Gems for the Week
August 29
"And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, 'here am I; for thou didst call me'. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, 'Go, lie down: and it shall be, if He call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth'."
(1 Samuel 3:8,9)
Sometimes a person, especially a younger person, brings a problem to someone that they can reply upon, and a true friend will be able to see their viewpoint and, without rebuking, unless it was necessary. I believe that this is quite often the case, that one who wants to be a help, especially to younger ones, that they try to see their viewpoint, because if you are judging from your own viewpoint, you are not helping them at all.
You may have to bring the truth before them in a way that is necessary, but its necessary that you try to see the problem that they have, and that's real true friendship. (From a note from Clarence Lunden - October 1980)
N.J. Hiebert # 3446
August 30
"For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waste,
neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth
rain upon the earth." (1 Kings 17:14)
The weather always interests us, particularly the farmer whose livelihood depends on it. It is easy to become distressed and worry about "too little rain" or "too much rain." The Bible tells us that "rain control" for the earth is God's jurisdiction and God doeth all things well. The Divine Creator and Sustainer of all things is in control. Let's be thankful for every drop that comes down from above and bless Him for the weather today. (Sam Thorpe)
This is the day the Lord hath made; He calls the hours His own;
Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad, and praise surround the throne.
(Isaac Watts)
N.J. Hiebert # 3447
August 31
"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God,
the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither
is weary? there is no searching of His understanding."
(Isaiah 40:28)
Philosophers have descanted (to discourse at length) on the immeasurable greatness of God, and on the infinitesimal littleness of man; and have scorned the idea that friendship or fellowship can exist between the two. But in the book of God, where alone we can learn anything about these matters, we are told that:
- He Who telleth the number of the stars, healeth the broken in heart (Psalm 147:3,4);
- He Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and weighs the mountains in scales, feeds His flock like a shepherd and gathers the lambs in His arm (Isaiah 40:11);
- The One Who brought the universe into being, and Who guides the planets in their lonely way, is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and comforts those that mourn (Hebrews 1:2,3; 4:15; Isaiah 61:2).
His hand is as manifest:
- In the feathers of a butterfly's wing,
- In the eye of an insect,
- In the folding and packing of a blossom,
- In curious aqueducts by which a leaf is nourished,
As in the creation of a world and in the laws by which the planets move. (George Henderson - Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care)
N.J. Hiebert # 3448
September 1
In My Father's House are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also." (John 14:2,3)
Have you ever thought of being in the
domestic atmosphere of the Father's house -
To be the companion of Jesus,
To be loved of the Father and
To have the Holy Spirit
Fill your heart
With the love of Christ?
We will live in the very home
That Jesus has lived in
For the past eternity.
. . .
In this world the bride discovers
The elements of the heavenly glory
In which she will soon participate.
(C.E. Lunden)
N.J. Hiebert # 3449
September 2
The Lord's Exchanges
"The Lord hath sent me . . . to give . . . beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for
the spirit of heaviness." (Isaiah 61:1,3)
We cannot buy God's treasures
Our poverty to bless,
But Christ exchangeth with us
And giveth more for less;
The oil of joy for mourning
And praise for heaviness,
More grace for little thorn pricks,
Much fruit for purging light,
For earth's brief tribulation
Eternal glory bright.
So when affliction's furnace,
Is heated sevenfold,
Grieve not because its burning
Leaves ashes gray and cold;
Why shouldest thou shrink from trials
That bring such wealth untold?
When mirrored in thy spirit
His lovely face shall be,
His beauty for thine ashes
The Lord will give to thee.
(ANNIE JOHNSON FLINT)
N.J. Hiebert - 3450
September 3
"O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into
His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He
expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself." (Luke 24:25-27)
How patient God is! How considerate! Do you remember what the Lord said to the two doubting disciples as they took that never-to-be-forgotten journey to Emmaus? They were dubious of His divine mission. They did not know of His resurrection, and their eyes were holden as He walked by their side. He said,
"O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken."
It is a very big thing indeed that we are called upon to believe in the Scriptures.
- The record is inspired.
- Jesus is the Son of God; who became Man.
- He died on the cross to be the world's Redeemer.
- He is risen from the dead.
- He is ascended to glory.
- He is coming again to reign over the earth.
I am profoundly thankful for the patience of God in teaching us these wonderful things. For about four thousand years He was patiently preparing the minds of men to receive the revelation of Himself in Christ, and the necessity and meaning of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary. (A.J. Pollock - Why I Believe the Bible)
N.J. Hiebert # 3451
