Gems from June 2025
AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN?
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Revelation 1:5
Can any believer contemplate the "amazing love" of Calvary without sharing the awe and wonder of the questions in this hymn by Charles Wesley? Written a short time after his heart-warming Aldersgate experience on May 20,1738, this song of grateful adoration for God's great plan of redemption has been one of the most deeply moving and treasured hymns for more than two hundred years.
Even though he had a strict religious training in his youth, education at Oxford University and missionary service in the new colony of Georgia, Charles Wesley had no peace or joy in his heart and life. Returning to London after a discouraging time in America, he met with a group of Moravians in the Aldersgate Hall and came to realize that "Salvation is by faith alone". In his journal entry for May 20, he wrote, "At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceeding abundantly above what I can ask or think."
In this spirit of joyous enthusiasm, Charles began to write new hymns with increased fervour. He traveled throughout Great Britain with his older brother John a quarter of a million miles, mostly on horseback, leading great crowds in singing his hymns in massive outdoor services of forty thousand people. With every new spiritual experience or thought that crossed Charles's mind a new hymn was born. Even on his death bed it is said that he dictated to his wife a final hymn of praise to the Lord he had loved so intimately and served so effectively. Kenneth W. Osbeck
And can it be that I should gain an interest the Saviour's blood? Died He for me who caused His pain? for me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my Lord should die for me.
He left His Father's throne above, so free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race. 'Tis mercy all, immense and free; for O my God, it found out me.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature's night; Thine eye defused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own,
N.J. Hiebert - 9960
June 1
BACK TO THE FOLD
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:3
'Twas a sheep, not a lamb, that went astray
In the parable Jesus told,
A grown up sheep that wandered away
From the ninety and nine in the fold.
Out on the hillside, out in the cold,
'Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought,
Borne on His shoulders and back to the fold,
The sheep the Good Shepherd brought.
Why for the sheep should we earnestly long
And as earnestly hope and pray?
Because there is danger, if they go wrong
They may lead the lambs astray.
Lambs will follow the sheep, you know
Wherever the sheep may stray,
If the sheep go wrong, it won't be long
'Till the lambs are as wrong as they.
So for the sheep let us earnestly pray,
For the sake of the lambs today,
If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost
Some sheep will have to pay.
Mrs. Furstenfeld
N.J. Hiebert - 9961
June 2
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Rise, let us be going. Matthew 26:46
RESTING AND ROUSING
He rests us and He rouses us. This nervous age keeps going with pills to put it to sleep and pills to keep it awake. From sedative to stimulant our generation lives by "shots in the arm". We both rest and rouse our jaded selves artificially.
But all we need for both purposes is found in Jesus. He give us peace. "Rest in the Lord." (Psalm 37:7) is God's prescription. We can rest in Him when we cease from our own feverish works and rest in HIs finished work.
And He rouses us. "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18) There you have the world's false stimulant and Divine stirring of the Spirit. "Stir up the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6-7) means kindling the Fire within us, although the coals may be covered with ashes. Alas, "there is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee." (Isaiah 64:7)
Whether you need resting or rousing, He does both. But we cooperate as we rest in Him or rouse ourselves to do His bidding.
Day by Day with Vance Havner (1901-1986)
Come unto Me, it is the Saviour's voice - the Lord of life, who bids thy heart rejoice;
O weary heart, with heavy cares oppressed, come unto Me, and I will give you rest.
Nate Norton
N.J. Hiebert - 9962
June 3
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world. 1 Peter 1:18-20
The death and resurrection of Christ form the new basis on which God establishes every relationship with fallen man. Little wonder then that the Holy Scriptures are replete with types, prophecies, and shadows, all pointing to the coming One. Already before the foundation of the world was laid God had His Lamb in reserve.
And when the first man, Adam, sinned and thus failed in his responsibility towards God, it but served as an occasion for God to introduce the Second Man, the Man of His counsels, the Lord from heaven, into this world.
When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). God Himself must provide a Lamb, for we had none to bring. And what the holiness of God required, the love of God provided in the sending of His Son.
Wonderful provision for ruined sinners who now been brought to God, "accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). The same One who was on the cross bearing our sins is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God: blessed proof of God's satisfaction with the work of putting sin away.
Moreover God's righteousness requires that all who have been redeemed will also be glorified with Christ where He is. We will be like Him and with Him,
(1 John 3:2) the fruit of His grace and the objects of God's eternal pleasure.
