Gems from June 2023
June 1
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7
Two Christian women were talking together. One said to the other, "I have got a very comforting text, which helps me much; "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." (Psalm 56:3)
The other Christian replied, "I have a better text than that: I will trust and not be afraid' " (Isaiah -12:2) Now we would not compare one text with another where all are from God's Word, and are the expression of His people's confidence in Him, and as such are comforting.
There is the infirmity of human nature, and in this our great High Priest has sympathy. No one need chide himself if a certain amount of fear and apprehension possesses the heart during those times of stress, if only in the fear there is a turning to the Lord to find a refuge in Him. (Psalm 56:3).
Happy is the one who has this experience, happier still if this leads to a deeper acquaintance with God, so that in quiet confidence in Him they can really say, "I will trust and not be afraid." For let us remember: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." (Isaiah 26:3) A. J. Pollock
N.J.Hiebert - 9230
June 2
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself...and he saw, and believed. (John 20:6-8)
The seemingly unimportant detail of the linen clothes, that wrapped the body of our Lord, being left in the tomb, though unnoticed by the women, was a convincing proof of resurrection to both Peter and John. It was not merely the fact that the linen was there, although that was a matter to arrest attention; but the place of the linen of the body, separated from the napkin of the head, and the way the linen was wrapped together--these forced on the observant disciples the conviction of their Lord's resurrection.
Had the body of Christ been carried from the grave, linen clothes would have gone with Him. However, had the hand of man removed the linen from both body and head, all would have been thrown on a heap in the grave. No human hand could have folded the linen so. What purpose would any person have to attempt to wrap the linen in this way even if it had been possible?
Those linen clothes were a miracle. Both Peter and John knew without a doubt what they meant. The body that was wrapped in those garments had disappeared from them without disturbing them. Resurrection had taken place. Although Peter and John did not yet know the scripture that He must rise again, those linen clothes convinced them absolutely that their Lord rose from the tomb. (John 20:9). Our Lord Jesus Christ - A Plant of Renown Leonard Sheldrake
N.J.Hiebert - (9231)
The seemingly unimportant detail of the linen clothes, that wrapped the body of our Lord, being left in the tomb, though unnoticed by the women, was a convincing proof of resurrection to both Peter and John. It was not merely the fact that the linen was there, although that was a matter to arrest attention; but the place of the linen of the body, separated from the napkin of the head, and the way the linen was wrapped together--these forced on the observant disciples the conviction of their Lord's resurrection.
Had the body of Christ been carried from the grave, linen clothes would have gone with Him. However, had the hand of man removed the linen from both body and head, all would have been thrown on a heap in the grave. No human hand could have folded the linen so. What purpose would any person have to attempt to wrap the linen in this way even if it had been possible?
Those linen clothes were a miracle. Both Peter and John knew without a doubt what they meant. The body that was wrapped in those garments had disappeared from them without disturbing them. Resurrection had taken place. Although Peter and John did not yet know the scripture that He must rise again, those linen clothes convinced them absolutely that their Lord rose from the tomb. (John 20:9). Our Lord Jesus Christ - A Plant of Renown Leonard Sheldrake
N.J.Hiebert - (9231)
June 3
And when she (Jochebed) could not longer hide him (Moses) she took for him an ark of bullrushes...and laid it in the flags by the river's brink. And his sister (Miriam) stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. (Exodus 2:3-4)
The angels could hardly have had a more interesting sight than they had when, more than 3000 years ago, they watched little Miriam minding the baby. If they only could have known who the baby that lay in that rude cradle was to become and what stupendous work he was to accomplish!
But poor little Miriam, the Hebrew slave-child, probably felt only a horrible dread when the retinue of the princess of Egypt approached and a suffocating fright when the crying baby was drawn forth from his hiding place by the people who had decreed his death. Moses' parents were godly people, and evidently they recognized God's special grace in giving them this child. No doubt Miriam was quite thankful to observe that the princess was evidently pleased with the child.
This is the moment which Miriam seizes to run forward and ask the princess whether she would like her to fetch a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby for her. Do so, says the princess, and the girl hurries away to bring the baby's own mother. The courage and resourcefulness shown by Miriam, together with her devotion to a task monotonous and dangerous gives an impression that she was being taught by God for the part she had yet to fill.
We do not usually rate the services of a nursemaid very high, but still she may be, like Miriam, doing work of enormous importance in guarding the beginning of some God-inspired life. Yes, Miriam may have thought she was only minding the baby, when all the time she was watching over the destinies of the planet. When the princess had received the infant, most watchers would have quietly gone away home quite satisfied, but Miriam clinches the nail and makes it a rivet. "Shall I go and call to thee a nurse..." Exodus 2:7-9)
The Christian - J. C. Bayley
N.J.Hiebert - 9232
The angels could hardly have had a more interesting sight than they had when, more than 3000 years ago, they watched little Miriam minding the baby. If they only could have known who the baby that lay in that rude cradle was to become and what stupendous work he was to accomplish!
But poor little Miriam, the Hebrew slave-child, probably felt only a horrible dread when the retinue of the princess of Egypt approached and a suffocating fright when the crying baby was drawn forth from his hiding place by the people who had decreed his death. Moses' parents were godly people, and evidently they recognized God's special grace in giving them this child. No doubt Miriam was quite thankful to observe that the princess was evidently pleased with the child.
This is the moment which Miriam seizes to run forward and ask the princess whether she would like her to fetch a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby for her. Do so, says the princess, and the girl hurries away to bring the baby's own mother. The courage and resourcefulness shown by Miriam, together with her devotion to a task monotonous and dangerous gives an impression that she was being taught by God for the part she had yet to fill.
We do not usually rate the services of a nursemaid very high, but still she may be, like Miriam, doing work of enormous importance in guarding the beginning of some God-inspired life. Yes, Miriam may have thought she was only minding the baby, when all the time she was watching over the destinies of the planet. When the princess had received the infant, most watchers would have quietly gone away home quite satisfied, but Miriam clinches the nail and makes it a rivet. "Shall I go and call to thee a nurse..." Exodus 2:7-9)
The Christian - J. C. Bayley
N.J.Hiebert - 9232
June 4
O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my REFUGE in the day of affliction. Jeremiah 16:19
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of REFUGE.
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of REFUGE.
Proverbs 14:26
God is known . . . for a REFUGE. Psalm 48:3
Let us walk with Him, lean on Him, cling to Him;
He will uphold e'en the weakest that live;
Glory to God! for with strength He does gird us;
Power and might to the faint He does give;
Here in this bulwark our faith finds a REFUGE,
Ne'er may we measure its breadth and its length;
When all the arms that we leaned on have failed us,
Praises to Him, for His joy is our strength.
N.J.Hiebert - 9233
God is known . . . for a REFUGE. Psalm 48:3
Let us walk with Him, lean on Him, cling to Him;
He will uphold e'en the weakest that live;
Glory to God! for with strength He does gird us;
Power and might to the faint He does give;
Here in this bulwark our faith finds a REFUGE,
Ne'er may we measure its breadth and its length;
When all the arms that we leaned on have failed us,
Praises to Him, for His joy is our strength.
N.J.Hiebert - 9233
June 5
Above all things have fervent charity (love) among yourselves. 1 Peter 4:8
Love one another with a pure heart fervently.
Love one another with a pure heart fervently.
