Gems from February 2024
February 1
According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. 2 Peter1:3
Only worship that is in spirit and in truth is right worship, such worship must come from the overflow of grateful hearts, as we gaze upon our Lord Jesus Christ in all His loveliness and beauty, and as we ponder His love that passeth knowledge. “Looking upon Jesus as He walked” John exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36) That was true worship, right worship: “it is such worshippers that the Father seeks to worship Him.” (John 4:23).
It is only as our hearts are filled with Christ, by gazing upon Him, that our hearts will overflow, and give forth Right Worship to Him and to His Father.
Paul said to the Athenians “Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23) May it be that the wondrous grace of God reckoned this ignorant worship of an unknown God, by those who were “feeling after Him” as right worship? But He is not to us an ‘Unknown God,‘ but One whom we know well: One who is our best Friend: One to whom we owe all. As we gaze upon Him, well may our hearts rise up in true worship and adoration, until they overflow! May it be so, more and more!
O fix our earnest gaze so wholly, Lord, on Thee,
That with Thy beauty occupied, we elsewhere none may see.
Hid Treasures - G. C. Willis
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Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord at the presence of the God of Jacob; which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters. Psalms 114:7-8
Sometimes we pray, and pray, and pray about a matter. If it’s a request, the answer just never seems to come; if its a problem, it never seems to budge. If that is so, we are still praying to One who has promised, “Ask that ye may receive.” (John 16:24) If there is a delay there is a good reason and perhaps we should try to find it. It is in the hands of the One who turns the hard rock into flowing water.
Through manifold temptation,
My soul holds on its course,
Christ’s mighty intercession
Alone is my resource Choice Supplications
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"It came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land."
(1 Kings 17:7)
Week after week, with unfaltering and steadfast spirit, Elijah watched that dwindling brook; often tempted to stagger through unbelief, but refusing to allow his circumstances to come between himself and God. Unbelief sees God through circumstances, as we sometimes see the sun shorn of his rays through smoky air; but faith puts God between itself and circumstances, and looks at them through Him.
And so the dwindling brook became a sliver thread; and the silver thread stood presently in pools at the foot of the largest boulders; and the pools shrank. The birds fled; the wild creatures of field and forest came no more to drink; the brook was dry. Only then to his patient and unwavering spirit, "the word of the Lord came,
saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath." (1 Kings 17:9)
Most of us would have gotten anxious and worn with planning long before that. We should have ceased our songs as soon as the streamlet caroled less musically over its rocky bed; and with harps swinging on the willows, we should have paced to and fro upon the withering grass, lost in pensive thought. And probably, long ere the brook was dry, we should have devised some plan, and asking God's blessing on it, would have started off elsewhere.
God often does extricate us, because His mercy endures forever; but if we had only waited first to see the unfolding of His plans, we should never have found ourselves landed in such an inextricable labyrinth; and we should never have been compelled to retrace our steps with so many tears of shame. Wait, patiently wait!
(F. B. Meyer)
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"... I (Paul) persecuted the church of God and wasted it... but when it pleased God, who ... called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood ...
(Galatians 1:13-16)
- The soul that has found all its springs in God, can, without any demur, retire from all creature streams.
- The moment we confer with flesh and blood, our testimony and service are marred, for flesh and blood can never obey.
- If we merely act from impulse, when the impulse subsides, the acting will subside also.
- True devotedness will ever be founded upon, and governed by, divine principle.
- Whenever devotedness passes beyond divinely appointed bounds, it is suspicious.
- It is easy to make a show of devotedness, when there is no demand for it.
- Nothing can be more thoroughly worthless than a spirit of empty pretension.
(Food for the Desert)
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"In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:2,3)
The description of Heaven - "In my Father's house are many mansions."
The assurance of it - "If it were not so, I would have told you."
The furnishing of it - "I go to prepare a place for you."
The safe conduct to it - "I will come again, and receive you unto Myself."
The glory of it - "That where I am, there ye may be also."
The manna and the springing well
Suffice for every need:
And Eschol's grapes the story tell
Of where our path doth lead.
(From - His Last Words - Henry Durbanville)
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"For whom He did foreknow He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son.
(Romans 8:29)
- Only melted gold is minted.
- Only moistened clay is molded.
• Only softened wax receives the die.
