Gems worth pondering
February 7
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
(John 14:27)
Did you ever think that when Christ was dying on the cross, H made a will? Perhaps you have thought that no one ever remembered you in a will. If you are saved, Christ remembered you in His. He willed His body to Joseph of Arimathaea; He willed His mother to John, the son of Zebedee; and He willed His spirit back to His Father. But to His disciples He said:
"My peace I leave that with you; that is MY legacy. My joy, I give that to you."
"My joy," think of it! "My peace" - not our peace, but His peace!
They say a man can't make a will now that lawyers can't break, and drive a four-in-hand (a four horse team driven by one person) right straight through it. I will challenge them to break Christ's will; let them try it. No judge or jury can set that aside. Christ rose to execute His own will. If He had left us a lot of gold, thieves would have stolen it in the first century; but He left His peace and His joy for every true believer, and no power on earth can take it from him who trusts. (D.L. Moody - Daily Gems)
N.J. Hiebert # 3608
February 8
"And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God [one] fourth part of the day; and [another] fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God." (Nehemiah 9:3)
The orderly and reverent reading of God's Word ("stood up in their place") not only produced repentance, but gave liberty to worship Jehovah. The importance and lasting blessing of reverent, daily family reading of the Bible cannot be overemphasized - reverent being the key to family blessing resulting from this happy activity. Such habitual and reverent reading of the Bible will produce a foundation from which worship and praise to God (even from little children - see Matthew 21:15) can result. (Christian Shepherd - July 2005)
N.J. Hiebert # 3609
February 9
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust,
that He might bring us to God." (1 Peter 3:18)
SUBSTITUTION "The just for the unjust."
A most blessed truth this is! The Just One Who knew no sin, Who did no sin, and in Whom is no sin, went to the cross and there took the place of the unjust ones. Christ died for the ungodly, for sinners and enemies of God. Yet He Himself was untainted by sin. He being holy and separate from sinners was thereby qualified to be their Substitute. Not only was He qualified, but also He was willing to bear our sins in His own body on the tree. Wonderful Saviour!
Yes, Christ stooped down in grace to where we were, in order to lift us up and give us a place with Himself where He now is, that we might dwell with Him forever. (J. Redekop)
N.J. Hiebert # 3610
