Bible Gems

February 21

"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."  (Philippians 2:8)

To each of us there is something which seems simply impossible to get on top of.  I know my special foe and all this week I have had to live looking off to "Jesus, the Author and (thank God) the Finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2)   Psalm 138:8 is another standby.  "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands." 

Oh! blessed be the eternal Word of God.  Feelings may change (they do), We may change and fall (we do), but His word stands steadfast.  It cannot fail.

Don't you think that some of us must know the trials of misty weather if we are to be enabled to understand when others are in the mist?

My word yesterday was "Even the death of the cross".  There is an "even" in most lives.  God help us not to shrink back from that "even." (Philippians 2:8)

(Candles in the Dark - Amy Carmichael)

N.J. Hiebert # 3622

February 22

"And when they had brought their ship to land, they forsook all and followed Him."
(Luke 5:11)

We see in these disciples the effect of all.  They are absorbed with Christ now.  They not only look to Him for salvation, but they think of nothing else for life, speaking now generally and apart from any particular failure.  "They forsook all, and followed Him."  Christ becomes their life.  It is a new line altogether, not merely obedience to an express command with the reserve of thinking and saying, perhaps, "There is no harm in this or that."  Christ pleased not Himself.  His reason for action was His Father's will, and not the absence of a prohibition.  And we are sanctified unto the obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ.  "They forsook all," and where Christ went they went. They are associated with their Lord in His love to souls and in the walk of life.  This is liberty.  May we, having Christ our life, have Him as our one motive, detached from all to Him, yet channels for all the blessing and grace we have ourselves tasted in Him!  There  is power to attract out of every corruption around, and to gather the soul into the thoughts and ways of God by the revelation of Christ Himself.    (JND - The Man of Sorrows)

N.J. Hiebert # 3623

February 23

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me.  Then the disciples
looked one on another, doubting of whom He spake." (John 13:21,22)

Judas, a non-believer, walked with Christ for three years as one of the disciples.  He blended so well that when Christ told them that one of them would betray Him, they were mystified as to who it might be.  No mention is made that Judas was singled out for suspicion.  It is possible to blend well with believers in Christ but to never personally accept Him as Saviour and Lord.  Having a Christian family or associating with Christians does not save you.
Are you a blender or a believer? 
(David J. Logan)

I do believe, I will believe,
That Jesus died for me!
That on the cross He shed His blood
From sin to set me free.

N.J. Hiebert # 3624

February 24

"Quench (suppress) not the Spirit."  (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

Call of the Chickadees

The black-capped chickadee has a surprising level of complexity in the noises it makes for alarm calls.  Researchers found that chickadees use a high-frequency call to warn of danger in the air.  Depending on the situation, the "chickadee" call can cue other birds about food that is nearby or predators that are perched too close for comfort.

Studies have also found that chickadees don't sense danger from large predators such as the great horned owl, because they're not likely to prey on  such a petite bird.  But smaller owls, which are closer to the size of the chickadee and more of a threat, prompt sentinel chickadees to repeat the alarm sound of their calls - the chickadee's distinctive "dee" note.

A similar level of awareness might serve us well.  In the apostle Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, he didn't just condemn the evils of the world.  He also focused his attention on the matters of the heart that can do harm to us with barely a notice.  "See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good." "Quench not the Spirit." "Prove all things" (1 Thessalonians 5:15,19,21).

With the Lord's help let's keep attuned to every caution in the Word about our heart.   (Mart De Haan)

How we need a keen awareness
Of God's voice that is His Word,
Quiet whispers, gentle nudgings,
So we'll make Him King and Lord.
(Anon)
___________________________________________
God speaks to those who are willing to listen.
________________________________________________________________
Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (2007), Grand Rapids, MI.  Reprinted permission

N.J. Hiebert # 3625