Gems from February 2007

February 1

"He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:11)

One of the greatest blessings the soul can have is the power of entering into the refreshment the Lord Jesus Christ had while He was on the earth, and it is that which makes the scene between Himself and the dying thief so precious; not only that poor thing finding light through an open door, but the thought is so exceedingly precious, that He who saved that thief saw in him one of the fruits of the travail of his soul; so precious, that He should there see fruit of His travail, before he could turn and crave a blessing; and to hear Him speak of blessing to that poor thing before he cried out with a loud voice and gave up the ghost. (Gleanings From the Teaching of G.V. Wigram)
N.J. Hiebert # 2874

February 2

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:22)

Sometimes I am puzzled by the shortsightedness of intelligent people. I recall, for example, when once-noted American psychologist John B. Watson (1878-1958) published theories about human nature that inspired widespread excitement in academic circles. Watson contended that we can control behavior and make people act in any way we desire. He scoffed at the biblical teaching that we are made in God's image ["And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness." (Genesis 1:26)] He argued that we are essentially the same as animals and can be manipulated like puppets.

Although Watson's radical theories enjoyed only short-lived influence, a review of one of his books actually declared, "Perhaps this is the most important book ever written. One stands for a moment blinded with a great hope."

What an absurd appraisal! Even non-Christian scholars agree that the most important book ever written is the BIBLE, the Book that has had an influence on our world for centuries. The psalmist put it well when he said that God's Word made him wiser than his enemies and gave him more understanding than all his teachers (Psalm 119:98-99)
That Book, the Word of God, gives us real hope - a hope backed by all the authority, truth, and power of God. (VCG)

My Bible to me is a guidebook true
That points for my feet the way,
That gives me courage and hope and cheer
And guidance for every day. (Anon)

MANY BOOKS CAN INFORM BUT ONLY THE BIBLE CAN TRANSFORM
"Our Daily Bread", RBC Ministries, Copyright 1999, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted permission.
N.J. Hiebert # 2875

February 3

"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16)

The bread and wine before us each Lord's Day are only that - bread and wine. We could use these staples in countless other ways. Psalm 104:15 speaks of "wine that maketh glad the heart of man . . . and bread which strengtheneth man's heart." But when we gather to remember our Lord Jesus, they take on an additional benefit. They picture His body and blood. They are something we bless because of the blessing they now represent - the communion between our Lord Jesus Christ and ourselves.
(Tom Steere)
N.J. Hiebert # 2876

February 4

"This one thing I do; forgetting those things which are behind . . . I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

If we had always acted on Paul's advice here, how much sorrow would have been obviated! "The greatest thing I learned from my mother," says Dean Farrar - "the thing which has most contributed to my peace of mind in life - was the acceptance of the inevitable; and the rigid exclusion of that form of self-torture which comes from regret." When the great enemy of God and man taunts the children of God with past failures, the only answer to these tauntings is to be found in the Book of God. To the truly penitent heart, God gives the assurance in words that shall never pass away, that the shortcomings of the days that are gone, are:

FORGIVEN - 1 John 2:12
CLEANSED - 1 John 1:7
OBLITERATED - Isaiah 44:22
FORGOTTEN - Hebrews 10:17

Build upon Christ and not upon regret the structure of your future; and
"Waste no time Upon the blotted record of past years,
But turn the leaf and smile, oh smile, to see
The fair white pages that remain for thee."
(George Henderson - In Pastures Green)

N.J. Hiebert # 2877

February 5

"Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power . . . and when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:24,28)

After Arturo Toscanini finished conducting a brilliant performance of Beethoven's Symphony, the audience rose to its feet and applauded, shouting its delight. But Toscanini waved his arms violently for it all to stop. He turned to the orchestra and shouted hoarsely,"You are nothing!" He pointed to himself and shouted, "I am nothing!" Then he shouted, "Beethoven, is everything, everything, everything."

Christian worship must say, "God is everything, everything, everything." What we do on Sunday mornings (or whenever we gather), the order of events and the manner in which we enact the drama, must always point to God, must reinforce again and again that God has taken the initiative and called us together, that God's grace is more important than our sin, that God's will is more important than our desires, and that God's glorification is more important than our edification.

