Gems from September 2007

September 1

"And a certain woman said . . . if I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole. (She) fell down before Him (Jesus) and told Him all the truth. And He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole." (Mark 5:25-34)

FAITH is a divine plant that only grows out of the soil of a broken will. (Edward Dennett)

N.J. Hiebert # 3082

"Occupy till I come." (Luke 19:13)

I am never really in the spirit of service if I do not remember that Christ is an absent and rejected Lord. I am . . . a servant who has to recognize the sorrowful fact that his Master has been rejected and insulted here. Is it not a tender thought that the very sorrows and insults which have been heaped upon Him here are so many fresh claims on one's affections? (J.G. Bellett)

N.J. Hiebert # 3083

September 2

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (Ephesians 4:14)

It is very helpful to see in Ephesians 4 that if you were well grown you would not be "tossed to and fro," The higher you go the safer you are - a fine principle, hence Satan would prevent us from going to the top. (Footprints for Pilgrims)

N.J. Hiebert # 3084

September 3

"And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." (John 17:22)

The more your soul apprehends the glory of Christ's person, the more you are delivered from everything else; and so, unconsciously to yourself, you will become superior to everything here. (E.P Corrin)

N.J. Hiebert # 3085

September 4

"I declare unto you the gospel . . . Christ died for our sins . . . He was buried . . . He rose again the third day . . . we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible . . .and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15)

". . . caught up together with them (dead in Christ) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4)

If you do not preach the coming of the Lord you only preach a half gospel. (Edward Dennett)

N.J. Hiebert # 3086

September 5

"Take this child, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages." (Exodus 2:9)

"Take this child and nurse it for me" -
So King Pharaoh's daughter spake
To the mother, whose whole being
For her little one did ache.
So God speaks to every mother
At her helpless infant's birth:
"Take this child and nurse it for Me,
During a its life on earth.
"Take this child," to Thee I trust it;
It from Thee must learn the way,
Through the earthly darkness round it,
To the light of heavenly day.

"Take this child" - and Mother, ponder!
Yonder heaven is pure and fair;
Wouldst thou be amidst its number
And thy little one not there?
"Oh, then train it, gently, wisely,
Of its Saviour's love to feel;
And, where sin has cast its shadow,
Teach it Christ has power to heal.
"Take this child, this richest blessing
Given to the earthly home;
Take this child and nurse it for Me,
Till to claim Mine own I come."

(R.K. Campbell - The Christian Home)

N.J. Hiebert # 3087

September 6

"And (Elisha) answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (2 Kings 6:16)

"Fear Not, says Elisha." This is always grace's first word. It is able to reassure a troubled soul. How many times this word "Fear not" is spoken in Scripture! It fills the Old and the New Testament. Everything in this world is of such character to inspire poor, feeble, sinful beings like ourselves with fear. We are confronted with difficult circumstances, the world, its seductions or its hostility, Satan's hatred, our own selves, and our sinful nature; beside, there is the necessity of presenting ourselves before God and of having to do with Him. Who will answer so many troubling questions? Who can calm the anguish and agitation of our hearts? God alone can, for He has the answer to everything. (H.L. Rossier - Meditations on 2 Kings)

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September 7

"Fear Not." (2 Kings 6:16)

- "Fear not," said Jesus to the sinner who casts himself at His feet, rebuked in his conscience in the presence of His mighty grace (Luke 5:10). It is the first word of our history.
- "Fear not," He said to His disciples when the storm rose up, threatening to swallow them (Matthew 14:27).
- "Fear not," When shipwreck is fully assured (Acts 27:24).
- "Fear not," He says to the little defenseless flock in the midst of wolves who have the power of killing the sheep (Luke 12:32; Matthew 10:28; Revelation 2:10).
- "Fear not," When Satan displays all his power to hinder the work of God (Acts 18:9).
- "Fear not," When death has already done its work (Mark 5:36)
(H.L. Rossier - Meditations on 2 Kings)

N.J. Hiebert # 3089

September 8

"And [God] said, Certainly I will be with thee." (Exodus 3:12)
"If God be for us, who can be against us ?" (Romans 8:31)

