Gems from April 2024
"And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."
(2 Thessalonians 3:5)
There are two things which constitute the joy of a Christian. The first is the hope of the coming of the Lord; the second is present communion and fellowship with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these two cannot be separated without loss to our souls, for we cannot have all the profit without both of them.
If we are not looking for the coming of the Lord, there is nothing whatever that can separate us in the same way from this present evil world; neither will Christ Himself be so much the object before the soul; nor yet shall we be able, in the same measure, to apprehend the mind and counsels of God about the world.
(Christian Truth - Vol. 14. February 1991)
N.J.Hiebert — 9532
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.
(2 Corinthians 8:9)
Time is short, remember "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich" (in all the glory which He had with the Father before the world was),
"yet for your sakes He became poor" (even to the shedding His precious blood on Calvary's cross to make us His own and fit us for Himself), "that ye through His poverty might be rich." (Selected)
N.J.Hiebert — 9533
"There came a messenger unto (King) Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-ham-mahlekoth" (that is, the rock of divisions or escape). And David went up from thence." (1 Samuel 23:27-29)
Saul was pressing David very close. It seemed as if Saul had captured his long pursued quarry on this occasion — "Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them" (verse 26)”.
But suddenly a messenger appeared, saying to Saul, "Haste thee, and come." Saul was called away, and thus one of the spots of David's greatest danger became henceforth a monumental place of divine deliverance; for in all this the believer sees God's intervention in David's escape. Are there not places in our own experience over which we too might write as truly as these Hebrews did, the long and difficult word, "SELA-HAM-MAHLEKOTH"?
God was no more David's deliverer than He is the deliverer in these days of those who put their trust in Him. Let us not forget the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10:29-30)
(Christian Truth - Vol. 21 - March 1968)
N.J.Hiebert — 9534
"Whatsoever things are true." (Philippians 4:8)
The Word says of us: "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). If a man constantly thinks of something, the time will come when he cannot stop thinking of it: and woe be it to him, if these thoughts are evil and impure and false.
Our thoughts form us; and it is “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34) And let us not forget that our thoughts are formed by what we read, and look at, and hear. How much about us is superficial, or false. Our newspapers, the radio, the magazines about the house: do these help us to meditate on whatsoever things are true?
Do we realize what a terrific influence these things have on our children, as well as on ourselves? And how much of all this is not true, but utterly false, as we very well know. Little wonder the Spirit of God exhorts us to think on, to meditate on, to calculate, “whatsoever things are true”.
The Word here tells us to calculate. Let us calculate the awful loss to one who does not heed this admonition. It may mean the loss of a soul: if not your own soul, it may be the soul of one you love even better than yourself. It has been well said:
"Light obeyed increaseth Light.
Light refused, but bringeth night.
Who shall give us power to choose,
If the love of Light we lose?"
(G. Christopher Willis - Sacrifices of Joy -Philippians)
N.J.Hiebert — 9535
Jesus, when He had cried again with aloud voice, yielded up the ghost . . . and behold the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.
(Matthew 27:50-54)
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, it is finished: and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30)
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit: and having said thus He gave up the ghost.” Luke 23:46
His be “the Victor’s name,“ Who fought the fight alone;
Triumphant saints no honour claim, His conquest was their own.
By weakness and defeat He won the meed and crown;
Trod all our foes beneath His feet by being trodden down.
Bless, bless the Conqueror slain, slain in His victory;
Who lived, who died, who lives again — for thee, His church, for thee!
Whitlock Gandy
N.J.Hiebert - 9536
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
“But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ.” (Philippians 3:7)
“ But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
(1 Timothy 6:6)
- The first step in a person’s salvation is knowledge of their sin.
- In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.
- To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.
(R.K. — Some thoughts to Consider)
N.J.Hiebert — 9537
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup,
ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.
