Gems from October 2008

October 1

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice." (Psalm 55:17)

TIME TO PRAY I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish,
That I didn't take time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me
And heavier came each task;
Why doesn't God help me I wondered?
He answered, "YOU DIDN'T ASK."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "BUT YOU DIDN'T SEEK".

I woke up early this morning,
and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish.
That I had to take time to pray.

(Submitted by a reader (T.R.) of the "Gems.")

N.J. Hiebert # 3479

October 2

"Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water." (Matthew 14:27,28)

This was scarcely presumption, or his Master would not have said, "Come." It was rather the ardour of affection. For a while Peter walked the sea as securely as the Lord Himself; but presently noticing the roughness of the wind, his heart failed him, and he began to sink. Our safety to-day lies in "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2). This keeps the heart serene in the midst of life's stormiest billows. Peter could not have traversed the most placid sea apart from divine aid; but this was amply sufficient to uphold him in safety upon the wildest sea. In his distress Peter appealed to the Lord alone. "Lord, save me." Let us imitate the devoted apostle in this. Are any in distress concerning their sins, and fearful of the wrath to come? Are others in perplexity and need as to the affairs of daily life? Let us turn to Christ alone, who is indeed the only Mediator between God and men. No one has such a heart to care as He; and certainly no created being can furnish us with even a modicum of needed grace. Our souls are absolutely shut up to Christ for blessing of every kind. To know Him is to trust and adore Him. The incident closes with the disciples worshipping at His feet, exclaiming "of a truth Thou art the Son of God" (Matthew 14:33). That night at sea yielded to them its blessings for eternity. (W.W. Feredy - Peter the Apostle)

N.J. Hiebert # 3480

October 3

"As thou goest step by step, the way shall open up before thee."(Proverbs 4:12, Hebrew Version)

"And the Lord shall guide thee continually." (Isaiah 58:11)

A father and his son were camped in a wooded area a little ways from the nearest village. The father had a letter which needed mailing and asked his son to take it to the post office in the village. The father took his son to the edge of camp and showed him the trail which led to the village. "But father," said the little boy, "I don't see how that path will ever reach town." The father took his hand in his and pointed explaining, "See down the trail to that big tree where the trail seems to come to an end?" "Oh, yes, I see that the path goes that far; but the village is not there!" "Well, when you get to that big tree, you will see further on around the bend and down the trail. Just go to the tree and then follow the trail until you come to the next corner, then look ahead and follow it some more until you see some houses. When you come to the houses, you will see the post office. There you can mail my letter!" I know not when or where I go from this familiar scene;But He is here and He is there, and all the way between. And when I pass from all I know, to that dim, vast unknown,Though late I stay or soon I go, I shall not go alone. The love of God quite as often withholds the view of the entire distance of the winding path through life. He reveals it to us step by step and from corner to corner. Hence it is necessary to trust Him to lead, for He can see around the bend in the road. He knows what lies ahead, and whether we can cope with the situation now or later. He consults our wants, not our wishes, like a wise and loving Father. His corners are not the end of the way. Corners discipline faith, teach us patience to walk step by step, and fit us for blessing. Because our vision is limited, it causes us to continually seek His guidance. (Selected)

N.J. Hiebert # 3481

October 4

"Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman (Eve), yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Genesis 3:1)

The first question of the Bible belongs to Satan and he used it to project doubt on what God said. It was a leading question, designed not to provoke rational thought, but to instill doubt and invoke rebellion. The tactic worked on the woman, who quickly slid from the ground of faith into human reasoning. The first question was rank with unfairness, "Could God be good and yet limit you in such an unfair way?" Satan still tries the same tactics. Trust God. His Word alone is utterly trustworthy. (Warren Henderson) Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word;Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know "Thus saith the Lord." (L.S.)

