Gems for the Week
July 15 - 19
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words
shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:35)
Generations follow generations - yet it lives.
Nations rise and fall - yet it lives.
Kings, dictators, presidents come and go - yet it lives.
Torn, condemned, burned - yet it lives.
Hated, despised, cursed - yet it lives.
Doubted, suspected, criticized - yet it lives.
Damned by atheists - yet it lives.
Exaggerated by fanatics - yet it lives.
Misconstrued and misstated - yet it lives.
Ranted and raved about - yet it lives.
Its inspiration denied - yet it lives.
Yet it lives - as a lamp to our feet.
Yet it lives - as a light to our paths.
Yet it lives - as a standard for childhood.
Yet it lives - as a guide for youth.
Yet it lives - as an inspiration for the matured.
Yet it lives - as a comfort for the aged.
Yet it lives - as food for the hungry.
Yet it lives - as water for the thirsty.
Yet it lives - as rest for the weary.
Yet it lives - as light for the heathen.
Yet it lives - as salvation for the sinner.
Yet it lives - as grace for the Christian.
To know it is to love it.
To love it is to accept it.
To accept it means Life eternal.
(Author Unknown)
N.J. Hiebert # 2674
"Who (Christ) gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver (rescue) us from this present evil world (wicked age)." (Galatians 1:4)
"The present age" means the age in which you and I are living. We say it is the age of progress. It is the age of airplanes, of radios, and of the atomic bomb. (Written in 1948) It is the age of war and jealousy among the nations. It is an age of fear and perplexity, when nobody knows what will happen next, and "men's hearts are failing them for fear." (Luke 21:26) "The present age" means all the opinions, the hopes, the fears, the aims and aspirations at any time in the world. These make a very great power, they are like the air we breathe, for they are all around us, and even unconsciously they affect our lives. As we read the newspaper, we breathe in, or drink in, the spirit of the present age, and how often our hearts are filled with fear and dread after reading it. That is the power of the "present age." Thanks be to God, Christ gave Himself for our sins, so that He might rescue us from the present age and all its wickedness. (G. Christopher Willis - Meditations on Galatians)
N.J. Hiebert # 2675
"And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened
himself against Israel." (2 Chronicles 17:1)
The reign of Jehoshophat offers many instructive details. First, like his predecessors, he "strengthened himself against Israel." The true means of being at peace with the adversary is by organizing resistance against him in an efficient way. From that moment on, Satan leaves us in peace, but we must never treat him as anything other than an adversary. (H.L. Rossier - Meditations on 2 Chronicles)
N.J. Hiebert # 2676
"As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you." (John 20:21)
A preacher has never to be anxious about results; that is God's concern. He has only to be anxious about three things: (1) the state of his own soul; (2) being in communion with the mind of God as to those to whom he is speaking; and (3) fidelity in delivering the message. (E. Dennett)
N.J. Hiebert # 2677
"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
(2 Corinthians 3:6)
If we cannot overcome where we are, we could not overcome anywhere.
(Footprints for Pilgrims)
N.J. Hiebert # 2678
