Gems for the Week
September 22
"I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right;
and I hate every false way." (Psalm 119:128)
Three boys went down to a spring to fetch a pail of water. One carried a pail that was brown inside and out, and another likewise a green pail, and the third a blue. Upon looking into the pails the boys discovered that the water in each pail appeared brown, green and blue respectively. Each boy might be convinced that the true water colour is what is found in his pail until, of course, the water is poured out and the truth becomes evident. So it is often with us and the Word of God. The 'truth' sometimes takes on the 'colours' of the bearer and, if it isn't 'poured out' for all to see, we can become convinced that the truth IS only as I see it. (Submitted by a reader of the Gems - D.M.)
N.J. Hiebert # 3470
September 23
New Hearts Need Careful Tongues
"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." (James 1:26)
We know that the heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) but here, it is deceived. A true believer with a new heart can deceive that heart by not being careful with his tongue. How often we speak unseemly things about others, even passing false reports about friends or brethren which we may not even realize we are doing. Sadly often this happens when preceded by these words, "We need to pray for..." and then we repeat an unkind or even untrue thing about that person. Thus an unruly tongue is cloaked in the guise of religion and care for that person, when in reality we have but deceived our own hearts.
May we earnestly pray to the Lord "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:30) Do we not often have to hang our heads in shame for what we unwisely, unkindly, and unguardedly have spoken against someone. May the Lord help us to judge a careless tongue that presents itself in a "religious" form, but in reality is an unjudged tongue. How much pain, sorrow and tears an unruly tongue can cause to others and ourselves. (TCS - July 2005)
N.J. Hiebert # 3471
September 24
"I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." (Psalm 40:1-3)
I was in a slimy pit and needed help. It was impossible to pull myself out. But through His work on the cross, the Lord Jesus pulled me from that horrible pit. He paid the debt of my sins and He has become the Rock on which I stand. He has given me a new heart and a new song. What He has done for me, He can do for you. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. (V. Gaynier)
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the Rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love
And covers me there with His hand.
(Fanny Crosby)
N.J. Hiebert # 3472
September 25
"Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." (Colossians 4:12)
It is only where divine affections for the people of God exist in the heart, as so markedly exemplified in Moses and in Paul, as well as in Daniel and Ezra, that there can be power in intercession on their behalf. And may it not be suggested that the urgent need of to-day is that of intercessors? holy men and women who, divinely taught and filled with the Spirit, shall be enabled, like Epaphras, to labour fervently for the saints in prayer. (Edward Dennett)
N.J. Hiebert # 3473
