Gems from November 2015

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.”

(Psalm 19:1)

So let our lips and lives express, 

The holy gospel we profess;

So let our words and virtues shine, 

To prove the doctrine all divine.

This Psalm reveals three of the ways that God speaks to mankind.

1.  He speaks through the sky and its glittering array of celestial orbs— a testimony of His greatness.

2.  He speaks through the Scriptures and its timeless truths—a testimony of His goodness.

3.  He speaks through the saint and His godly life—a testimony of His grace. 

Each declaration gets more personal and intimate.

The first two witnesses are faithful, consistent, and constant.

Are you?

(Craig Funston)

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November 1

THE DEPARTING ANGEL

“And forthwith the angel departed from him.”

(Acts 12:10)

The angel had brought Peter out of prison through the gate and safely outside. Now the miracle was over and the angel took his leave. Peter was on his own.

God intervenes by His angel many a time to loose our souls from prison. He does the supernatural thing when the occasion demands it. But He does not perform miracles when we can get along without them. He lets us do the thing we can do for ourselves, all within the circles of His grace of course.

Peter shifted for himself when he came to and realized he was not dreaming.  Some saints expect angels to wake them up and serve them breakfast in bed. Do not expect the supernatural when God would have you proceed in the normal natural course of things. Peter did not sit down and wait for another angel—he headed toward a prayer meeting.

Thank God for His angels, but they depart.

Trust His indwelling Spirit to guide you every day, miracle or no miracle.

Angels come and go, but He abides.

(Day by Day - Vance Havner)

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November 2

“Without shedding of blood is no remission.”

(Hebrews 9:22

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

(1 John 1:7)

Mary Ann believed in God and His Son Jesus, but she struggled with why Jesus had to shed His blood to bring salvation.  Who would think of cleansing something with blood?  Yet the Bible says, “and almost all things are by the law purged with blood” (Hebrews 9:22).  That in Mary Ann’s opinion, was disgusting!

Then one day she had to go to a hospital.  A genetic condition had altered her immune system, and doctors became alarmed when the illness started attacking her blood.  As she was in the emergency room she thought, If I lose my blood, I will die.  But Jesus shed His blood so I can live!

Suddenly everything made sense.  In the midst of her pain, Mary Ann felt joy and peace.  She understood that blood is life, and a holy life was needed to make peace with God for us.  Today she is alive and well, thanking God for her health and for Jesus’ sacrifice on her behalf.

Hebrews 9 explains the meaning of the Old Testament blood ritual (vv. 16-22) and the once and for all offering of Jesus that brought animal sacrifice to an end (vv.23-26).  

Bearing our sin, He willingly died and shed His blood to become our sacrifice.  We now have confidence to enter God’s presence.  How could we ever thank Jesus enough for making His sacrifice our sacrifice, His life our life, and His Father our Father?  (Keila Ochoa)

“ Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, (2015), Grand Rapids, MI.  Reprinted permission." 

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November 3

“Looking unto Jesus”

(Hebrews 12:2)

“. . . they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” 

(2 Corinthians 5:15) 

"Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

(Isaiah 45:22)

Oh the bitter shame and sorrow, that a time could ever be, When I let the SAVIOUR’S  pity plead in vain, and proudly answered: ‘All of self, and none of Thee.’

Yet He found me: I beheld Him bleeding on the accursed tree, Heard Him pray: ‘forgive them, Father; And my wistful heart said faintly: 'Some of self, and some of Thee.’

Day by day His tender mercy, healing, helping, full and free, Sweet and strong, and ah! so patient, brought me lower, while I whispered: ‘Less of self, and more of Thee.’

Higher than the highest heaven, deeper than the deepest sea, LORD, Thy love at last hath conquered; grant me now my supplication:  ’None of self, and all of Thee.’

(Theodore Monod - 1874

Translated from French by Helen Willis)

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November 4

"Now are they many members, yet but one body.”

(1 Corinthians 12:20)

There may be a vast difference as to knowledge,  gift, and fruitfulness; as to title there is none. The sapling and the tree, the babe and the father, the convert of yesterday and the matured believer, 

are all on the same ground. Christ is our title.

