Gems from June 2007

June 1

"I have called you friends." (John 15:15)

O Lord, Thou seest, Thou knowest,
That to none my heart can tell
The joy and the love and the sorrow,
The tale that my heart knows well.
But to Thee, O my God, I can tell it -
To Thee, and to Thee, Lord, alone;
For Thy heart my heart hath a language,
For other hearts it hath none.
In the wide world speechless and lonely,
For me is no heart but Thine;
Lord, since I must love Thee only,
Oh, reveal Thy heart to mine.
(H. Suso)
N.J. Hiebert # 2993

June 2

"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there thou rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar,and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Matthew 5:23-24)

It is easy to imagine that we will get to a place where we are complete and ready, but preparation is not suddenly accomplished, it is a process steadily maintained. It is dangerous to get into a settled state of experience. It is preparation and preparation.

The sense of sacrifice appeals readily to a young Christian. Humanly speaking, the one thing that attracts to Jesus Christ is our sense of the heroic, and the scrutiny of our Lord's words suddenly brings this tide of enthusiasm to the test. "First be reconciled to thy brother." The "go" of preparation is to let the word of God scrutinize. The sense of heroic sacrifice is not good enough. The thing the Holy Spirit is detecting in you is the disposition that will never work in His service. No one but God can detect that disposition in you. Have you anything to hide from God? If you have, then let God search you with His light. If there is sin, confess it, not admit it. Are you willing to obey your Lord and Master whatever the humiliation to your right to yourself may be?

Never discard a conviction. If it is important enough for the Spirit of God to have brought it to your mind, it is that thing He is detecting . . ." (Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest)
N.J. Hiebert # 2994

June 3

"Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself."
(Philippians 2:8)

What humbling is this! The Lord of glory lays aside the garments of His radiant majesty, steps down from His high throne, and becomes enrobed in human flesh! That the Sustainer of the galaxies would press the grass on Olivet beneath His weary form and be covered with the morning dew! What humbling for the Subject of angelic praise to become the drunkards' tuneless song! But O what humbling for the Holy One to be made sin and become obedient to the point of death, and that on a cross. (J. Boyd Nicholson)
N.J. Hiebert # 2995

June 4

". . . Rest, and be still." (Jeremiah 47:6)

In today's fast-paced society there exists few quiet hillsides. From all directions we are assaulted by noise. In the marketplace, loud music swirls around us; in the streets traffic roars and tires screech. Again and again God must admonish us: stand still, sit still, be still. How else can the Spirit's whisper enter the heart's domain? John Wesley said, "I don't have time to hurry." Mary sat quietly at Jesus' feet and received what her soul craved. Christians become strongest when acquainted with the silence of His presence. (Edna M. Dyck)
N.J. Hiebert # 2996

June 5

"For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren."
(Hebrews 2:11)

A chorus of groans erupted after the announcement that our flight had been delayed an hour and a half because bad weather in Chicago was allowing only a few planes to land. But a short time later, another announcement caused those same people to cheer. We were told that a medical courier was transporting bone marrow needed for a transplant, and this gave our flight top priority to land in Chicago. In a few minutes we were on our way, "carried along" by the important mission of another person.

As we landed and taxied directly to the gate at O'Hare, one of the world's busiest airports, I thought of Jesus Christ, who through His death and resurrection has made it possible for us to enter the presence of God. By faith in His merit alone, we become identified with Him and partake of all that He secured for us. The writer of Hebrews said that "It became Him (it was fitting for him), . . . in bringing many sons into glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one." (Hebrews 2:10,11)

Each day, let's thank God for the saving work of Jesus Christ, whose love and sacrifice have "carried us along" to God the Father.
(David McCasland)

To enter heaven when we die,
We have no merit on our own;
But if we've put our faith in Christ,
He'll take us to the Father's throne. - Sper
If we could merit our own salvation,
Jesus would not have died to provide it.
Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (2005), Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted permission.
N.J. Hiebert # 2997

