Gems from December 2018

December 1

“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with 

many tears, and temptations.” 

(Acts 20:19)

The apostle Paul puts before us here what should characterize every true minister of Christ: 

“Serving the Lord with all humility (lowliness) of mind.” 

If there is any position, any calling where pride should have no place, 

it is in connection with the ministry of the Word of God, for, the minister of Christ is one who was just a poor, lost, needy sinner, but who has been saved by grace and entrusted with a message to the world and to the people of God.  He does not receive this because of any merit of his own. It is all because of the goodness of the Lord. Certainly therefore he has nothing to be proud of.

When people used to crowd around George Whitefield and praise him because of his marvellous preaching, he would stop them like this: “The devil told me that, just before I came down from the pulpit.”

Then he would add, “There are many who can preach the gospel better than I can, 

but none can preach a better gospel.”  It is the message that counts.

The servant is really nothing, and the more we realize this and are willing to take the place of nothingness, the more God delights to come in and work through His servants.

(H. A. Ironside)

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December 2

“And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim.”

(2 Chronicles 17:3)  

One frequently observes this history of Christians; the evils which in after life prove their greatest snares are those against which there is the greatest watchfulness at first.  Most happy is it when the spirit of watchfulness increases with our increasing knowledge of the tendencies and capabilities of our hearts.

But this, alas! is not always the way: on the contrary, how frequently do we find Christians of some years’ standing indulging in things which at first their consciences would have shrunk from. This may seem to be but a growing out of a legal spirit; but should it not rather be viewed as a growing out of a tender and sensitive conscience?

It would be sad if the result of more enlarged views were to be a careless spirit or a a seared conscience; or if high principles of truth did but tend to render those who were once self-denying and separated, self indulgent, careless, and worldly.  But it is not so.

To grow in the knowledge of truth is to grow in the knowledge of God, and to grow in the knowledge of God is to grow in practical holiness.  The conscience that can let pass without reproof things from which it would formerly have shrunk is, it is much to be feared, instead of being under the action of the truth of God, under the hardening influence of the deceitfulness of sin.  

        (C. H. Macintosh)

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December 3

Growing Through Adversity

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

The growth of character is possible only under adversity. It is something that can be produced only under the inexorable stress and strain of stormy weather.

The tree which responds vigorously to the wrenching winds and bending snow grows tough and strong and durable.

Inwardly there is the continuous, quiet, unspectacular growth in godliness. The inner life becomes rich, lustrous, and mellow.

Built into the very fibre and grain of the soul are charm and beauty that only blustery weather could possibly produce.

Most of us want to avoid the hard things, the adverse winds, the testing times. Let us not.  They are God’s method of making special timber.

(Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller)

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December 4

He borrowed the bread when the crowd He fed, on the grassy mountain side;
He borrowed the dish of broken fish
with which He satisfied;
but the crown He wore and the cross He bore...were His own.

He borrowed a ship in which to sit to teach the multitude;
He borrowed the nest in which to rest,
He had never a home so rude;
but the crown He wore and the cross He bore...were His own.

He borrowed a room on the way to the tomb the passover lamb to eat;
They borrowed a cave; for Him a grave;
and they borrowed the winding sheet;
but the crown He wore and the cross He bore...were His own.

The thorns in His head, were worn in my stead,
for me the Saviour died.
For the guilt of my sin the nails drove in,when HIM they crucified;
though the crown He wore and the cross He bore were HIS own,
...were rightfully mine.
(Anonymous)

"Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance."
2 Peter 1:15
(With thanks - Dan Hopkins)

December 5

“And when he had apprehended him (Peter), he (Herod) put him in prison . . . but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

(Acts 12:4-5)

The assembly besought God for Peter “without ceasing” and "many were gathered together, praying" when he appeared in their midst.

What shape these earnest supplications took we are not told.  God interpreted the desire, as well as answered the faith of His people.  The day for the carrying out of Herod’s settled purpose was allowed to draw near.  The morrow was to see the end of the imprisoned apostle.  So had man proposed, but God disposed, in a marvellous manner, of the wicked king’s intentions.