1 Corinthians 11:26
THE MEMORIAL WHICH CHRIST LEFT TO US
The institution of the Lord's Supper must be regarded, by every spiritual man, as a peculiarly touching proof of the Lord's gracious care and considerate love for His Church. From the time of its appointment until the present hour, it has been a steady, though silent, witness to a truth which the enemy has sought to corrupt and set aside: that redemption is an accomplished fact to be enjoyed by the weakest believer in Jesus. Centuries have rolled away since the Lord Jesus appointed "the bread and the cup." Notwithstanding all the heresy, all the schism, all the controversy and strife, this most expressive institution has been observed by the saints of God in every age.
True, the enemy has succeeded, throughout a vast section of the professing Church, in wrapping it up in a shroud of dar superstition. Yet it still speaks to every spiritual mind, the same deep and precious truth, it shows the Lord's death till He come. The body has been broken, the blood has been shed once, no more to be
repeated; and the breaking of bread is but the memorial of this emancipating truth.
With what profound interest and thankfulness should the believer contemplate "the bread and the cup." There is the setting forth of truths most precious and glorious: grace reigning; redemption finished; sin put away; everlasting righteousness brought in; the sting of death gone; eternal glory secured; "grace and glory revealed as the free gift of God; and the unity of the "one body”.
What a feast! It carries the soul back and shows us the Master Himself, in the same night in which He was betrayed, sitting at the supper table, and there instituting a feast which from that memorable night, until the dawn of the morning, should lead every believing heart, at once, backward to the cross, and forward to the glory.
C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert — 9538
"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him." (Colossians 1:16)
"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins,
should live unto righteousness:
by whose stripes ye were healed."
(1 Peter 2:24)
God alone has a right to act as He pleases. He had an only Son, of whom He could say, "He is all my delight;" and if He would make that Son the One on whom all His wrath should fall, who could dare to say to God, "What doest thou?" He is God, and He alone had a right to do what He liked and do it how He liked. If He had a plan in connection with that Son, He must have the cooperation of that Son to carry out His plan, and He had it. Christ came to the cross to die there.
(Gleanings From the Teachings of G.V. Wigram)
N.J.Hiebert — 9539
“For in vain the net is spread in the sight of anything which hath wings.”
Proverbs 1:17 (JND Trans.)
And just like God’s seraphim had six wings (Isaiah 6:2), God has two with which He covers us as He shelters us under His wings (Psalm 17:8 - 36:7 - 57:1 - 91:4), He has two with which He carries us as He places us on His wings (Exodus 19:4), and two He gives to us as the eagle as He renews our strength to fly high above, in spite of our earthly circumstances (Isaiah 40:31).
How wonderful to have His wings! Michel Payette - Le Lien Fraternal - Meditation 127
N.J.Hiebert — 9540
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
If we are really, and always, and equally ready to do whatsoever the King appoints, all the trials and vexations, arising from any change in His appointments, great or small, simply do not exist.
If He appoints me to work there, shall I lament that I am not to work here? If He appoints me to wait indoors today, am I to be annoyed because I am not to work out of doors? If I meant to write His messages this morning, shall I grumble because He sends interrupting visitors, rich or poor, to whom I am to speak to them, or "show kindness" for His sake or at least obey His command, "Be Courteous"?
If all my members are really at His disposal, why should I be put out if today's appointment is some simple work for my hands or errand for my feet, instead of some seemingly more important doing of head or tongue?
(Francis Ridley Havergal - 1902)
N.J.Hiebert — 9541
"Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Had anyone told Peter on the day of his enthusiastic confession of the Master as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" that the moment would come when he would repudiate Him with oaths and curses, he would have been disposed to reply, in the words of another: "What, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?" (2 Kings 8:13). But he did!
It was first a simple denial, in answer to the challenge of the maid who kept the High-Priest's door (Matthew 26:69-70). In answer to the questions of several in the porch, he added an oath to his second denial. Then, being identified by a relative of the man whose ear he cut off in the garden (John 18:26), he broke out into a regular volley of oaths and curses. "I know not this man of whom ye speak" (Mark 14:71).