When Moses was about to confront the mighty Pharaoh, he had serious doubts about his ability for the task. When he asked the Lord, "Who am I?" to do such a work, God responded, "Certainly I will be with thee." It's still the same today. He promises to be with us when we face all of life's problem situations. We could not ask for more than that because, "If God be for us, who can be against us!" Whatever it is you are facing, He will strengthen you today. He will be with you. (R.J. Steele)

N.J. Hiebert # 3090

September 9

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:5)

One of the characteristics of the last days is, that men shall have a "form of godliness, but deny the power thereof." The form suits the worldly heart, because it serves to keep the conscience at ease, while the heart enjoys the world in all its attractiveness. What a delusion! How needful the apostolic admonition, "From such turn away"! Satan's masterpiece is the amalgamation of things apparently Christian with things decidedly unholy. He deceives more effectually by this scheme that any other, and we need more spiritual perception to detect it in consequence. The Lord grant us this, for He knows how much we need it. (C.H. Mackintosh - Life and Times of David - Vol. 6)

N.J. Hiebert # 3091

September 10

"Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)

With prayers, supplications, and intercessions we always should link thanksgiving. When we come to God in prayer, to supplicate for needed blessings or to intercede on behalf of others, we should not be ungrateful as we think of His dealings with us in the past. You will remember that in 2 Timothy 3:2 unthankfulness is connected with unholiness. Thankfulness and gratitude to God, and holiness of heart and life are linked intimately together. (H.A. Ironside)

N.J. Hiebert # 3092

September 11

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
(1 John 1:7)

We are glad to believe that - "from all sin." If all our sins are not blotted out none of them are. If one sin is gone they are all gone. It is only through Christ, and never does Christ do a thing in a half or (stingy) way, as man does. No; it is complete. (William Kelly)

N.J. Hiebert # 3093

September 12

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life." (1 John 1:1)

This gospel begins before creation. Genesis begins with creation, and gives the scene in which all is to be acted; but John gives Him who created. So also in the epistle to the Hebrews: "Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth," "Thou art the same" - we get Christ before the creation, and then in creation. (J.N. Darby - Lectures on the First Epistle of John)

N.J. Hiebert # 3094

September 13

"The third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children." (2 Corinthians 12:14)

My Daddy don't talk fancy, when bowed upon his knee,
But one thing that I know for sure, my Daddy prays for me (Unknown)

We've all seen the bumper sticker which reads, "I'm spending my kids inheritance." It may be meant as a jest, yet society's maniacal focus on promoting selfishness is more than a little alarming. In providing for out children, there are many happy personal sacrifices; but the best is to lay up treasure for them in Heaven on bended knees. Did my Father listen to me pray for my children today? He loves for us to talk to Him about our children, as much as He delights to speak to us about His Son. Intimate prayer facilitates both. (Rick Morse)

N.J. Hiebert # 3095

September 14

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
"I am the good Shepherd." (John 10:14)
"But when He saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)

It was reported a while ago that shepherds in Turkey watched in shock as hundreds of their sheep followed each other over a cliff. It started when one sheep went over the edge, only to be followed by the whole flock. At the end of the episode, more that 400 sheep died in the plunge -- their bodies buffering the fall of 1,100 others that followed.

While we may wonder at the silliness of the sheep, it is also a vivid illustration of our human state. On a daily basis, we are offered joyrides that promise pleasure and adventure, opportunities that seem to realize our ambition for recognition, power, material wealth, intimacy, and even meaning. At every turn, we are led by advertisers to believe that their products or services can satisfy our thirst for excitement and thrill. Unknowingly, we accept invitations for rides which take us on roads that could result in our slow spiritual deaths. Sadly, we are not often aware of the looming danger as we are too preoccupied taking in the new experience and novelty.

Sheep are not exactly the smartest in the animal kingdom. They do, however, have a strong instinct to follow the leader. When one sheep decides to go somewhere, the rest of the flock usually follows, even if the first sheep has no idea what it is doing. The incident in Turkey is a case in point.