1 Peter 1:22
Apollos was "fervent in the spirit" Acts 18:25--the word means to boil, be hot or fervid as in Paul's "be...fervent in spirit". (Romans 12:11). (It was this Apollos, he of the fervent heart, whom Paul wanted to have with him in prison.) (Titus 3:13)
I should like to think that we all desired a fervent heart. If we are anywhere but in the Love of God, we drift apart. If any have been cooling, drifting, if any are not warm in love towards one another, will they not find time for drawing near once more, first to their Lord, then, as His love re-kindles them, to one another? Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
I am Thine, O Lord; I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. Fanny Crosby
N.J.Hiebert - 9234
Apollos was "fervent in the spirit" Acts 18:25--the word means to boil, be hot or fervid as in Paul's "be...fervent in spirit". (Romans 12:11). (It was this Apollos, he of the fervent heart, whom Paul wanted to have with him in prison.) (Titus 3:13)
I should like to think that we all desired a fervent heart. If we are anywhere but in the Love of God, we drift apart. If any have been cooling, drifting, if any are not warm in love towards one another, will they not find time for drawing near once more, first to their Lord, then, as His love re-kindles them, to one another? Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
I am Thine, O Lord; I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. Fanny Crosby
N.J.Hiebert - 9234
June 6
Into a desert place apart." Matthew 14:13
There is no music in a rest, but there is the making of music in it. In our whole life-melody the music is broken off here and there by "rests," and we foolishly think we have come to the end of the tune.
God sends a time of forced leisure, sickness, disappointed plans, frustrated efforts, and makes a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives; and we lament that our voices must be silent, and our part missing in the music which ever goes up to the ear of the Creator. How does the musician read the "rest"? See him beat the time with unvarying count, and catch up the next note true and steady, as if no breaking place had come between.
Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the "rests." They are not to be slurred over, not to be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the keynote. If we look up, God Himself will beat the time for us.
With the eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear. If we sadly say to ourselves, "There is no music in a 'rest,' " let us not forget "there is the making of music in it." The making of music is often a slow and painful process in this life. How patiently God works to teach us! How long He waits for us to learn the lesson! Ruskin
N.J.Hiebert - 9235
There is no music in a rest, but there is the making of music in it. In our whole life-melody the music is broken off here and there by "rests," and we foolishly think we have come to the end of the tune.
God sends a time of forced leisure, sickness, disappointed plans, frustrated efforts, and makes a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives; and we lament that our voices must be silent, and our part missing in the music which ever goes up to the ear of the Creator. How does the musician read the "rest"? See him beat the time with unvarying count, and catch up the next note true and steady, as if no breaking place had come between.
Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the "rests." They are not to be slurred over, not to be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the keynote. If we look up, God Himself will beat the time for us.
With the eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear. If we sadly say to ourselves, "There is no music in a 'rest,' " let us not forget "there is the making of music in it." The making of music is often a slow and painful process in this life. How patiently God works to teach us! How long He waits for us to learn the lesson! Ruskin
N.J.Hiebert - 9235
June 7
Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered. Hebrews 5:8
It was an entirely new thing for the glorious Son of God to learn obedience. He who commanded all things from all eternity came into this world of sin, and took the place of obedience, and in a pathway of suffering in which He never yielded to temptation--"He suffered being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18)--never yielded--He learned what it was in this world to obey.
We learn obedience by the subjection of our wicked hearts and wills to God. He learned it as One with Whom it was a new thing, and Who had a perfect will, but Who laid it aside--("not My will but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42) Who submitted to everything, obeyed in everything, and depended on God for everything.
His obedience ended in death rather than fail in faithfulness or obedience to His Father. How contrary to the first Adam was the second, (Jesus) (1 Corinthians 15:45-47) in all this! And the Christian is "sanctified unto the obedience. . . . Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:2) May we have grace to be conformed to Him and to obey! Scripture Notes and Queries - F. G. Patterson
N.J.Hiebert - 9236
It was an entirely new thing for the glorious Son of God to learn obedience. He who commanded all things from all eternity came into this world of sin, and took the place of obedience, and in a pathway of suffering in which He never yielded to temptation--"He suffered being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18)--never yielded--He learned what it was in this world to obey.
We learn obedience by the subjection of our wicked hearts and wills to God. He learned it as One with Whom it was a new thing, and Who had a perfect will, but Who laid it aside--("not My will but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42) Who submitted to everything, obeyed in everything, and depended on God for everything.
His obedience ended in death rather than fail in faithfulness or obedience to His Father. How contrary to the first Adam was the second, (Jesus) (1 Corinthians 15:45-47) in all this! And the Christian is "sanctified unto the obedience. . . . Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:2) May we have grace to be conformed to Him and to obey! Scripture Notes and Queries - F. G. Patterson
N.J.Hiebert - 9236
June 8
And Joseph said unto his brethren, come near to me, I pray you...moreover he kissed all his brethren...after that his brethren talked with him. Genesis 45:4,15.
The love of Joseph has brought his brethren into sweet communion with himself. Now those whom Joseph has won for himself he will enlist in his service. His brethren shall become his witnesses.
In like manner, the Lord deals with the demoniac (Luke 8:29,35,39): Clothed, in his right mind, and brought to sit at the feet of Jesus, he is prepared for the service of the Lord by the directions from the Lord, "Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee." (v.39)
So too, the Lord deals with his disciples on the evening of His resurrection day. Like Joseph in the presence of his brethren; He makes Himself known to the terrified and affrighted disciples and speaks to their troubled hearts the word of peace. Then it is He gives them the great commission and speaks of the high privilege of being His witnesses.
As with the brethren of Joseph, the demoniac of a later day, and the disciples of the resurrection day, so with ourselves: preparation for service must precede service. We are often times more anxious to be used than exercised to be "meet for the Master's use and prepared for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21) Further, our preparation for service is only gained as we are found alone with Christ, learning His mind in communion with Him and in the realization of His love.
How touchingly is this prefigured in the fine scene between Joseph and his brethren, when, apart from all others, "he kissed all his brethren...and after that his brethren talked with him." Then the commission to serve and every detail of the service they receive from the lips of Joseph. H. Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9237
The love of Joseph has brought his brethren into sweet communion with himself. Now those whom Joseph has won for himself he will enlist in his service. His brethren shall become his witnesses.
In like manner, the Lord deals with the demoniac (Luke 8:29,35,39): Clothed, in his right mind, and brought to sit at the feet of Jesus, he is prepared for the service of the Lord by the directions from the Lord, "Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee." (v.39)
So too, the Lord deals with his disciples on the evening of His resurrection day. Like Joseph in the presence of his brethren; He makes Himself known to the terrified and affrighted disciples and speaks to their troubled hearts the word of peace. Then it is He gives them the great commission and speaks of the high privilege of being His witnesses.
As with the brethren of Joseph, the demoniac of a later day, and the disciples of the resurrection day, so with ourselves: preparation for service must precede service. We are often times more anxious to be used than exercised to be "meet for the Master's use and prepared for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21) Further, our preparation for service is only gained as we are found alone with Christ, learning His mind in communion with Him and in the realization of His love.
How touchingly is this prefigured in the fine scene between Joseph and his brethren, when, apart from all others, "he kissed all his brethren...and after that his brethren talked with him." Then the commission to serve and every detail of the service they receive from the lips of Joseph. H. Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9237
June 9
He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3)
And then notice the next title Paul gives Him, "The Father of Mercies." That is, our God is the source of every mercy that comes to us. David says, "Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever" (Psalm 23:6). Some of these mercies we do not always appreciate. We sometimes think perhaps that God is dealing hardly with us when He is really dealing with us in mercy.
A friend of mine who went to heaven some years ago, told of a time when he was riding on the top of an omnibus in Vienna, Austria, and they were held up because a flock of sheep was going down the street. As the folk on the bus leaned over to see what was going on, they noticed that there were two dogs running hither and thither to keep the sheep in the way.
This friend turned to a stranger seated beside him and said, "Do you know the names of those two dogs?" The man said, "Indeed, I do not; I have never seen a sight like this before." Well, said my friend , "I think I know their names." "Do you?" "Yes; one of them is 'Goodness' and the other is 'mercy,' for David wrote about goodness and mercy following him all the days of his life."
You might not think it was goodness and mercy to have a couple of dogs yapping at you to keep you from going to the left or to the right, but it is God's mercy that keeps us in the straight and narrow way, and He uses trial and difficulty for that very purpose. He is "the Father of mercies."
2 Corinthians - H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 9238
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3)
And then notice the next title Paul gives Him, "The Father of Mercies." That is, our God is the source of every mercy that comes to us. David says, "Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever" (Psalm 23:6). Some of these mercies we do not always appreciate. We sometimes think perhaps that God is dealing hardly with us when He is really dealing with us in mercy.
