Gems for the Week
July 5 - 10
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:1)
"We . . . shall be caught up . . . in the clouds, to meet
the Lord in the air." (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
The air is Satan's sphere, so the believer being "caught up," raptured, is a triumphal gathering in open defiance of the devil right in his own stronghold. Think of what is included in these verses (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)! The earth and the sea yielding up the dust of all dead in Christ. Then the transforming miracle by which this dust is formed into glorified bodies, free forever from sickness, pain and death. Then the space-flight to heaven. And all of this in the twinkling of an eye! (1 Corinthians 15:52) (Christian Newsletter)
N.J. Hiebert # 3026
"I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5,6)
Repentance is the judgment of my sin that I have in the light of love, and grace known. Remorse is produced by viewing the sin in the light only of its probable results. Repentance begets hope, remorse leads only to despair. Repentance leads the soul back to God, remorse drives it to deeper sin, and further into Satan's hands. This is all illustrated in the consequent pathway of Peter and Judas. Judas, who did not know what grace was, went out and, in remorse over this consummate wickedness, hanged himself; Peter, who did know what grace was, and who knew better than ever then how deeply the Lord loved him, went our and wept bitterly. (Wolston)
N.J. Hiebert # 3027
"For I am in a strait (between) two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. " (Philippians 1:23)
If I stay here, Christ gains. If I am called to leave the body, I gain. (Food for the Desert)
N.J. Hiebert # 3028
". . . two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he (Moses) said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said . . . intendest thou to kill me as thou killest the Egyptian?"
(Exodus 2:13)
"Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou (Moses) mayest bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh . . ."
(Exodus 3:10,11)
Forty years of wilderness life are sure to make grave changes in men and things. (Selected)
N.J. Hiebert # 3029
"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. . . ."
(Genesis 1:27,28)
What sweet and cherished thoughts are awakened in the mind, and what chords of affection are touched in the human bosom by that sweet word, "Home." And even more endearing is the memory of the "Christian Home" to those who have had the wonderful privilege of such a centre where God was reverenced and acknowledged.
The home was established by God, and is His mind for mankind. When God made Adam and Eve and joined them together in holy matrimony, charging them to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, He instituted the first human family and home.
The family unit is that upon which the whole human social structure rests. And the home, the dwelling-place of the family, be it but a hut or a mansion, is the fortification and defense of the community. Thus it is often said, "The home is the bulwark of the nation." Upon it the whole fabric of civilization rests. If it goes the nation goes; for the nation is but a unit of individuals welded together in family relationship. The importance of the home and of home-life according to the thoughts of God is thus readily seen. (R.K. Campbell - The Christian Home)
N.J. Hiebert # 3030
"I (Jesus) am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen."
(Matthew 28:20)
May we know what it is to have Jesus to take care of us, and produce a great calm, whatever may be the effect of the stirring up of Satan's power against us. The Lord give us to look at Jesus. If it be from our first knowledge of sin to our last trial in this world, it is all a question of whether I trust in myself or in the Lord. (William Kelly - Gospel of Matthew)
N.J. Hiebert # 3031