All worship ought to be ordered toward God; service should be put together in a way that keeps our attention centered on God. As we look up to the One seated on the throne, we lose sight of everything else; the Holy God commands and consumes our attention. What we really need when we show up for worship is for our attention to be turned toward the glory of God . . . it is only then, before the Holy One that our deepest needs will be met, for only then will we enter into our full humanity as sons and daughters of God." (Submitted by Dick Gorgas - 2004)
N.J. Hiebert # 2878

February 6

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the
greater condemnation." (James 3:1)

It is a serious thing to teach God's Word, involving both preparation and application. Regarding the first, as Warren Weirsbe has said, "What some people call Bible study is often just a group of unprepared people exchanging their ignorance." If you are going to preach - prepare for it. For the second Weirsbe goes on to say that some of the finest Bible teachers have been ordinary people who learn the truth of the Word on their knees, and on the battlefields of life. If you are going to preach - live it. (Brian Russell)

Tell me about the Master! Of the wrong He freely forgave;
Of His love and tender compassion, of His love that is mighty to save.
(Choice Gleanings)
N.J. Hiebert # 2879

February 7

"I am . . . the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." (Exodus 3:6)
"Have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God ?"
(Matthew 22:31)

These passages will prove that the ground which our Lord took with the scribes, Pharisees, etc., was that they should have know what was revealed in the Scriptures. "Have ye not read." He asks. Alas! might not the same be often said to us? When some difficulty or testing time comes have we read and understood? Have we the light from God's Word which will guide us aright?

Our Lord quoted Hosea 6:6, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice (Matthew 9:13, 12:7); and on both He told the Pharisees that they ought to have known the meaning of the words. They had the letter of Scripture, but they did not comprehend its meaning or application. This is a most practical and important consideration for us. For, while we would strongly maintain the value of the very words of Scripture, being inspired and therefore a divine and unimpeachable foundation for faith, yet, on the other hand, we may have an intellectual acquaintance with the letter and not understand the meaning or application.

To have a true intelligence in Scripture we must be "taught of God" and instructed by the Holy Spirit, Who is given to the believer in order that he may understand the things which are freely given to him of God. "When thine eye is single,"says the Lord, "thy whole body also is full of light." Christ, not self, must, be our object. If any man desires to do God's will, he shall know of the doctrine (John 7:17); God's will, not our own, must be the motive spring. Thus, when there is simplicity and a true desire to learn, God gives the wisdom and understanding needed; and the Scripture becomes daily more precious, for it ever reveals Christ to the soul. (F.G.B.)

N.J. Hiebert # 2880

February 8

"And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart." (Deuteronomy 8:2)

God says, in substance, "Your heart and Mine want to have a little talk together. I am going to show you what is in your heart, and show you that I know it." He has brought you to Himself; and do you think that, if all that is in your heart is not brought out to Him, it will be all right between you? Do you think a father likes to have his heart all different to His child's heart? He desires that the whole spirit, soul, and mind of His child be suited to His mind. God passes us through the wilderness that we may learn this. (J.N. Darby)
N.J. Hiebert # 2881

February 9

"Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes."
(Psalm 119: 68)

That is a wonderful thing to be able to say. It was in connection with affliction too. The heart in submission bows and says, "Thou art good, and doest good."
That is real fruit - something that is precious in the sight of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is fruit - "Herein is My Father glorified . . ." When a soul bows in affliction and trial, and justifies God and says, "Thou art good," it is a wonderful thing. The natural heart will not do that. The natural heart says, Why? If God is good, Why? Faith says, "Thou art good, and doest good," and that is very precious to the heart of Christ; and it is a blessed experience for your soul and mine, if we reach that place through grace where we can actually say that. (From The Young Christian)

N.J. Hiebert # 2882

February 10

"He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you." (John 16:14,15)

Occupation with Christ is, therefore , the Alpha and the Omega of the Christian life; occupation with His death - that death which laid the foundation not only of our own redemption and deliverance, but also of the reconciliation of all things - occupation with Him in incarnation, when, though He were the Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered, when, as the obedient and dependent Man, He found His meat in doing the Father's will and in finishing His work, and thus glorified God in every detail of that wondrous life; and, above all, occupation with Him in the glory, as the glorified Man, the center of all God's counsels, and the object of all His delight, yea, the satisfying portion of His heart. (Edward Dennett)
N.J. Hiebert # 2883

February 11

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

We know from Acts 2 that this psalm is the language of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is essentially a psalm connected with the path of a dependent man through this world. To us it is indeed a wonderful privilege to be put into the same path, and in our little measure to be called upon to have some of the same experiences which the blessed Lord, as a man, down here upon earth, passed through. Now it is a great thing to bear in mind that we never find the Lord Jesus acting other than in obedience to His Father. He never did a single thing for Himself. His was a life of ceaseless activity. He was always doing good, yet never doing anything for Himself. (F.C.)
N.J. Hiebert # 2884

