr 1, 2005 at 14:52 o\clock

Gems from April 1, 2005

by: soundwords

April 1

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for Him in the inn." (Luke 2:7)

    It is striking and very humbling to notice the contrast between earth and heaven at the moment of the birth of the Lord Jesus, the most intensely interesting moment in the annals of time and in the counsels of eternity.  It was night, and the world was slumbering when Christ the Lord was born.

    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 500 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)  (A.H. Barry)

N.J. Hiebert # 2206