J. Redekop
N.J. Hiebert - 9963
June 4
THERE IS LIFE IN A LOOK AT THE CRUCIFIED ONE
And as Moses lifted up the serpent up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14-15
Amelia Matilda Hull was born in England, on September 30, 1812, the youngest of a family of eleven children. Her father was a retired army captain. Of Amelia's personal life, very has been left on record apart from the story of her conversion. However, the circumstances of that great event are so full of interest and are so inextricably linked with the birth of her lovely hymn, that they are worth relating.
Amelia was about twenty years of age when she heard the gospel of Christ for the first time. A visiting evangelist had pitched his tent near to their family home and invited the neighbouring people to come and hear the gospel. One night Amelia ventured to go. She slipped in at the back of the tent and listened with intense interest to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her heart was troubled. When she returned home and told her father where she had been, he was furious. He told her that association with such "ranters" and their meetings was not becoming to anyone in her position in life and he forbade to go back.
However, Amelia's heart had already received the first dropping of the living water and she thirsted for more. She felt she must go back and in spite of her father's forbidding, she returned the following evening. The message was taken from John 3:14-15, (quoted above).
On her arrival home, she met with her father's fury. He was beside himself with rage. Taking her to the library he scolded her severely for what she had done and ordered that she appear there the next morning at nine o'clock, to be punished. Before retiring for the night she thought upon the greatness of the message which had brought her peace and, as she did so, she jotted down her heart's musings on a piece of paper. At 9 o'clock she made her way to the library with the piece of paper in her hand. She entered, and handed the piece of paper to her father and waited. Captain Hull stood there that morning and read the word of Amelia's composition.
There is life in a look at the Crucified One, there is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner look, unto Him and be saved, unto Him who was nailed to the tree.
It is not thy tears of repentance or prayers but the blood that atones for the soul;
On Him than believe, and a pardon receive, for His blood now can make thee quite whole.
Then take with rejoicing from Jesus at once, the life everlasting He gives;
And know with assurance though never canst die, since Jesus, thy righteousness, lives.
As he read, a change came over him. He sat down and buried his face in his hands. God had spoken to his heart and he was now a broken man. Gone was any thought of punishing his daughter. Instead in the library that morning Captain Hull sought and found his daughter Amelia's Saviour. C.B.R.
N.J. Hiebert - 9964
June 5
He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief . . . and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. Romans 4:20,21
It is the everlasting faithfulness of God that makes a Bible promise "exceeding great and precious." 2 Peter 1:4. Human promises are often worthless. Many a broken promise has left a broken heart. But since the world was made, God has never broken a single promise made to one of His trusting children.
Oh, it is sad for a poor Christian to stand at the door of the promise, in the dark night of affliction, afraid to open the latch, whereas he should come boldly for shelter as a child into his father's house. Gurnal.
Every promise is built upon four pillars:
1. God's justice and holiness, which will not suffer Him to deceive;
2. His grace or goodness, which will not suffer Him to forget;
3. His truth, which will not suffer Him to change,
4. Which makes Him able to accomplish.
Selected
When thou passest through the waters deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge, and His promise is our hold;
For the Lord Himself hath said it, He, the faithful God and true:
"When thou comest to the waters thou shalt not go down, BUT THROUGH."
Annie Johnson Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 9965
June 6
And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, It is nothing with Thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee. 2 Chronicles 14:11
This is delightful to contemplate. With Asa it was not a question of the relative strength and prowess of the hordes of the enemy and the army of Judah; but it was simply a question of the power of God and puny ability of weak, mortal men. "Let not man prevail against Thee," was his plea. He choses a word for man that emphasizes his insignificance and lack of strength.
In the Hebrew language there are various words which he might have used for man. Ahdahm is the ordinary term which links man with his first father, from a root meaning red clay. Geber is man in his might, from a root meaning to be strong. Ish is man in his dignity; whereas the word used by Asa is Enosh, from a root signifying frail and incurable. It is man in his low estate as fallen and mortal.
This then was all that the great Ethiopian host meant to Asa. All were as nothing in contrast to the mighty power of the God who was leading the army of Judah and Benjamin. The result was certain, "The Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled . . . for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before His host; and they carried away very much spoil." 2 Chronicles 14:12,13.
May each tried saint cast himself upon the same Omnipotent Saviour-God in every time of apparently overwhelming trouble, and thus prove for himself that "Safety is of the Lord." Proverbs 21:31.
H.A. Ironside - Proverbs.