The Holy Ghost is our capacity.

Self has nothing to do with either the one or the other.

(Food for the Desert)

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November 5

“What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? 

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.”

(Psalm 116:12-13)

In the matter of our soul’s salvation, there is nothing we can do to earn or deserve it—  We cannot put God in our debt or reimburse Him in any way, because salvation is a gift of grace.

The proper response to God’s free offer of eternal life is first to take the cup of salvation, that is, to accept it by faith. Then we should call upon the name of the Lord, that is, thank and praise Him for the unspeakable gift.

Even after we are saved there is nothing we can do to repay the Lord for all His benefits toward us. 

“Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were an offering far too small.” 

However, there is a fitting response we can make, and that is the most reasonable thing we can do. 

“Love so amazing so divine, 

Demands my soul, my life, my all.”

(Adapted)

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November 6

“Thou couldst have no power at all against me, 

except it were given thee from above.”

(John 19:11)

Nothing that is not God’s will can come into the life of one who trusts and obeys God. This fact is enough to make our life one of ceaseless thanksgiving and joy. For “God’s will is the one hopeful, glad, and glorious thing in the world”; and it is working in the omnipotence for us all the time, with nothing to prevent it if we are surrendered and believing.

Someone who was passing through deep waters of affliction wrote to a friend: “Is it not a glorious thing to know that, no difference how unjust a thing may be, or how absolutely it may seem to be from Satan, by the time it reaches us it is God’s will for us, and will work for good to us?

For all things work together for good to us who love God. And even of the betrayal, Christ said,  “The cup which my Father gave me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11). We live charmed lives if we are living in the center of God’s will. All the attacks that Satan, through others’ sin, can hurl against us are not only powerless to harm us, but are turned into blessings on the way.

(H.W.S.)

"In the center of the circle of the Will of God I stand: There can come no second causes all must come from His dear hand. All is well! for ’tis my Father who my life hath planned.

Shall I pass through waves of sorrow? then I know it will be best; Though I cannot tell the reason, I can trust, and so am blest. God is Love, and God is faithful—so in perfect Peace I rest.

With the shade and with the sunshine, with the joy and with the pain, Lord, I trust Thee! both are needed, each Thy wayward child to train, Earthly loss, did we but know it, often means our heavenly gain."

(I.G.W.)

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November 7

“Jesus saith . . . I am the Way, the Truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”

(John 14:6)

“Let the wicked forsake his way . . . and let him return

unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him.”

(Isaiah 55:7)

A tragic fire engulfed a building on Christmas day in Medford, Massachusetts. Five people died.  The fire chief said, “They perished because they went the wrong way!”

Because of sin, Adam and his posterity travel the wrong way.

The Lord Jesus called it the “broad way” (Matthew 7:13) and its end is destruction. A merciful God can put us on the “narrow way” (Matthew 7:14) which leads to glory, if we confess our sin and embrace His Son. Are you on the narrow way?

(Neil Dougal)

"Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;

Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save."

(Fanny J. Crosbie)

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November 8

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.”

(Genesis 37:3)

If the character of Joseph set him apart from his brethren, 

the love of his father gave him a distinguished place above his brethren.

“Israel loved Joseph more than all his children.” 

Moreover, Israel bears witness to this place of distinction by clothing Joseph with a coat of many colours— a public testimony to the delight of the father in his son.

At once our thoughts travel from Joseph to Christ 

and the unique place He had in the Father’s affections, and the 

Father’s pleasure in bearing witness to His delight in His Son.

The very chapter that tells us, “God so loved the world,”

also tells us that “. . . the Father loveth the Son.”

A measure is given to the love of God for the world,

infinite though it be, 

but no measure is, or can be,

given for the Father’s love to the Son.

The announcement stands in all its majestic dignity.

(Hamilton Smith)

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November 9

“There be three things which go well, yea four, are comely in going: a lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; a greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.”

(Proverbs 30:29-31)

The he goat is the “climber.” Refusing the low and often unhealthful valleys, he mounts up, higher, and higher, to the rocky hills and the peaks of the mountains, breathing the exhilarating air of “the top of the rocks,” (Psalm 104:18) he finds both pleasure and safety in his retreat.  

