Bible Gems

December 13

"...when He was reviled, [He] reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not." (1 Peter 2:23)

    I am not sure it ever happens exactly like this, but you'll recognize the point: Four-year old Angelo wakes up and discovers that his new beagle puppy has chewed up his plastic guitar.  The little fellow has a fit of grief.  Mom's nerves tighten.  Yesterday's headache starts coming back, and she snaps at husband Tony as he leaves for the office.  Still feeling the unhappy sendoff, he greets his secrtary with some cold and unreasonable instructions.  She immediately picks up the mood, and at coffeebreak tells off a fellows secretary in a way that puts the whole pool on ice.  Fifteen minutes before the office closes, the second put-down secretary vents her anger at her boss and tells him she's had it.  About an hour and a half later, he walks into his house after fighting heavy freeway traffic.  Seeing his wife, he blurts out an angry word because little Nelson has left his bike in the driveway again.  Mom turns around and yells at their 5-year old son.  Nelson's eyes fill up with tears, he rushes to his room, slams the door, and kicks his Scottish terrier.

    Where does it all end?  Every reaction is understandable.  Each person had a reason for being upset.  But what that little world of people needed that day was someone who could absorb unjust treatment without lashing out.  And this is where a Christian has a unique opportunity.  By knowing the Father's will, by heeding the Son's example, and by relying on the Spirit's help, he can put up with bad treatment in order to show others a better way.  In terms of a chain reaction of anger, he can be where it all ends.  (Selected) 

N.J. Hiebert # 2097

December 14

"He said to them, go ye into all the world..."  (Mark 16:15) 

"Jesus... saith unto him go home to thy friends, and tell them..." Mark 5:19 

    William Carey, pioneer missionary to India, first heard the gospel from a fellow apprentice in a shoemaker's shop.  Carey made light of his co-worker's testimony, but secretly became convicted of his deep need: "I found myself a sinner, whose only hope was to trust Jesus."

    Once saved, he really got into God's Word.  he also read books and listened to preachers that expounded it.  As he began preaching, the Lord burdened his heart for the lost in India.  He also discovered that he had a gift for languages, and easily taught himself Greek, Hebrew, Latin, French, Dutch, and Italian.  He became convinced that translating the Bible into native tongues was a key to taking the gospel to all the world.  But when he shared his burden for the lost in India, he was told, "When God pleases to convert the heathen, he'll do it without your aid."  Undaunted, he took as his motto, "Attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God."  With his whole family, he departed for India in 1793.  

    Overcoming great set backs, Carey eventually established 26 churches, translated the whole Bible into six languages and the New Testament into 23 languages.  Shortly before his death in 1834, he characterized himself as a "plodder - one who simply persevered in what he undertook for God."  The gospel is not spread today so much by miracles as by "going" and "telling."  This is what Carey did in India, but just as importantly, this is what his co-worker did in the shoemaker's shop in England.  Whose was the greater work?  If God calls you to do great things for Him in India, by all means go!  But if He calls you to serve with your co-workers, friends, and neighbours right where you are, do that!  (Taken from "The Lord is Near") 

N.J. Hiebert # 2098

December 15

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."  (Acts 12:5)

This verse tells us that there was a much stronger force at work than the squadron of soldiers under Herod.  While Peter was in prison, earnest, ceaseless, urgent supplication was being made by the Church to the living and true God.  It was sure, united and in the unction of the Holy Spirit.  As the prayers rose, chains slid off manacled wrists.  Vigilant guards saw nothing.  Iron gates yielded.  Prayer worked then, and it works today.  Learn to engage in and enjoy prayer.  Then watch what God will do.  (Choice Gleanings)

N.J. Hiebert # 2099

December 16

"She hath wrought a good work upon Me."  (Matthew 26:10)

 Christ Himself was the immediate object of this woman's soul; and it was this which gave value to her act, and sent the odour of her ointment straight up to the throne of God.  Little did she know or think that untold millions would read the record of her deep-toned personal devotedness.  Little did she imagine that her act would be stereotyped by the Master's hand on the very pages of eternity, and never be obliterated.  She thought not of this.  She sought not, nor dreamed of such marvellous publicity; had she done so, it would have robbed her act of all its charms, and deprived her sacrifice of all its fragrance. (Christian Truth - Vol. 20)

N.J. Hiebert # 2100