Gems from March 2013
"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter."
(Hebrews 11:24)
Moses' faith got the victory over the world.
He was a foundling, picked up from the Nile and adopted as the son of Pharaoh's daughter.
This was personal degradation translated into adopted magnificence.
What did he do with it?
He "refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter."
What victory over the world that was!
We like those things that put worldly honour on us.
Moses would not have it; and sure I am faith is set to the same battlefield and
challenged to get the like victory to this day.
(J.G. Bellett)
N.J. Hiebert - 5082
March 1
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given unto us."
(Romans 12:6)
One thing taught large in the Holy Scriptures is that while God gives His gifts freely,
He will require a strict accounting of them at the end of the road.
Each man is personally responsible for his store, be it large or small,
and will be required to explain his use of it before the judgment seat of Christ.
Then there are talents.
These are included in the total store granted us by our Heavenly Father.
Whether we have one talent or many, we must render up account finally, and the factor that will decide
for us is not how many talents we had but what we did with them.
The story of the man who hid his talent in the ground makes disquieting reading for the
careless Christian who is failing to make use of his gifts.
[A. W. Tozer - R.L]
N.J. Hiebert - 5085
March 2
"He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you."
(John 16:14)
"Spiritual growth is the Holy Spirit engraving the Lord Jesus on a man's heart,
putting Him into his thoughts, his words, and his ways,
just as the Law was engraved upon stones.
It is not that there is no failure.
A man who is seeking to make money does not always succeed;
but everybody knows what his object is. Just so, the Lord Jesus Christ
is the object of the believer's life."
(John N. Darby)
"TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS,
WRITE ON MY HEART EVERY WORD.
TELL ME THE STORY MOST PRECIOUS,
SWEETEST THAT EVER WAS HEARD."
(FANNY CROSBY)
If we walk in the Spirit, we will point sinners and saints alike to Christ.
The lost sinner needs Christ for salvation and the saint needs Christ for his or her daily food.
N.J. Hiebert - 5086
March 3
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
(Jeremiah 17:9)
The heart is so deceitful that we may be led to imagine that we are doing the Lord's work,
when, in reality, we are only pleasing ourselves.
If the heart is really subject to the authority of Christ,
it is in readiness for anything and everything to which He calls us -
be it to stand still or to go forward,
to do little or much, to be active or passive.
To a really obedient heart the question is not at all,
"What am I dong? or where am I going?"
It is simply, "Am I doing the will of my Lord?"
(Food for the Desert)
N.J. Hiebert - 5087
March 4
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. . . ."
(Galatians 5:22-23)
Weakness is stronger than might; (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Belief will see more than sight. (Hebrews 11)
Death is the doorway to life; (Galatians 2:20)
Truth cuts more than a knife. (Hebrews 4:12)
Joy is much deeper that fun; (1 Peter 1:8)
Light will outshine the sun. (Matthew 5:14)
Meekness will unseat the bold; (Matthew 5:5)
Faith is worth more than gold.(1 Peter 1:7)
Prayer will soar higher than flight; (Ephesians 3:12)
Hope will outlast the night. (Romans 5:5)
(Selected - RRR)
N.J. Hiebert - 5088
March 5
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, . . . to whom . . . I give thanks."
(Romans 16:3-4)
An unknown author has penned these thought-provoking words:
I would rather have one little rose from a garden of a friend
Than to have the choicest flowers when my stay on earth must end.
I would rather have a pleasant word in kindness said to me
Than flattery when my heart is still, and life has ceased to be.
I would rather have a loving smile from friends I know are true
Than tears shed 'round my casket when to this world I bid adieu.
Bring me all your flowers today, whether pink, or white, or red;
I'd rather have one blossom now than a truck load when I'm dead.
Recalling the good qualities of deceased friends or relatives at their funeral is appropriate, but how much better to give sincere praise to them while they are still living. It may be the encouragement they desperately need.
As the apostle Paul closed his letter to the Romans, he publicly commended those who had helped and encouraged him in the work of the gospel. He not only greeted them by name, but he also referred to what they had done and expressed gratitude (16:3-4). What an example for all of us to follow!
Do you owe someone a word of thanks or appreciation? Don't put it off. Say it today. Tomorrow may be too late! (R.W.D.)
