Gems for the Week
March 19 - 24
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him
in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
God must be worshipped in "spirit and in truth," for He is a Spirit; but it is as "the Father" that He "Seeketh such to worship him." . . . Love seeks worshippers, but it seeks them under the gentle name of Father. (J.N. Darby)
N.J. Hiebert # 2556
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)
The soul that gives up God must find out other masters and other resources. (J.G. Bellett)
N.J. Hiebert # 2557
"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom."
(1 Corinthians 1:30)
Christ is made unto us wisdom. . . . We have to travel through this world - wisdom we need; well, I thank God we shall never lack it. CHRIST is our wisdom. . . . Whatever the case, there is unfailing wisdom for you in Christ at God's right hand. (E.P. Corrin)
N.J. Hiebert # 2558
"Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head." (Luke 9:58)
Christ never had a home down here: it was a wilderness to Him, it did not bear the stamp of His Father's heart. If there is a strange place to me, it ought to be the place where my Lord was crucified. (G.V. Wigram)
N.J. Hiebert # 2559
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord." (Isaiah 1:18)
For a saint to have solitude is of the deepest importance, because it is then the heart renews its acquaintance with Him who only has entrance into our most solitary retreats. When we are thoroughly alone and apart He loves to be our visitor. (Footprints for Pilgrims)
N.J. Hiebert # 2560
"Let us make here three tabernacles. . . . While he (Peter) yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, 'This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.' and when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, 'Arise, and be not afraid.' And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only." (Matthew 17:4-8)
More and more, it seems that Christ does not have His proper place among the children of God. He is not the object. It is either a doctrine, a dogma, a party, or our experience - something besides Christ. We seem possessed with very much the same spirit that actuated Peter on the mount. . . .
Have you ever been in the "cloud,"? Have you ever heard the "voice"? Have you been on your "face"? Have you felt the "touch"? Then, have you heard His voice, "Arise"? Do your eyes see "no man save Jesus only"? Many, perhaps, have reached the top of the mount; but few, very few . . . have risen to see "Jesus only."
"Christ is all." (Colossians 3:2). Do we make Him this?
-Is it a question of my salvation? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)
-Is it a question of relationship with God? "Ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26)
-Is it a question of experience? "For to me to live is Christ." (Philippians 1:21)
-Is it a question of service? "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13).
-Is it a question of my path? "I am the way." (John 14:6)
-Is it a question of heaven or the place to which my path leads? He would define it as "where I am." (John 14:3)
"O, let us know more of that rich blessedness which comes of making Christ all," of seeing "Jesus only." Our cry should be - "O, to know Him!" (Philippians 3:10) In our selfishness we cry and beg for blessings. It is the Blesser we need, HIMSELF. HE is the joy of the Father's heart. Let us taste with Him the delight He takes in His Son. Christ is infinitely higher than doctrine or experience. Experience we shall have, but only with Him can our hearts be ravished and raptured. (F.C. Blount)
N.J. Hiebert # 2561