Surely the Spirit of God had His reasons for giving us a fourfold (recorded in all the four gospels) account of Peter's miserable fall. It is an abiding warning against self-sufficiency in any of us. What Peter did yesterday, we may do tomorrow, unless upheld by infinite grace. (W.W. Fereday - Peter The Apostle)
N.J.Hiebert — 9542
"And they gathered it (manna) every morning, every man according to his eating." (Exodus 16:21)
There is no time like the early morning hour for feeding on Christ by communion with Him, and pondering His words. Once lose that, and the charm is broken by the intrusion of many things, though it may be they are all useful and necessary.
You cannot remake the broken reflections of a lake swept by wind. How different is that day from all others, the early prime of which is surrendered to fellowship with Christ! Nor is it possible to live to-day on the gathered spoils of yesterday. Each man needs all that a new day can yield him of God's grace and comfort. It must be daily bread. (F.B. Meyer)
N.J.Hiebert — 9543
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
The poet, Cowper, was subject to fits of depression. One day he ordered a cab, and told the driver to take him to London Bridge. Soon a dense fog settled down upon the city. The cabby wandered about for two hours, and then admitted he was lost.
Cowper asked him if he thought he could find the way home. The cabby thought that he could, and in another hour landed him at his door. When Cowper asked what the fare would be the driver felt that he should not take anything since he had not gotten his fare to his destination. Cowper insisted, saying, "Never mind that, you have saved my life.
I was on my way to throw myself off London Bridge." He then went into the house and wrote:
"God moves in a mysterious way His Wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps on the sea,
and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines of never — failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
and works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
the clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy,
and shall break in blessings on your head."
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust Him for His grace:
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain
(TAKEN FROM "SPRINGS IN THE VALLEY)
N.J.Hiebert — 9544
And Jesus said unto him (the thief) “today shalt thou be with Me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)
Jesus crucified was more than King—He was Saviour. The poor malefactor was a testimony to it, and the joy and consolation of the Lord’s heart—the first-fruits of the love which had placed them side by side, where, if the poor thief bore the fruit of his sins from man, the Lord of glory at his side was bearing the fruit of them from God.
Through a work unknown to man save by faith, the sins of His companion were forever put away, they no longer existed, their remembrance was only of the grace which had taken them away, and which had forever cleansed his soul from them, making him that moment as fit to enter paradise as Christ Himself his companion there! J.N.Darby
N.J.Hiebert — 9545
"Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?" (Ruth 2:10)
These words of Ruth, a Gentile stranger, long ago, could be repeated by any Christian believer today. Like Ruth, a woman who by nature had no claims on God's covenant with Israel, so we were partakers of Adam's fallen nature, but now we have been brought near to God. Best of all, she came to know and love Boaz, the mighty man of wealth, and hence was overcome with thankfulness. When we consider that we too have been redeemed by Christ's saving grace, when many all around us are perishing, we might exclaim, "Why have I found grace in Thy sight?" (Robert Steele)
Marvellous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
N.J.Hiebert — 9546
"And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The Fair Havens;
nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea." (Acts 27:8)
Fair Havens - here was a place of safety. I want you to think of Fair Havens as a little
picture of blessings of true Christianity. These blessings and safety will be found in Christian homes, the assembly where you live, and in the example of faith of the believers with whom you associate.
Also think of this harbour as a little picture of the Christ of Christianity. The world sees nothing attractive in the Lord Jesus Christ, though it does willingly practice and embrace religion. But Fair Havens was the only place where protection from the coming storms of winter could be found - and it wasn't attractive.
Even if you have not been raised in a "Christian family," if you know the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, then the grace of God has surely brought you, in Him, to a place of refuge from all you are sure to meet on your voyage. Ask Him - He who loves you with a Divine, eternal love - to make His Word good to you, that you might never stray from the place of safety that He has provided.
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine Heart." (Jeremiah 15:16). Oh! do accept the safe shelter of the Fair Havens.
(D.N. - The Journey of Life)
N.J.Hiebert — 9547
"He hath set the world (eternity) in their heart."