You can't speak a kind word too soon,
for you never know how soon it will be too late.
______________________________
Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids Michigan, Reprinted Permission.
N.J. Hiebert - 5089
March 6
"And Gideon divided the 300 men into three companies, and he put a trumpet
in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers."
(Judges 7:16)
There is not a single Christian in the world who cannot be the bearer of these
three element of testimony for God. How is it then that so few are found?
It is because these three principles that God requires are lacking
The trumpet must be sounded,
The pitchers must be broken,
The lamp must not be put under a bushel.
Are we taking our ease down here, having all we need in the world, loved and respected of men;
Have we never had any of the apostle's experiences, tribulations, perplexities, persecution, cast down?
If not, we are wretched for we have nothing.
God has not accounted us worthy to to bear a single ray of the light of Christ before the world.
Happy those who are broken!
"Blessed . . . blessed," as the Lord said in Matthew 5:12, adding:
"Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven."
(H.L. Rosssier)
N.J. Hiebert - 5090
March 7
"I know thy works, and thy labour . . . nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."
(Revelation 2:2,4)
I gave My life for Thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might'st ransomed be, and quickened from the dead;
I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?
(F.R. Havergal)
Service for the Lord should be motivated by love for Him.
Yet so often "work" becomes burdensome "labour."
No one else seems willing to do the work so we keep labouring on, out of a sense of duty!
If this is our current condition, let us spend time with Him,
remembering when nothing was too much for Him, Whom our souls adored.
If our work is simply done out of burdensome duty,
let us repent of this backsliding, and return to our first love.
(D.B. Croudace)
March 8
"And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, am the God of Israel."
(Isaiah 45:3)
Years ago, before the city of London had modern paved streets, the story is told of an incident in Ruskin's life. He was know during his lifetime for never having missed an opportunity to relate the goodness of his God.
While walking down one of the streets of London with a friend, the friend turned and disgustingly commented to Ruskin, "What dirty, dreadful, loathsome stuff!" He was referring to the peculiarly unpleasnt compound, the mud of London streets.
"Hold, my friend," said Ruskin. "Not so dreadful after all. What are the elements of this revolting substance? First there is sand, but when its particles are crystalized according to the law of its nature, what is nicer than clean white sand?
And when that which enters into it is arranged according to a still higher law, we have the matchless opal. What else have we in this mire? Clay. And the materials of clay, when the particles are arranged according to their higher laws, make the brilliant sapphire.
What other ingredients enter the London muck? Soot. And soot in its crystalized perfection forms the diamond. There is but one other - water. And water when distilled according to the higher law of its nature, forms the dewdrop resting in exquisite perfection in the heart of the rose. So in the muddy, lost soul of man is hidden the image of his Creator, and God will do His best to find His opals, His sapphires, His diamonds and dewdrops."
The heavenly treasury contains graces which can only be gathered one by one.
"A vague desire to be better, stronger, holier, will come to nothing. Character is built, like the walls of an edifice, by laying one stone upon another." (T.L. Cuyler)
N.J. Hiebert - 5092
March 9
"And Jesus said, that which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
For from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts . . ."
(Mark 7:20-21)
"Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Declare unto us this parable."
(Matthew 15:15)
The fact is that Peter and his companions were as yet far from free in their souls from the religious formalism in which they had been educated. Hence their question, which to us perhaps sounds so simple. But with our gracious Lord no honest enquiry was either rebuked or refused. With great pains He ever sought to lead halting ones into the full light of God, for their blessing.
Accordingly He pointed out that all that enters into the mouth goes into the belly, and then becomes purged by nature, so that man is not defiled. But that which comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart; and the human heart being hopelessly evil all that issues from it is defiling indeed.
An awful exposure of the heart follows: "evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies". This is what both your heart and mine contain. If the grossest of these evils have not broken forth, it is due to the mercy of God in the environment in which He has been pleased to set us, but the evils are most assuredly within us, only awaiting opportunity to show themselves in all their hideousness.
What stronger proof could we have that it is not reformation men need, but a new creation! What proof, too, that mere external observances can never of themselves suffice, because they cannot reach to that which is within!