The lesson is simple. It is the Christian who, like Habakkuk, walks upon the high places, that will be able to rejoice in the day of trouble, and joy in the God of his Salvation when everything of earth seems to fail (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

From the soul of the climbing saint there will ever be melody 

“the Chief Singer on the stringed instruments.”  

Heavenly-mindedness lifts the soul above all the mists of this poor world, and enables one to view all from God’s standpoint.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” 

(Colossians 3:1)

This is the lesson of the "he goat".

Would that every believer did enter into it.

(Selected)

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November 10

“For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

(Hebrews 12:3)

Have we that faith which so realizes Christ’s presence so as to keep us 

as calm and composed in the rough sea as the smooth?

It was not really a question of the rough or the smooth sea when

Peter was sinking in the water, for he would have sunk without Christ 

just as much in the smooth as in the rough sea.

The fact was, the eye was off Jesus and on the wave,

and that made him sink.

If we go on with Christ, we shall get into all kinds

of difficulty, many a boisterous sea;

but being one with Him, 

His safety is ours.

(J.N. Darby)

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November 11

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

(Galatians 2:20)

OURSELVES KEPT FOR JESUS  

“Keep myself, that I may be

Ever, only, all for Thee.”

"FOR THEE”  

That is the beginning and the end of the whole matter of consecration.

There was a prelude to its endless song— 

A prelude whose theme is woven into every following harmony 

in the new anthem of consecrated life:

“The Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

Out of the realized “for me” grows the practical “for Thee.”

If the former is a living root, 

the latter will be its living fruit.

(Frances Ridley Havergal)

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November 12

“But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

(2 Timothy 2:16)

People say sometimes, “ I don't think it makes any difference 

what a man believes if he is only sincere.” 

But you know down in your heart that this is not true.

You might drink poison, sincerely believing that is is pure water,

but it would kill just the same as if you knew its nature and 

took it with intent to commit suicide.

No; you do not believe it makes no difference what one believes so long as he is sincere. You know in your own heart that one can be sincerely wrong and bring disaster upon himself and others.

What we need to be sure of is that God has spoken in His Word.

It is only the Word that will keep us right.

When we turn from the Word to human theories, 

which are are just profane and vain babblings, 

they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Experience proves that no man’s life will be in the right 

who refuses the truth of the Word.

(H.A. Ironside)

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November 13

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” (1 John 5:18)

"Will the Holy Spirit dwell in a heart where evil and unholy thoughts are indulged?”

“Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, 

 which ye have of God, ye are not your own.”   

(1 Corinthians 6:19).

And this precious truth is the ground of exhortation to purity and holiness of heart and life. We are exhorted not to grieve the Holy Spirit. To “indulge" evil and unholy thoughts is not Christian walk at all. The Christian may be assaulted, grieved, and harassed by evil thoughts, and in such a case he has only to look to Christ for victory.

Proper Christian walk is thus expressed in 1 John 5:18 (Quoted above). This is the Divine side of the question. Alas! we know there is the human side likewise; but we judge the human side by the Divine.

We do not lower the Divine to meet the human, 

but ever aim at the Divine, notwithstanding the human.

We should never be satisfied with anything lower that 1 John 5:18.

It is by keeping up the true standard that we may expect to raise our moral tone. 

(C.H. Mackintosh)

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November 14

“Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

When John F. Kennedy was president of the US, photographers sometimes captured a winsome scene.

Seated around the president’s desk in the Oval Office, 

cabinet members are debating matters of world consequence.

Meanwhile, a toddler, the 2-year old John-John, crawls around and inside the huge presidential desk,

oblivious to White House protocol and the weighty matters of state.

He is simply visiting his daddy.

This is the kind of shocking accessibility conveyed in the word Abba when Jesus said  “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee” (Mark 14:36). God is the sovereign Lord of the universe, but through His Son, God became as approachable as any doting human father.