N.J. Hiebert # 3482

October 5

"But he (Stephen) . . . looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God . . . and they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:55,59,60)

Looking at past failure, you will constantly find that it arose from settling things according to circumstances. I cannot settle anything myself; if I am in His presence, I get my guidance from the Lord in His circumstances - from the Son of God up there. It is a blessed fact that there is a Man in heaven, in the highest possible glory on the throne of God, and that Man has a heart to enter into everything, where His people would not be able to move for themselves. Is His heart less occupied, His eye less fixed on me than it was on Stephen? No; the curtain was drawn back for him, and I never expect that, but it is equally true to faith. (Gleanings From the Teaching of G.V. Wigram)

N.J. Hiebert # 3483

October 6

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In ALL thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."(Proverbs 3:5,6)

Solemn the admonition, and precious the assurance here for all who would be guided in the way of peace. "He that trusteth in His own heart is a fool." (Proverbs 28:26), but happy is the man whose trust is in the Lord. Confidence in self is like leaning on a broken reed. God has given His Word to guide in every detail of life that thus our sanctification might be the Truth, and it is therefore inexcusable to lean upon our own poor finite intelligence. If He be acknowledged in all our ways we shall not want guidance, for He is faithful who has promised to direct our paths. "If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." (Matthew 6:22) (Notes on Proverbs - H.A. Ironside)

N.J. Hiebert # 3484

October 7

". . . wilt thou go . . . she said, I will go. . . . And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel." (Genesis 24:58,64)

After Rebekah heard of the glories of Isaac and received the tokens from his servant, she made the clear-cut decision, "I will go." Then she and her damsels rode upon camels and followed the servant to Isaac. She is a type of the Church which is being led through a desert by the servant who is a type of the Holy Spirit. Soon we shall reach our heavenly home and leave all that speaks of the desert, just as Rebekah alighted from the camel when she saw Isaac. (Christian Truth - December 1962 - Vol. 15)

N.J. Hiebert # 3485

October 8

"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 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)

Since redemption's work is accomplished and Jesus glorified, the personal presence of the Holy Spirit on earth is the consequence; and He is the strength and joy of our hearts during the absence of the Lord Jesus Christ. The disciples seem to have had a foretaste of this joy on the occasion referred to above. Nevertheless the Lord's absence still leaves a blank in the hearts of His own, which can never be filled till they see Him. Therefore the disciples hail with joy the words which fell from the lips of the two heavenly witnesses, who assured these "men of Galilee," who stood looking up into heaven, that this same Jesus, who had been taken up from them into heaven, should so come in like manner as they had seen Him go into heaven. "Tis the treasure we've found in His love That has made us now pilgrims below." And when the Treasure was taken to heaven, the hearts of them that were set upon it were taken there too; "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21) (Selected)

N.J. Hiebert # 3486

October 9

"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4)

Whatever may be their ignorance, if the children of God make any alliance with the world, and thus pursue a line of conduct opposed to their true character, they will assuredly find disappointment. (J.N. Darby)

N.J. Hiebert # 3487

October 10

"While He (Jesus) yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He saith . . . BE NOT AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE." (Mark 5:35,36)

The Lord took no notice of the messenger. He thought only of the effect of the message upon the ruler's heart; and in His infinite grace He immediately covered him with the shield of faith. "Be not afraid, only believe." Precious words! - Words which can carry the soul through every difficulty and every danger, - Words for a sickbed or a chamber of death,- Words for all circumstances, all places, and all conditions,- Words of comfort and consolation for the poor, sinking, fainting, tottering heart. "Be not afraid, only believe." (C.H. Mackintosh)

N.J. Hiebert # 3488

October 11

"Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:8,9)

Cain threw back an accusation against God when he was challenged, "Where is Abel thy brother?" He replied with a lie, "I know not," and then added, "Am I my brother's keeper?" By this last remark Cain charged God with not looking after the one whom He had approved and accepted. This is the world's plight now. God sent His beloved Son into it in love, and men killed Him. God has not forgotten this, though it may seem so to Cain's present followers; nor is God in the least indifferent to it. He will yet vindicate His Son and judge the world in righteousness "by that man whom He hath ordained" (Acts 17:31); and the resurrection of Christ from the dead is the evidence that Christ will be the judge. (Selected)

N.J. Hiebert # 3489

October 12

"I call to remembrance my song in the night." (Psalm 77:6)

I have read somewhere of a little bird that will never sing the melody his master wishes while his cage is full of light. He learns a snatch of this, a bar of that, but never an entire song of its own until the cage is covered and the morning beams shut out. A good many people never learn to sing until the darkening shadows fall. The fabled nightingale carols with his breast against a thorn. It was in the night that the voice of the angels was heard. It was at midnight that they cry came, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him."

