Gems for the Week
June 5 - 10
"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing
yet as he ought to know." (1 Corinthians 8:2)
You have been led to see that you know very little of God's Word - so all of us should candidly admit. Then search daily to find in the Scriptures a deeper acquaintance with the Person to whom you are brought. You know what the work has done for your conscience; now learn about the divine Object for your heart. In this day of confusion and lawlessness the saint of God needs, as ever, to be commended "to God, and to the word of His grace." (Acts 20:32) (C.J.D. - 1900)
N.J. Hiebert # 2634
"Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)
It is of little use to split hairs about the harm of this or that particular thing. The question is, What is our real purpose and object? Do we merely want to get on as men, or do we long to live as true disciples of a risen Saviour? (Selected)
N.J. Hiebert # 2635
"Looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith,
Behold the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36)
There was something precious about the walk of Christ. It was a walk of true obedience and was marked by perfection. It was a walk which never faltered, stumbled, or wandered. He never had to retrace. Every step He took had a sense of purpose and took Him closer to Calvary. Indeed all the way to Calvary He went for me. Never man walked like Him. (John M. Clegg)
O Lord, when we the path retrace,
Which Thou on earth hast trod,
To man Thy wondrous love and grace,
Thy faithfulness to God.
(James G. Deck)
N.J. Hiebert # 2636
"Thou shalt make no covenant with them (nations)."
(Deuteronomy 7:2)
Nothing can ever afford a warrant for lowering, the breadth of a hair, the standard of obedience to the Word of God. If there are difficulties in the way, if perplexing circumstances come before us, if things crop up for which we are not prepared, and as to which we are unable to form a judgment, what are we to do? Reason? Jump to conclusions? Act on our own or on any human judgment? Most certainly not. What then? Wait on God; wait patiently, humbly, believingly, and He will assuredly counsel and guide. "The meek will He teach His way." Had Joshua and the princes acted thus, they never would have made a league with the Gibeonites; and if we act thus, we will be delivered from every evil work and preserved unto the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (C.H. Mackintosh - Notes on Deuteronomy - 1879)
N.J. Hiebert # 2637
"The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved you." (Deuteronomy 7:7,8)
Let us ask our hearts if we are as fresh as in the first weeks we were saved. Oh, you say, I know a great deal more now. Is the simple love of Jesus, the delight in Jesus, the practical holiness, and the desire to be anything and everything for Him the same as it was then? You may have forgotten that early thrill of affection, but God has not forgotten. He says, I have not forgotten their early love. "I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after Me." Where? Into a wilderness. When they crossed the Red Sea they were in a desert. What was in the desert? Only two things. What were they? GOD and the SAND, nothing else. (W.T.P. Wolston)
N.J. Hiebert # 2638
"Refreshed by thee, brother." (Philemon 7)
I met a christian friend today; He's my brother;
We've each been cleansed in Jesus' blood; He's my brother.
Although we'd never met before There is a bond so true and sure,
And we'll be friends forevermore 'Cause he's my brother
There's meaning to that wondrous term, My brother;
And even though I chose him not, Yet he's my brother.
A billion years from now we'll be Together in eternity,
'Cause Jesus died to set us free; Yes, he's my brother.
Folks without Christ can't understand How he's my brother;
They think I'm just a little strange To call him brother;
But friend, there's deep reality In knowing Jesus set us free
In those dark hours on Calvary, To make us brothers.
Now in life's earthly pilgrim way I have a brother;
I share with him life's joy and woes 'Cause he's my brother.
We understand the path of life, We have the Word of God to guide,
Until we reach our Saviour's side; He'll be my brother.
Now when a trial comes my way I have a brother;
He stands beside me day by day; He is my brother.
God knew I'd need a special friend, One who would care and understand,
Who'd stand by me through thick and thin; Yes, he's my brother.
It's wonderful to have a friend Who is your brother;
One upon whom you can depend Like none other.
A brother loveth at all times, This bond is part of God's design;
The world knows nothing of this kind Of brother.
When Christ shall come again for me, And yes, my brother;
When I have reached my destined home With this, my brother;
Our memories of earth's day shall be Of heavenly mercies, grace so free;
Of fellowship, O Lord, with Thee; Thanks for my brother.
(Written by a Friend of Gems - C.H.Krause - September 1996 - With permission)
N.J. Hiebert # 2639
