Gems from February 1-3, 2005
February 1
"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." (Philippians 3:13)
The flesh in the saints is as bad as any flesh; therefore, watch, continue in prayer, be clothed with humility. Live no more by memory than by sense, but live by faith, forgetting the things which are behind, and pressing forward. It was not when Paul was in communion with the glory that he was in danger of being puffed up, but when he came down in the memory of it. Memory has its own work, and so has sense; but conscious, present communion with God is the power and glory of the saint, and his special privilege. Here he gets everything, for here he has God; and here he has everything safely, for he has everything in God - with God.
When Christ is working in a heart, there will be the tenderest consideration; there will be straight paths made for lame feet.
Wherever you go, endeavour to carry with you a sense of God's presence, His holiness, and His love; it will preserve you from a thousand snares. (Selected)
N.J. Hiebert # 2147
February 2
"Behold the days come saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:11,12)
Some believers may be ready to say about this, If we are deprived of all the Lord's "gifts," we still have the Bible. True, but there is another side to this, How many are there who read the Bible as a routine and get nothing for their souls? Why is this? Are we not told that Moses and the prophets were read in the Jewish synagogue every Sabbath day? so that with the Scriptures in their hands, and read at stated intervals, there was such a famine of the Word of God, that they knew not Him of whom the Scriptures which they read spake, but actually fulfilled the same in condemning Him. "If any man hear MY voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with ME." (Revelation 3:20) (H.H.S.)
N.J. Hiebert # 2148
February 3
"Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges?" (1 Corinthians 9:7)
No; He who calls, equips and sustains; and the servant has only to learn how to avail himself of what is provided. The Lord expects nothing from us, except looking to Him, and even for that He will give the power. (Edward Dennett)
N.J. Hiebert # 2149