Realizing our propensity to follow ways that are dangerous to our souls, how then shall we safeguard ourselves from following the wrong leader? Paul, who recognized how easily the human heart is enticed by the things and the ways of the world, urged, "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) (Selected )

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September 15

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17)

All Christ's gifts are great gifts:
- When He gave Himself, it was a great gift.
- When He gave the Holy Spirit, it was a great gift.
- When He gave us His Word, His Father's Word to us, it was a great gift.

Three Great Gifts.

He gave to His people all that He had received for them.

For these stupendous gifts from heaven,
What grateful honours we should show!
Where much transgression is forgiven,
May love with fervent ardor glow.
(Gibbons)

(Choice Gleanings)

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September 16

"What think ye of Christ ?" (Matthew 22:42)

All turns upon - What think ye of Christ? Do you believe on the Son of God? "He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John 5:12) The sinner is obliged to face the person of the Son of God, and it becomes an urgent, all-absorbing, eternal question that must be decided by the soul - Do I prefer Christ to the world? Do I prefer Christ or self? The Lord grant that we may be wise, and know how to find in Christ both the salvation and the power of God. For the same blessed One who gave us life gives us power for every practical difficulty. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."(1 John 5:4,5) (William Kelly - Lectures on Matthew)

N.J. Hiebert # 3098

September 17

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
(Mark 1:35)

Men of communion are men of obedience. It is men delighting to be near the king who are ready to hazard their lives to fetch him a drink of water from Bethlehem's well (1 Chronicles 11:18). And it is men of prayer who have moved the arm of Omnipotence in all ages, while they who seemed to have least need to pray have been the very ones to whom the closet has been dearest. Our great Example was a man of prayer. We read of Him rising a great while before day and departing into a solitary place to pray. Let us follow Him wherever He goes. If He needed the aids of heavenly power to help Him in the evil hour, how much more do we? Then let no uncertain sound be given in this all-important matter. Let secret prayer be urged on God's people as one of the great essentials of spiritual life, without which our grandest services will be barren and fruitless in the eyes of Him who looks on the heart.

Let each one of us ask himself the question, Am I delighting in the secret place, to plead with the Lord, to renew my strength, to have power with God and prevail? If not, let us confess our neglect. God will forgive, and renew our spiritual energy. (Christian Truth - Vo. 21 - January 1968)

N.J. Hiebert # 3099

September 18

"And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go." (Genesis 24:58)

The crucial question is the one that was asked when, in solemn conclave, Rebekah was assembled together with her relatives, in the presence of this Canaanite stranger. This is the question then for each of us to face today. It cannot be avoided by anyone calling himself a Christian. "Wilt thou go with this man?" Will you begin your journey this day in the company of the Spirit of God? Remember, you must be chosen first, and know it, and then the journey only begins if we have affirmatively answered this question. There are many souls around us who will doubtless spend their future eternity with the Lord, who are not spending their present time in the enjoyment of the communion of the Holy Spirit. They are undecided about this question. (H.C. Anstey)

N.J. Hiebert # 3100

September 19

"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" (v. 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."

(Christian Truth - Vol. 21 - March 1968)

N.J. Hiebert # 3101

September 20

"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. 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)

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September 21

"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree."
(1 Peter 2:24)
"The Lord knoweth how to reserve the . . . unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." (2 Peter 2:9)

For the believer, the question of sin was settled at the cross; for the unbeliever, it is postponed to the day of judgment. (Sir Robert Anderson - The Gospel and the Ministry)

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September 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)

"We dwell in Him and He in us." There cannot be anything more intimate.

Although the epistle of John is very abstract, yet it is abstract about things that the very feeblest saint knows in Christ. God is brought down to our nature, for God can come down to us in our weakness in Christ. Paul unfolds to us the counsels of God in grace; whereas John may be called more abstract, because he speaks of the nature of God Himself. The purpose and object of God is to bring us into full fellowship with Himself. (J.N. Darby - 1 John - Lectures)