If men but realized their own innate corruption, as thus set forth by the Lord Jesus in answer to Peter's enquiry, surely they would palter (debate) no more with priests and their doings, but hasten at once to the Saviour's feet, where alone blessing can be found for eternity. (W.W. Fereday - 1863 - 1959)
March 10
"Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself,
is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity,
but rejoiceth the in truth; beareth all things."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
- Every pound of criticism has at least one ounce of truth in it.
- Deal with the faults of others as gently as with your own.
- Wherever love is bestowed, it brings in big returns.
- When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.
(A Collection of Wise Sayings - R.K.)
N.J. Hiebert - 5094
March 11
"O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: The earth is full of Thy riches."
(Psalm 104:24)
This verse is engraved on a plaque in the information centre at the Grand Canyon.
This 300 mile long steep sided canyon, carved out by the Colorado River,
draws millions of visitors each year who stand in awe at the spectacle.
This is just one example of the power of God in creation.
Have we stood in awe at God's greatest work
as seen in the death of Christ at Calvary?
(Brian Powlesland)
Father Almighty, wonderful Lord,
Wondrous Creator, be ever adored:
Wonders of nature sing praise to you;
Wonder of wonders, I may praise too.
(A poem, also on the plaque)
(Choice Gleanings)
N.J. Hiebert - 5095
March 12
"They need not depart; give ye them to eat."
(Matthew 14:16)
The disciples thought it was time to send the multitude away to buy food.
But it is never necessary to go away from Jesus for anything.
All we need is in Him.
Men are going in all directions foraging for food, but He is the Bread of LIfe.
It is not necessary to supplement your diet with anything from the fleshpots of Egypt.
All the vitamins and calories your soul requires are in Christ.
He is Alpha and Omega - and all the letters between!
But He also said, "Give ye them to eat." We are His agents, His representatives today,
and we need never send men away elsewhere from our sufficient Saviour.
But how can we give them to eat?
The disciples saw only five loaves and two fish.
The Lord said, "Bring them hither to Me."
Bring what you have, all you have, and He will multiply it to meet the demand.
What a joy to represent a Lord who never meets an emergency
that makes it necessary to dismiss the crowd!
They need never depart - for to whom shall they go?
(Vance Havner)
N.J. Hiebert - 5096
March 13
"Men shall be lovers of self."
(2 Timothy 3:2)
O man! how hast thou proved what in thy heart is found;
By grace divine unmoved, by self in fetters bound.
Our prayers, our praises and our services are so poor and worthless,
and yet we are proud of them.
We seek praise from our fellowmen for the very things
we have to confess as tainted with sin before God.
What need, therefore, to bare our hearts and say,
"See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
(Psalm 139:24)
(Pilgrim Portions for the Day of Rest)
N.J. Hiebert - 5097
March 14
Spinning out of Control
"All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way."
(Isaiah 53:6)
According to a principle of physics - the law of centrifugal force
- a mass that is spinning around a central axis will always seek to
move away from that center. It is the natural instinct, if w may so
speak, for a spinning object to do this, and so it is with with we who
are Christians.
Our old nature always moves
away from (not nearer to) God. Cain began the movement (or, we might
say, was the first to prove the existence of that moral law of fallen
man) in Genesis 4. Given a choice of repenting and staying in the
presence of the only One who could grant forgiveness and blessing to
him, Cain spun out of control, willingly going away from the presence of the Lord (Genesis 4:16).
Believers
still have the flesh - that wicked, unredeemable old nature which wants
to only follow its own will (Isaiah 53:6). The tendency of our natural
heart is to always seek to spin away from the Center, our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. When this happens we find ourselves morally out of control. (In the Potter's Hands - Doug Nicolet)
N.J. Hiebert - 5098
March 15
"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)
If we do not spend time in the Lord's presence before embarking on a day
we are telling the Lord that "we can do it on our own".
we are telling the Lord that "we can do it on our own".
Of course the truth is we cannot, and the day will be fruitless and without purpose.
Time spent with God in private at the start of the day
allows us to commit every activity of the day to Him.
It gives us a right perspective as we seek His will for the day.
Coming from prayer the Lord Jesus met his disciples who were excited
about the popularity generated by the previous night's healings.
The Lord's response was to move on to other towns and to preach there also,
"because for this purpose I have come forth".
