Gems from March 15-16, 2005
March 15
"The Lord knoweth them that are His." (2 Timothy 2:19)
This knowing is no less than an acquaintance of heart with heart, a relation between the Lord and those that are His. The confusion has become so great, believers and unbelievers found in such close association, that, as to the mass, we cannot definitely say who is the Lord's and who is not. In such a condition what a comfort to know that what is of God cannot be set aside, and those that are the Lord's, though hidden in the mass, cannot be ultimately lost. (Hamilton Smith - The Second Epistle of Timothy - An Expository Outline)
N.J. Hiebert # 2189
March 16
"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." (Colossians 1:12)
A gathering of friends at an English estate nearly turned to tragedy when one of the children strayed into deep water. The gardener heard the cries for help, plunged in, and rescued the drowning child. That youngster's name was Winston Churchill. His grateful parents asked the gardener what they could do to reward him. He hesitated, then said, "I wish my son could go to college someday and become a doctor." "We'll see to it," Churchill's parents promised.
Years later, while Sir Winston was prime minister of England, he was stricken with pneumonia. The country's best physician was summoned. His name was Dr. Alexander Fleming, the man who discovered and developed penicillin. He was also the son of that gardener who had saved young Winston from drowning. Later Churchill remarked, "Rarely has one man owed his life twice to the same person."
Churchill's experienced reminds us of our double indebtedness as Christians to God. First, our heavenly Father gave us the precious gift of physical life. Then through His Son, the Great Physician, He imparted to us the priceless gift of eternal life.
This should motivate us to present our body as a living sacrifice to the Lord (Romans 12:1). To Him we are doubly indebted for life. (D.J.D.)
My life, my love, I give to Thee,
Thou Lamb of God who died for me;
O may I ever faithful be,
My Savoir and my God. (Hudson)
We cannot fully enjoy the gift of Physical life until we have received the gift of eternal life.
Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright 1990, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted Permission
N.J. Hiebert # 2190