June 6

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above . . ."
(James 1:17)
God Has Four Gifts for You!
1. The key for every problem.
2. The Light for every shadow.
3. The plan for every tomorrow.
4. The joy for every sorrow.(Taken from "Gems for the Singing Pilgrims - Part VII - Adyar, Chennai - India)
N.J. Hiebert # 2998

June 7

"God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him." (Genesis 1:26,27)

One of the ways in which man is made in the image of God is the fact that God is a Spirit. "God is a Spirit: and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth." (John 4:24) God gave man a spirit. Man is the only being that has a spirit, having been made in the likeness (resemblance) of God. Adam had a spirit so he was able to think about God and to communicate with God and God with Adam. The communication with God was certain. It was not long before man sinned and the connection was broken. Man is lost in his sin. God sent His Son into the world to save man from his lost condition. God justifies man by faith in Jesus Christ. When a man believes, he is saved. God then reconnects the communion of our spirit with the Spirit of God. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16) (Tim & Elaine Roach - Missionaries to Malawi)

N.J. Hiebert # 2999

June 8

"He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)

It is not the measure of one's faith but the object on which it rests that gives security. A man had to cross a certain river upon the ice. He believed it to be dangerously thin, so he crossed on hands and knees, so as to distribute the load. As he reached the other bank, he saw a man drive a team of horses drawing a heavy load on the ice. It was strong enough to carry an army. The man's security depended on the thickness of the ice, not on his measure of faith. So the security of the believer depends on the finished work of Christ which can never break down and not upon the measure of his own faith.
Faith is not what we see or feel;
It is a simple trust
In what the God of love has said
Of Jesus as the Just
(Choice Gleanings)
N.J. Hiebert # 3000

June 9

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
(Hebrews 13:8)

The believer is perfect in Christ; but, in himself, he is a poor feeble creature, ever liable to fall. Hence the unspeakable blessedness of having One who can manage all his affairs for him, at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens. One who upholds him continually by the right hand of His righteousness. One who will never let him go. One who is able to save to the uttermost. One who is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." One who will bear him triumphantly through all the difficulties and dangers which surround him. (Food for the Desert)
N.J. Hiebert # 3001

June 10

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." (Galatians 1:3,4)
- All that can be done in fellowship with Christ can surely be done in fellowship with those who are walking with Him.
- What do we want, save an enlarged capacity to enjoy the fullness and blessedness of our portion in a crucified, risen, and glorified Saviour? We may well say, "We have all and abound." (Selected)

N.J. Hiebert # 3002

June 11

"He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:21)

Each new day will give us a chance to do truth, and to come to the light from which nothing is hid. If there be anything about which it cannot be said that it was wrought in God (that is, in the power of His Spirit; for His glory, not for our own), then if we love Him we shall want this to be made manifest, so that we may have done with it, and all may be pure in His sight. "The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2:17) (Amy Carmichael - Edges of His Ways)

N.J. Hiebert # 3003

June 12

"One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother." (John 1:40)

Behold, these two fishermen coming to Jesus. Simon means "hearkener." Naturally men's ears are closed to God and to Christ; the brother of Andrew was that day getting his ears opened by the Spirit of God. "When Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou are Simon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation a stone." The giving of names is a mark of lordship, or proprietorship. Thus Adam at the beginning gave names to the beasts, Pharaoh gave a name to Joseph, Nebuchadnezzar to Daniel, etc. (Genesis 2:20; 41:45; Daniel 1:7). Simon thus became Christ liege (faithful, loyal) man from that day forward. Indeed everyone will sooner or later have to acknowledge the same Lord.
(W.W. Fereday - Peter the Apostle)
N.J. Hiebert # 3004

June 13

"Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I (Jesus) am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." 
(John 13:13,14)