His will was to do the Father's will.
The success of a day depends on what we do before the day.
Start the day well. Pray "before the day".
(Daily Devotions)
N.J. Hiebert - 5099
March 16
A Commonplace Life
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common."
(Acts 2:44)
A common place life, we say and we sigh;
But why should we sigh as we say?
The commonplace sun in the commonplace sky
Makes up the commonplace day.
The moon and the stars are commonplace things,
And the flowers that bloom, and the bird that sings.
But dark were the world and sad our lot,
if the flowers failed, and the sun shone not.
And God, who studied each separate soul,
Out of commonplace lives made His beautiful whole.
(Comforted of God - compiled by A.J. Pollock)
N.J. Hiebert - 5100
March 17
Cleaving
"The men of Judah clave unto their king."
(2 Samuel 20:2)
It is not a matter of course that coming is followed by cleaving.
Even when the King Himself, in His veiled royalty,
walked and talked with His few faithful followers,
many of His disciples went back,
and walked no more with Him.
walked and talked with His few faithful followers,
many of His disciples went back,
and walked no more with Him.
There was no word of indignation or reproach, only the appeal of infinite pathos from His gracious lips.
"Will ye also go away?"
Let this sound in our ears today,
not only in moments of temptation to swerve from truest-hearted loyalty and service,
but all through the business of the day; stirring our too-easy-going resting into active cleaving;
quickening our following afar off into following hard after Him;
rousing us to add to the blessed assurance,
"Thine are we, David!"
the bolder and nobler position, "and on Thy side!"
(1 Chronicles 12:18)
(Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal)
March 18
"It was of the Lord."
(Judges 14:4)
God always works out His ways, and that too through a multitude of circumstances
that are far from answering to His thoughts.
that are far from answering to His thoughts.
Yea, further, He uses these very circumstances
to make good His purposes, which are,
to make good His purposes, which are,
in the deliverance of Israel by an instrument (Samson)
moulded by Him with this end in view;
moulded by Him with this end in view;
and this explains the words, "It was of the Lord."
God brings about His ways, not only by means of things that He approves of, but also by making,
our very faults, His discipline, the opposition of Satan and of the world,
in a word, everything to bring together the desired result.
Unfaithfulness on our part does not disturb the ways of God.
This is seen, in a remarkable manner, all through the life of Samson,
and can be verified in the history of the church.
These ways of God all culminate in victory and in the blessings consequent thereon.
How encouraging to prove it!
Very often to our confusion, our own ways come to nothing.
(Meditations on the Book of Judges - H.L. Rossier)
March 19
". . . the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him (Samson)."
(Judges 15:14)
It is important to remark that we cannot estimate the moral worth
of a man of God by the greatness of His gift.
Nowhere in the Scripture do we find a stronger man than Samson,
nor one weaker morally.
The New Testament gives us a similar example in the assembly at Corinth,
which came behind in no gift of power (1 Corinthians 1:7),
and yet permitted every sort of moral evil in their midst.
(Meditations on the Book of Judges - H.L. Rossier)
N.J. Hiebert - 5103
March 20
The Place and the Person
"Judas also . . . knew the place."
(John 18:2)
'Tis not enough that I should know the Place,
Where Christ oft-times communeth with His own.
This nobler knowledge add, this greater grace -
To know Himself, and of Himself be known.
'Twere but a traitor's part to come all fraught
With fervour feigned, presumptuously bold;
To hail Him 'Master' while I served Him not,
To kiss His cheek when love was dead and cold.
(James M. S. Tait - Bells & Pomegranates)
N.J. Hiebert - 5104
March 21
"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."
(1 Corinthians 4:5)
Manny scriptures refer to humans praising God and this is understandable.
But, amazingly it is clear that God will find reason to praise men at Christ's Judgment Seat.
Through the power of God we are being conformed to the image of His Son.
As a result, every man will be able to present something that will be praised by God.
If a Holy God can find something praiseworthy in each of us,
how much more should we see reasons to find good in one another.
(Ken Gross)
What was it, blessed God, led Thee to give Thy Son,
To yield Thy well-beloved for us by sin undone?
Ann Taylor (Mrs. Gilbert)
N.J. Hiebert - 5105
March 22
"God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
Waiting before the Lord is the sure means of qualification for obedience to His bidding.