A friend of mine who went to heaven some years ago, told of a time when he was riding on the top of an omnibus in Vienna, Austria, and they were held up because a flock of sheep was going down the street. As the folk on the bus leaned over to see what was going on, they noticed that there were two dogs running hither and thither to keep the sheep in the way.
This friend turned to a stranger seated beside him and said, "Do you know the names of those two dogs?" The man said, "Indeed, I do not; I have never seen a sight like this before." Well, said my friend , "I think I know their names." "Do you?" "Yes; one of them is 'Goodness' and the other is 'mercy,' for David wrote about goodness and mercy following him all the days of his life."
You might not think it was goodness and mercy to have a couple of dogs yapping at you to keep you from going to the left or to the right, but it is God's mercy that keeps us in the straight and narrow way, and He uses trial and difficulty for that very purpose. He is "the Father of mercies."
2 Corinthians - H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 9238
June 10
That in all things He might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18
Of the vast universe of bliss, the centre Thou, and Sun;
The eternal theme of praise is this, to heaven's beloved One;
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou, that every knee to Thee should bow!
E. Condor
Christ is everything. He is everything to the heart of God, and He desires to be everything to the hearts of His people. That it may be so with you is the highest blessedness I can desire for you. There is never any difficulty about guidance when the eye is on Christ, but if other considerations come in then you miss His leadings.
"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body." (Philippians 1:20).
Is it our desire to be able to adopt Paul's language? Do we hold our bodies as vessels for the display of Christ? As we rise in the morning do we look upon the coming day as another opportunity of making Christ great?
We can present Christ to the hearts of men in our lives as well as by our words. We may not be able to explain a single passage of scripture, but we can live Christ. You may teach a Sunday school, or visit among the poor, and that is all right and good, but there is something far better--live Christ, present Christ. Edward Dennett
N.J.Hiebert - 9239
Of the vast universe of bliss, the centre Thou, and Sun;
The eternal theme of praise is this, to heaven's beloved One;
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou, that every knee to Thee should bow!
E. Condor
Christ is everything. He is everything to the heart of God, and He desires to be everything to the hearts of His people. That it may be so with you is the highest blessedness I can desire for you. There is never any difficulty about guidance when the eye is on Christ, but if other considerations come in then you miss His leadings.
"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body." (Philippians 1:20).
Is it our desire to be able to adopt Paul's language? Do we hold our bodies as vessels for the display of Christ? As we rise in the morning do we look upon the coming day as another opportunity of making Christ great?
We can present Christ to the hearts of men in our lives as well as by our words. We may not be able to explain a single passage of scripture, but we can live Christ. You may teach a Sunday school, or visit among the poor, and that is all right and good, but there is something far better--live Christ, present Christ. Edward Dennett
N.J.Hiebert - 9239
June 11
And He took them, and went aside privately into a desert place. (Luke 9:10)
In order to grow in grace, we must be much alone. It is not in society that the soul grows most vigorously. In one single quiet hour of prayer it will often make more progress than in days of company with others. It is in the desert that the dew falls freshest and the air is purest. Andrew Bonar.
"Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile,
Weary, I know it, of the press and throng,
Wipe from your brow the sweat and dust of toil,
And in My quiet strength again be strong.
"Come ye aside from all the world holds dear,
For converse which the world has never known,
Alone with Me, and with My Father here,
With Me and with My Father not alone.
"Come, tell Me all that ye have said and done,
Your victories and failures, hopes and fears.
I know how hardly souls are wooed and won:
My choicest wreaths are always wet with tears.
"Come ye and rest; the journey is too great,
And ye will faint beside the way and sink;
The bread of life is here for you to eat,
And here for you the wine of love to drink.
"Then fresh from converse with your Lord return,
And work till daylight softens into even:
The brief hours are not lost in which ye learn
More of your Master and His rest in Heaven. - Streams in the Desert
N.J.Hiebert - 9240
In order to grow in grace, we must be much alone. It is not in society that the soul grows most vigorously. In one single quiet hour of prayer it will often make more progress than in days of company with others. It is in the desert that the dew falls freshest and the air is purest. Andrew Bonar.
"Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile,
Weary, I know it, of the press and throng,
Wipe from your brow the sweat and dust of toil,
And in My quiet strength again be strong.
"Come ye aside from all the world holds dear,
For converse which the world has never known,
Alone with Me, and with My Father here,
With Me and with My Father not alone.
"Come, tell Me all that ye have said and done,
Your victories and failures, hopes and fears.
I know how hardly souls are wooed and won:
My choicest wreaths are always wet with tears.
"Come ye and rest; the journey is too great,
And ye will faint beside the way and sink;
The bread of life is here for you to eat,
And here for you the wine of love to drink.
"Then fresh from converse with your Lord return,
And work till daylight softens into even:
The brief hours are not lost in which ye learn
More of your Master and His rest in Heaven. - Streams in the Desert
N.J.Hiebert - 9240
June 12
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, Who raised Him from the dead;)...
from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father...
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than (beside) that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed..." (Galatians 1:1-8)
If I have the happy privilege, and the solemn responsibility of announcing God's good news, how earnestly I should seek to see to it, that what I announce is in very truth God's good news, and not my own thoughts or ideas; else it may be that solemn word may come to me: "Cursed be he!" If anyone tells me I must keep the law for salvation, or as a "rule of life", that is not "good news." It is very, very, bad news, for I never can keep the law, and I must perish. The false teachers were perverting the good news.
Sad to say, there are many today who preach the law, without the least idea that they are putting themselves under this terrible curse, because they preach a different good news which is not another. It is Christianity with something added. But you say, surely if an angel from heaven brings me this good news, then I can believe it! No, not even if an angel bring it! Remember that Satan himself is changed into an angel of light (Galatians 1:8,9).
Will you believe Satan or God? Notice that little word "beside" "good news beside the good news which we brought to you". God does not allow any rival good news. And God will not allow any mixture with His good news; nor will He allow anything to be added beside the good news that He has given to us. You cannot have the gospel of God and the law added to, or mixed with, it. God's good news stands alone. Galatians - G. C. Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9241
from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father...
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than (beside) that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed..." (Galatians 1:1-8)
If I have the happy privilege, and the solemn responsibility of announcing God's good news, how earnestly I should seek to see to it, that what I announce is in very truth God's good news, and not my own thoughts or ideas; else it may be that solemn word may come to me: "Cursed be he!" If anyone tells me I must keep the law for salvation, or as a "rule of life", that is not "good news." It is very, very, bad news, for I never can keep the law, and I must perish. The false teachers were perverting the good news.
Sad to say, there are many today who preach the law, without the least idea that they are putting themselves under this terrible curse, because they preach a different good news which is not another. It is Christianity with something added. But you say, surely if an angel from heaven brings me this good news, then I can believe it! No, not even if an angel bring it! Remember that Satan himself is changed into an angel of light (Galatians 1:8,9).
Will you believe Satan or God? Notice that little word "beside" "good news beside the good news which we brought to you". God does not allow any rival good news. And God will not allow any mixture with His good news; nor will He allow anything to be added beside the good news that He has given to us. You cannot have the gospel of God and the law added to, or mixed with, it. God's good news stands alone. Galatians - G. C. Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9241
June 13
FAITH OR "IT"?
"According to your faith be it unto you . . ."
"According to your faith be it unto you . . ."
Matthew 9:29
"According to your faith be it . . ." Be what? How much does "it" include? Here is one of the smallest and one of the biggest words--small in the dictionary but large in our text! For "it" includes all our need which God will supply according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. And the measure of that supply is "according to your faith."
You may have all you need and all that faith will take. Whether that need be trivial or tremendous makes no difference to God--everything is His, anyway. You need not mind bringing to him the simplest matter.
The sparrow's fall does not escape His notice. Nor will you strain the heavenly resources with a stupendous request. The ocean will hold up a boat or a battleship, and God's grace will stand any weight you put upon it.