N.J. Hiebert - 9966
June 7
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
What a promise! The very arrangement of the words is precious. Our need and His riches are strung together, looped as if by two bands. Some have sought to limit the "need" to temporal needs: "but all your need" certainly precludes that: and there will be no temporal needs to supply "in glory". No, Beloved, take it as it stands. Endorse the promise, and accept it with joy and thanksgiving. It surely includes temporal needs: and in no mean or stingy way: but according to His wealth, in glory, in Christ Jesus.
A millionaire might give a penny to a beggar, but he would not be giving according to his wealth. Our God is the "Giving God" and the Lord Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive:" and He will ever have the more blessed place.
Years ago when horse-cabs were the custom in Canada, it was usual to give the cabman a tip of 25 cents. The story is told of one of Canada's richest men who drove home one night in a cab. When he got out he handed the cabbie the correct fare and a 25 cent tip. The cabbie turned it over in his hand, and said, "You know, Sir, when I drive your son home, he always gives me a half a dollar tip." "Yes," the wealthy man replied "But he has a rich father."
The son was giving in some measure "according to his wealth." I regret to say the father was not doing so: but our "Rich Father" will never treat us so: He gives "according to His wealth." And we might bear in mind that our "rich Father" has said, "Freely ye have received, freely give."
But let us notice it is all our need . And I am so glad to think it does mean our spiritual needs as well as our temporal needs: need for more devotedness to Christ: need for more earnestness in finding time for prayer and the Word: all your need. Who shall do it? "My God." Sacrifices of Joy - G. Christopher Willis.
N.J. Hiebert - 9967
June 8
LET GO DISPLEASURE
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8
Sometimes something happens which recalls great pain. You are not able to find pleasure in that thing. You are oppressed by it and saddened. Suddenly the word comes, "Let go displeasure."
Displeasure is not always wrath; it is not unkindness, or the fretting which the Psalm says so truly, "tendeth only to evil doing." It is just something that is not pleasure but pain, and so can depress the heart.
Let it go. Do not hold on to it. Let it slip out of mind. Turn to something that does give pleasure and fasten your thoughts on that. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." "Commit thy way unto the Lord;" (Psalms 37:5-7) (and the way of those thou lovest) unto Him, and thou shalt be refreshed in the multitude of peace.
Prove this word if ever you are tempted in this way. You will find that by an act of will, by His grace, you can let go displeasure and be most tenderly released and refreshed.
Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 9968
June 9
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple...who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. ...Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. ...And he leaping up stood, and walked into the temple. ...leaping and praising God. Acts 3:1-8
And the Sadducees...laid hands on them and put them in hold and on the morrow when they had set them in the midst, they asked, by what power, or by what name have ye done this?
Be it known unto you all...by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. Acts 4:1-12
Did you ever hear of such utter folly as putting a man in prison, and trying him for a good deed--healing a cripple? God brings the man in, as it were, to give witness to that council. "And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it" (Acts 4:14).
I do not expect he was invited by the council, for he was an awkward witness. Look at him now, whole! Yesterday he was a poor cripple until three o'clock, now he is free from infirmity. And what had done it? The power of the Name of that Jesus "whom ye crucified," that was their guilt, "whom God raised from the dead," there was God's righteousness.
The boldness of John and Peter impressed them, and "beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing"--they were silenced. Faith and facts are two stubborn witnesses. Both attest God's grace. They admit defeat. "The could say nothing against it." (Acts 4:16).
Simon Peter - W. T. P. Wolston
N.J. Hiebert - 9969
June 10
And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon. Exodus 30:1
Each of the tabernacle articles of furniture and materials is symbolic of various attributes and glories of the Lord Jesus. The Table for burning incense was made of wood coated in gold (The Lord's humanity covered in gold, divine righteousness), and stood just in front of the vail leading into the Holy of Holies. It's sole purpose was to burn incense as a sweet perfume to God and is described in some detail in Exodus 30.
The aromatic herbs, ground up to make incense, are described in Exodus 30:34, but in order to produce a smoky perfume, fire was needed; but it wasn't kindled there. Live coals had to be brought by the priest from the Brass Altar where sacrifices were burned. (Leviticus 16:12)
These two Altars give us a beautiful thought: the Brass Altar is a picture of the cross where the One perfect sacrifice for sin bore God's judgment; whereas the Altar of Incense introduces the subject of worship; that which springs from our hearts as we remember what the Lord Jesus endured. The live coals provide a bridge of remembrance from one Altar to the other.