But what of Peter all the time he lay chained in his cell?  No record is given of the exercises he doubtless passed through, but this we read, that the night before he was to be led forth to execution on the morrow, he had unbound his sandals, loosed his girdle, cast off his garment, and laid down to sleep.

All this bespoke sweet confidence in the Lord, an easy conscience, and a restful heart. Sweeter far, I believe, was the sleep of the  manacled man of God in the dreary prison cell, than that of Satan’s servant, Herod; although he might lie on a sumptuous couch, amid the splendour and luxury of a palace.

Better far be God’s man in a prison, than Satan’s man in a palace!

(W. T. P. Wolston)

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December 6

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith . . .”

(Hebrews 12:2)

UNTO JESUS and not to the spiritual gifts which we have already received, or which we are now receiving from Him.

As to yesterday’s grace, it has passed with yesterday’s work; we can no longer make use of it, we should no longer linger over it.

As to today’s grace, given for today’s work, it is entrusted to us, not to be looked at, but to be used.

We are not to gloat over it as a treasure, counting up our riches, but to spend it immediately, and remain poor,

“Looking unto Jesus.”

(Theodore Monod)

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December 7

FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;

but the greatest of these is charity."

(1 Corinthians 13:13)

In the writings of the apostle Paul one whole chapter is devoted to the 

exposition of each of Faith, Hope and Love.

Hebrews 11 is his outstanding exposition of Faith;  Romans 8, of Hope; and 1 Corinthians 13, of Love.

They form the three great cardinal subjective forces of Christianity.

Faith is the strongest shield in the world (Ephesians 6:16);

Hope is the safest anchor in the world (Hebrews 6:19);

Love is the greatest thing in the world.

(1 Corinthians 13:13)

To have faith, is to believe that in the midst there is "One like unto the Son of God” (Daniel 3:25).

To have hope is to expect that in His own time the Lord will unveil 

Himself in grace and glory.  

 To have love is to take Christ’s life and live it with all children of the mist 

whom we may meet along the cloudy way.

With that faith, and that hope, and that love, we can pass through the time of mystery 

with the walk of kings and queens, waiting for the glorious 

unveiling when we shall see Him face to face.

(A Trinity of Christian Graces)

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December 8

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

(Galatians 6:14)

Beethoven was in the habit of playing his symphonies on an old harpsichord, as a test.  They would thus be made to stand out in their true character, with nothing to hide their faults, or exaggerate their beauties. 

Thus wisely may we test our character, endeavouring to ascertain how it manifests itself—not on great and rare occasions, or before the public eye, where there is a chance for display and applause—but in private, in the little, homely everyday duties, which attract no particular attention and reward us with no praise.

If in the retired nook of your own breast, in the regulation of your thoughts and feelings; if in the bosom of your family, in the monotonous round of home life each day, you preserve a sweet, serene temper, and go forward cheerfully, taking a real pleasure in duty as duty, and in all these little matters honestly strive to serve and please the heavenly Master; if, in a word, your piety sounds well on such an unpretending harp, it is good, genuine, tested; it will one day win acclamation from a vaster and nobler throng than ever was thrilled by 

the genius of Beethoven.

(Mountain Trailways for Youth)

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December 9

Filled and Fulfilled

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (Colossians 1:9) 

In this prayer, Paul sought for the ColossianGems Christians the full knowledge of the will of God.  For the Christians at Rome, he prayed they might be filled “with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). 

For the Ephesians, he prayed they “might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:19), and then urged them to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). 

He wrote to the Philippians, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; . . . Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11). 

For the Colossians, he also prayed for their “full assurance of understanding” (Colossians 2:2).

Together, all these prayer requests constitute an ideal description of a complete Christian—an ideal for which we should all strive and pray—both for ourselves and for others. Summarizing again, the list is as follows:

 “[Filled] with all joy and peace in believing.” - “Filled with the fruits of righteousness.” “Filled with the knowledge of His will.” - “Filled with the Spirit.” “Filled with all the fulness of God.” - “[Filled with] assurance of understanding.”

