Gems for the Week
July 8
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."
(Matthew 24:12)
"The love of many shall wax cold," and no wonder when self-love waxeth so hot. It was foretold also by the apostle (2 Timothy 3:1,2), "In the last days . . . men shall be lovers of their own selves"; and what a regiment follows this captain, sin! If once a man makes self the whole of his aim, farewell loving or praying for others: charity cannot dwell in so narrow a house as the self-lovers heart; yea, it is opposed to it: "Love seeketh not her own." (1 Corinthians 13:5)
(William Gurnall 1665)
N.J. Hiebert # 3394
July 9
"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)
There is immense power in stillness. A great saint once said, "All things come to him who knows how to trust and be silent." The words are pregnant with meaning. A knowledge of this fact would immensely change our ways of working. Instead of restless of struggles, we would "sit down" inwardly before the Lord, and would let Divine forces of His Spirit work out in silence the ends to which we aspire. You may not see or feel the operations of this silent force, but be assured it is always working mightily, and will work for you, if you only get your spirit still enough to be carried along by the currents of Its power. (Hannah Whitall Smith)
N.J. Hiebert # 3395
July 10
"And (Jesus) being found in fashion as a man, He Humbled Himself ,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
(Philippians 2:8)
Some years ago I saw what is called a sensitive plant (Mimosa Eudica). I happened to breathe on it, and suddenly it drooped its head; I touched it, and it withered away. Humility is as sensitive as that; it cannot safely be brought out on exhibition. A man who is flattering himself that he is humble and is walking close to the Lord, is self deceived. It consists not in thinking meanly of ourselves, but in not thinking of ourselves at all. Moses wist not that his face shone. If humility speaks of itself, it is gone. (D.L. Moody)
N.J. Hiebert # 3396
July 11
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after
the tradition of men . . . and not after Christ ." (Colossians 2:8)
"The word of the Lord endureth forever." (1 Peter 1:25)
There are always Pharisee-like people around who contend for their own ways of religion. They insist that their ideas and customs are to be followed. They criticize those who simply follow the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. For those of us who believe, the Word is our solid rock.
- Christ revealed Himself in His Word.
- He does not change, nor does His Word.
- Read His Word.
- Believe His Word.
- Hold fast to His Word.
- Obey His Word.
- Preach His Word.
- Rejoice in His Word.
- Are you spending time in His Word?
(Ben Tuininga)
N.J. Hiebert # 3397
July 12
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the
victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that
overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is
the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4,5)
Theology wants to know where sin comes from. Jesus tells us how we can get rid of sin. We shall not conquer the world with theology. Knowing that Jesus conquered sin and all the power of the devil when He died on the cross will make us conquerors. (Corrie Ten Boom - This Day is the Lord's)
N.J. Hiebert # 3398
July 13
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and
appear before God?" (Psalm 42:1,2)
"Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth
that I desire beside Thee." (Psalm 73:25)
These heart utterances of the saints of old imply that God is a living Person, and that His people can hold conscious and soul-satisfying fellowship with Him even amid the sorrows of earth; "That He is, and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) It is tragically true that some men, because of the pride of their countenance, will not seek after Him, and that they banish Him from their thoughts (Psalm 10:4); but the word of God and human experience alike testify that such men live incomplete lives; that to be without Him is to be without hope in the world; that, indeed, without personal knowledge of Him, life is an existence destitute of significance. We have been so framed that God alone is the adequate portion of our souls; in Him alone can we find enjoyment for ever. It was a keen sense of this that drew from one the oft-quoted exclamation: "Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our heart hath no rest until it rest in Thee." As the eye was formed for the light, the ear for sound, the palate for taste, the intellect for truth, and as these faculties can find pleasure only in their respective objects, so, the soul was formed by God for Himself, and can never know real or abiding enjoyment except in Him. (George Henderson - Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care)
N.J. Hiebert # 3399