It is essential for would-be worshipers to actually possesses the salvation that results from the perfect sacrifice, and then need to prepare the spices, that is, meditate on what the Lord has done. Only then will we be ready to properly worship. Interesting that both Altars produced a sweet Saviour to God. There's a verse in a hymn perhaps inspired by those two sweet perfumes:
Sweetest rest and peace have filled us, Sweeter praise than tongue can tell
God is satisfied with Jesus, We are satisfied as well. (German hymn, 57, Little Flock)
God's satisfaction with Jesus is seen in the sacrifice at the Brass Altar. Our satisfaction with that work produces heartfelt worship (The Altar of Incense). Lorne Perry
N.J. Hiebert - 9970
June 11
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, ...and it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:13-15
And Jesus said unto them, what manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? ...Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:17, 26-27
Would not you have liked to have made the fourth person that day, and hear Him open up "in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself"? Why, sometimes your heart has fairly boiled, and the tears have run down your cheeks with joy as you have heard some bit of ministry of Christ from the lips of a poor servant of His.
But think what it must have been to have heard Him going through the Scriptures from Moses on, and from type, shadow, figure, offering and sacrifice, picking out that which told of Himself, and so expounding it that their hearts began to burn (Luke 24:32). No wonder, the fact was this, they had never met such a Stranger, they had never had such ministry, and never had such company before.
And this lovely exposition went on during an eight mile journey. We can well understand what it produced. It wrought the most exquisite expression of true fellowship. Their hearts were knit to the Stranger, although they had no notion who He was. He was able to speak so beautifully about the One who was dearest to their hearts that they craved for more of this ministry and fellowship.
I do not know any scene in Scripture that expresses more sweetly the effect of real ministry of Christ. That always knits the heart to Christ, and to the one who so ministers. W. T. P. Wolston
N.J. Hiebert - 9971
June 12
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 51:17
I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of Joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord."
Psalm 27:6
It may be that from a broken spirit the sweetest odours go up to God; and it may be that some of the sorrows of the saints that puzzle us now, have this fragrance in view. Such a sacrifice (and it is a very costly sacrifice, perhaps one of the most costly of all) our God will not despise.
But there is another kind of sacrifice yet; and this sacrifice is the sacrifice that has given the name to this book. "I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy." Strange as it may seem, this sacrifice does not clash with the sacrifice we have just been pondering: for it is one of the lovely contrasts of the scriptures that we can be "sorrowful yet always rejoicing". 2 Corinthians 6:10. Yes, I think we can bring the sacrifice of a broken spirit, and sacrifices of joy, at the same time. And perhaps such are specially acceptable to God: the joy and sorrow mingling.
You have perhaps heard the story of the child who was keeping the best meat on his plate for his little dog. His mother asked him rather sharply, "Johnnie. why don't you eat up your dinner?" "I'm keeping it for Fido, Mummie." "Nonsense, eat your dinner at once, and you can collect the scraps on the plates after dinner for Fido." The child did as he was told, and with tears running down his cheeks, he was heard to say, "Fido dear, I wanted to give you a sacrifice, but it is only a collection."
A sacrifice costs us something, often a collection costs next to nothing. Johnnie's sacrifice to Fido would have been a "sacrifice of joy".
Love is the secret.
Sacrifices of Joy - G. Christopher Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 9972
June 13
My soul thirsteth for God. Psalm 42:2
Man seeks rest in his surroundings; God gives rest within.
We have got a measureless income to live upon--the grace of God. We must remember that the presence of God is always opened to us, and that in His presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11.
The presence of God settles everything even in every-day life. We have cares; take them to God, and how they are changed in a moment. You never come out of God's presence as you go in. You see things in their true character.
Christ is made unto us wisdom. We have to travel through this world--wisdom we need; well, I thank God we shall never lack it. Christ is our wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:30). Whatever the case, there is unfailing wisdom for you in Christ at God's right hand.
I believe it is joy to the heart of Christ when He sees us, as it were, compelled to turn to Him. He loves us so much that He is jealous of our turning elsewhere.
When you are near Christ you cannot speak of your service. The more we are with Christ, self will retire, and Christ will take His rightful place. He has His place in heaven. Oh, that He might have it in our hearts.