Indeed it is extremely doubtful if a soul can really know the love of God in its richness and in its comforting, satisfying completeness until the skies are black and lowering. Light comes out of darkness, morning out of the womb of the night.

James Creelmam, in one of his letters, describes his trip through the Balkan States in search of Natalie, the exiled Queen of Serbia. "In that memorable journey," he says,"I learned for the first time that the world's supply of attar (fragrant oils) of roses comes from the Balkan Mountains. And the thing that interested me most, "he goes on, "is that the roses must be gathered in the darkest hours. The pickers start out at one o'clock and finish picking them at two. "At first it seemed to me a relic of superstition; but I investigated the picturesque mystery, and learned that actual scientific tests had proven that fully forty percent of the fragrance of roses disappeared in the light of day." And in human life and human culture that is not a playful fanciful conceit; it is a real veritable fact. (Malcolm J. McLeod - Streams in the Desert)

N.J. Hiebert # 3490

October 13

"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death." (Song of Solomon 8:6)

The story of love is a promise, set as a seal upon the heart and arm of God. Promised by a heart that cares; provided by an arm that bears - a seal that cannot be broken in a world of broken dreams. The glory of love is its power - strong as death. Wedding vows limit love's responsibility - "Until death do us part," but His love knows no limit. It weds love and death together, pronouncing, "greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," (John 15:13) and then goes beyond even that - He laid down His life for us when we were enemies. What a Saviour! (Rex Trogdon)

N.J. Hiebert # 3491

October 14

"Jesus answered and said unto them (Sadducees), Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." (Matthew 22:29)

Do you know what the Scripture says about Jesus Christ, you and eternity? Jesus told the "religious" of His day, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures." Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Scriptures - the prophets - spoke of His coming. The world should have known and welcomed Him, but their ignorance and blindness concerning the teaching of Scripture led them to fail to recognize who He was. The world was and is without excuse. Look what the Scriptures revealed about Christ long before He came:

- He would be of the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:9,10)
- He would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
- He would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14)
- He would be called out of Egypt. (Hosea 11:1)
- He would come as a prophet. (Deuteronomy 18:18,19)
- His own people would reject Him. (Isaiah 53:3)
- He would make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Zechariah 9:9)
- He would be sold for 30 pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:12,13)
- He would be put to death by crucifixion. (Psalm 22)
- His hands and His feet would be pierced. (Psalm 22:16)
- Soldiers would cast lots for His clothing. (Psalm 22:18)
- He would be raised from the dead. (Psalm 16:9)
- He would ascend into heaven. (Psalm 68:18) (TCS - January 1993)

N.J. Hiebert # 3492

October 15

"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously." (Exodus 15:1)

Only the redeemed can truly sing. It is a new song they sing, praising God for what they now possess and never of their own doing but all of His. His provision and protection of His people follow them, surround them and goes before them as they travel. He expects nothing form us but praise, for our strength only tends to interfere and is puny in comparison to His. It is the one time there is unity for all have seen the accomplishments of His power and are affected by it. (B.R. - Meditations on Exodus)

N.J. Hiebert # 3493

October 16

". . . to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come." (1 Thessalonians 1:9,10)

An amazing sight to us all during the war in the Persian Gulf was the abundance of yellow ribbons on display across the United States. They could be seen tied to trees, telephone poles, fenceposts, road signs, porch railings and hanging on doors as a sign of love, support and welcome home to those who were serving our country. Events around us are pointing to the near return of the Lord Jesus for His blood-bought children. What sort of message are we conveying to Him concerning His "homecoming"? When He looks in our hearts (as only He can), does He see "yellow ribbons" of welcome? Have we grown cold or indifferent to the truth of His second coming? One ribbon manufacturer interviewed during the conflict said that in a normal year his company would make five million yards of yellow ribbon. This year, however, they made fifty million yards to meet the demand. Oh that the desire to see our blessed Lord would be increased tenfold! (Moments For You - November 1994)