In Romans 8:26, Paul brings the image of intimacy even closer. God’s Spirit lives inside a believer, he says, when we do not know what we ought to pray, “. . . the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Jesus came to demonstrate that a perfect and Holy God welcomes pleas for help from a widow with two mites and a Roman centurion and a miserable publican and a thief on a cross. We need only call out “Abba” or, failing that, simply groan. God has come that close to us.

(Adapted -P.Y.)

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November 15

“Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.”

(Matthew 28:20)

DOES JESUS CARE?

"God whispers in our pleasures but shouts in our pain." (C.S. Lewis)

Frank E. Graeff (1860-1910), author of this hymn text, knew what it was to wonder, as most of God’s children do at times, if the Lord is really concerned during our times of hurt, when the burdens and cares weigh heavily, when the way seems dark, when temptation seems difficult to resist, or when we must part with our dearest loved one.

Yet the answer comes back triumphantly: “I know my Saviour cares.”

Known as the “sunshine minister”, Frank Graeff was widely liked for his cheerful and winsome personality. C. Austin Miles, writer of the hymn “In the Garden,” said of him, he is a spiritual optimist, a great friend of children; his bright sun-shining disposition attracts not only children but all with whom he comes in contact.  He has a holy magnetism and a child-like faith.  

Unknown to others, however, were the many severe testing experiences in M. Graeff’s life.It was during a time of severe physical agony, doubt, and despondency that he turned to the Scriptures for comfort and strength.  1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” 

became especially meaningful to him in this time of need.

He wrote the lines of “Does Jesus Care?” to express the feelings of assurance that came to him.

Mr. Graeff wrote more than 200 hymns in his lifetime, 

but none has been more consoling to God’s people than this text.  

"Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song; as the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear? As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed to resist some temptation strong; when for my deep grief I find no relief, tho my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said good-bye to the dearest on earth to me, and my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks - is it aught to Him? Does He see?

CHORUS: O yes, He cares, I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Saviour cares."

(Kenneth W. Osbeck - Amazing Grace)

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November 16

“Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.”

(Psalm 76:4)

"Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain.”

(Psalm 76:10)

There is nothing in all creation, and so nothing even in you and me, 

that can discourage the Lord the Conqueror. 

Because He does wonderfully shine forth, therefore 

our inward thoughts can give thanks and keep a feast to Him.

There are caterpillars with skins so transparent that we can see 

the green of the leaves they have been feeding on, their “inward thoughts.”

Suppose our minds had transparent skins so that our thoughts could be seen, what would be seen? Self-loving thoughts?  Self-pitying thoughts? Lazy thoughts about our work?  Unkind thoughts about others? Would these be seen?

Or would our happy thoughts be seen keeping a feast to God?

Think of it—all our big thoughts and little thoughts, like big children and little at a birthday party, keeping a feast, singing and  praising and being glad because of our loving God!

(Amy Carmichael)

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November 17

“[He] made Himself of no reputation.”

(Philippians 2:7)

Are you one of the multitudes who have lost their good reputation because of wayward living?

For your sake the Lord “made Himself of no reputation.”

Where was His reputation when he knelt and washed 

the dirty feet of twelve proud disciples?

When men spat in His face?

When He hung half-naked on a cross 

between two murderers?

When God forsook Him on the cross because of our sins?

He did all this for you, 

so that your past could be forgiven and forgotten,

so you could have a new beginning 

and a new life in Christ.

Turn from your sinful ways and come to Him today.

(D. Croudace)

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November 18

The Prayer of Moses

“I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory.”

(Exodus 33:18)

As prayed Thy favoured saint of old

We cry, ‘Thy glory, Lord, unfold.’

Pass Thou before our raptured eyes,

Great, Holy, Gracious, Faithful, Wise.

No longer with averted face

Hide’st Thou the radiance of Thy grace:

Thy Son has come, in Him we see, 

Unveiled, the Face of Deity.

Yet dim our sight, our spirits slow

To learn of Him we fain would know.

So still we plead, as he of old,

’Thy glory, O our God, unfold!’

(Bell & Pomegranates-James M.S. Tait) 

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November 19

“Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.”

(Isaiah 57:10)

Not only does everything matter to God, 

but He also takes everything personally.