The fear of God can lift the feeblest and humblest above the fear of man.
Sympathy is the rarest of all ministries, as it is also the sweetest;
it makes no show in the world, but it leaves its mark.
"May those who are too weak to pray be able to lean."
Until the soul is at peace and in liberty, divine
things cannot be communicated.
(Edward Dennett)
March 23
"And they took Him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread."
(Genesis 24:25)
After throwing Joseph into a pit to die, his brothers sat down to enjoy a good meal!
Little did they realize that years later Joseph would become their ruler
and they would have to bow at his feet.
and they would have to bow at his feet.
Having nailed the Saviour to the cross, the soldiers sat down and watched Him,
callously ignorant of the fact that He was dying for their sin.
Is it possible you are doing the same thing?
Why not acknowledge Him as Saviour today and put your faith in Him.
Waiting until you bow before Him as your judge will be too late.
Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died, on Calvary.
(W.R. Newell)
N.J. Hiebert - 5107
March 24
The Bible
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
(Psalm 119:105)
The Bible reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation,
the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true and
its decisions are unchangeable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.
It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass,
the soldier's sword and the Christian's charter.
In it Paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
It exposes the enemy, reveals his tactics and discloses the armour by which he is resisted.
It reveals God's love and unfolds the mystery of His eternal purpose.
The Lord Jesus Christ is its Grand Subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill our mind, rule our heart, and guide our feet.
Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully.
It proclaims joy, peace and eternal life to all those who will
obey and accept it into their hearts by faith.
It is given to you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and will be remembered forever.
(Submitted by - R.K)
March 25
"What think ye of Christ?'
(Matthew 22:42)
The following poem was penned by John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace.
"What think ye of Christ?" is the test, to try both your state and your scheme;
You cannot be right in the rest, unless you think rightly of HIm:
As Jesus appears in your view - as He is beloved or not,
So God is disposed to you, and mercy or wrath is your lot.
Some take Him a creature to be - a man, or an angel at most;
But they have not feelings like me, nor know themselves wretched and lost.
So guilty, so helpless am I, I durst not confide in His blood,
Nor on His protection rely, unless I were sure He is God.
Some call him a Saviour, in word, but mix their own works with His plan;
And hope He His help will afford, when they have done all that they can:
If doings proves rather too light (a little they own they may fail),
They purpose to make up full weight, by casting His name in the scale.
Some style Him "the Pearl of great price," and say, He's the fountain of joys;
Yet feed upon folly and vice, and cleave to the world and its toys.
Like Judas, the Saviour they kiss, and while they salute Him, betray:
Oh! what will profession like this avail in His terrible day?
If asked what of Jesus I think, though still my best thoughts are but poor,
I say, He's my meat and my drink, my life, and my strength, and my store;
My Shepherd, my trust, and my Friend, my Saviour from sin and from thrall;
My hope from beginning to end, my portion, my Lord and my ALL.
(John Newton)
N.J. Hiebert - 5109
March 26
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love."
(Ephesians 3:7)
God is love, and God has been revealed in Christ;
so to be rooted and established in love,
is to be rooted in and founded upon God,
and it is God revealed in Christ.
Why then should any go after speculative theories that cannot
give the soul peace and which make light of Christ the Head?
As thus walking in Him the man would be established in the faith,
in accordance with the instruction already received,
"abounding therein with thanksgiving."
Nothing so causes the soul to overflow with worship
and gratitude to God as a deep knowledge of Christ.
It is noteworthy that true joy is only found in acquaintance with Him.
(H.A. Ironside)
N.J. Hiebert - 5110
March 27
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him."
(Hebrews 11:6)
From various cares our hearts retire,
Though deep and boundless their desire,
We've now to please but One,
Him, before whom each knee shall bow,
With Him is all our business now,
And those that are His own.
(John Gambold- 1711-1771)
Christ's grace is sufficient for us.
His strength is made perfect in weakness, and
God is faithful not to suffer us to be tempted (tried) above
that which we are able, so that we have no excuse when we fail.
(J.N.D. - Footprints for Pilgrims)
March 28
"As He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love."
