Gems for the Week
February 9 - 16
"Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes."
(Psalm 119: 68)
That is a wonderful thing to be able to say. It was in connection with affliction too. The heart in submission bows and says, "Thou art good, and doest good."
That is real fruit - something that is precious in the sight of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is fruit - "Herein is My Father glorified . . ." When a soul bows in affliction and trial, and justifies God and says, "Thou art good," it is a wonderful thing. The natural heart will not do that. The natural heart says, Why? If God is good, Why? Faith says, "Thou art good, and doest good," and that is very precious to the heart of Christ; and it is a blessed experience for your soul and mine, if we reach that place through grace where we can actually say that. (From The Young Christian)
N.J. Hiebert # 2882
"He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you." (John 16:14,15)
Occupation with Christ is, therefore , the Alpha and the Omega of the Christian life; occupation with His death - that death which laid the foundation not only of our own redemption and deliverance, but also of the reconciliation of all things - occupation with Him in incarnation, when, though He were the Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered, when, as the obedient and dependent Man, He found His meat in doing the Father's will and in finishing His work, and thus glorified God in every detail of that wondrous life; and, above all, occupation with Him in the glory, as the glorified Man, the center of all God's counsels, and the object of all His delight, yea, the satisfying portion of His heart. (Edward Dennett)
N.J. Hiebert # 2883
"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)
We know from Acts 2 that this psalm is the language of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is essentially a psalm connected with the path of a dependent man through this world. To us it is indeed a wonderful privilege to be put into the same path, and in our little measure to be called upon to have some of the same experiences which the blessed Lord, as a man, down here upon earth, passed through. Now it is a great thing to bear in mind that we never find the Lord Jesus acting other than in obedience to His Father. He never did a single thing for Himself. His was a life of ceaseless activity. He was always doing good, yet never doing anything for Himself. (F.C.)
N.J. Hiebert # 2884
"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He
that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,
Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
(Revelation 1:17,18)
Every one of us must have to do with the Lord Jesus. Each person will yet come before Him. Nothing can possibly hinder this. The joyful expectation of the Christian is, that he will see his Saviour's face and be like Him. Those who are not born again - unbelievers - will assuredly see Jesus too, but not with joy: as a wicked man once said, "I shall see Him, but not now; I shall behold Him, but not nigh." (Numbers 24:17) Many persons now turn away from the Saviour's name; they like to banish His blessed gospel from their thoughts; but then, "at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 3:10,11) This is God's decree, and it must be accomplished. "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:11) There is, therefore, no possibility of escape from having to do with Jesus; and I doubt not that those who will go away into everlasting punishment will send up a cry continually from the pit of torment. . . . This is very solemn, and makes the gospel a matter of such individual application and importance. The Scripture says, "every knee," "every tongue," "every one of us shall give account of himself in the day of judgment!" "Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall Him!" plainly showing that men must have to do personally with the Lord Jesus. Now He graciously pardons and saves; then He will righteously condemn, and punish with everlasting destruction. What folly, then, it is to neglect His great salvation! (H.H. Snell - Streams of Refreshing)
N.J. Hiebert # 2885
". . . this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven."
(Acts 1:11)
"And I beheld, and, Lo. . . in the midst of the throne stood a Lamb as it had been slain. . . . And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy
to take the book,and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was
slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out
of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."
(Revelation 5:6,9)
One of the old writers wished he could have seen three things:
1. Rome in its prosperity;
2. Paul preaching;
3. Christ in the body.
I have three wishes:
1. To see Christ in glory, surrounded by His redeemed;
2. To see Christ in glory, surrounded by His redeemed,
3. To see Christ in glory, surrounded by His redeemed.
(T. DE WITT TALMADGE)
N.J. Hiebert # 2886
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all . . . especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10)
"He giveth goodly words." (Genesis 49:21)
The memory of a kindly word for long gone by,
The fragrance of a fading flower sent lovingly,
The gleaming of a sudden smile or sudden tear,
The warmer pressure of the hand, the tone of cheer.
The hush that means "I cannot speak, but I have heard!"
The note that only bears a verse from God's own Word -
Such tiny things we hardly count as ministry;
The givers deeming they have shown scant sympathy;
But, when the heart is overwrought, oh who can tell
The power of such tiny things to make it well!
(Frances Ridley Havergal - Opened Treasures)
N.J. Hiebert # 2887
"My grace IS sufficient for thee." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Some years ago a young minister and his wife went to the seashore with their youngest child. After being there three days, their little one was suddenly taken away to be with the Lord. The young parents took the little body home, with heavy hearts.
After the funeral, he began to prepare a sermon to preach to his people, taking for his text 2 Corinthians 12:9. He spent about two hours preparing it, then said to himself, "It is not true. I do not find His grace sufficient for this heavy trial that has befallen me." He cried to the Lord to make His grace sufficient for him in this hour of sore need and crushing sorrow.
As he wiped the tears from his eyes, he glanced up and saw over his study table an illuminated text card that his mother had given him. The words read, "My grace IS sufficient for thee," the word "IS" being in bold type and in a different color from all the other words in the text. He seemed to hear a voice saying to him: "How dare you ask Him to make what is? Believe His word. Trust Him, and you will find it true in every way."
He took Him at His Word, and believed it to be true. He at once had rest and peace, such trust in a sufficient Saviour as he never before dreamed could be possible. Within a month a friend of the family said to his wife, "The farmers are remarking how changed your husband is. He does not seem fretful any more, but is quiet and gentle about everything."
From that day the life of this minister of the gospel was a testimony to the sufficiency of His grace, and His strength that is made perfect in weakness.
Eternity will not be long enough to praise and thank our Lord Jesus Christ for the simple, glorious fact that His grace is sufficient for us in every trial. (The Christian Newsletter)
N.J. Hiebert # 2888
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and it there be any praise,
think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
Two children were gathering grapes. One was happy. "Oh," he exclaimed, aren't they sweet !" "Yes," grunted the unhappy one, "but they have seeds in them."
They came to a rose garden. "My what a beautiful rose garden," shouted the happy one. "Ouch!" cried the other, "Look out for the thorns."
Walking through the clover they made their way to a beehive. One got honey, the other got stung. "See that honeybee," said one. "That's a stinging bee," protested the other.
On their way home they stopped for a soft drink. They poured it into paper cups. "Mine is half full," rejoiced one. "Mine is half empty," grumbled the other.
How do you look at life? (Selected)
Some persons grumble because there are thorns among roses. Why not rejoice because there are roses among thorns?
N.J. Hiebert # 2889