The lesson of the feet-washing is conveyed in verses 12-17. As the custom is confined to the East, where sandals are worn, it is unnecessary for us of the West to carry it out literally. Our Lord did not establish a custom to be followed, but set before us a type or example of the service which we ought to render to one another. We should be careful, however, that the water with which we wash the feet of another is neither icily cold not scaldingly hot; that the service is performed neither officiously nor uncharitably, but meekly, considering ourselves, "Lest we also be tempted"."If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." (Verse 17) A beatitude can be earned only if knowledge issues in action, as James 1:22-25 makes clear. The order is - knowledge, obedience, blessedness; and if the foregoing truth no longer stirs us to holy activity on behalf of our brethren, let us remind ourselves of the words of Coleridge, the Christian Philosopher: "The way to restore an old truth to its pristine brightness, is to translate it into obedience." Let us remember always, that our happiness depends upon the degree with which we correlate our knowledge and our duty. (Henry Durbanville - His Last Words)N.J. Hiebert # 3005

June 14

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15)
Tears of understanding,
Poured out to hearts in care,
Are better than a thousand words,
Though spoken, oh, so fair!
(E.M.)

The story is told of the much loved Queen Victoria just after the loss of her husband. She heard of a fatal accident to a workman in Windsor. With deep compassion she had her coachman drive her to a poor street of the city and stop at the door of the bereft woman. After the royal carriage had left some of the curious neighbours asked, "What did she say?" "She said nothing," answered the widow. "She just sat in that chair and we wept together."
(E. MacLelland)
N.J. Hiebert # 3006

June 15

"Certain of the disciples . . . brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge." (Acts 21:16)

He was a disciple. He was an old disciple, he had been long in the way and had evidently gone on well for God. He was a hospitable disciple, for with him the apostle was to lodge.
Some men have spent their lives to win a line in the world's chronicles which are written on sand, and have broken their hearts because they failed; but this passing act of one obscure Christian, in sheltering a little company of travel-stained wayfarers has made his name a possession forever.

"Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not" - but let us fill our little corners, doing our unnoticed work for the love of our Lord, careless about man's remembrance or praise, because sure of Christ's whose praise is the only fame, whose remembrance is the highest reward. (CNL - Jul. 1990)
N.J. Hiebert # 3007

June 16

"For me to live is Christ." (Philippians 1:21)
He is not only Lord, He is Lord of lords.
He is not only King, He is King of kings.
He is not only prominent, he is preeminent.
He is not only superior, He is supreme.
He is not only high, He is higher than the highest.
He is Lord over all, blessed for evermore, and
He is my Lord and my God.
(Anon)
N.J. Hiebert # 3008

June 17

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
Deal with the faults of others as gently as with your own.
(Selected)N.J. Hiebert # 3009

June 18

"He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden." 
(John 18:1)
"Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; in the garden a new sepulcher . . ." (John 19:41)

Only John tells us that Gethsemane was a garden, and only John tells us that the Saviour was buried in a garden tomb. In a garden Adam sinned and brought death upon all his posterity. In a garden the Redeemer prayed and wept as He contemplated death, and in a garden tomb His holy body lay silent for three days. But in that same garden He appeared to Mary, risen from the dead, alive forevermore! (Jim Flanigan)N.J. Hiebert # 3010

June 19

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." (2 Corinthians 12:7)

Wherever the flesh appears, there is something that Satan can touch, and unless we judge ourselves, can turn to grief of heart in us and dishonour to God.If you have not a thorn in the flesh now, it will be sure to be given you one day, to make you realize your weakness. The pitiful beggarliness of the flesh makes you ashamed to speak about what you are passing through, to any but the Lord. There will be different thorns for each.
(Gleanings of G.V. Wigram)N.J. Hiebert # 3011

June 20

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." (Romans 7:18)
If your souls would walk in peace and fellowship with God, you must learn there is no good in you, but you learn to know Him in the perfectness of His love. (J.N. Darby)N.J. Hiebert # 3012

June 22

"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3)
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
(2 Corinthians 13:14)