That is uniquely the prerogative of deity.

We presumptuously take things personally 

and consequently we weary ourselves in the 

greatness of our way

(Things to Think About - J.K.)

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November 20

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; 

and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart:

for I am called by Thy Name, O Lord of hosts.”

(Jeremiah 15:16) 

All true solid comfort is fetched out of the Word.

The Word is a spiritual garden,

and the promises are the fragrant flowers 

or spices in this garden.

How should we delight to walk among these beds of spices!

(Adapted)

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November 21

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

(1 Peter 1:7)

Do you think that any stone or obstacle on your path is there for no reason at all?

Whether it be ugly, big, or small, you must believe that it has to be just 

where it is, but certainly not to hinder you from getting on, 

certainly not to weaken your courage and strength.

A wise hand put it there, in order that you  might 

take a good look at it and then talk about it 

with God, asking Him what He wants to 

make clear to you by it.

And if you meet God at every stone, 

then every stone will bless you.

(Corrie Ten Boom) 

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November 22

“For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have know surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. . . . them which Thou hast given me; for they are Thine.  And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.”

(John 17:8-10)

What a blessed thought put forth by the Lord, 

that they should be made so one with Himself,

that the glory given to Him could be given to them;

that they should be manifested as the people of His love,

in whom His glory will be displayed.

The moment He lets them hear of the glory given to Him,

they hear also that He proposes to act in all the largeness 

of His love, and share it all with them.

(G.V. Wigram)

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November 23

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

(2 Peter 1:2-3)  

We are reminded of two basic facts.

The first is that we are the objects of a love which is infinite and unchangeable, and which will never cause us to shed one needless tear; and the second, that while in the Word of God we have revealed to us all that it is necessary for us at the present stage to know (2 Peter1:3), we should frankly recognize that there are some things for the solution of which we shall have to wait until we reach the heavenly land.

(Heaven’s Cure for Earth’s Care)

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

(Deuteronomy 29:29)

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November 24

The Aroma of Christ

"For we are unto God a sweet Savour (Aroma) of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.” (2 Corinthians 2:15)

When the Magi came with their offerings to Jesus, what did they bring? They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  This scene captured the imagination of English royalty. Every January 6, the date commemorating the coming of the Magi with their gifts, the King or Queen of England takes to the Royal Chapel an offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

The monarch recognizes that the privilege, responsibility, and position as the ruler of England is by God's grace, and brings an offering of a "sweet-smelling savour" to the King of Kings! 

What a wonderful gesture of love, adoration, and recognition of their place before Almighty God.

Have you ever wondered where myrrh came from? It comes from a tree in North Africa. 

It is stripped and then stabbed with a knife until it bleeds large opaque tears that are dried and ground then dissolved in a solution until it becomes a fragrant perfume. How symbolic this is of what needs to take place in our lives before we can be a "sweet smelling aroma" to God. 

(Adapted - B.L.)

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November 25

Presumptuous Sins

“Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

(Psalm 19:13-14)    

Presumptuous sins are the thieves that break through and steal the saint’s comfort away. When the Christian comes to look into his soul after such a bold act, and thinks to entertain himself, as formerly,  with the comforts of his pardoned state, interest in Christ, and hopes of heaven through Him, alas! he finds a sad change; no promise that will give out its consolations to him.The cellar door is locked, Christ withdrawn, and the keys carried away with Him. Hast thou fallen into the hands of any such presumptuous sins; that have stolen thy peace from thee?

Send speedily thy hue and cry after them.

I mean, make thy sad moan to God, 

renew they repentance out of hand,

and raise heaven  upon them by a spirit of prayer.

This is no time to delay; the further thou lettest these sins go without repentance, the harder thou wilt find it to recover thy lost peace and joy out of their hands.

(The Christian in Complete Armour  

William Gurnall 1617-1679)

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November 26

REST— GLORIOUS AND REAL

“We which have believed do enter into rest.”

(Hebrews 4:3)

He hath given us rest by His sorrow, and life by His death; 

“Rest from thy sorrow and from thy fear, and from thy hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve” (Isaiah 14:3). Come and take the gift!  It is gloriously real.  It is no mere slight and temporary sense of relief. And He gives us rest on every side—complete rest, guarded and sheltered all around.

