Bible Gems

May 22

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." 
(Philippians 4:13)

The story is told of a small boy trying very hard to lift a heavy object.  His father coming into the room and noting the son's struggle asked him, "Are you using all your strength?"  "Yes, of course I am," the boy impatiently exclaimed.  You are not" the father answered.  "You haven't asked me to help you."

If the burden is too heavy to bear, it is time to ask God our Father for help.  Our own puny supply of power is so often insufficient for the disappointments and difficulties we have to face.  Let us form the habit of asking for God's help.  God will allow no suffering, no trial above what we are able to  bear. 

For He says in 1 Corinthians 10:13,
"God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted (tried) above that ye are  able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  (Selected)

N.J. Hiebert # 3712 

May 23

"Why seek ye the living among the dead?  He is not here, but He is risen:  REMEMBER . . . And they remembered His words."
(Luke 24:5,6,8)

Joey was a severely disabled student with a terminal disease who attended a Christian school.  Spring had come and Easter was near.  The teacher spent time teaching her class about the resurrection of Jesus from among the dead.  Then she gave each of her students a large plastic egg.

"Now," she said to them, "I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow with something inside that shows new life.  Do you understand?"
"Yes, Miss Nelson!" the children responded enthusiastically - all except for Joey.  He just listened intently, his eyes never leaving her face.  Miss Nelson wondered if he had understood what she had said about the Lord Jesus' death and resurrection?  Perhaps she should call his parents that evening and explain the assignment to them, but in the busyness of her day she forgot about phoning Joey's parents.

The next morning, 19 excited children came to school, laughing and talking as they placed their eggs in the large wicker basket on Miss Nelson's desk.  Soon it was time to open the eggs and in the first egg, she found a flower.

"Oh yes, a flower is certainly a sign of new life," she said.  "When plants peek through the ground we know that spring is here."

The next egg contained a realistic plastic butterfly.  "We all know that a caterpillar changes and grows into a beautiful butterfly.  Yes, that is new life, too."

Next was a rock with green moss on it.  She explained that moss, too, showed life.
The fourth egg - Joey's egg - was empty.  Because she did not want to embarrass him, she quietly set the egg aside and reached for another.
Joey spoke up; "Miss Nelson, aren't you going to talk about my egg?"
She stammered, "Joey...your egg is empty".  But tears filled her eyes as she listened to Joey's explanation.

He said softly, "Yes, but Jesus' tomb was empty, too.  Jesus was killed and put in there.  Then His Father raised Him up to life!"
Three months later, Joey died.  On top of his casket were 19 empty plastic eggs.
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."  (John 11:25)
(The Christian Shepherd - December 2008)

N.J. Hiebert # 3713