Gems for the Week
October 12 - 15
"Looking unto Jesus." (Hebrews 12:2)
"UNTO JESUS" and not at what we are doing for Him. Too much occupied with our work, we can forget our Master, - it is possible to have the hands full and the heart empty. When occupied with our Master, we cannot forget our work; if the heart is filled with His love, how can the hands fail to be active in His service? (Translated from the French of Theodore Monod by Helen Willis)
N.J. Hiebert # 2398
"Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron . . .
and from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir;
now the name Debir before was Kirjath-sepher."
(Judges 1:10-11)
Hebron means communion, and Kirjath-sepher, the name of the nearby city associated with it, means "city of the book." This calls to mind the precious Book, the Bible, which we are to conquer. Conquer the Bible? Yes, we are to take possession of it and make it for ourselves a Book of delight, a Book that speaks to us of God.
When this city of Kirjath-sepher was taken, its name was changed to Debir, which means "word of God." To have the Bible become the word of God to us, that is a victory! When we take possession of the Word of God, make its doctrines a living reality, use it as the voice of God speaking to His people, then praise, worship, and joy are unhindered, and we will have power being made increasingly manifest. Alas! the Church has not done that and has forsaken the doctrines right away. As a result, darkness and failure have come in.
So it is also for us personally. Suppose you or I keep the Book closed, or cling to the mere letter of the Word instead of to its living reality. What is the result? There is no further progress, no further growth, and the preaching we solicit is that which will cater to the taste of the natural man. That is the sad state of the Church.
Thank God for every exception to this. Remember then, this one point, namely, that what makes anything secure for us is the supremacy of truth. Truth must be supreme if there is to be recovery to God and power for God. We must get the truth again, that is, the Word of God, and make it a living reality in our souls. (S. Ridout)
N.J. Hiebert # 2399
"For I have learned, in whatever state I am,
therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11)
Until I learned to trust, I never learned to pray,
And I did not learn to fully trust, Till sorrows came my way.
Until I felt my weakness, His strength I never knew;
Nor dreamed till I was stricken, That He could see me through.
Who deepest drinks of sorrow Drinks deepest too of grace;
He sends the storm so He Himself can be our hiding-place.
His heart that seeks our highest good Knows well when things annoy;
We would not long for Heaven, If earth held only joy.
(Barbara C. Ryberg)
(With permission from Water of Life From Outside the Camp - Fall 05)
N.J. Hiebert # 2400
"In My Father's house are many mansions:
If it were no so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you."
(John 14:2)
The place which Christ prepared for them is prepared for every believer in Christ today. Our place was prepared the moment Christ went in as a man. If Christ is your Saviour, where He goes you go. Christ never goes anywhere that the believer has mot a place with Him. As a man on the ground of accomplished redemption, He goes up into glory and there prepares a place. We have a place in heaven, not among men, but a place, a present place, in heaven. The moment Christ is our Saviour, God is our Father, and, in virtue of what Christ has done, we are brought into the family of God; and that which is proper to the family, is the home. (E.P. Corrin)
N.J. Hiebert # 2401