February 12

"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Revelation 1:17,18)

Every one of us must have to do with the Lord Jesus. Each person will yet come before Him. Nothing can possibly hinder this. The joyful expectation of the Christian is, that he will see his Saviour's face and be like Him. Those who are not born again - unbelievers - will assuredly see Jesus too, but not with joy: as a wicked man once said, "I shall see Him, but not now; I shall behold Him, but not nigh." (Numbers 24:17) Many persons now turn away from the Saviour's name; they like to banish His blessed gospel from their thoughts; but then, "at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 3:10,11) This is God's decree, and it must be accomplished. "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:11)

There is, therefore, no possibility of escape from having to do with Jesus; and I doubt not that those who will go away into everlasting punishment will send up a cry continually from the pit of torment. . . . This is very solemn, and makes the gospel a matter of such individual application and importance. The Scripture says, "every knee," "every tongue," "every one of us shall give account of himself in the day of judgment!" "Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall Him!" plainly showing that men must have to do personally with the Lord Jesus. Now He graciously pardons and saves; then He will righteously condemn, and punish with everlasting destruction. What folly, then, it is to neglect His great salvation! (H.H. Snell - Streams of Refreshing)
N.J. Hiebert # 2885

February 13

". . . this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)

"And I beheld, and, Lo. . . in the midst of the throne stood a Lamb as it had been slain. . . . And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book,and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." (Revelation 5:6,9)

One of the old writers wished he could have seen three things:
1. Rome in its prosperity;
2. Paul preaching;
3. Christ in the body.
I have three wishes:
1. To see Christ in glory, surrounded by His redeemed;
2. To see Christ in glory, surrounded by His redeemed,
3. To see Christ in glory, surrounded by His redeemed.
(T. DE WITT TALMADGE)
N.J. Hiebert # 2886

February 14

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all . . . especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10)
"He giveth goodly words." (Genesis 49:21)

The memory of a kindly word for long gone by,
The fragrance of a fading flower sent lovingly,
The gleaming of a sudden smile or sudden tear,
The warmer pressure of the hand, the tone of cheer.
The hush that means "I cannot speak, but I have heard!"
The note that only bears a verse from God's own Word -
Such tiny things we hardly count as ministry;
The givers deeming they have shown scant sympathy;
But, when the heart is overwrought, oh who can tell
The power of such tiny things to make it well!
(Frances Ridley Havergal - Opened Treasures)
N.J. Hiebert # 2887

February 15

"My grace IS sufficient for thee." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Some years ago a young minister and his wife went to the seashore with their youngest child. After being there three days, their little one was suddenly taken away to be with the Lord. The young parents took the little body home, with heavy hearts.

After the funeral, he began to prepare a sermon to preach to his people, taking for his text 2 Corinthians 12:9. He spent about two hours preparing it, then said to himself, "It is not true. I do not find His grace sufficient for this heavy trial that has befallen me." He cried to the Lord to make His grace sufficient for him in this hour of sore need and crushing sorrow.

As he wiped the tears from his eyes, he glanced up and saw over his study table an illuminated text card that his mother had given him. The words read, "My grace IS sufficient for thee," the word "IS" being in bold type and in a different color from all the other words in the text. He seemed to hear a voice saying to him: "How dare you ask Him to make what is? Believe His word. Trust Him, and you will find it true in every way."

He took Him at His Word, and believed it to be true. He at once had rest and peace, such trust in a sufficient Saviour as he never before dreamed could be possible. Within a month a friend of the family said to his wife, "The farmers are remarking how changed your husband is. He does not seem fretful any more, but is quiet and gentle about everything."

From that day the life of this minister of the gospel was a testimony to the sufficiency of His grace, and His strength that is made perfect in weakness.
Eternity will not be long enough to praise and thank our Lord Jesus Christ for the simple, glorious fact that His grace is sufficient for us in every trial. (The Christian Newsletter)
N.J. Hiebert # 2888

February 16

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and it there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

Two children were gathering grapes. One was happy. "Oh," he exclaimed, aren't they sweet !" "Yes," grunted the unhappy one, "but they have seeds in them."
They came to a rose garden. "My what a beautiful rose garden," shouted the happy one. "Ouch!" cried the other, "Look out for the thorns."
Walking through the clover they made their way to a beehive. One got honey, the other got stung. "See that honeybee," said one. "That's a stinging bee," protested the other.