E. P. Corrin - Footprints for Pilgrims.
N.J. Hiebert - 9973
June 14
OUR LIPS KEPT FOR JESUS
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. Matthew 10:27
It is a specially sweet part of His dealings with His messengers that He always gives us the message for ourselves first. It is what He has first told us in darkness--that is, in the secrecy of our own rooms, or at least of our own hearts--that He bids us speak in light. And so the more we sit at His feet and watch to see what He has to say to ourselves, the more we shall have to tell to others. He does not send us out with sealed dispatches, which we know nothing about, and with which we have no concern.
There seems a sevenfold sequence in His filling the lips of His messengers.
1. They must be purified. "Lo, this hath touched thy lips, Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin is purged." (Isaiah 6:6-7).
2. Then He will create the fruit of them, the message of peace. "Peace to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal Him." (Isaiah 57:19).
3. Then comes prayer, "O Lord, open Thou my lips," (Psalm 51:15).
4. Then comes in the promises, "Behold I have put My words in thy mouth." (Isaiah 51:16)
5. Then, "The lips of the righteous feed many." (Proverbs 10:21) for the food is the Lord's own giving.
6. Everything leads up to praise, "My mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips, when I remember Thee." (Psalm 63:3)
7. Meditation on Jesus throws this added light upon it, "By Him, therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews13;15).
Kept for the Master's Use - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 9974
June 15
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13.
I written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14
The question has been asked: "Why are most rivers crooked?" and the reply is given: "A river becomes crooked when it follows the line of least resistance." There will come times in your experience when it will be necessary to say, "No"; and there is tremendous power in that little word when it is spoken resolutely and courageously. It has often been like a giant rock by the sea, as it has encountered and hurled back the mighty waves of temptation.
A Christian wrote recently from a country where God's people are sealing their testimony with their blood, and said: "Our prayer is this: 'Let me rather die a martyr's death, than live a life dishonouring to Thee' ".
Religious freedom is disappearing from the earth; and, even in our favoured land, the time may come when unbending fidelity will cost us our lives. Should such a privilege be accorded us, pray God that we may quit ourselves like men.
This, then, is the first of the things that should characterize us as witnesses for our Lord. With deep humility of heart, but with head erect and soul ablaze, may we face the future unafraid--assured, as we are, "that as thy days so shall thy strength be--(Deuteronomy 33:25) and that limitless grace may be ours till travelling days are done.
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Winsome Christianity - Henry Durbanville
N.J. Hiebert - 9975
June 16
For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
Is the gospel a mystery? then. Christian, long for heaven, and only there shall this mystery be fully known. Here we learn our knowledge of it by little and little, like one that reads a book as it comes from the press, sheet by sheet; there we shall see it altogether. Here we learn with much pain and difficulty, there without travail and trouble: glorified saints, though they cease not from work, yet rest from labour. Here passion blinds our minds, that we mistake error for truth, and truth for error; but these clouds shall be scattered and gone.
Here the weakness of natural parts keeps many in the dark, and renders them in capable of apprehending some truths, which others are led into; but there the strong shall not prevent the weak, the scholar shall know as much as his master. When that blessed hour comes, then lift up your heads with joy, for it will lead you into that blissful place where you will see Christ, not a great way off, not with the eye of faith, but with a glorified eye behold His very Person, never more to lose sight of Him.
You shalt no more hear what a glorious place heaven is, but shall walk yourself in the streets of that glorious city, and bless yourself, to think what poor, low thoughts you had, when on earth you did meditate on this subject: one moment's sight of that glory will inform you more than all the books written of it were ever able to do. William Gurnall -The Christian in Complete Armour 1617-1679
N.J. Hiebert - 9976
June 17
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were...came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, peace be unto you. And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, peace be unto you. John 20:19-21
On the first day of the week, the resurrection day, the disciples were together and suddenly Jesus was in their midst--for neither doors nor locks exist for the glorified body of the Risen One! Now He says, "Peace be unto you!" And to let them see why they could now have peace, peace with God, He lets them see his nail-pierced hands and His spear-pierced side. This is the basis for peace with God: "Having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20).
Peace with God! In Genesis 6:3, God says that His Spirit would not always plead with man. As long as there is something in man that is opposed to God's holiness and righteousness, indeed, opposed to anything that is of God, there can be no peace with God.
But now the Man Christ Jesus has not only borne the sins of all who believe on Him, but also has glorified God exceedingly upon the cross. The love and grace of God, the righteousness and holiness of God, yes, all the attributes of God have been gloriously revealed through the work of the Lord Jesus.