It is also worth noting that the Greek word for “filled” is the same as for “fulfilled.” When a Christian is “filled” with all these wonderful realities, he becomes a “fulfillment,” as it were, of God's purpose in creating and redeeming him.  His ultimate goal, of course, is to measure up to “the fulness of Christ” Himself. 

(Ephesians 4:13)

(With Thanks R. Lucas) 

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December 10

“As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.”

(Psalm 17:15)

The wonderful hope given to the believer is that the Lord is coming again. His promise, although not yet fulfilled, is certain. “I will come again” (John 14:3).

How exciting that it could be today!  Like John we contemplate that,

“We are the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

(1 John 3:2) 

Then our joy will be complete—like Him!

(Jim Paul)

Oh, the soul thrilling rapture, when I view His blessed face,

And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;

How my full heart will praise Him, for the mercy, love and grace,

That prepared for me a mansion in the sky.

(F. Crosby)

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December 11

“They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.”

(Luke 5:31)

Our Great Physician possesses the most perfect skill to discern the peculiar needs of each case.  He sees the working of all this sin and corruption and hardness of heart—and He can counteract it all by His all-sufficient grace. 

Before you have spoken a word, when you kneel down and cast yourself upon His mercy—He  is prepared to forgive and save. Christ knows beforehand all that you are, and cannot fail to support His tempted or afflicted child.

In Christ there is not only Divine wisdom to discern every case of spiritual disease—but He also has Divine power completely to effect a cure. When He was upon earth, none were sent away unhealed.  The blind and the lame, the deaf and the dumb, the palsied and the lepers, those possessed with demons and the dead—all alike were 

healed immediately by the touch of Jesus. 

"The whole multitude sought to touch Him—for there went virtue out of Him, and healed them ALL.” 

(Luke 6:19) 

Thus completely and surely does Jesus restore all who come to Him. He can . . . open the eyes long closed in the night of ignorance, strengthen those who have yet had no power to walk in God’s ways,  unstop the ear long deaf to the sweet voice of the Gospel, teach the prayerless lips to plead with God, remove the paralysis of a careless indifference, cleanse souls from the leprosy of debasing lusts, cast out the evil spirits of envy, and hatred and unbelief, save men from the fever of covetousness, and every evil temper.

(George Everard - 1874)

“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and and learn of Me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28)

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December 12

CRISIS AND CONTINUANCE 

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost . . . and they continued steadfastly.” (Acts 2:4, 42)

The same chapter records both Crisis and Continuance. Some of us major on one, some on the other. We need a synthesis of both.

Ecstasies, high days, lofty experiences—some go in for these but cannot maintain such a high-strung pitch and often run into excesses. Others major on the daily walk and growth in grace but tend to get into a rut.

Why not “a sea of glass mingled with fire,” 

a combination of both Crisis and Continuance?

“Tasks in hours of insight willed can be in hours of gloom fulfilled.”

"After he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go.” (Acts 16:10)

The Vision and the Venture!

The best evidence of being truly filled with the Spirit is that one so filled “continues daily.” The Glory shows up in the Grind!  

As important as the Grandeur of Getting Started is the Grace of Going On!

(Day by Day - Vance Havner)

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December 13

“Feed (Shepherd) the flock of God which is among you . . . neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)

Shepherding and feeding are two words that are very closely related to each other.  From this we can learn some very important lessons.  First of all, no one will be able to feed others if he himself is starving. One must first be well nourished with the Word of God in order to be of help to others.

The flock of God has suffered much throughout history because of “shepherds" who themselves were badly undernourished.  A shepherd must also be familiar with the pastures so that he can lead the flock to them.  David was very happy because his Shepherd made him to lie down in green pastures and led him beside the quiet waters.

Shepherding also involves restoring the sheep that go astray, which is the natural tendency of sheep.  Isaiah said, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; 
(Isaiah 53:6).

Peter said, “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls 
(1 Peter 2:25).  

But most beautiful of all are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not . . . go after that which is lost, until he find it?  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing” (Luke 15:4-5).