(Ecclesiastes 3:11)
You may cage the eagle in the most spacious of aviaries, but the infinite expanse of the heavens is in his heart, and he will pine for it. You may imprison the little fish in the most beautiful water vessel, but the ocean is in his being and he will yearn for it. You may make the rabbit as comfortable as possible in his little hutch, but at the first opportunity he will, to the dismay of the children, demonstrate that the veld (open country) is in his very nature. Which things are a parable.
Christian men and women have begun to experience the thrill and the throb of a life which is eternal; and they will find deliverance from this sense of inner loneliness, which ever and anon overtakes them as they journey to its native sphere, only by living fellowship with Him Who is its source. Nothing can take the place of this; for it remains abidingly true that God has made us for Himself and that we are restless till we rest in Him. (George Henderson - Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care
N.J.Hiebert — 9548
"Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in (love),
in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)
We can present Christ to the hearts of men in our lives as well as by our words.
We may not be able to explain a single passage of scripture, but we can live Christ. You may teach a Sunday school, or visit among the poor, and that is all right and good, but there is something far better - live Christ, present Christ. (Edward Dennett)
N.J.Hiebert — 9549
"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,
and His ears are open unto their prayers."
(1 Peter 3:12)
The Lord always hears our prayers, but He does not always say, "Yes!" Sometimes He says,"Wait." Sometimes He says, "No," for He has something better for us. But -
God's delays are not denials, He has heard your prayer;
He knows all about your trials, knows your every care.
God's delays are not denials, help is on the way;
He is watching o'er life's dials, bringing forth the day.
God's delays are not denials, you will find Him true,
Working through the darkest trials, what is best for you. (Selected)
N.J.Hiebert — 9550
"Be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (2 Corinthians 13:11)
In our divided times, wherein there is so much difference of judgment, had there been less wrangling among ourselves and more wrestling with God, we had been in a fairer way to find the door of truth, which so many are yet groping for.
The way of controversy is dusty, and contentious disputes raiseth this dust, and blows it most into their eyes that gallop fastest in it, so that they miss the truth, which humble souls find upon their knees at the throne of grace.
Sinning times have ever been the saint's praying times: this sent Ezra with a heavy heart to confess the sin of his people (Ezra 9). And Jeremiah tells the wicked of his degenerate age that his "my soul should weep in secret places for your pride." (Jeremiah 13:17) William Gurnall - The Christian in Complete Armour - 1665)
N.J.Hiebert — 9551
"God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."
(1 John 1:5)
It is a solemn statement which shows the necessary exclusion of evil from His presence. The cross is the measure of this. There we see His awful abhorrence of sin when He abandons His own Son, and commands the sword to awake against Him as made sin for us.
Abandoned of God on that cross, the suffering Victim was overwhelmed in darkness, in unfathomable sorrow, left to drink the cup of God's wrath against sin. That bitter cry of anguish, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" shows the utter impossibility of the darkness mingling with the light, or of sin having a place in the presence of God.
All this is unspeakably solemn if we look at the flesh or the old nature and what flows from it; and yet it is unspeakably blessed when we realize that we are in the Son, and that our life is in Him. We are brought to God in Christ. "As He is, so are we in this world." (A.H. Rule)
N.J.Hiebert — 9552
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that He will not hear. for your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoke lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.” (Isaiah 59:1-3)
Some years ago there came to Los Angeles, a so-called “human fly.” It was announced that on a given day he would climb up the face of one of the large department store buildings, and long before the appointed time thousands of eager spectators were gathered to see him perform the seemingly impossible feat.
But slowly and carefully he mounted aloft, now clinging to a window ledge, then to a jutting brick, again to a cornice. Up and up he went, against apparently insurmountable difficulties. At last he was nearing the top. He was seen to feel to right and left and above his head for something firm enough to support his weight, to carry him further. And soon he seemed to spy what looked like a grey bit of stone or discoloured brick protruding from the smooth wall.