N.J. Hiebert # 3494

October 17

"All things are lawful unto me but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:12)

If all things are lawful to the Christian, certainly all do not profit. As Christ never did what did not profit, so neither should the Christian. He is free, but it is only according to Christ for good, and this in love, the good of others. But there is another guard: if all things are lawful to the Christian, he refuses to be brought under the power of anything: were it not so, it would be bondage, not liberty. Thus to have regard for others' good must be kept up, as well the liberty itself intact. The Christian is called to serve others, never to be the slave of a habit in anything great or small. (W. Kelly)

N.J. Hiebert # 3495

October 18

" . . . Keep thyself pure." (1 Timothy 5:22)

Sir Joshua Reynolds used to give a coat of white paint to all the canvas he used for his pictures before commencing to work. He said it gave luminousness and brilliance to the whole picture. That is a little parable for you. You are just beginning to paint a life picture. Let Jesus in to make the groundwork of your life white and pure. Take the flower that hangs in the morning, impearled with dew, arrayed as no queenly woman ever was arrayed in jewels. Once shake it, so that the beads roll off, and you may sprinkle water over it as carefully as you please, yet it can never again be made what it was when the dew fell silently upon it from heaven. On the frosty morning you may see the panes of glass covered with landscapes - mountains, lakes, trees, blended in a beautiful, fantastic picture. Now lay your hand upon the glass, and by the scratch of your finger, or by the warmth of your palm, all the delicate tracery will be obliterated! So there is in Youth a beauty and purity of character which, when once touched and defiled, can never be restored; a fringe more delicate than frost -work, and which, when torn and broken, will never be re-embroidered. (H.W. Beecher)

- The crimson of the sunset;
- The azure of the ocean;
- The green of the valleys;
- The scarlet of the poppies;
- The silver of the dewdrop;
- The gold of the gorse (spiney evergreen shrub):
- These are exquisitely beautiful
- God paints in many colours,
- But He never paints so gorgeously as when He paints in white!
(From - Mountain Trailways for Youth)

N.J. Hiebert # 3496

October 19

"It pleased King Darius to set over the kingdom 120 princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three presidents of whom Daniel was first; and that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents, and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion or fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him." (Daniel 6:1-4)

What a testimony! How truly refreshing to the heart! "No error or fault!" Even his most bitter enemies could not put their finger upon a single blemish in his character, or a flaw in his practical career. Truly this was a rare and admirable character - a bright witness for the God of Israel, even in the dark days of the Babylonish captivity - an unanswerable proof of the fact that no matter where we are situated, or how we are circumstanced, no matter how unfavourable our position, or how dark the day in which our lot is cast, it is our happy privilege so to carry ourselves, in all the details of daily life, as to give no occasion to the enemy to speak reproachfully. How sad when it is otherwise! How humiliating when those who make a high profession are found constantly breaking down in the most common place affairs of domestic and commercial life! There are few things which more tend to discourage the heart than that. (C.H. Macintosh)

N.J. Hiebert # 3497

October 20

"Return to thine own house, and SHOW how great things God hath done unto thee . . ." (Luke 8:39)

"Go home to thy friends, and TELL them how great things the Lord hath done for thee . . ." (Mark 5:19)

In traveling a few years ago," says a Christian gentleman, "I stopped at a hotel where the apartments were of the finest, and where the service was the best I had ever known. The proprietor has a chain of hotels, and is considered the most successful man in the business. Behind the desk of each employee, but hidden from the public view, hangs a little sign with these words: "MY REPUTATION IS IN YOUR HANDS." For all who name the name of Christ there is a great lesson there. We are his representatives and witnesses; and in the Gospels, there are two words which indicate how we may discharge our responsibilities as such. These words are found in the two accounts set out in the verses above. - "Go home and SHOW" - that is the testimony of the life-what we are. - "Go home and TELL" - that is the testimony of the lip - what we say. (George Henderson - In Pastures Green)

N.J. Hiebert # 3498

October 21

"Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this, said, this is an hard saying; who can hear it?" (John 6:60)

In the world of men we find nothing approaching the virtues of which Jesus spoke in the opening words of the famous Sermon on the Mount.