Shepherding requires concern, compassion, and commitment.  It requires love for the sheep in spite of their tendency to wander away from the right path.  David was a shepherd, and he knew much about sheep. He also knew about himself as a sheep among the flock of God, and so David spoke about his own Shepherd:  “He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” 

(Psalm 23:3).

May we learn lessons from Our Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.

(A. M Benham)

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December 14

“I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. . . .Yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.”

(Isaiah 46:9-11)

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. 

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. 

(William Cowper)

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December 15

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency 

of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” 

(Philippians 3:8)

“The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.”

(2 Chronicles 25:9) 

What is loss in this world when compared to that day, 

To the glory that then shall from heaven be revealed?

“The Saviour is coming,“ His people may say; 

“The Lord whom we look for, our sun and our shield.”

What a day that will be when the Saviour appears!  

How welcome to those who have shared in His cross!

A crown incorruptible then will be theirs, 

A rich compensation for suffering and loss.

(T. Kelly)

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December 16

AS THE TREE FALLS, SO IT LIES

“Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble.”

(Psalm 32:7)

"A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.”

(Isaiah 32:2)

Any hour may be the sunset of your day of grace, with no twilight of possibilities of salvation beyond. And then, as the tree falleth, so it lieth.  As death finds you, so judgment will find you. Where it finds you . . . there the day of the Lord will find you.

“. . . in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein, shall be burned up”  (2 Peter 3:10). 

What will you do then, when neither heavens not earth afford even a standing place for you? But come to Jesus  He is the hiding place from that fiery tempest.

“I flee unto Thee to hide me”  “from the wrath to come.” (Psalm 143:9) “Thou art my Hiding place" (Psalm 32:7).  

(Francis Ridley Havergal)

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December 17

“We see Jesus . . . crowned with glory and honour.”

(Hebrews 2:9)

Looking to God one is above the heaving and breakers, 

and walking on a rough sea is the same as walking on a smooth sea. 

If Christ is my life . . . Christ and heavenly things become the object of my life.  Every creature must have an object.  It is God’s supreme prerogative not to want an object.  He may love an object; 

but I  cannot live without an object any more than without food. . . . 

“We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthian 3:18).

There is the life; and this life has got a perfect blessed object which it delights in and contemplates: and this the Lord Jesus is . . . in His glory.

(Pilgrim Portions for the Day of Rest - J. N. D.)

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December 18

THE RECEPTION OF JOSEPH’S BRETHREN - RECONCILIATION

“Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, cause every man to go out from me.  And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.”

(Genesis 45:1)

Such ways of grace are blessedly foreshadowed in the history of Joseph.  

Alone with his brethren he at once declares, “I am Joseph.”  And as the Lord could say to the woman, “Come hither,” Joseph can say to his brethren, “come near to me” (verse 4).

It is not only that Joseph is ready to forgive, but he desires the company of those he forgives. We rejoice in the grace that meets our need, but how slow to realize that the One who has removed our guilt desires our company; Christ has come near to us that we might come near to Him.

When passing through this world “He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him.” When He left the world, He “died for us that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him; and when He comes again to receive us unto Himself it is that we may for ever be “with the Lord.”

If love makes us suited to His company, love will not be content without our company.

(Hamilton Smith)

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December 19

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most high: To show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night. Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.”

(Psalm 92:1-3)

It is sometimes said the angels never sing.

Why this is may be difficult to explain, but as a matter of fact we are never told that they do. We read that at creation “all the sons of God shouted for joy;”  At the birth of Jesus they said, “Glory to God in the highest;” and in Revelation 5 it is recorded that the number of angels was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with  a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain,” 

But of the redeemed it says “they sung a new song.”

To account for this difference two reasons may be suggested.  One is, the angels are not the subjects of redemption; and the first and last songs in Scripture are both connected with redemption. The other is they have never had the varied experience that belongs to a redeemed sinner, and, as far as we know, they have never suffered.

Of those only who have come out of great tribulation is it written:  “They stand on the sea of glass mingled with fire and sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb” (Revelation 15:2,3).