(Ephesians 1:4)
Dr. Raymond Edman, in his booklet "How They Were Won,"
gives a brief account of John Bunyan, the author of "Pilgrim's Progress."
He was won to Christ because two people embraced the grace and
command of God "to live holy and righteously in the power of the Holy Spirit."
Bunyan was a man of such degradation, drunkenness, and despicable
character that he was known as an "outcast from society."
He was so debauched before his conversion that he could neither read nor write.
He married a poor girl who knew "something" about Christ,
and they lived in abject poverty.
At night she would read "Foxe's Book of Martyrs" about holy men
who paid for their faith with their lives. Through his loving wife and
"Holy Mr. Gifford," the pastor of the small church in Bedford who reached out
in godly love to the "meanest man in town," John Bunyan accepted Christ as Savior.
The Holy Spirit transformed the "derelict of humanity,"
who spent 12 years in jail as a result of his intense preaching.
While there, God opened up his life to write of his "spiritual warfare"
in his 29th book, "Pilgrim's Progress," a worldwide bestseller, second only to the Bible.
The effects of John Bunyan's life are inestimable.
Millions have come to Christ through his writings, because God's hand was upon
two humble Christians who dared to live lives of "holiness" and reached out
in love to one in desperate need.
Oh that we might live the life to which we have been called!
(E.P. - courtesy of B.L.)
N.J. Hiebert - 5112
March 29
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
(John 14:27)
Sometimes we feel courageous.
We feel strong enough to say about some new thing we are asked to do,
"Now bid me run and I will strive with things impossible, yea, get the better of them."
Sometimes, however, it is not like that.
Then these words come, "Peace I leave with you," peace, not conscious power.
But as we go on, power comes to do whatever God wants us to do.
First peace - then power.
That is always God's way.
"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
(Edges of the Way - Amy Carmichael)
N.J. Hiebert - 5113
March 30
The Tide is Sure to Win
"The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
(Isaiah 11:9)
I walked the ocean beach today and watched the advance and retreat of of the waves,
surging forward, then receding, but steadily gaining ground.
I remembered the poem with its lines:
"The wave may be defeated but the tide is sure to win."
If we are part of the purpose of God in the Gospel,
we may advance and recede, our wave may be defeated,
but we are part of a movement that must prevail.
Better fail in a cause that will one day succeed than succeed in a cause that will one day fail!
(All the Days - Vance Havner)
N.J. Hiebert - 5114
March 31
Wounded for Me
"For even thereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps."
(1 Peter 2:21)
Death by crucifixion was one of the worst forms of dying. No Roman citizen was ever crucified; this horrible death was reserved only for Rome's enemies. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture and suffering. It was made of sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted among the sinews so that every time the lash came down upon a body, these pieces of bone inflicted fearful lacerations and literally tore off chunks of flesh from the person's bones.
This is what Christ endured. But the physical suffering was not the worst. Rather, the weight of human sin and the separation from God the Father because of His wrath against sin were the real causes of the Saviour's death.
But simply knowing about Christ's suffering and death is not enough. We must personally appropriate this to out own lives. We must say, "It was for me!" We must allow the Holy Spirit to do in us subjectively all that Christ has done for us objectively. Then, after we have experienced this redemptive work in our own lives, we must humbly, lovingly, and thoughtfully "follow in His steps" and seek to restore others.
When this hymn is sung, then all of the verses must be used; none can be deleted - - - Wounded, Dying, Risen, Living, Coming
Wounded for me, wounded for me, there on the cross He was wounded for me;
gone my transgressions, and now I am free, all because Jesus was wounded for me.
Dying for me, dying for me, there on the cross He was dying for me;
now in His death my redemption I see, all because Jesus was dying for me.
Risen for me, risen for me, up from the grave, He has risen for me;
now evermore from death's sting I am free, all because Jesus has risen for me.
Living for me, living for me, up in the skies He is living for me;
Daily He's pleading and praying for me, all because Jesus is living for me.
Coming for me, coming for me, one day on clouds He is coming for me;
then with what joy His dear face I shall see, O how I praise Him - He's coming for me!
(W.G. Owens & Gladys W. Roberts)
(Amazing Grace - Kenneth W. Osbeck)
N.J. Hiebert - 5115
posted by soundwords at
March 01, 2013
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