- Instead of poverty of spirit we find the rankest kind of pride;
- Instead of meekness, arrogance,
- Instead of mourners we find pleasure seekers;
- Instead of hunger after righteousness we hear men saying, "I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing";
- Instead of mercy we find cruelty;
- Instead of purity of heart, corrupt imaginings;
- Instead of peacemakers we find men quarrelsome and resentful;
- Instead of rejoicing in mistreatment we find them fighting back with every weapon at their command!

Into a world like this the sound of Jesus' words comes wonderful and strange, a visitation from above. It is well that He spoke, for no one else could have done it as well; and it is good that we listen, for His words are the essence of truth.

Jesus does not offer an opinion for He never uttered opinions. He never guessed; He knew, and He knows! His words are not as King Solomon's were, the sum of sound wisdom or the results of keen observation. He spoke out of the fullness of His Godhead, and His words are very Truth itself. He is the only one who could say "blessed" with complete authority for He is the Blessed One come from heaven above to confer blessedness upon mankind! Best of all, His words were supported by deeds mightier than any performed on this earth by another man. It is wisdom for us to listen. (A.W. Tozer - Renewed Day By Day)

N.J. Hiebert # 3499

October 22

"Surely I come quickly, AMEN." (Revelation 22:21)

How sweetly solemn is the addition of that "AMEN." There is no mistake about it. The response from the heart of the Church comes at once, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Meanwhile, be the time short or long, circumstances easy or difficult - and surely they will be difficult - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN" (verse 21) is sufficient for each fainting heart. Surely the coming of the Lord draws very nigh. An earnest spirit of expectation is upon the hearts of His people. Events in the world, happening with bewildering rapidity, proclaim the fact that the events narrated in The Revelation from chapter 4, are soon to begin. How happy it is that before that time arrives Christ will come for His Church. "A little while, and He that shall come will come and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:37). How sweet and happy is our prospect. (A.J. Pollock - Things Which Must Shortly Come to Pass - 1918)

"EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS."

N.J. Hiebert # 3500

October 23

"Here am I; send me. And He said, Go, and tell this people . . ." (Isaiah 6:8,9)

Even though the Word seemed to have no other effect than to harden them in their sins and rebellion, Isaiah was to proclaim the message faithfully. The servant of God is responsible to the Lord Himself. Having received his commission, he is to go forth in the name of the One who sends him, declaring the message committed to him. The results must be left with God. Whether men hear or whether they forbear (Ezekiel 2:3-5), he who proclaims the Word faithfully has delivered his soul. The Apostle Paul entered into this when he spoke of being a sweet savour of Christ unto God both in them that are saved and in them that perish (2 Corinthians 2:15). God is honoured when His truth is preached, no matter what attitude the hearers take toward it, and that Word will not return void, but will accomplish the divine purpose. (Isaiah 55:11) (H.A. Ironside)

N.J. Hiebert # 3501

October 24

"We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump."
(1 Corinthians 15:51,52)

"The dead in Christ shall rise first." What a stupendous scene! All that are Christ's, including, therefore, saints of the past, as well as of the present dispensation, shall rise at His coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23) Tracing down the line of the ages from Adam till the last saint to be gathered in, all this countless multitude will, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye," spring up from their graves - raised incorruptible. And not only so, but all the saints then living will be changed, so that all alike will be clothed upon with their resurrection bodies, in fashion like unto Christ's body of glory. (Philippians 3:21) It is, then, when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, that the saying that is written will be brought to pass, "Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:54) (see also 2 Corinthians 5:1-4) But no sooner has this marvelous change been wrought, than all its subjects will be caught up "in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Then the Lord Himself enters for the first time, as far as His people are concerned, upon the full fruit of His redemption-work, of the travail of His soul. And what tongue could tell, or pen describe, His joy when He thus redeems from the grave the very bodies of His people, and when He brings by the word of His power all His chosen ones into His presence, and all conformed to His own image! Nor is it possible to express even our own joy, the joy on which we then shall enter, when the longing desires of our hearts are all realized, and, like Him, we shall behold His face, see Him as He is, and be with Him for ever. (Edward Dennett - The Blessed Hope)

N.J. Hiebert # 3502

October 25

"Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
(2 Corinthians 6:2)

"It's unsinkable!" That was the proud boast made by the builders of the Titanic, the magnificent ocean liner that on April 14, 1912, went down during its maiden voyage. Most of the 2,100 passengers were sent to their deaths. In an article for the Danish magazine Evangelisten, Ingvald Andersen told about one of the passengers, John Harper, who was a fervent witness for Christ. According to a survivor, on the evening of the disaster John had led a young Englishman to faith in the Saviour. Soon afterward, John went for a walk on the deck with his daughter and a niece. As they were admiring the spectacular sunset, Harper said, "It is going to be beautiful in the morning."