(Angels in White - Russell Elliott)

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December 20

“To show forth thy loving kindness  in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night.”

(Psalm 92:2)

There is one string every Christian should possess—that is salvation. The first music God ever had from the children of Israel was when He had delivered them from their enemies (Exodus 15).

If anyone says, “Well, I am a Christian, but I have never sung like that,” it is because you have imperfectly understood the Gospel.  If you are looking at your doings, and what you are, and how often you fail as a Christian, it is not to be wondered at if such a song has never come from your lips. 

The song is all about what the Lord has done.  And when you see that He has delivered you from your sins and enemies, and brought you to Himself, by the work of Christ, then you will for the first time really sing to God.

You will have one string to your instrument.

One string there is of sweetest tone, reserved for sinners saved by grace;

’Tis sacred to one class alone, and touched by one peculiar race."

(Angels in White - Russell Elliott)

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December 21

“Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.”

(Psalm 92:3)

"One string there is of sweetest tone, reserved for sinners saved by grace;

’Tis sacred to one class alone, and touched by one peculiar race.”

But God wants us to have others.  He want us to praise Him with an instrument of ten strings. At the end of Romans 4 and beginning of chapter 5 we see how we are brought to God. The past is all settled; we have peace.  As to the present, we stand in the highest favour with God.  As to the future, we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Then the apostle says, “Not only so but we glory in tribulations also.” Here is a wonderful thing, to be able to glory in tribulations!  To glory, or boast, in the very thing we most dislike.

Well, it is these very tribulations that produce some of the finest music from the saints of God.

If you have learnt to glory in tribulations, you have got another string or two to your instrument, perhaps several, because tribulations are so varied.  Look at Paul and Silas in prison, their backs laid open with stripes, their feet fast in the stocks, their dungeon dark and unwholesome; yet at midnight they prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them.

What sounds to fill such a place, and at such a time!

(Angels in White - Russell Elliott)

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December 22

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee.”

(Isaiah 26:3)

Keep my life that it may be, Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. 

Many a heart has echoed the little song:

Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee!

And yet those echoes have not been, in every case and at all times, so clear, and full, and firm, so continuously glad as we would wish, and perhaps expected. Some of us have said: I launch forth upon a sea of boundless love and tenderness.

And after a little we have found, or fancied, that there is a hidden leak in our boat, and though we are doubtless still afloat, yet we are not sailing with the same free, exultant confidence as at first. 

What is it that has dulled and weakened the echo of our consecration song? What is the little leak that hinders the swift and buoyant course of our consecrated life?

While many a sorrowfully varied answer to these questions may, and probably will, arise from touched and sensitives consciences, each being shown by God’s faithful Spirit the special sin, the special yielding to temptation which has hindered and spoiled the blessed life which they sought to enter and enjoy, it seems that one or other of two things has lain at the outset of the failure and disappointment.

First, it may have arisen from want of the simplest belief in the simplest fact, as well as want of trust in one of the simplest and plainest words our gracious Master ever uttered!  The unbelieved fact being simply that He hears us; the untrusted word being one of those plain, broad foundation-stones on which we rested our whole weight, it may be many years ago, and which we had no idea we ever doubted, or were in any danger of doubting now—

“Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37).

(Kept for the Master’s Use - F.R.H.)

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December 23

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,

and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

(Matthew 16:24)

In the light of eternity, who are those who shall stand before the throne arrayed in white robes?  Are they those who have come out of ease and pleasure, out of untroubled calm and and unbroken human relationships?  Nay, rather they are these who have come out of great tribulation.

Had Milton not been blind, neither he nor we could have seen so clearly, and he could never have written, “My vision Thou hast dimmed, that I may see Thyself, Thyself alone.”  

Out of blindness he learned the lesson so needed today by those cut off from an active life, that “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

If Tennyson had not lost his friend Hallam, we should never have had his “In Memoriam.”

One cannot have a victory without a battle!  Character without conflict!  Perfect love without suffering! 