It is not only rest from all weariness and burdens, but rest in Himself. Jesus is spoken of in type as “the Man of Rest,” (1 Chronicles 22:9). “and His rest shall be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10). It is this, His own divine rest, that He will give.  “This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest” (Isaiah 28:12).

Is it worth having?  Will you not come for it? You cannot have it without coming to Jesus; but only come, and it shall be yours—  for there stands His word—and “in returning and rest shall ye be saved” (Isaiah 30:15).  

Yes, “even until now!”  And so we stand,

Forgiven, loved and blessed;

And covered in the shadow of God’s hand,

Believing, are at rest.

The one great load, is lifted from the soul!

That henceforth on the Lord all burdens we may roll. 

(Frances Ridley Havergal)

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November 27

“Noah walked with God.”  

(Genesis 6:9)

"Enoch walked with God.”

(Genesis 5:24)

“Thou my everlasting portion, more than friend or life to me;

All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.”

(Fanny J. Crosbie  1820-1915)

What better summation can there be of one’s life than this—that they walked with God? To walk with God includes the whole round of activities in our individual lives. Vance Havner describes it as “the journey of those who walk as He walked.”

Noah walked in touch with God in spite of mockings.

Enoch walked with God in spite of family pressures.

As we walk in newness of life, we need to 

“press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” 

(Philippians 3:14).

and leave a straight path for others to follow.

Are we doing so?

(Edna M. Dyck)

N.J. Hiebert - 6084

November 28

“Thy word is truth.”  

(John 17:17)

“Jesus saith unto him (Thomas) I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” 

 (John 14:6)

“Buy the truth, and sell it not.” 

(Proverbs 23:23)   

“The Truth” is not something that lies dormant in us, 

that has to be developed;

but we must be led into it.

(Rochfort Hunt) 

N.J. Hiebert - 6085

November 29

“Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast.” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)

In this brief quotation, we have a sacrifice and a feast, two things quite distinct although intimately connected, and we have them in their proper order.  The sacrifice has been completed in the past, but the feast is to be celebrated now.  We must be careful not to confound these things.

Israel’s salvation rested on God’s estimate of the blood of the lamb.  God had declared, “When I see the blood, I will pass over.”  This is a most precious truth for the soul to dwell upon.  Man’s salvation rests upon God’s satisfaction!  Mark these words, “is sacrificed” and that, “for us.” This settles everything as to the great and all-important question of salvation from judgment and wrath.  Thus the precious link of salvation, of eternal life, is formed—a link which can never be broken.

The Lord Jesus Christ—the living Saviour—will ever maintain this link in unbroken integrity as He says, “Because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).  “Being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10). 

Christ keeps us—we keep the feast!  He was slain to spread a feast for us, and that feast is a life of personal holiness—practical separation from all evil.  Israel’s feast was composed of three things: a roasted lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread.  Precious ingredients!  setting forth in typical language:

First, Christ as having endured the wrath of God for us;

Secondly, those deep, spiritual exercises of heart which flow from our contemplating the cross: and Thirdly, personal holiness, or practical separation from evil. 

Such was the feast of God’s redeemed and such is our feast now.  Oh! that we may have grace to celebrate it!  (C.H. Mackintosh)

N.J. Hiebert - 6086

November 30

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

(Philippians 2:13)

Once Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) came to see the great Freiburg organ.  

The old custodian refused him permission to play upon the instrument, not knowing who he was.  At length however, he reluctantly granted him leave to play a few notes. Mendelssohn took his seat, and soon the most wonderful music was breaking forth from the organ.  

The custodian was spellbound.  

He came up beside the great musician and asked his name.  

Learning it, he stood humiliated, self-condemned, saying, 

‘And I refused you permission to play upon my organ!’  

There comes One to us, who desires to take our lives and play upon them.  But we withhold ourselves from Him, and refuse him permission, when, if we would yield ourselves to Him, He would bring from our souls heavenly music.

(Streams in the Desert)  

N.J. Hiebert - 6087