He reached for it, but it was just beyond him. He ventured all on a spring like movement, grasped the protuberance and, before the horrified eyes of the spectators, fell to the ground and was broken to pieces. In his dead hand was found a spider’s web! What he evidently mistook for solid stone or brick turned out to be nothing but dried froth!
Alas, how many are thinking to climb to heaven by efforts of their own, only to find at last that they have ventured all on a spider’s web, and so are lost forever. Christ, and Christ alone can save. His gospel is unfailing and peace-giving. It is no adder’s egg nor spider web, but the “power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Romans 1:16). The Prophet Isaiah - H.A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 9553
"I can do all things through Christ Who strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)
The hand of God can do the business of God, though it have but a sling and a stone, or the jaw-bone of an ass, or lamps and pitchers; and the Spirit of God can do the business of God with souls, though He use but a word, or a look, or a groan.
(J.G. Bellett)
N.J.Hiebert — 9554
"Ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss (wrong motives), that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
(James 4:2,3)
True prayer is not asking God to do what we want, but first of all it is asking Him to enable us to do that which He would have us do. Too often we endeavour by prayer to control God instead of taking the place of submission to His holy will. Thus we ask and receive not; because if God answered by giving what we desire we would but consume it on our lusts, or pleasures. To pray aright there must be a separated life, with God Himself before our souls as the supreme object of our affections.
(H.A. Ironside - Notes on James and Peter)
N.J.Hiebert — 9555
"Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quick sands, strake sail, and so were driven." (Acts 27:17)
Often when believers find themselves in great difficulties caused by self-will and
disobedience, there is an urge to make promises to do better or to be more watchful the next time. Perhaps renewed efforts are made to read the Bible or pray or to be more faithful in attending the (prayer, Bible reading, etc.) meetings. All of these things, good in themselves, are examples of the helps and undergirdings that those on the centurion's ship used, trying to lessen further damage.
Making resolutions to do better, after the hurt and sorrow your self-will has marked your life is not the happy and peaceful way to journey. Seeking the Lord's help to please Him before the storms come and so that they do not come, is far preferable. (Douglas Nicolet - The Journey of Life)
N.J.Hiebert — 9556
"The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them in the breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (Luke 24: 34-36)
The voice and realized presence of Jesus rallied, reassured and encouraged them all, and brought all together around His own blessed Person in worship, love and praise. There was an indescribable power in His presence to meet every condition of heart and mind.
Thus it was; thus it is; thus it ever must be, blessed and praised be His precious name! There is power in the presence of a risen Saviour to solve our difficulties, remove our perplexities, calm our fears, ease our burdens, dry our tears, meet our every need, tranquillize our minds and satisfy every craving of our hearts. (C.H. Mackintosh - Life and Times of David (A Risen Saviour's Challenge) - Vol. 6)
"Jesus! Thou art enough
The mind and heart to fill;
Thy patient life - to calm the soul
Thy love - its fear dispel.
(L.F. 174)
N.J.Hiebert — 9557
"I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me."
(Philippians 4:13)
He that is down need fear no fall,
He that is low, no pride;
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
(John Bunyan)
N.J.Hiebert — 9558
“But He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
O Head! once full of bruises,
So full of pain and scorn,
Mid other sore abuses,
Mocked with a crown of thorn:
O Head! e'en now surrounded
With brightest majesty,
In death once bowed and wounded
On the accursed tree:
Thou Countenance transcendent!
Thou life-creating Sun!
To worlds on Thee dependent-
Yet bruised and spit upon:
O Lord! what Thee tormented
Was our sins' heavy load,
We had the debt augmented
Which Thou didst pay in blood.
We give Thee thanks unfeigned,
O Saviour! Friend in need,
For what Thy soul sustained
When Thou for us didst bleed;
Grant us to lean unshaken
Upon Thy faithfulness;
Until, to glory taken,
We see Thee face to face.