So, whatever "it" may be that you are facing, no matter how hard or hopeless "it" may seem, do not let "it" dominate your faith, make "it" submit to your faith. "According to your faith be it" is God's yardstick, not according to it be you faith."
Are you living by the tyranny of "it" or by the triumph of Faith?
Day by Day with Vance Havner
N.J.Hiebert - 9242
"According to your faith be it . . ." Be what? How much does "it" include? Here is one of the smallest and one of the biggest words--small in the dictionary but large in our text! For "it" includes all our need which God will supply according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. And the measure of that supply is "according to your faith."
You may have all you need and all that faith will take. Whether that need be trivial or tremendous makes no difference to God--everything is His, anyway. You need not mind bringing to him the simplest matter.
The sparrow's fall does not escape His notice. Nor will you strain the heavenly resources with a stupendous request. The ocean will hold up a boat or a battleship, and God's grace will stand any weight you put upon it.
So, whatever "it" may be that you are facing, no matter how hard or hopeless "it" may seem, do not let "it" dominate your faith, make "it" submit to your faith. "According to your faith be it" is God's yardstick, not according to it be you faith."
Are you living by the tyranny of "it" or by the triumph of Faith?
Day by Day with Vance Havner
N.J.Hiebert - 9242
June 14
And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, we have seen strange things to day. Luke 5:26
The Lord Jesus is the summing up of all possible beauty and perfection in Himself. The Man Christ Jesus grew in favour with God and man. He was always the servant of everyone. The first thing that struck me in reading the gospels was, Here is a Man that never did anything for Himself. What a miracle to see a Man not living to Himself, for He had got God for Himself.
The gospels display the One in whom was no selfishness. They tell out the heart that was ready for everybody. No matter how deep His own sorrow, He always cared for others. He could warn Peter in Gethsemane, and comfort the dying thief on the cross. His heart was above circumstances, never acting under them, but ever according to God in them.
The only act of disobedience which Adam could commit he did commit; but He who could have done all things as to power, only used His power to display more perfect service, more perfect subjection. How blessed is the picture of the Lord's ways!
The more faithful He was, the more despised and opposed; the more meek, the less esteemed; but all this altered nothing, because He did all to God alone: with the multitude, with His disciples, or before His unjust judges, nothing altered the perfectness of His ways, because in all circumstances all was done to God.
What was then the life of Jesus, the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief? A life of activity in obscurity, causing the love of God to penetrate the most hidden corners of society, wherever needs were greatest. This life did not shelter itself from the misery of the world, but it brought into it--precious grace--the love of God. J. N. Darby
N.J.Hiebert - 9243
The Lord Jesus is the summing up of all possible beauty and perfection in Himself. The Man Christ Jesus grew in favour with God and man. He was always the servant of everyone. The first thing that struck me in reading the gospels was, Here is a Man that never did anything for Himself. What a miracle to see a Man not living to Himself, for He had got God for Himself.
The gospels display the One in whom was no selfishness. They tell out the heart that was ready for everybody. No matter how deep His own sorrow, He always cared for others. He could warn Peter in Gethsemane, and comfort the dying thief on the cross. His heart was above circumstances, never acting under them, but ever according to God in them.
The only act of disobedience which Adam could commit he did commit; but He who could have done all things as to power, only used His power to display more perfect service, more perfect subjection. How blessed is the picture of the Lord's ways!
The more faithful He was, the more despised and opposed; the more meek, the less esteemed; but all this altered nothing, because He did all to God alone: with the multitude, with His disciples, or before His unjust judges, nothing altered the perfectness of His ways, because in all circumstances all was done to God.
What was then the life of Jesus, the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief? A life of activity in obscurity, causing the love of God to penetrate the most hidden corners of society, wherever needs were greatest. This life did not shelter itself from the misery of the world, but it brought into it--precious grace--the love of God. J. N. Darby
N.J.Hiebert - 9243
June 15
And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot. Leviticus 8:23
This chapter deals with the consecration of Aaron as High Priest and his sons as priests. The week long ceremonial process meant to set these faithful men apart for the service of God. Included was the donning of the special robes, every aspect of which spoke of the glories, attributes and beauties of Christ. Two animals were offered each day, one for God as a burnt sacrifice, speaking of Christ's devotion unto death; and the other for the consecration of the priests, speaking of our devotion to Him.
Each drop of blood on three particular parts of their body, ear, finger and toe, had its own special significance. First, we hear the Word of God through our ears; the blood having reference to Christ as God's gift for salvation. The repetition seven days reminds us that our preparation to serve the Lord by remembering Him on the eighth day needs to be part of each preceding day of the week.
The application to their hand tells of all the ways they could be of service; and the same for us. After we have been in the Lord's presence, we are energized to please Him in serving according to our abilities, spiritual enjoyment of Christ and despite limitations.
Finally, the blood applied to their foot is all about walking in the footsteps of our Saviour. They and we are responsible to live our lives as a testimony to Jesus Christ our Lord, both to those near at hand in assembly and family, as well as the unsaved in our neighbourhoods, schools and workplaces. Lorne Perry
There from His head, His hands ,His feet,
Sorrow and love flowed mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown? Isaac Watts
N.J.Hiebert - 9244
This chapter deals with the consecration of Aaron as High Priest and his sons as priests. The week long ceremonial process meant to set these faithful men apart for the service of God. Included was the donning of the special robes, every aspect of which spoke of the glories, attributes and beauties of Christ. Two animals were offered each day, one for God as a burnt sacrifice, speaking of Christ's devotion unto death; and the other for the consecration of the priests, speaking of our devotion to Him.
Each drop of blood on three particular parts of their body, ear, finger and toe, had its own special significance. First, we hear the Word of God through our ears; the blood having reference to Christ as God's gift for salvation. The repetition seven days reminds us that our preparation to serve the Lord by remembering Him on the eighth day needs to be part of each preceding day of the week.
The application to their hand tells of all the ways they could be of service; and the same for us. After we have been in the Lord's presence, we are energized to please Him in serving according to our abilities, spiritual enjoyment of Christ and despite limitations.
Finally, the blood applied to their foot is all about walking in the footsteps of our Saviour. They and we are responsible to live our lives as a testimony to Jesus Christ our Lord, both to those near at hand in assembly and family, as well as the unsaved in our neighbourhoods, schools and workplaces. Lorne Perry
There from His head, His hands ,His feet,
Sorrow and love flowed mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown? Isaac Watts
N.J.Hiebert - 9244
June 16
Only by pride cometh contention. Proverbs 13:10
There never was a bit of trouble between saints, but pride was at the bottom of it! You stand up for your rights, and the Lord will put you down. You may get what you want, but the Lord will have His hand against you.
A Christian should be like a piece of indiarubber, always giving way, never resisting, except it be the devil. "The light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out." (Proverbs 13:9). "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." (1 Peter 5:6)
What a much more blessed thing to humble ourselves under His mighty hand, and for Him to exalt us, than than to exalt ourselves, and for Him to have to put us down! "Whosoever exalteth Himself shall be abased." (Luke 14:11) That is the first man. "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (v.11) That is the second man.
The first man (Adam) sought to make himself God, and fell into companionship with Satan; the second Man, who was God, made Himself nothing, and God has exalted Him to the very highest glory.
There are two ways in which God humbles us. By the discovery of what is in our hearts, and by the discovery of what is in His heart--and nothing so humbles us as to discover what is in His heart--but humble myself as I may, I do not believe I ever get down to my true level--to the place in which God sees me.
It should be a continual process. There is a difference between being humble, and being humbled. I am humble when I am in God's presence, occupied with what He is. I am humbled when I am compelled to look at myself, for self is always a sad sight. Simon Peter - W.T. P. Wolston
N.J.Hiebert - 9245
There never was a bit of trouble between saints, but pride was at the bottom of it! You stand up for your rights, and the Lord will put you down. You may get what you want, but the Lord will have His hand against you.