Many people think communion is having happy feelings. It is being in the mind of God. Communion is doing the right thing at the right moment in the right way. Once get out of communion and you cannot do anything rightly. (Edward Dennett)N.J. Hiebert # 3013

June 23

"For when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)
It must ever be a losing on man's side when it is a gaining on Christ's side. (Selected)
N.J. Hiebert # 3014

June 24

"I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge." (Ecclesiastes 1:16)

It is a positive barrier to blessing to trust to experience in the past.
(E. P. Corrin)
N.J. Hiebert # 3015

June 25

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." (Titus 3:5)
The dying thief on the cross is a beautiful testimony to the truth of this scripture. Salvation is by faith and by faith alone! The contrite heart of this sinner repented and said, "This man has done nothing amiss," thus confessing that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. He then earnestly prayed, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." Assured by the word of the Lord, "Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise," he died forgiven (not by his works but by the Lord's blessed work) and went to heaven. (E. MacLelland)
N.J. Hiebert # 3016

June 26

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (Ephesians 6:18)
Yes, there's a power which man can wield,
When mortal aid is vain;
That eye, that arm, that love to reach,
That list'ning ear to gain.
That power is prayer, which soars on high,
Through Jesus, to the throne,
And moves the hand which moves the world
To bring deliverance down.
(C.H. Mackintosh)N.J. Hiebert # 3017

June 27

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 
(1 Timothy 6:7)

"Don't drive the pegs too deeply, boys" the sergeant in charge declared, "We're going home in the morning!" What comforting words to the weary soldiers who were pitching their tents in foreign territory. We too will be going home soon! Let us not be hammering our stakes down too firmly in this present evil world. (E. MacLellan)
This world is not my home, I'm just a passing thru,
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
(Alfred B. Smith)
N.J. Hiebert # 3018

June 28

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
(Matthew 5:7)
There is nothing on which God more takes His stand (as the active principle of His being in a world of sin) than His mercy. The only possibility of salvation to a single soul is that there is mercy in God; that He is rich in mercy; that there is no bound to His mercy; that there is nothing in man, if he only bows to His Son, which can hinder His constant flowing spring of mercy.
It is not only a question of the forgiveness of their sins, but of mercy in everything. It is a blessed thing to hail the smallest sign of mercy in the saints, to take the little, and look for much more.
They will find, not that there is not difficulty and trial, but that though they shall know the cost of it, they shall know the sweetness of it; they shall taste afresh what the mercy of God is towards their own souls, in the exercise of mercy towards others. (William Kelly - Lectures on Matthew)
N.J. Hiebert # 3019

June 29

"If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21)

The Epistle to the Galatians is God's answer to this teaching of Christ AND something else.
In our day this teaching is most common. Even as I write a friend has put a book in my hands. . . . This book boldly teaches that salvation is only by the death of Christ AND the Ten Commandments. This is the teaching of the false teachers at Galatia, and God says to all such "Cursed be he!" (Galatians 3:10) How many preachers and teachers in China,* some even true Christian men, tell their hearers to "Believe in Christ AND keep the law!" "Believe in Christ, AND do the best you can!" "Believe in Christ AND Do something besides." A friend told me only last week, "I try to keep the law to be saved, AND I trust Christ to forgive me for the times I break it."
God says to such teachers, "Cursed be he!" Again let me repeat: this is the devil's way of salvation. This ends in the lake of fire. God's way of salvation is this: CHRIST, and CHRIST alone. Christ has done all the work. "It is finished!" There is nothing left for me to do, but accept it, and give thanks to God. (G.C. Willis - Meditations on Galatians)
(*Mr. Willis was a missionary to China)
N.J. Hiebert # 3020

June 30

"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

We must be right ourselves, in our own inner lives, if we would be right towards others. What I am when alone in the presence of God is what I really am. What I am before my fellows should be the outcome of this, otherwise my public life will be largely a sham. (H.A. Ironside - Colossians)
N.J. Hiebert # 3021