For him and any other Christian who died that night, the next morning was beautiful.Theirs was sunrise on their first day in heaven. Andersen, as he related all of this, urged his readers to be certain of their own relationship to Jesus. No matter how safe and serene your life may be, it can end in shipwreck at any moment. So if you have never done so, you need to do as that young Englishman did - accept Christ as your Saviour NOW. Then regardless of when or how you die, yours will be sunrise in heaven. (VCG)

When life is over and daylight is past,
In heaven's harbour my anchor is cast,
When I see Jesus my Saviour at last,
Oh, that will be sunrise for me! (Poole)

Salvation deferred too long
Becomes the tragedy of too late.

N.J. Hiebert # 3503

October 26

"It is appointed unto men once to die, BUT after this the judgment."(Hebrews 9:27)

"God is a consuming fire."(Deuteronomy 4:24)

In the panicked circumstance of a raging forest fire, the safest place to be is where the fire has already burned. The terrified sinner, facing the fiery wrath of God's judgment of sin, has but one place to be safe - where the flames have already blazed. On the cross of Calvary, Christ bore the terrible inferno of God's righteous judgment on sin. Accept Him as Saviour; take refuge where the fire has been. Come today. (D. Logan)

N.J. Hiebert # 3504

October 27

"The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." (Psalm 16:6)

Not for ease of worldly pleasure
Nor for fame my prayer shall be,
Gladly will I toil and suffer
Only let me walk with Thee.

Always remember we are the followers of a Christ, who, on earth had a peasant's lot, slept upon a hillside, and if He wanted to illustrate His preaching, had to borrow a penny with which to do it. And yet His heart was full of the Father's joy and gladness; and if you walk with God, that joy will stay your hearts. (Harold St. John - from his biography)

N.J. Hiebert # 3505

October 28

"He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again." (2 Corinthians 5:15)

In this generation, we need to preach a message of salvation to Christians who are lost in this world's crazy maze of business and pleasure. We need to ask ourselves:

-What are we pursuing out there?
- Are we finding it?
- How much is it costing us?

Ironically, it is only when we are willing to surrender everything to Christ that we find that we have gained everything in Him. Good and faithful servants have a love for Christ that displaces all selfish ambitions as the ruling motivation of their lives. Do we have that love? (Selected)

N.J. Hiebert # 3506

October 29

"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:24)

- Favour shown to the miserable we call mercy;
- Favour shown to the poor we call pity;
- Favour shown to the suffering we call compassion;
- Favour shown to the obstinate we call patience:
- But favour shown to the unworthy we call GRACE! This is favour indeed; favour which is truly divine in its source and in its character. Light is thrown upon it in Romans 3:24, "being justified freely by His grace." The word here translated "freely" occurs again in John 15:25, and is translated "without a cause" ("they hated me without a cause"). Was there any real cause why they hated the Lord Jesus? No! Nor is there any cause in us why God should ever justify us. So we might read Romans 3:24 thus: "Being justified without a cause by His grace." Yes, this is grace indeed - favour to the unworthy. (TCN)

N.J. Hiebert # 3507

October 30

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

A certain man when asked about his family tree said: "I am ashamed of my ancestors! My mother was a thief; my father was a receiver of stolen property; and my elder brother was a murderer!" When told by his shocked hearers that he did not look as though he came from that type of ancestry, he said: "My mother was EVE, my father was ADAM, and my elder brother was CAIN who killed his brother, ABEL!" Our old standing in Adam is nothing to boast about; but if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature - or there is a new creation. Old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We lose our old standing in Adam, and gain a new standing in Christ, where we can say:

- God is my Father;
- Christ is my Lord and Saviour;
- The Holy Spirit is my Comforter, Guide and Teacher;
- The people of God are my companions! (Selected)

N.J. Hiebert # 3508

October 31

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Matthew 12:34)

- A word from your heart speaks volumes about your heart.
- To be a disciple is to be a loyal subject of the King of kings.
- God's unseen work in our hearts produces fruit in our lives.
- God's armour is tailor made for us, but we must put it on.
- Will your life be a blessing or a blot.
- The wonder of it all
- just to think that God loves me.