A Christian should be like a piece of indiarubber, always giving way, never resisting, except it be the devil. "The light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out." (Proverbs 13:9). "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." (1 Peter 5:6)
What a much more blessed thing to humble ourselves under His mighty hand, and for Him to exalt us, than than to exalt ourselves, and for Him to have to put us down! "Whosoever exalteth Himself shall be abased." (Luke 14:11) That is the first man. "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (v.11) That is the second man.
The first man (Adam) sought to make himself God, and fell into companionship with Satan; the second Man, who was God, made Himself nothing, and God has exalted Him to the very highest glory.
There are two ways in which God humbles us. By the discovery of what is in our hearts, and by the discovery of what is in His heart--and nothing so humbles us as to discover what is in His heart--but humble myself as I may, I do not believe I ever get down to my true level--to the place in which God sees me.
It should be a continual process. There is a difference between being humble, and being humbled. I am humble when I am in God's presence, occupied with what He is. I am humbled when I am compelled to look at myself, for self is always a sad sight. Simon Peter - W.T. P. Wolston
N.J.Hiebert - 9245
June 17
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
It's becoming difficult to get everything done these days. Time saving devices turn into time stealing vices. Do you wonder if you'll ever get caught up? The answer is, Yes!
The dead have ceased from their labours, but we which are alive and remain will one day, finally be caught up, not with our chores, but with our Saviour to be with Him forevermore! Rex Trogdon
Oh joy, oh delight, should we go without dying!
No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying!
Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,
When Jesus receives His own. H. L. Turner
N.J.Hiebert - 9246
It's becoming difficult to get everything done these days. Time saving devices turn into time stealing vices. Do you wonder if you'll ever get caught up? The answer is, Yes!
The dead have ceased from their labours, but we which are alive and remain will one day, finally be caught up, not with our chores, but with our Saviour to be with Him forevermore! Rex Trogdon
Oh joy, oh delight, should we go without dying!
No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying!
Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,
When Jesus receives His own. H. L. Turner
N.J.Hiebert - 9246
June 18
HE DID WHAT HE CAME TO DO
I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. John 17:4
His great promise has had its first fulfillment "unto Thee." It is a finished fact of sevenfold grace. The Lord has come and His own voice has given the objects of His coming:
- "to do Thy will, O God;"
- to fulfill the law;
- "to call sinners to repentance";
- "to seek and to save that which was lost";
- "that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly";
- "a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness."
- What He came to do He has done, for "He faileth not."
- On this we may and ought to rest quietly and un-doubtingly, for "the Lord hath done it."
For I know that what He doeth stands forever, fixed and true;
Nothing can be added to it, nothing left for us to do;
Nothing can be taken from it, done for me and done for you,
Evermore and evermore.
Listen now! the Lord hath done it! for He loved us unto death;
It is finished! He has saved us! Only trust to what He saith.
He hath done it! Come and bless Him, spend in praise your ransomed breath
Evermore and evermore.
Francis Ridley Havergal
N.J.Hiebert - 9247
I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. John 17:4
His great promise has had its first fulfillment "unto Thee." It is a finished fact of sevenfold grace. The Lord has come and His own voice has given the objects of His coming:
- "to do Thy will, O God;"
- to fulfill the law;
- "to call sinners to repentance";
- "to seek and to save that which was lost";
- "that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly";
- "a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness."
- What He came to do He has done, for "He faileth not."
- On this we may and ought to rest quietly and un-doubtingly, for "the Lord hath done it."
For I know that what He doeth stands forever, fixed and true;
Nothing can be added to it, nothing left for us to do;
Nothing can be taken from it, done for me and done for you,
Evermore and evermore.
Listen now! the Lord hath done it! for He loved us unto death;
It is finished! He has saved us! Only trust to what He saith.
He hath done it! Come and bless Him, spend in praise your ransomed breath
Evermore and evermore.
Francis Ridley Havergal
N.J.Hiebert - 9247
June 19
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; Yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
We learn, that while He is able to keep us from falling, we are to cooperate with Him in that keeping. It is those who are preserved in Jesus Christ, and who will ultimately be presented before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, that are asked to keep themselves in the love of God (Jude, 24 and 21). And then, fulfilling that injunction, we shall face the perils ahead of us with unflinching courage, and we shall be able to say to these hearts of ours:
"Why those fears? Behold 'tis Jesus holds the helm and guides the ship; Spread the sails and catch the breezes sent to waft us through the deep,
To the regions where the mourners cease to weep.
"Though the shore we hope to land on, only by report is known, Yet we freely all abandon, led by that report alone,
And, with Jesus, through the trackless deep move on.
"Led by faith, we brave the ocean; led by faith, the storm defy; Calm amidst tumultuous motion, knowing that the Lord is nigh:
Waves obey Him, and the storms before Him fly.
"Rendered safe by His protection, we shall pass the watery waste, Trusting to His wise direction we shall gain the port at last,
And, with wonder, think on toils and dangers past.
"Oh, what pleasures there await us; there the tempests cease to roar; There it is that they who hate us, can molest our peace no more.
Trouble ceases on that tranquil, happy shore." T. Kelly
The Best is Yet to Be - Henry Durbanville
N.J.Hiebert - 9248
We learn, that while He is able to keep us from falling, we are to cooperate with Him in that keeping. It is those who are preserved in Jesus Christ, and who will ultimately be presented before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, that are asked to keep themselves in the love of God (Jude, 24 and 21). And then, fulfilling that injunction, we shall face the perils ahead of us with unflinching courage, and we shall be able to say to these hearts of ours:
"Why those fears? Behold 'tis Jesus holds the helm and guides the ship; Spread the sails and catch the breezes sent to waft us through the deep,
To the regions where the mourners cease to weep.
"Though the shore we hope to land on, only by report is known, Yet we freely all abandon, led by that report alone,
And, with Jesus, through the trackless deep move on.
"Led by faith, we brave the ocean; led by faith, the storm defy; Calm amidst tumultuous motion, knowing that the Lord is nigh:
Waves obey Him, and the storms before Him fly.
"Rendered safe by His protection, we shall pass the watery waste, Trusting to His wise direction we shall gain the port at last,
And, with wonder, think on toils and dangers past.
"Oh, what pleasures there await us; there the tempests cease to roar; There it is that they who hate us, can molest our peace no more.
Trouble ceases on that tranquil, happy shore." T. Kelly
The Best is Yet to Be - Henry Durbanville
N.J.Hiebert - 9248
June 20
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Once we overheard a conversation that passed between two Christians we shall not easily forget. One was aged, and had been prosperous, but in the decline of life misfortune overtook him through the dishonesty of another. We can see him now as he stood in the doorway, his shining face set off by an abundance of white hair.
As they parted his friend said to him quoting Psalm 34:6. "Well, remember, 'this poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.' " "Ah," he said (and they were the last words we ever heard him utter), "He has done a greater thing for me than that: He has delivered me from all my fears" (v.4)
Yes, it is surely a greater thing to be delivered from all our fears than saved out of all our troubles. It is those fears that cast such a dark cloud over many a life. And yet how often they are groundless fears!
But if trouble actually does come, and the trial is upon us, then let us remember the words of the Psalm already quoted: "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." He cried just as if he had fallen into some pit, or was being washed out to sea. And this is just how we must cry to God in our trouble.
In this connection there are three verses we might do well to keep in mind.
- "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."
- "I will trust and not be afraid."
- "Trust in Him at all times.
"Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J.Hiebert - 9249
Once we overheard a conversation that passed between two Christians we shall not easily forget. One was aged, and had been prosperous, but in the decline of life misfortune overtook him through the dishonesty of another. We can see him now as he stood in the doorway, his shining face set off by an abundance of white hair.
As they parted his friend said to him quoting Psalm 34:6. "Well, remember, 'this poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.' " "Ah," he said (and they were the last words we ever heard him utter), "He has done a greater thing for me than that: He has delivered me from all my fears" (v.4)
Yes, it is surely a greater thing to be delivered from all our fears than saved out of all our troubles. It is those fears that cast such a dark cloud over many a life. And yet how often they are groundless fears!