On their way home they stopped for a soft drink. They poured it into paper cups. "Mine is half full," rejoiced one. "Mine is half empty," grumbled the other.
How do you look at life? (Selected)
Some persons grumble because there are thorns among roses. Why not rejoice because there are roses among thorns?
N.J. Hiebert # 2889

February 17

"Then cometh Jesus. . .unto a place called Gethsemane." (Matthew 26:36)
"He brought Jesus forth. . .in a place called. . .Gabbatha." (John 19:13)
"And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha." (Mark 15:22)

This is the path that only One could have walked. Behold three significant stops. The first, Gethsemane, was a place of fervent anguish, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death." The second, Gabbatha, was a place of false accusation. The expedient sentence was passed and He was delivered to the people to be crucified. The third, Golgotha, was a place of fierce agony. "They pierced My hands and My feet." He took this path willingly, and so we willingly gather in His name and worship Him today. (Kong Fui Lee)
Man of sorrows! what a name for the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!(P.P. Bliss)
N.J. Hiebert # 2890

February 18

"I will sing of mercy and judgment, unto Thee, Oh LORD, will I sing."
(Psalm 101:1)

Those two words stood out. How could I have mercy, if Jesus did not take my judgment? We need to have this settled before we reach the Father's house. He will not have us concerned that mercy will not last; that sometime (in the timeless eternity) the question may arise about my sins. NEVER! The debt has been paid in full. When Jesus rose from the dead we get the receipt, as it were. . . . He "was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:25). When we see the awful judgment of the cross, we realize how great our debt was. We will be constantly learning more when Ephesians 2:7 is fulfilled. "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Submitted by a reader of the "Gems")
N.J. Hiebert # 2891

February 19

"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward." (Hebrews 10:35)

Hold fast your confidence and it will be the secret of strength to you. Where do we see victory over the world? In those who are happiest in Christ. Why are you and I so miserably down in the traffic of the world? Because we are not as happy in Christ as we ought to be. Give me a soul that has boldness and joy in God's presence and I will show you one that has victory over the world. (J.G. Bellett - Musings on the Epistle to the Hebrews)
N.J. Hiebert # 2892

February 20

". . . the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5)

Harm and wounds inflicted by others can be so deep, the scars so painful, that humanly speaking it is impossible to forgive. But Jesus gave us God's love, and this love is always abundant. Did you, did I, really accept this love from Him? (Corrie Ten Boom - This Day is the Lord's)
N.J. Hiebert # 2893

February 21

"It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein."
(Hebrews 13:9)

Where are our hearts? Are they occupied with this world, or are we quietly passing on to heaven, taken up with that which love cannot lose sight of - a living Christ in heaven?
What wealth have you if you have not got Christ? If Christ is the object before you, will all the things that fret you take Christ from you? All the things you long for, will they give you more of Christ?

Our springs, all the way from beginning to end, are in Christ; you cannot find anything apart from Christ. It won't do to stand on any ground apart from an ascended Christ. He who spake as never man spake, is the One whose word is to stand throughout eternity. (G.V. Wigram - Gleanings)
N.J. Hiebert # 2894

February 22

"Fret not thyself." (Psalm 37:1)

Do not get into a perilous heat about things. If ever heat were justified, it was surely justified in the circumstances outlined in the Psalm. Evil-doers were moving about clothed in purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every day. "Workers of iniquity" were climbing into the supreme places of power, and were tyrannizing their less fortunate brethren. Sinful men and women were stalking through the land in the pride of life and basking in the light and comfort of great prosperity, and good men were becoming heated and fretful.

"Fret not thyself." Do not get unduly heated! Keep cool! Even in a good cause, fretfulness is not a wise help-meet. Freting only heats the bearings; it does not generate the steam. It is no help to a train for the axles to get hot; their heat is only a hindrance. When the axles get heated, it is because of unnecessary friction; dry surfaces are grinding together, which ought to be kept in smooth co-operation by a delicate cushion of oil.
And is it not a suggestive fact that this word "fret" is closely akin to the word "friction," and is an indication of absence of the anointing oil of the grace of God?

In fretfulness, a little bit of grit gets into the bearings - some slight disappointment, some ingratitude, some discourtesy - and the smooth working of the life is checked. Friction begets heat; and with the heat, most dangerous conditions are created.
Do not let thy bearings get hot. Let the oil of the Lord keep thee cool, lest by reason of an unholy heat thou be reckoned among the evil-doers. (The Silver Lining)
N.J. Hiebert # 2895

February 23

"Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us . . ." (Ephesians 3:20)

The danger with us who have learnt something of our standing, is to overlook our state. We are anxious till we know our standing; "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish." - John 10:28, there is a legality about us, which makes us anxious until we do know it: when you first come to know it, it is like the sun rising after a dark night; but if you stop there you are sure to go down.