God has been glorified in the Man Jesus and can look down upon Him with pleasure. Now all who believe on Him are seen as one with Him--we are united with the glorified Man in heaven. And the pleasure that God has in the Son on the basis of His work on the cross rests also upon those who are united with Him. We have peace with God. H. L. Heijkoop
N.J. Hiebert - 9977
June 18
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7
The universal recognition of a personal dependence upon the infinite God has no doubt made this appealing hymn the best loved of more than sixty-five hundred hymns of Charles Wesley. Written in 1738, this hymn has since brought comfort and inspiration to countless numbers during the storms of life.
The simple yet vivid language of this hymn gives it a special quality. Some have called it the "finest heart-hymn in the English language." Also the exaltation of Christ is truly noteworthy in such picturesque terms as "lover," "healer," "fountain," "wing," and "pilot." But possibly the greatest appeal of these lines is the assurance they give of Christ's consolation and protection through all of life and then for eternity. How important it is that we learn the truth taught in these words! Kenneth W. Osbeck
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high! Hide me, O my Saviour, hide--till the storm of life is past; safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last!
Other refuge have I none--hangs my helpless soul on Thee; leave, Oh, leave me not alone, still support and comfort me! All my trust on Thee is stayed--all my help from Thee I bring; cover my defenceless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Thou O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find; raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick and lead the blind. Just and holy is Thy name--I am all unrighteousness; false and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin; let the healing streams abound, make and keep me pure within. Thou of life the fountain art--freely let me take of Thee; spring Thou up within my heart, rise to all eternity.
Charles Wesley
N.J. Hiebert - 9978
June 19
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. John 20:10-12.
Tears are the prisms into which the light of heaven often shines and becomes broken up that we may see its beauty. Mary Magdalene saw more through her tears than either of the apostles Peter and John. They went to the sepulchre, but went home again with no angelic vision. "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping. . ." This is what Mary saw--angels in white. Before her was the dark tomb, emptied of all she loved best; but it was just there the "angels in white" appeared. And they are always to be seen, if only we have eyes to see them. "Angels in white," where all seems dead and desolate.
Have you a grave beside which you weep, the burial place of some loved one; or where some fond ambition or desire lies entombed? Try to see the "angels in white." leading you nearer to the risen Lord. But you must be seeking Jesus; and if you see the "angels in white," your Lord will not be far off. The moment Mary had answered their question, "she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing," and one word from Him changed her sorrow into joy.
A gentleman was asked by an artist friend to come and see a painting just finished. Much to his surprise, he was taken to a dark room. Fifteen minutes later his friend took him up to the studio to see the picture, which was greatly admired. The artist said, "You thought it strange to be left in that dark room so long? I knew that if you came into my studio with the glare of the street in your eyes, you could not appreciate the fine colouring of the picture; so I left you in the dark room until the glare had worn out of your eyes." And God leaves us in many a dark room here below, but it is only a preparation for what is coming. One day we shall no longer see through a glass darkly, but face to face. In the mean time let us wait and trust. Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J. Hiebert - 9979
June 20
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Proverbs 17:14.
A leak in a dike that could be stopped with a pebble, if noticed at the beginning, will, if neglected, grow greater and greater until, at last, the inrushing waters will carry all before them. So it is with strife.
How many a lifelong contention has begun with a few hasty words, which, if repented of and apologized for at once, would have been healed immediately, and years of sorrow averted. The Spirit of God has said, "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26). If this simple rule were literally obeyed, what untold heartaches would be avoided!
Happy the man who lays his head upon his pillow nightly with the knowledge that there are no hasty actions or angry words un-repented of and unconfessed to any who have been offended, and who might have been alienated forever if the breach had not been made up at once in the fear of God. When days and weeks of charges and countercharges are succeeded by months of crimination and recrimination, reconciliation is a hard and difficult matter to to bring about.
Far better is it to humble oneself and take wrong, if need be, at the beginning, than to grieve the Holy Spirit of God and lacerate the hearts of beloved saints by a long period of un-Christlike wrangling which will leave wounds that never can be healed; or, if healed, scars that never can be effaced.
Proverbs - H. A. Ironside
N.J. Hiebert - 9980
June 21
Thou has ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse...
Song of Solomon 4:9
Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it. Ephesians 5:25
A man may have a very handsome estate, and value it much, but he can never have the same feelings towards it that he has towards his wife and children. They are a part of himself, not it. What were all the pleasures of paradise to the first Adam compared with his delight in his loved and beautiful Eve? She was part of himself, not creation.