- Only broken hearts can take and keep the impress of heaven.
If that is your condition, wait beneath the pressure of the Holy Spirit. He shall leave the image of Christ upon you. (Selected)
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"No man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church." (Ephesians 5:29)
There is the special entrance of His mind, His careful interest in those that belong to Him. It is a great comfort that we know this to be true in the present state of the Church, when we think of the ruin of all around.
Does Christ ever cease to nourish that which belongs to Him? Impossible. Spite of all the ruin, He has the same care for His people. We never can pray too much for the Church; but it is another thing to be troubling our minds as if the Lord forgot her, and were not taking adequate care of the saints in their need and sorrow.
The Lord has never failed; and what He here tells us to do in our earthly relationships is no more than what He perfectly does towards His Church. He loves the Church; He nourishes and cherishes it, and He does this because "... we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones." (Ephesians 5:30)
Just as Eve was a part of Adam, so the Church is of Christ. The Lord took out of Adam's side that which He built into his wife. So we stand in this nearness of relationship t Christ." (William Kelly - Lectures on Ephesians)
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"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10)
The scripture above, is a deeply interesting statement. It is one of the few sentences in Scripture which can be reversed. We can say equally well, "The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.
It brings out a thought dear to every Christian who understands that prophecy has in all its parts a relation to Christ. This is true, whether the prophecy is direct or indirect as to Christ, whether it has to do with the Church, which is His body; the Jews, who are His earthly people; or the Gentiles over whom He will rule eventually as Son of Man. HE is the Centre of prophecy, and all its predictions are related to that Centre. That being so, how absorbingly interesting the prophetic word becomes.
Alas! the misuse of prophecy is not uncommon. Its details are too often discussed simply as appealing to the intellect, and the conscience is not exercised, and the heart's affections are not stirred. Let us ever remember that God never records the past, nor reveals the future, without designing to affect us by His word in the present.
To see how God will have all things headed up in Christ, to see aright how His ways in grace and government are all leading to this grand goal, is to secure these two things - a conscience exercised and affections deepened. (A.J. Pollock - Things Which Must Shortly Come to Pass)
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“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14,15
The strength of a temptation lies in the response of our nature to its suggestions. It is said that the germs of the potato and vine disease are always floating in the air; but they can find no place of operation — no bed — in healthy plants. But directly plants become degenerate and unable to resist their attacks, then they sweep away the farmer’s hopes in dreadful ruin.
So it is with us; if only we were like our Lord, we should pass unscathed through a whirlwind of temptations; they would find nothing in us. It is because our hearts are so desperately wicked that we need to stand in constant watchfulness. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23).
There is no sin in having certain tendencies, appetites, and desires; else there would be sin in hunger, and in drowsiness leading to soft sleep. But the danger lies in the fear that they should be gratified to an immoderate excess, or from wrong and improper sources. Human nature is very liable to this. F. B. Meyer — Joseph
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"And there shall be no night there; and they need no
candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:”
Revelation 22:5
Of Heaven:
The LIGHT of heaven is the face of JESUS;
The JOY of heaven is the presence of JESUS;
The MELODY of heaven is the Name of JESUS;
The HARMONY of heaven is the praise of JESUS;
The THEME of heaven is the work of JESUS;
The EMPLOYMENT of heaven is the service of JESUS;
The FULNESS of heaven is the Person of JESUS HIMSELF
Author unknown
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I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Luke 22:32
Are we concerned for a brother or a sister in trial? Let us pray for them that their faith may not fail. At the present there are thousands of God's children depressed to despair. The irretrievable loss of all possessions does not move them now. But a great dread hangs over them. Will God allow their little ones to be engulfed in the overflowing infidelity? Let us pray for these our suffering fellow saints.
Prayer makes the darkened clouds withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings hope and blessing from above.
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The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
WHAT IF…?
What if God is real? It’s a common belief that God is not real; that God is a myth from an earlier time. So, just live your life, they say, and get as much enjoyment along the way as you can. But what if God is alive and well and residing in heaven right now? actually, that is true. He’s written a Book about His creation, His love for people, and what He has done to make it possible for people to be in heaven.
Hebrews 1:1-2: “God, who at sundry (various) times and in divers (various) ways spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds.”