Bernard of Clairvaux
N.J.Hiebert — 9559
"While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may
be the children of light." (John 12:36)
It is said of a blind man that, when asked why he always carried a lantern at night, he replied that, being himself unable to see, the light was not to preserve his own feet but to prevent others from stumbling over him. May the Lord keep us walking as "children of Light", then only will our feet be kept from stumbling and we shall be no occasion of stumbling to others. (Things to Think About)
N.J.Hiebert — 9560
"In me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing." (Romans 7:18)
It is better to be thinking of what God is than of what we are. This looking at ourselves at the bottom is really pride, a want of the thorough consciousness that we are good for nothing. Till we see this we never look quite away from self to God.
In looking to Christ, it is our privilege to forget ourselves.
True humility does not so much consist in thinking badly of ourselves, as in not thinking of ourselves at all. I am too bad to be worth thinking about. What I want is, to forget myself and to look to God, who is indeed worth all my thoughts. Is there need of being humbled about ourselves? we may be quite sure that will do it.
(J.N. Darby)
N.J.Hiebert — 9561
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve."
(Joshua 24:15)
The Lord's work must be done, and if we do not do it, He often has to set others to do our work; but, of course, if the hand is paralyzed, and the foot has to act in its stead, it cannot do the work as well - especially as it has its own besides. Idleness, therefore, is a great evil, causing not only some to suffer from neglect, but others who are willing, to be overworked, and, after all, the work is not so well done.
Consider, then, if ever you are tempted to criticize the work of another, whether that servant may not be doing double duty for some lazy Christian who will do nothing, and it may be that "thou art the man." (2 Samuel 12:7)
Let us, then, encourage one another in the work of the Lord, and see that none of us are mere lookers-on, for a looker-on is generally a faultfinder. Let us remember, too, that our labour is not in vain in the Lord, but that our loving Master is only too glad to give each one His full reward of praise for every bit of work done in His name, and that will therefore stand the fire.
The time is short, and much has been wasted by all of us; before the Lord's return, then, let each of us be found steadily at our posts, working for Christ.
(The Christian Newsletter — (Number 72)
N.J.Hiebert — 9562
"But think on me when it shall be well with thee,
and show kindness, I pray thee,
unto me, and make mention of me." (Genesis 40:14)
Here we have a threefold request of Joseph - a man who is a wonderful illustration of the Lord. Surely the Lord would have us fulfill these requests for Him as well. Do we think upon Him daily and show kindness in His Name to those we meet? Do we mention Him to others? The butler forgot Joseph for two long years. May we never forget the One who died for us. (John M. Clegg)
N.J.Hiebert — 9563
“…whatsoever things are pure ..." (Philippians 4:8)
Our school motto was: "Beati Mundo Corde:" the Latin for, "Blessed are the pure in heart." It would be hard to find a more suitable, or a more beautiful, motto for a boy's school. How did we measure up to it, bearing in mind that purity begins with our thoughts? How do we today measure up to it, when we think of it in this way? As we look around on all the filth about us in this filthy world, through which we must pass, we might be utterly discouraged, and say that God had set before us an impossible standard, that He does not expect us to meet. Let not such a thought find lodgment with us.
In the days of old there were various creatures which the people of Israel might not eat, for they were unclean: there were others that were clean. There were two marks by which a clean fish was known: it must have both fins and scales. The fins let it swim against the stream. There is a spot on the Columbia River where you may stand and watch the great fish leap up rapids, or small falls, several feet high.
Similarly God has provided a power whereby you and I may "swim against the stream." But there are times when a fish must swim through filthy water: and to protect it, God has given it scales: which I suppose are “shut up together as with a close seal. One is so near another, that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another, they stick together that they cannot be sundered.” (Job 41:15-17). And, fitted with this armour, the fish can pass in safety through the filth. So God has provided a way for His own to pass unscathed through all the filth around us: as well as the power to go against the stream. (G. Christopher Willis - Sacrifices of Joy)
N.J.Hiebert — 9564
posted by soundwords at
April 01, 2024
|
0 Comments