But if trouble actually does come, and the trial is upon us, then let us remember the words of the Psalm already quoted: "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." He cried just as if he had fallen into some pit, or was being washed out to sea. And this is just how we must cry to God in our trouble.
In this connection there are three verses we might do well to keep in mind.
- "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."
- "I will trust and not be afraid."
- "Trust in Him at all times.
"Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J.Hiebert - 9249
June 21
And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me to seek me any more within all the limits of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand"
(1 Samuel 27:1)
Isn't it surprising to see David's weakness here after so many striking marks of divine protection? Just yesterday he had said, full of confidence: "let my life be highly esteemed in the eyes of Jehovah, that He may deliver me out of all distress!" (ch. 26:24). Today his courage is gone and he says: "I shall now one day perish by the hand of Saul." We must often experience that a great victory is apt to be followed by a great despondency.
When God was with us, did we not happen to attribute something to ourselves? When David said to Saul: "Jehovah will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness" (ch 26:23), God alone knows whether or not there was some self-satisfaction in these words. Therefore God leaves us to ourselves (I am not saying, of course, that He forsakes us) in order to show us that we cannot have any confidence in the flesh.
Thus we learn to probe "the division of soul and spirit" which is so subtle that in the fight of faith we are often unaware of the mixture of the two, and that gold which has been refined, or which appears to have been refined, still needs the crucible to be purified from every alloy. This clearly explains the weakness of believers at the very time when their faith has been shining so splendidly.
1 Samuel - Dr. Henri L. Rossier
N.J.Hiebert - 9250
(1 Samuel 27:1)
Isn't it surprising to see David's weakness here after so many striking marks of divine protection? Just yesterday he had said, full of confidence: "let my life be highly esteemed in the eyes of Jehovah, that He may deliver me out of all distress!" (ch. 26:24). Today his courage is gone and he says: "I shall now one day perish by the hand of Saul." We must often experience that a great victory is apt to be followed by a great despondency.
When God was with us, did we not happen to attribute something to ourselves? When David said to Saul: "Jehovah will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness" (ch 26:23), God alone knows whether or not there was some self-satisfaction in these words. Therefore God leaves us to ourselves (I am not saying, of course, that He forsakes us) in order to show us that we cannot have any confidence in the flesh.
Thus we learn to probe "the division of soul and spirit" which is so subtle that in the fight of faith we are often unaware of the mixture of the two, and that gold which has been refined, or which appears to have been refined, still needs the crucible to be purified from every alloy. This clearly explains the weakness of believers at the very time when their faith has been shining so splendidly.
1 Samuel - Dr. Henri L. Rossier
N.J.Hiebert - 9250
June 22
There they made Him a supper. John 12:2
While the king sitteth at His table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
While the king sitteth at His table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
Song of Solomon 1:12
It was not often in this sad world that anyone made a supper for the Lord. There at last they spread a feast for Him who spread a feast for all the world. There the king sat at His table, and there the spikenard of the bride sent forth its fragrance. It had been blessed to sit at His feet as a learner and hear His word, but Mary's spikenard sent forth no fragrance there. It was blessed to fall at His feet in the day of sorrow and receive the comfort of His tears, but it drew no fragrant spikenard from Mary's broken heart.
But when the king sat at His table in the midst of His own, no longer sustaining them in the pathway, comforting them in their sorrows, dealing with their weakness or correcting their mistakes, but now resting in His love in holy communion and intimacy with His own, then indeed the suited moment had come to bring forth the alabaster box and pour out the precious spikenard upon the King, and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment (John 12:3).
It is the presence of the King at His table that calls forth the worship of His own. Only a heart set free from its sorrows, and its exercises, and busy service, can worship in the presence of the King. To learn at His feet is good, but learning is not worship. To be comforted by His tears of sympathy is sweet, But comfort is not is not worship.
But when we spread a feast for Christ--when the King sits at His table--it is no time for instruction or comfort. There we leave our sorrows, our ignorance, our daily cares behind, and at His supper, He alone engrosses the mind and holds the affections; and when the heart is filled with Christ, we worship--our spikenard "sends forth its fragrance." Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 9251
It was not often in this sad world that anyone made a supper for the Lord. There at last they spread a feast for Him who spread a feast for all the world. There the king sat at His table, and there the spikenard of the bride sent forth its fragrance. It had been blessed to sit at His feet as a learner and hear His word, but Mary's spikenard sent forth no fragrance there. It was blessed to fall at His feet in the day of sorrow and receive the comfort of His tears, but it drew no fragrant spikenard from Mary's broken heart.
But when the king sat at His table in the midst of His own, no longer sustaining them in the pathway, comforting them in their sorrows, dealing with their weakness or correcting their mistakes, but now resting in His love in holy communion and intimacy with His own, then indeed the suited moment had come to bring forth the alabaster box and pour out the precious spikenard upon the King, and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment (John 12:3).
It is the presence of the King at His table that calls forth the worship of His own. Only a heart set free from its sorrows, and its exercises, and busy service, can worship in the presence of the King. To learn at His feet is good, but learning is not worship. To be comforted by His tears of sympathy is sweet, But comfort is not is not worship.
But when we spread a feast for Christ--when the King sits at His table--it is no time for instruction or comfort. There we leave our sorrows, our ignorance, our daily cares behind, and at His supper, He alone engrosses the mind and holds the affections; and when the heart is filled with Christ, we worship--our spikenard "sends forth its fragrance." Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 9251
June 23
Be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15
A well known, successful and popular professor of literature at a prestigious East Coast University spent some time reflecting on people who had helped him during his childhood and early, formative years--those who had nurtured, inspired, or cared enough about him to have made a real impact and lasting positive impression on him.
One specially came to mind. She was an English teacher he had during high school. He had not thought of nor heard of her in many years. He specially remembered how she had spent much time with him, quietly working and going out of her way to instill a love of literature and poetry in him. The result had been that he developed a lifelong love of literature which further developed into a successful career. He decided that though long out of contact, he would write a letter of thanks to her for what she had done.
It was not long before he received back a reply from his former teacher. It was a handwritten note penned in the rather shaky, hard to read scrawl of a very elderly person. The letter began "My dear Johnny". The middle aged professor was delighted to read that name for he did not think there was a person left in the world who still remembered his 'pet' name, "Johnny".
"My dear Johnny, I cannot tell you how much your note meant to me. I am in my eighties, living alone in a small room, still cooking my own meals, lonely and, like the last leaf of autumn, still lingering behind. You will be interested to know that I taught school for over 50 years and yet, yours is the first note of appreciation I have ever received. It came to me on a rather gray, cold, depressing morning and cheered me as little else has done these past few years."
What grief must the heart of the beloved Apostle Paul felt when he penned these words to Timothy shortly before his martyrdom: "This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me" (2 Timothy 1:15). Earlier Paul had written to the Corinthians that he would gladly spend and be spent for them. How the beloved apostle loved his dear Corinthian children! (and how little he was loved) How have we responded to those who, over the years, have been used in blessing in our lives? Doug Nicolet - The Christian Shepherd - April 2008
N.J.Hiebert - 9252
A well known, successful and popular professor of literature at a prestigious East Coast University spent some time reflecting on people who had helped him during his childhood and early, formative years--those who had nurtured, inspired, or cared enough about him to have made a real impact and lasting positive impression on him.
One specially came to mind. She was an English teacher he had during high school. He had not thought of nor heard of her in many years. He specially remembered how she had spent much time with him, quietly working and going out of her way to instill a love of literature and poetry in him. The result had been that he developed a lifelong love of literature which further developed into a successful career. He decided that though long out of contact, he would write a letter of thanks to her for what she had done.
It was not long before he received back a reply from his former teacher. It was a handwritten note penned in the rather shaky, hard to read scrawl of a very elderly person. The letter began "My dear Johnny". The middle aged professor was delighted to read that name for he did not think there was a person left in the world who still remembered his 'pet' name, "Johnny".