N.J. Hiebert # 3104

September 23

"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 # 3105

September 24

"Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

Here we have the active side. These go out making peace, if there is any possibility of the peace of God being brought into the scene; and if it cannot be, they are content to wait on God, and look up to Him, that He may make this peace in His own time. And as this peace-making can belong only to God Himself, so these saints that are enriched with these blessed qualities of the grace of God as well as His righteousness, with His active mercy, and its effects - are equally found now characterized as peace-makers. "They shall be called the children of God." Oh, this is a sweet title - sons of God! Is it not because it was the reflection of His own nature - of what God Himself is? The stamp of God is upon them. There is no one thing that more indicates God manifested in His children than peace-making. This was what God was doing, what His heart is set upon. Here are found men upon the earth who shall be called, "the sons of God." - a new title from God Himself. (William Kelly)

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September 25

"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 # 3107

September 26

"There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: the lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it." (Job 28:7,8)

These precious and comforting words set before us some of the keenest senses of nature. Yet we learn from them that the most intellectual and intelligent mind of man cannot be trusted to know the mind of God as to His path.

Two little words provide a solemn yet most encouraging lesson in this matter. Though seemingly insignificant words, one is the word "is,", the other, the word "a". "Is" tells us that this path was and is and will be until He takes His church home. The other word, "a", reminds us that there is one path, not many. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
Now if this is true (and it most surely is) then why do we so willingly decide that the conflict is just too much and, yielding to one natural pressure or another, there comes the tendency to give up. Let us never forget that "God is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) (TCS - Adapted, D.B.)

N.J. Hiebert # 3108

September 27

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

Beware of lethargy! - a loss of the sense of spiritual things - a drowsy dullness to the Lord. Lethargy (indifference) speaks forth from our inner being when we say, "It's easier to stay home," or when we refuse to make that visit, or give that word of encouragement.

God's remedy for this: Hebrews 10:25.
- Be with the saints;
- This warms us up;
- We are encouraged;
- We are warned;
-The Lord is coming soon
(Anon - TCNL)

N.J. Hiebert # 3109

September 28

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also." (John 15:18-20)

The cross was the punishment of felons and slaves - not only a cruel, but a shame-ful death. To take up the cross was to assume a position outside the world, the object of the world's enmity and contempt. This then is what Jesus calls His disciples to do. Nor did this cease with His death. (T.B.B. - Christian Truth - vol 21 - August 1968)

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September 29

"Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:14,15)

Timothy is to approve himself to God by being a good workman. It would be possible for a servant to really strive to commend himself to God, and yet, through ignorance of the truth, to be a bad workman. How many godly, devoted men, for example, have had their eyes opened to perceive (and with what sorrow has the discovery been made!) that they had been misleading souls for years! It is not only necessary therefore to be godly, to have a single eye, but there must be also that knowledge of the Lord's mind, as revealed in the Scriptures, which will enable those who are in the place of teachers to rightly divide, to cut in a straight line, the word of truth. Diligence is requisite for this - diligence in the prayerful study of the Word - and it is this which is really enjoined upon Timothy. Ability to teach is a divine gift; to be a good workman is the result of study, training, and practice, in dependence upon the power of the Holy Ghost. (Edward Dennett)

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September 30

"Shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some." (2 Timothy 2:16-18)

Timothy was to be occupied with the Word. There is no more successful snare of Satan than the seduction of the Lord's servants into foolish controversies. To contend for the truth in a day of departure from it is one of their first responsibilities; but this is a very different thing from turning aside to verbal discussions and "doubtful disputations," or, as the Apostle here expresses it, "empty voices" - words or sounds without significance for the believer. It can never indeed be too often asserted that the best way to refute error is by the statement of the truth; and controversy conducted in this way will edify both speaker and hearers, while profane and vain babblings will only tend to produce more impiety, because they harden both the heart and conscience. (Edward Dennett)

N.J. Hiebert # 3112

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

The infinite LORD of Glory requests to communicate with sinful man. "Deity stoops to speak to dust." Look again at Calvary and see our Saviour, bearing in our stead, the "consuming fire" of judgment that we deserved. Now the scarlet sins have been forgiven and God sees us as white as snow. Listen now to the Saviour, "Be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matthew 9:2). (Milton Haack)

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,
When at the cross the Saviour made me whole;
My sins were washed away, and my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul. - John Peterson

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