 As we visit the pearl fisheries, we find that life without pain leaves no pearl; that the life lived in sluggish ease, unwounded, without suffering or long-continued friction, forms no jewel.  As we pass the dwellings of men we find that without suffering the pearl of great price, the highest human character, is not formed.

Suffering is linked with joy for those who take it aright.  If you suffer without succeeding, it is that someone else may succeed.  If you succeed without suffering, it is because someone else has suffered.

Is there no other way, O God, except through sorrow, pain and loss,

To stamp Christ’s image on my soul?  No other way except the Cross?”

And then a voice stills all my soul, as stilled the waves on Galilee:

"Canst Thou not bear the furnace heat, if ‘mid the flames I walk with Thee?

"I bore the Cross, I know its weight, I drank the cup I hold for thee;

Canst thou not follow where I lead?  I’ll give the strength—lean thou on Me.”

(Springs in the Valley)

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December 24

The Song of Moses

“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: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.” (Exodus 15:1)

I will sing unto the Lord, He hath triumphed gloriously.

Horse and rider, spear and sword, He hath cast into the sea;

Hosts and chariots overthrown, His the glory, His alone.

He my strength and He my song, He my sure salvation is.

Let Him dwell His saints among, let the praise be ever His.

Sing, O Israel, thou art free, He hath triumphed gloriously.

Glorious is Thy hand in might, fierce Thy wrath, Thy mercy kind,

Thou Thy ransomed lead’st aright, guide and guard in Thee they find.

Feared and honoured who should be, wonder-working God, like Thee?  

To Thy holy dwelling place Thou Thy people safe wilt bring.

They rejoicing in Thy grace, Thou enthroned, eternal King.

Well their anthem then may be, “He hath triumphed gloriously.”

(James M. S. Tate - Bells & Pomegranates)

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December 25

“Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.”

(John 17:17)

Faith makes all things possible.  Love makes all things easy.

Hope makes all things joyful.

(Adapted from D. L. Moody)

Worldliness or any allowance of what is not of God, by a godly man,

gives the weight of his godliness to the thing which he allows.

(J. N. Darby)

The more I know of Him, the less I think of myself.

The mediocre teacher tells, the better teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates,

the great teacher inspires.  (Adapted from W. A. Ward)  

(With thanks - John Kaiser - BTP)

N.J. Hiebert - 7312

December 26

“Fear not: for they that be with us are more 

than they that be with them.”

(2 Kings 6:16)

The great question is not so much what the enemy may think of 

God’s people, or what they may think about themselves, 

or what they may think of one another.

The real, the all-important question is, What does God 

think about them?

God knows us perfectly; and it is with Him we have to do, and 

we can say, in the triumphant language of the apostle,

“If God be for us, who can be against us?”

(Romans 8:31) 

God sees us, thinks of us, speaks about us, acts toward us,

according to what He Himself has made us,

and wrought for us.

(Food For The Desert)

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December 27

"Love not the world, neither the things that  are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

(1 John 2:16-17)

The world is bidding for these fine young Christians. The world and its allurements are all about them,  and the devil would do a great deal to trip up earnest Christians like these.

There are some Christians the devil scarcely bothers about, but there are others out and out for God, and Satan is near with his snares and allurements, tripping them on this hand and that, and if they flee from one thing he has another temptation for them; and so the the exhortation comes — 

1 John 2:16-17, Quoted above.

(H. A. Ironside)

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December 28

“ . . . shepherd’s abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). “Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

It was Christmas Eve, 1875.  Ira D. Sankey was traveling by steamboat up the Delaware River.   It was a calm, starlight evening, and there were many passengers gathered on deck.  Mr. Sankey was asked to sing. He stood leaning against one of the great funnels of the boat, and his eyes were raised to the starry heavens in quiet prayer. It was his intention to sing a Christmas song, but he was driven almost against his will to sing 

"SAVIOUR LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US". 

There was a deep stillness.  Words and melody, welling forth from the singer’s soul, floated out over the deck and the quiet river.  Every heart was touched.  After the song was ended, a man with a rough weather beaten face came up to Mr. Sankey and said, “Did you ever serve in the Union army?”  “Yes,” answered Mr. Sankey, “in the spring of 1860.”  

“Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlight night in 1862?”  “Yes,“ answered Mr Sankey, very much surprised.  “So did I,” said the stranger, “but I was serving in the Confederate army.  When I saw you standing at your post I said to myself, that fellow will never get away from here alive - I raised my musket and took aim.

I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to Heaven and began to sing.  Music, especially song, has always had a wonderful power over me, and I took my finger off the trigger."

"Let him sing his song to the end," I said to myself.  “I can shoot him afterwards.  He’s my victim at all events, and my bullet cannot miss him.”  But the song you sang then was the song you sang just now.  I heard the words perfectly: 

We are Thine, do Thou befriend us, be the guardian of our way.  

“When you had finished your song it was impossible for me to take aim at you again."  I thought, “the Lord, who is able to save that man from certain death, must surely be great and mighty,” and my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side.

"Since that time I have wandered about, far and wide, but when I just now saw you standing there praying as on that other occasion, I recognized you.  Then my heart was wounded by your song.  Now I ask that you help me find a cure for my sin sick soul.”

Deeply moved, Mr. Sankey threw his arms about the man who in the days of the war had been his enemy. And that night the stranger found the Good Shepherd as His Saviour.

(From - It Happened on Christmas Eve)    

N.J. Hiebert - 7315 

December 29

“. . . His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

(Isaiah 9:6)

Christ is and shall be Prince of Peace.  He stands alone, exalted and supreme, the object of reverence and worship from angels and from men.

He is not next to God; He is God Himself.   

There is nothing of God that is not comprehended in this marvellous name given to the child born and to the Son given.  And He is given “unto us”.  The grace is as mighty as the Person Himself.  Had this majestic fact of incarnation been only for our knowledge and observation, it would have been wonderful indeed.

But it was “unto us” wholly.  It was for our redemption and eternal blessing that this One with His great name came to be born and to be the Prince of Peace.

He was born for us.  He was given for us.  He is what He is for us!  He is God for us, to be the mighty Saviour.  He is Man for us, to have a heart of loving sympathy.

There is a tenderness from the heart of God, as well as power from the throne of God, in the message of Isaiah 9:6.  Thank God it was “unto us” the child was born, and "unto us” the Son was given. 

Thank God the angels’ message at Bethlehem was:

“Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Thank God that “unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time” (Hebrews 9:28).  

Maranatha! (Our Lord cometh)

(A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake)

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December 30

“I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

(John 10:10)

Christ had a reason for coming that starlit night more than 2,000 years ago. He came to usher you into a life abundant.

Will you come to Him as He comes to you?   Allow Him to work a miracle in your life. Then embrace the mission and purpose that He has for your life.

Pick up your cross daily, and look to Him for strength, and remember, He is coming back again, “I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

(Jason Bechtel)

Come to the Saviour, make no delay; here in His Word He’s shown us the way; Here in our midst He’s standing today, tenderly saying come.

(G. F. Root)  

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December 31

“I ascend unto My Father, and your Father, and to My God and your God.” (John 20:17)

Real true worship is the overflow of the heart to God: and this is exactly what we see in this lovely little verse.That overflow of heart cannot be taught, and cannot be learned: it is spontaneous: it bursts forth from a full heart, just as we see here.

There are many such bursts of praise in the Scriptures: and they are all different: they are not planned, they are not of men, but come from the Holy Spirit within us.  What can we say to such a promise as the one we have just been considering?  

What could a penniless beggar say to a Royal giver who freely gave him a blank Cheque, good for an unlimited amount: a cheque that only needs endorsement—only needs to be appropriated—only needs to be taken as my own: and I have untold riches: what can I say to such an offer, when that offer is made by the Lord God Almighty, My Father?  

In Revelation 5:14, who dare to say where the burst of praise begins, and where it ends? "The elders fell down and worshipped!” is the last we see in that glorious scene; and shall not we say,—as we fall down and worship,— “Now unto  God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

(Philippians 4:20)  

(G Christopher Willis) 

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