"My dear Johnny, I cannot tell you how much your note meant to me. I am in my eighties, living alone in a small room, still cooking my own meals, lonely and, like the last leaf of autumn, still lingering behind. You will be interested to know that I taught school for over 50 years and yet, yours is the first note of appreciation I have ever received. It came to me on a rather gray, cold, depressing morning and cheered me as little else has done these past few years."
What grief must the heart of the beloved Apostle Paul felt when he penned these words to Timothy shortly before his martyrdom: "This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me" (2 Timothy 1:15). Earlier Paul had written to the Corinthians that he would gladly spend and be spent for them. How the beloved apostle loved his dear Corinthian children! (and how little he was loved) How have we responded to those who, over the years, have been used in blessing in our lives? Doug Nicolet - The Christian Shepherd - April 2008
N.J.Hiebert - 9252
June 24
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luke 13:24
WHAT IS THE STRAIT GATE?
There could have been no way of escape for sinners from the wrath to come, had not Jesus died upon the cross. "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."(John 12:24). It is the cross of Christ that speaks to us of sin put away, redemption accomplished, and of the sinner's only way to God. Christ crucified, then, is the "strait gate."
Jesus lifted up on the cross is the door of access. "I am the door," said He: "by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." The cross of Christ, therefore, becomes the point of separation between the saved and lost.
Not to enter into God's presence through this gate is still to tarry in the place of death and judgment; but to enter into the Father's presence through the atoning work of His dear Son is present peace and eternal salvation.
The gospel thus presents to us a door of escape, and it is still wide open; it welcomes all guilty sinners that "enter in" by faith, thus sheltering them for ever from the wrath of God, and shutting them into the peace-speaking presence of the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort. Streams of Refreshing - H. H. Snell
N.J.Hiebert - 9253
WHAT IS THE STRAIT GATE?
There could have been no way of escape for sinners from the wrath to come, had not Jesus died upon the cross. "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."(John 12:24). It is the cross of Christ that speaks to us of sin put away, redemption accomplished, and of the sinner's only way to God. Christ crucified, then, is the "strait gate."
Jesus lifted up on the cross is the door of access. "I am the door," said He: "by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." The cross of Christ, therefore, becomes the point of separation between the saved and lost.
Not to enter into God's presence through this gate is still to tarry in the place of death and judgment; but to enter into the Father's presence through the atoning work of His dear Son is present peace and eternal salvation.
The gospel thus presents to us a door of escape, and it is still wide open; it welcomes all guilty sinners that "enter in" by faith, thus sheltering them for ever from the wrath of God, and shutting them into the peace-speaking presence of the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort. Streams of Refreshing - H. H. Snell
N.J.Hiebert - 9253
June 25
God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians10:13
In clearing a flower bed the other day to make room for some fruit trees I learned a beneficial lesson. The most difficult to pull up were the rose bushes, because they were more covered with thorns than any of the others.
At the same time the rose was the sweetest flower that bloomed in the bed. There was a combination of the most thorns and the sweetest scent.
Ah! thought I, how like many a Christian. With some it is quite easy to be pleasant and amiable, and pleasantness and amiability may be mistaken for the graces of Christ. But when a rough, uncouth man is transformed into a gentle, lowly follower of Jesus, this is indeed grace. When a miserly person is generous and open-handed, this is indeed a triumph. And of all the bushes and plants I rooted up the thorny rose was the one I was most careful to find a new place for.
May this little illustration be an encouragement to some of the Lord's people, who find it difficult to be pleasant and gracious, to think that if grace works in their hearts, the Lord may find His sweetest roses upon the His thorniest bushes.
We are apt to judge superficially, and see much grace where there is little, and little where there is much. God reads aright, and values the flowers of His own cultivation. Comforted of God - A. J. Pollock
N.J.Hiebert - 9254
In clearing a flower bed the other day to make room for some fruit trees I learned a beneficial lesson. The most difficult to pull up were the rose bushes, because they were more covered with thorns than any of the others.
At the same time the rose was the sweetest flower that bloomed in the bed. There was a combination of the most thorns and the sweetest scent.
Ah! thought I, how like many a Christian. With some it is quite easy to be pleasant and amiable, and pleasantness and amiability may be mistaken for the graces of Christ. But when a rough, uncouth man is transformed into a gentle, lowly follower of Jesus, this is indeed grace. When a miserly person is generous and open-handed, this is indeed a triumph. And of all the bushes and plants I rooted up the thorny rose was the one I was most careful to find a new place for.
May this little illustration be an encouragement to some of the Lord's people, who find it difficult to be pleasant and gracious, to think that if grace works in their hearts, the Lord may find His sweetest roses upon the His thorniest bushes.
We are apt to judge superficially, and see much grace where there is little, and little where there is much. God reads aright, and values the flowers of His own cultivation. Comforted of God - A. J. Pollock
N.J.Hiebert - 9254
June 26
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2
Grace means "Free, undeserved favour." And, Thanks be to God, that is just what God has shown us; and this is the message with which this lovely Epistle begins. But let us remember it is Grace, not from pity, but from Love. I write in Hong Kong, surrounded by tens of thousands of refugees in the most desperate poverty, misery, and squalor: daily I see the children in their rags and wretchedness, and my heart is moved with pity, and I seek to do what little I can to remove their misery.
In a measure I show them Grace, for they do nothing to deserve help. But it is Grace moved by pity. But there are a few whom I dearly love, what a difference that makes! A few days ago a dear child we have known and loved for several years, showed me the soles of her shoes, without saying a word: both had great holes right through to her bare feet.
I got her new shoes, and at the same time a pretty new dress, for I think she had only the shabby one she had on: I paid about ninety cents for it. When I gave them to her, she climbed on my knee, buried her head on my shoulder, her heart too full for words: and then at last she looked up with wonder, saying: "Mr. Lee, you must have paid a great deal for it!"
It was grace, but grace moved by Love, and who can say whose pleasure was greater, the Child's, or mine? Let us ponder the Love behind the words: "GRACE TO YOU," and let us remember always the unfathomable cost. May our hearts respond, not with any formal thanks, but like the Child, may our hearts burst forth: THANKS BE UTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!!!
(2 Corinthians 9:15). Philippians - G. Christopher Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9255
Grace means "Free, undeserved favour." And, Thanks be to God, that is just what God has shown us; and this is the message with which this lovely Epistle begins. But let us remember it is Grace, not from pity, but from Love. I write in Hong Kong, surrounded by tens of thousands of refugees in the most desperate poverty, misery, and squalor: daily I see the children in their rags and wretchedness, and my heart is moved with pity, and I seek to do what little I can to remove their misery.
In a measure I show them Grace, for they do nothing to deserve help. But it is Grace moved by pity. But there are a few whom I dearly love, what a difference that makes! A few days ago a dear child we have known and loved for several years, showed me the soles of her shoes, without saying a word: both had great holes right through to her bare feet.
I got her new shoes, and at the same time a pretty new dress, for I think she had only the shabby one she had on: I paid about ninety cents for it. When I gave them to her, she climbed on my knee, buried her head on my shoulder, her heart too full for words: and then at last she looked up with wonder, saying: "Mr. Lee, you must have paid a great deal for it!"
It was grace, but grace moved by Love, and who can say whose pleasure was greater, the Child's, or mine? Let us ponder the Love behind the words: "GRACE TO YOU," and let us remember always the unfathomable cost. May our hearts respond, not with any formal thanks, but like the Child, may our hearts burst forth: THANKS BE UTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!!!
(2 Corinthians 9:15). Philippians - G. Christopher Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9255
June 27
ABOUNDING PROVISION
I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
These words are firmly linked to the clause which precedes them, as consequence is to cause. With the Shepherd leading on in front of him, and "goodness and mercy", like two faithful sheep-dogs, following hard behind them, David was as certain that he would not want anything here, as he was that he would dwell in the house of the Lord hereafter (compare John 10:4; Psalm 23:1 and 6).