Many a saint has felt the wonderful joy and delight of discovering his standing, which he had been reaching after, and then failed utterly as to keeping this joy through not maintaining the state corresponding to it. The standing is yours without any effort, yet it is always in the standing that you acquire the state; but then there is another thing. It is, that not only I have a state Godward, but I must have a state Satanward. You must have a state which is fitted to meet the character of the evil of this present scene, and according as you have that, you are able to do "according to the power that worketh in us." (Food for the Desert)

Our standing is like the numbers on a thermometer. The numbers remain constant. Our state tends to be like the mercury in a thermometer. It goes up or down depending on the temperature.
N.J. Hiebert # 2896

February 24

"That ye . . . may be able to comprehend . . . what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." (Ephesians 3:19)

A scientist might argue for only three dimensions of space, saying that depth and height are two names for the same measurement. But a little child upheld in his father's arms knows better. For him, the room not only has length and breadth, but depth and height - because he's in the middle of it! (J.B.N., Jr.)

O to delight in it, keep within sight of it,
Warm in the strength of it, in its control;
Feeling the might of it, depth of it, height of it,
Breadth of it, length of it flooding the soul.
(I.Y. Ewan)
N.J. Hiebert # 2897

February 25

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

Our loving Lord is not just present, but nearer than thought can imagine, so near that a whisper can reach Him. You know the story of the man who had a quick temper and had not time to go away and pray for help. His habit was to send up a little telegraph prayer, "Thy sweetness, Lord!", and sweetness came.

- Do you need courage? "Thy courage, Lord!"
- Patience? "Thy patience, Lord!"
- Love? "Thy love, Lord!"
- A quiet mind? "Thy quietness, Lord!"

Shall we all practice this swift and simple way of prayer more and more? If we do, our Very Present Help will not disappoint us. For Thou, Lord, hast never failed them that seek Thee. (Amy Carmichael - Candles in the Dark)
N.J. Hiebert # 2898

February 26

"It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." (1 John 5:6)

The heart is constantly looking for God to give it a testimony about itself; but God is giving a testimony about His Son, and not about what we are. If God were to give a testimony about us, it must be about our sin and unbelief of heart. It is of great importance in this day of infidelity to see that, if God gives a testimony, it is about His Son, and what He is to the sinner. If you believe that, you will get peace. (J.N. Darby)
N.J. Hiebert # 2899

February 27

"Marvel not , my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." (1 John 3:13,14)

The story is told of Nelson, when, as his ships were drawn up in battle-array facing the Dutch fleet, he saw two English officers quarreling. He threw himself in between and pushed them apart, and he said, pointing to the ships of Holland, "Gentlemen, there are your enemies!" Would God that Christians would indeed love one another, then it would not trouble us if the world hated us.
Do we know that we have passed from death unto life:
- Because we are so sound in the faith?
- Because we are fundamentalist?
- Because we are such earnest Christian workers?
- Because we give so liberally to missions and to sustain the Lord's work?
Oh, no. What, then? "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." We love them in this divine sense. Oh, my brethren, my sisters, if you have not that testimony you had better begin to investigate the foundations of the house of your Christian profession. (H.A. Ironside - The Epistles of 1 John)
N.J. Hiebert # 2900

February 28

"What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!" (Matthew 8:27)

We do not usually visualize our Lord in commonplace experiences, but He was human and sometimes tired, as when He slept in a boat on the Sea of Galilee after a long day of ministering. The wind can stir up plenty of trouble on the Sea of Galilee, and this tempest was quite a blast. The disciples had seen our Lord do many miracles, but how easily do we forget yesterday's deliverances when disaster threatens us today!

I remember hearing Clyde Francisco telling us that the First Adam had dominion over the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, and the fish of the sea; but he could not control wind or water. Sometimes we can bridle and use them, but they can turn on us and blow us away or drown us. But on the Sea of Galilee that day the Last Adam was in the boat, and what the First Adam could not master, the Last Adam could control!
The story ends with a glowing testimony: "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!" If wind and water put you into a panic, and God seems to be taking a nap, don't ask, "Carest Thou not that we perish?" Just make sure He is a passenger in your boat! (Vance Havener - Don't Miss Your Miracle)
N.J Hiebert # 2901