Gems for the Week
July 29 - Aug. 3
"Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17)
The moment I require anything to establish the authority of the Word, I take the authority of the Word away; for the thing rested on is, of course, that which is supposed to establish the Word, and not the Word itself. If I take anything as proving the Word of God, and so believe it, that is not believing the Word. (J.N. Darby)
N.J. Hiebert # 2688
"Now is the accepted time. . . ." (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Do not live in yesterday for it is past. Learn its lessons, then forget the things which are behind. Do not live in tomorrow for you cannot spend time you do not have. God is the Great I Am and so is His Son, the same yesterday and forever indeed but also the same today. We tend to dwell in the bygone and feed on its memories or keep going in the anticipation that tomorrow will be better. All you really have is this moment, this breath, this heartbeat. You cannot recall any hour that is past - how you wish you might! You cannot borrow a breath or a heartbeat from whatever supply the future holds. The only spending currency of time that you have is what you are spending while the seconds tick away as you read these words. All you have is NOW! (Vance Havner - All The Days)
N.J. Hiebert # 2689
"In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving . . ." (Philippians 4:6)
Happy moments - Praise God
Difficult moments - Seek God
Quiet moments - Worship God
Painful moments - Trust God
Every moment - Thank God
(From "Singingpilgrim" by Dick Gorgas, 30/July/2003)
N.J. Hiebert # 2690
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
Themistocles, who led the Greeks in the famous naval battle of Salamis, for some reason unknown to his troops, delayed the engagement. It was expected that he would avail himself of the early morning hours; and when what seemed the golden opportunity had gone in inactivity, there were many who suspected him of being a traitor to his country. But he was waiting for the land breeze, which he new would begin to blow at nine o'clock in the morning. He proposed to harness the very winds to his war-galleys, and make them waft his boats to sea; and so, save the strength of his men for the fighting. Thus, those who would have been only rowers, became warriors. Happy is the servant of God, who, waiting for power from on high, thus uses in the work of the Lord, energies that would otherwise be wasted.
"Why labour at the dull mechanic oar,
When the strong winds are blowing?"
(George Henderson - In Pastures Green)
N.J. Hiebert # 2691
"Occupy till I come." (Luke 19:13)
There is no time to let up as long as the doors are still open to the preaching of the gospel.
Strength! Rowing against the tide, or swimming against the tide, gives strong, firm muscles, and working for God against the tide of this world will make us strong in Him and in the power of His might. Do we really want to "Be strong"?
Work makes a strong man, and idleness a weak one. Besides, God always looks for a worker, a busy toiler, when He wants something done for Him.
- MOSES was busy with his flocks at Horeb, when God called him.
- SAUL was busy searching for his father's lost beasts.
- ELISHA was busy plowing with twelve yoke of oxen.
- DAVID was busy caring for his father's sheep.
- AMOS was busy following the flock.
- PETER & ANDREW were busy casting a net into the sea.
- JAMES & JOHN were busy mending their nets.
- MATTHEW was busy collecting customs.
"When He calls me, I will answer;
I'll be somewhere working when He comes?"
(Garments of Strength - Zelma Argue)
N.J. Hiebert # 2692
"Behold he prayeth." (Acts 9:11)
The Lord informed Ananias to go to a certain place and find a man who was praying. This was convincing confirmation that Paul was a true believer. He was praying - not just reciting prayers, but in vital communication with heaven. This opened the way to great things for Paul. The scales on his eyes fell off, and he received his sight. He was baptized, and filled with the Holy Spirit. He had fellowship with the disciples, and began to preach Christ as the Son of God. May we emulate him. "Lord, teach us to pray!" (Luke 11:1) (Milton Haack)
Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray
This is my heart's cry day unto day;
I long to know Thy will and Thy way -
Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray
(Albert S. Ritz)
N.J. Hiebert # 2693