(Some Thoughts to Consider - R.K.)

N.J. Hiebert # 3509

November 1

Too Busy to Keep a Solemn Charge?

"Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, keep this man . . . And as thy servant was busy HERE AND THERE, he was gone . . ." (1 Kings 20:39,40)

What a sobering moral principle quoted above. A man was charged with the keeping of another. Other responsibilities, however, intruded taking his valuable time from guarding his charge - "Thy servant was busy here and there." It was then, in the midst of the busy 'heres and theres' that the one to be kept was found to be gone. The ruinous press of other activities allowed that most important service to go unheeded. With each child God gives parents He also gives a most solemn charge to keep that child. ". . . Take this child away, and nurse him for me. . . ." (Exodus 2:7). Be careful dear parents that your lives do not become so busy with all those "heres and theres" that you morally lose your children in the press of the constant demands made for your time. If you lose your children because of the care of other matters and they are as it were, gone, then gone too are the priceless opportunities to mold them in faith and love for your Lord Jesus. (The Christian Shepherd - June 2008)

N.J. Hiebert # 3510

November 2

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7,8)

God has hidden every precious thing in such a way that:
- It is a reward to the diligent,
- A prize to the earnest,
- A disappointment to the slothful soul.
All nature is arrayed against the lounger and the idler.
- The nut is hidden in its thorny case;
- The pearl is buried beneath the ocean wave;
- The gold is imprisoned in the rocky bosom of the mountain;
- The gem is found only after you crush the rock that encloses it;
- The very soil gives its harvest as the reward of industry to the labouring husbandman.
So truth and God must be earnestly sought.
"To him that knocketh it shall be opened."
(Dr. A.B. Simpson)

N.J. Hiebert # 3511

November 3

"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:8)

'Tis the treasure I've found in His love
That has made me a pilgrim below;
And 'tis there, when I reach Him above
As I'm known, all His fulness I'll know.

Absolute consecration to Jesus is the strongest bond between human hearts. It strips them of self, and they have but one soul in thought, intent and settled purpose, because they have but one object.
Can we honestly say, with glory before us, with Christ before us: "This one thing I do"? Which way does your eye turn? Which way are you going? God has only one way - CHRIST.
Paul saw Christ on the way to Damascus, and he gives up his importance, his Pharisaism, his teaching, his everything else, and he counts all but loss that he may win Christ. . . . People talk of sacrifices; but there is no great sacrifice in giving up dung. (Philippians 3:8) If the eye were so fixed on Christ that these things got that character it would not be a trouble to give them up. The thing gets its character from what the heart is set on. (J.N. Darby)

N.J. Hiebert # 3512

November 4

". . . have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside ME. Look unto ME, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:21,22)

Here is the One to whom we are told to "look". He is "a just God." But if this were all, a guilty sinner dare not look to Him for anything but judgment and eternal condemnation. The only possible issue of a meeting between a just God and a guilty man, is the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. A just God must punish sin. He cannot pass over a single speck or stain. It would involve the denial of His nature and the overthrow of His government were He to pass over the smallest atom of sin. It cannot possibly be. "He is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity." (Habakkuk 1:13) Sin, wherever it is found, can only be met by the just judgment of God. But mark the beauteous and most marvelous combination! Blessed be His name, we are not called to "look" merely to "a just God." This would be terrible. Yes, it would be inevitable destruction. But when we listen to the other title which grace has linked on to "a just God," all is changed. He is not only "a just God," but "a Saviour." Precious fact for us poor sinners! (Christian Truth - Vol. 15 - December 1962)

N.J. Hiebert # 3513