He had been cast into a deep sleep, and from his opened side a helpmeet was formed. When he awoke out of sleep and saw standing by his side the fair one, whom the Lord God, in His goodness, had provided for him, he exclaimed, "This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh" (Genesis 2:23). The blank was now filled up. He had seen nothing till now to suit his heart. The fair creation--the beauties of Eden, had been, as it were, a blank to the first man, until he possessed and enjoyed the fruit of his typical sufferings and death.
But what was merely typical in the first man, was real in the Second Man--the last Adam. He was indeed cast into a deep sleep--the sleep of death; and as the fruit of His opened side, a second Eve, as it were, has been formed, all fair and spotless in His sight, who shall, ere long, share with Him the joys and dominion of the new--the redeemed creation; and there, amidst its glories, reflect His love which was stronger than death, and bask in the beams of His cloudless favour for ever and ever.
Almighty power could create a world; divine love alone, through suffering and death, could redeem a lost sinner. Who can understand this love--this love to a poor worthless sinner? Amazing truth! The heart of Christ ravished (taken away)! And by what--by whom? By one who has been washed in His own precious blood, and adorned with His own peerless excellencies.
Song of Solomon - Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 9981
June 22
If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. . . and the God of Peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:8,9
It is not what one does, nor is it what one says, but it is what one thinks that makes the man. What one thinks determines what he will say and do. A person may try to make his words and actions to be much different than he actually thinks, but it will be all in vain.
For it is still the thoughts that manage to break through the actions and the words regardless how closely they are guarded. Others can always see the soul when it is off guard.
Paul knew the human mind and character very well. He suggests that we are to think on all things that are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, and well esteemed, all virtue, all things praiseworthy; and as these are allowed to dwell in our thoughts, they cannot help but transform us into His likeness.
Do not weary of the training that that is in store for you. To be the person you most desire will take a very large part of your Christian life. Do not tire of trying the good thoughts, putting aside the bad. When you are about to give up in despair, the Holy Spirit is willing to live those thoughts through you. Give Him the opportunity to do the work which He was placed in your life to do.
Think much of God that you shall like Him be,
In words of faith and hope and charity;
Protect His image from all foul abuse,
And keep your temple holy for His use.
F. G. Burroughs
Streams in the Desert
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
Proverbs 23:7
N.J. Hiebert - 9982
June 23
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28,29.
These verses tell us of something to do-- "come"; of something to leave-- our "burden"; of something to take--"My yoke"; and of something to find--"rest". In order to understand the significance of the whole passage, notice that it speaks of two kinds of rest--one in verse 28, and one in 29.The first of these is a gift--"I will give you rest"; the second is a discovery-- "ye shall find rest".
The one is the rest of salvation; the other is the rest of sanctification. The former-- rest of conscience--is unconditional, being imparted by Christ to all who, in response, to His invitation, come to Him; the latter--rest of heart--is conditional upon our learning of Him, Who is meek and lowly of heart. Meekness and lowliness: these represent the active and the passive sides of humility--a virtue which, because of its rarity, commands universal esteem.
When walking in lowliness we are not likely to wound other people, and when walking in meekness we shall not allow ourselves to be offended should they treat us in an unseemly manner. Is it not just the absence of these graces that causes so much fevered restlessness in our lives? We want to do the work of the man with ten talents when God has gifted us with only one; to occupy a prominent position in public when He intends us to fill a lowly place in private.
When God intends a creature to fly He always provides it with wings. If He has fitted one for publicity and prominence, the gift with which He has endowed that one will inevitably make room for itself (Proverbs 18:16). And the strong probability is that, did we but know the perils which surround those who occupy high positions and the fierce conflict which those have to wage who lead the van in Christian warfare, we would cease envying them and commence praying for them, and be thankful and content that we are filling, in lowly obscurity, the niche which God intends us to fill. Pearl of the Psalms - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 9983
June 24
If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain" 1 Corinthians 15:14.
We are not saved by the teaching of Jesus, wonderful as that was: "Never man spake like this Man" (John 7:46). His teaching could not atone for sin; His teaching could not cleanse guilty souls; it could not make men and women fit for heaven. Neither are we saved by imitating the lovely life of Jesus.
If our salvation depended upon our imitating that perfect life, we might everyone of us give up all hope and consider that we are just as good as eternally lost; because it is absolutely impossible for any sinful man to live a life such as Jesus, the holy Son of God, lived.