Now, if for a moment we regard Psalm 23 as a sweet toned instrument, and faith as the hand which plays upon it, we shall find that it yields to that touch, music of the most exquisite sweetness. What is it that "I shall not want"? The hand of faith runs over the key-board and brings out twelve distinct notes. Listen to them:
- I shall not want REST, for He maketh me to lie down.
- I shall not want REFRESHMENT, for He leads me by still waters.
- I shall not want PRESERVATION, for He restoreth my soul.
- I shall not want GUIDANCE, for He leadeth me.
- I shall not want PEACE, for I will fear no evil.
- I shall not want COMPANIONSHIP, for Thou art with me.
- I shall not want COMFORT, for Thy rod and staff comfort me.
- I shall not want SUSTENANCE, for Thou preparest a table.
- I shall not want JOY, for Thou anointest my head.
- I shall not want ANYTHING, for my cup runneth over.
- I shall not want HAPPINESS now, for goodness and mercy follow me.
- I shall not want GLORY hereafter, for I shall dwell in the house
of the Lord forever. THE PEARL OF PSALMS - George Henderon
N.J.Hiebert - 9256
I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
These words are firmly linked to the clause which precedes them, as consequence is to cause. With the Shepherd leading on in front of him, and "goodness and mercy", like two faithful sheep-dogs, following hard behind them, David was as certain that he would not want anything here, as he was that he would dwell in the house of the Lord hereafter (compare John 10:4; Psalm 23:1 and 6).
Now, if for a moment we regard Psalm 23 as a sweet toned instrument, and faith as the hand which plays upon it, we shall find that it yields to that touch, music of the most exquisite sweetness. What is it that "I shall not want"? The hand of faith runs over the key-board and brings out twelve distinct notes. Listen to them:
- I shall not want REST, for He maketh me to lie down.
- I shall not want REFRESHMENT, for He leads me by still waters.
- I shall not want PRESERVATION, for He restoreth my soul.
- I shall not want GUIDANCE, for He leadeth me.
- I shall not want PEACE, for I will fear no evil.
- I shall not want COMPANIONSHIP, for Thou art with me.
- I shall not want COMFORT, for Thy rod and staff comfort me.
- I shall not want SUSTENANCE, for Thou preparest a table.
- I shall not want JOY, for Thou anointest my head.
- I shall not want ANYTHING, for my cup runneth over.
- I shall not want HAPPINESS now, for goodness and mercy follow me.
- I shall not want GLORY hereafter, for I shall dwell in the house
of the Lord forever. THE PEARL OF PSALMS - George Henderon
N.J.Hiebert - 9256
June 28
And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:15
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
N.J.Hiebert - 9257
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
N.J.Hiebert - 9257
June 29
Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
Though thy way be long and dreary,
Eagle strength He'll still renew;
Garments fresh and foot unweary
Tell how God hath brought thee through. J.N.D.
Ah! it is blessed to be at the feet of Jesus in our sorrows, for there divine light shines upon them, and though we may suffer, and even be oppressed with our trials, we shall not, while there, doubt His love. "Jesus wept." All know that the verses of our Bible are merely a human arrangement, and yet who can doubt that the Spirit of God controlled the one who made it in putting these two words into one verse?
They indeed should stand alone, inasmuch as they afford such an an inlet into the recesses of the Lord's heart. They have been the comfort of mourners in all ages, and they will continue to minister consolation to His people until God Himself shall wipe away all tears from their faces.
"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 Footprints for Pilgrims
N.J.Hiebert - 9258
Though thy way be long and dreary,
Eagle strength He'll still renew;
Garments fresh and foot unweary
Tell how God hath brought thee through. J.N.D.
Ah! it is blessed to be at the feet of Jesus in our sorrows, for there divine light shines upon them, and though we may suffer, and even be oppressed with our trials, we shall not, while there, doubt His love. "Jesus wept." All know that the verses of our Bible are merely a human arrangement, and yet who can doubt that the Spirit of God controlled the one who made it in putting these two words into one verse?
They indeed should stand alone, inasmuch as they afford such an an inlet into the recesses of the Lord's heart. They have been the comfort of mourners in all ages, and they will continue to minister consolation to His people until God Himself shall wipe away all tears from their faces.
"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 Footprints for Pilgrims
N.J.Hiebert - 9258
June 30
"The words of the wise are as goads."
Ecclesiastes 12:11
"Pray." But how? "Without ceasing."
"Rejoice." But when? "Evermore."
"Give thanks." For what? "In Everything." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall
N.J.Hiebert - 9259
"Pray." But how? "Without ceasing."
"Rejoice." But when? "Evermore."
"Give thanks." For what? "In Everything." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall
N.J.Hiebert - 9259
July 1
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Galatians 5:9
Once there was a farmer who desired the use of a piece of ground that lay conveniently near his own, but the owner refused to sell. After much persuasion he was content to lease it.
The farmer covenanted only to farm it for one crop. Now his bargain sealed, he planted his field with with acorns-- a crop that lasted not one year but three hundred!
So Satan seeks to to get possession of our souls by asking us to permit some small sin to enter, some one wrong that seems of no great account. But when once he has entered and planted the seeds and beginnings of evil, he holds his ground, and sins and evils amazingly multiply.
The dangerous thing about a little sin is that it won't stay little.
Each sin has its door of entrance.
Keep--that--door--closed!
Bolt it tight!
Just outside, the wild beast crouches
In the night.
Pin the bolt with a prayer,
God will fix it there. -- Mountain Trailways for Youth
N.J.Hiebert - 9260
Once there was a farmer who desired the use of a piece of ground that lay conveniently near his own, but the owner refused to sell. After much persuasion he was content to lease it.
The farmer covenanted only to farm it for one crop. Now his bargain sealed, he planted his field with with acorns-- a crop that lasted not one year but three hundred!
So Satan seeks to to get possession of our souls by asking us to permit some small sin to enter, some one wrong that seems of no great account. But when once he has entered and planted the seeds and beginnings of evil, he holds his ground, and sins and evils amazingly multiply.
The dangerous thing about a little sin is that it won't stay little.
Each sin has its door of entrance.
Keep--that--door--closed!
Bolt it tight!
Just outside, the wild beast crouches
In the night.
Pin the bolt with a prayer,
God will fix it there. -- Mountain Trailways for Youth
N.J.Hiebert - 9260
July 2
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; for as much as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Daniel 6:3,4
Daniel is coming under fire. His fame in the workplace had aroused some enemies, and they hatched a political plot to bring Daniel down. They engineered a situation whereby the king was made to sign a document which would place Daniel in an impossible situation, without the king being aware of what was being done either to him or to Daniel.
After the document was signed, Daniel was identified to the king as a non-conformist, as one who persisted in holding views and engaging in practices that were contrary to what the king had legislated. The king realized that he himself had been trapped and that he could do nothing about it, but to cast Daniel upon the mercy of God in the den of lions.
The Christian also runs the gauntlet of political intrigue in the business environment. Because the techniques and manoeuvrings employed by others are not available to him, he appears vulnerable. Let us never be tempted to retaliate in kind in such situations. Let us cast ourselves upon the mercy of God, and He will show that He is well able to take care of us in situations that seem impossible. Daniel - William Burnett
N.J. Hiebert - 9261
Daniel is coming under fire. His fame in the workplace had aroused some enemies, and they hatched a political plot to bring Daniel down. They engineered a situation whereby the king was made to sign a document which would place Daniel in an impossible situation, without the king being aware of what was being done either to him or to Daniel.
After the document was signed, Daniel was identified to the king as a non-conformist, as one who persisted in holding views and engaging in practices that were contrary to what the king had legislated. The king realized that he himself had been trapped and that he could do nothing about it, but to cast Daniel upon the mercy of God in the den of lions.
The Christian also runs the gauntlet of political intrigue in the business environment. Because the techniques and manoeuvrings employed by others are not available to him, he appears vulnerable. Let us never be tempted to retaliate in kind in such situations. Let us cast ourselves upon the mercy of God, and He will show that He is well able to take care of us in situations that seem impossible. Daniel - William Burnett
N.J. Hiebert - 9261
July 3
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June 01, 2023
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