It is true that after we are converted, after we have received a new nature through faith in Him, we are called upon to follow in His steps; but even then as we seek to imitate Him we realize day by day how much we fail.
It is not the teaching of Jesus that saves us; it is not not by imitation of His life that we are saved. We are saved by His death and resurrection! "He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25).
Scripture is clear and definite in regard to the great reality of His triumph over death. One witness after another is brought before us to testify to the fact that Joseph's new tomb was empty after the three days following the crucifixion. Angels appeared to say He was risen; He Himself appeared on one occasion after another during forty days before He ascended into heaven in the sight of His apostles.
One has well said that the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the best attested fact of ancient history. Luke - H. A. Ironside.
N.J. Hiebert 9984
June 25
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15.
God had promised blessings to the righteous, and if anyone could have been found who was righteous, God would have blessed him on that ground. But it is written, "There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:10-12).
Therefore if God blesses man it must be as unrighteous, and as one who has no good in him, as an ungodly sinner. And this is just what God does, for it is "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Hm that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). Man has no righteousness of his own; it must be given to him by God and it is only the righteousness that God gives that will satisfy Him; therefore God proves man to be unrighteous, also guilty, that "every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19).
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:21-23).
God is perfectly JUST (Romans 3:26) in acting in this way, because He has first given up His own beloved Son to death, Who has accomplished redemption by His blood. The Ways of God With Man - W. M Sibthorpe
N.J. Hiebert - 9985
June 26
My peace I give unto you. John14:27
"Peace I leave with you" is much; "My peace I give unto you" is more. The added word tells the fathomless marvel of the gift--"My peace." Not merely "peace with God;" Christ has made that by the blood of His cross, (Colossians 1:20) and being justified by faith we have it through Him (Romans 3:24).
But after we are thus reconciled, the enmity and the separation being ended, Jesus has a gift for us from His own treasures; and this is its special and wonderful value, that it is His very own.
How we value a gift which was the giver's own possession! What a special token of intimate friendship we feel it to be! To others we give what we have made or purchased; it is only to very near and dear ones that we give what has been our own personal enjoyment or use.
And so Jesus gives us not only peace made and peace purchased, but a share in His very own peace--divine, eternal, incomprehensible peace--which dwells in His own heart as God, and which shone in splendour of calmness through His life as man. No wonder that it "passeth all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
Thy reign is perfect peace;
Not mine, but Thine!--
A stream that cannot cease,
For its fountain is Thy heart. O depth unknown!
Thou givest of Thine own,
Pouring from Thine and filling mine.
The "noise of war" hath passed away;
God's peace is on the throne,
Ruling with undisputed sway.
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 9986
June 27
PAUL'S CALENDAR
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12
Someone has said that Paul's calendar had only two days, "today" and "that day." The man who is ready for that day is ready for any day.
But we need to wear our spiritual bifocals and see both days. Some of the saints are near-sighted. Some are far-sighted. Paul may have had trouble wth his physical eyes, but he had no spiritual astigmatism. He had good bifocals; he saw the near and the far.
Do not busy yourself today with "wood, hay, stubble," and fail to build with "gold, silver, precious stones" against that day. For "the day shall declare it," and some works will go up in smoke! (1 Corinthians 3:12,13)
On the other hand, do not so contemplate eternity that you waste today. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
"Today if ye will hear His voice" (Hebrews 4:7)
Day by Day with Vance Havner
I know not when my Lord may come, at night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I'll walk the vale with Him, or "meet Him in the air."
But "I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."
D. W. Whittle
N.J. Hiebert - 9987
June 28
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled." 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2.
Here this word tells us of that great gathering in the air, described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and in 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, when all the true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, whether living or sleeping, shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
What a gathering together that will be, and all unto Him! Not one saint, to the last one brought to the Saviour before He comes again, will be missing then: then all will be gathered together unto their Lord, and He will be the Centre, the only Centre and Object, of that vast throng.
And, note, the One unto Whom we are gathered is not left to be understood, (as it is in some cases), but is plainly told us:--"Unto Him,"--unto the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
The archangel will be there, and will utter his voice: but he is not the Centre or Object, the One to whom that vast throng is gathered! No! It is unto the Lord Himself, the Lord alone, He is the Centre of all: "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout." (1 Thessalonians 4:16) The Lord Himself is our only Object and Centre then.
Who would be wiling to miss that meeting in the air, with the Lord Himself in the midst? Who then, at that moment, will want any other centre, any other object, than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself?
Hid Treasures - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 9988
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June 01, 2025
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