But He also sets a very high standard for us that we could never live up to, because: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). “None can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransom for him.” (Psalm 49:7)
What if I am really such a sinner that I am already condemned? The truth is, you are. God says so in John 3:18 “He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. But, thanks be unto God, He offers us this generous gift. (Romans 6:23) Lorne for Vision 2020 for 2024
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WHAT IF…? (Part 2)
The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
What if Jesus is really God’s Son?
Millions have believed that Jesus lived, died on the cross, rose again and is in heaven now. He is the eternal Son of God, and one reason He died was to open a way for you to be redeemed by His shed blood. “We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20.
What if hell is real? When I die, then what?
God’s generous offer is only available during your lifetime. After that it is too late. Eternity in hell is the only option. “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9)
What if there is a sure way to avoid Hell?
The Bible declares that there is. What are you going take seriously, the philosophy of so called “educated men”, or the Truth of God? Consider John 14:6 spoken by Jesus; “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. It is very dangerous to postpone a decision about this. Hebrews 2:3 says: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?”
This is not a new thing.
This same message, drawn from what God says in His Word has been presented around the world ever since Jesus began His ministry over 2,000 years ago. How generous and gracious God has been to tolerate mankind’s disobedience all these years, patiently waiting for someone like you to take His Son as your personal Saviour. Believe on the Lord Jesus right now and you will immediately become part of that enormous company of those who have embraced God’s great offer. (Acts 16:31)
Lorne for Vision 2020 for 2024
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Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. 1 Peter 3:8, enjoins the apostle who seemingly had to learn it the hard way. Our Lord was very pitiful, and always courteous.
There is the thought of offense latent in each of these words; “pitiful,” “courteous.” Pitiful is that condition of soul that considers the weakness, the infirmity, or ignorance of the offender, and thus does not take offense. This was always true of our Lord. There was compassion and mercy always in His heart. He considered the burden of others.
The story is told of Napoleon walking with a lady along a path that became so narrow that the lady had to walk ahead with the Emperor behind. Approaching them was a workman with a heavy load on his back. The lady kept to the path so the burdened workman would have to step aside. Napoleon gently took the lady by the shoulders and caused her to leave the path so the man with the load could continue on the walk. Speaking to the lady, Napoleon said, “Madam, consider the burden.”
This our Lord always did. The disciples rudely awakened Him from His sleep when He was weary in the boat on stormy Galilee: “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” What unbelieving folly (except that we are guilty of the same!) to suppose that the boat would sink with Christ in it. But He considered their panic and fear, and rebuked the wind and the sea with, “Peace, be still.” He could have rebuked them and let the storm rage on. But He was pitiful. A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake
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And he (Jonah) said unto them, take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. Jonah 1:12
When the turbulent sea was raging against the mariners in the ship in Jonah’s day, the prophet said, “Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you. Jonah went down to the bottom of the mountains.“ (Jonah 2:6) for three days and three nights.
Thus the prophet Jonah was a substitute for others. He went into the angry billows that the trembling mariners might be saved from being engulfed in their fury. Our Lord said many years later, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40).
Loving obedience took Isaac, the son of his father’s love, to the altar of sacrifice. There the ram in all the might of its mature strength was held and consumed to ashes on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:1-14). Abraham saw the day of Christ (John 8:56) on that occasion and was glad. The father of all who believe said, “The name of this place is Jejhovah-jireh” for here “in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen“ (Genesis 22:14).
Again and again, the Spirit of God gave portrayals of this eternally glorious achievement, the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Selected
Sing of His dying love; sing of His rising power;
Sing how He intercedes above for those whose sins He bore. Isaac Watts, 1709
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All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
For I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day 2 Timothy 1:12
Let me remind you of what an old stone-breaker said, as he sat by the roadside during the lunch hour, reading his much worn New Testament.
A party of tourists came by, and one of them said :
"How can an old fool like you understand that Book?"
With the grace of a Christian gentleman, the old man replied : " It would not
be possible, sir, in the ordinary way ; but you see I happen to know the Author."
“The Wonderful Word, George Henderson”
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“What is Truth” John 18:38
I remember many years ago one of the Professors of this University, with whom I
was very intimate, and at whose house I was one evening, after a long conversation, turned, and said to me, "Look here, doctor, I am earnestly seeking after the truth? "I have got it, sir," I replied. "What do you mean?” "I mean this, I have Christ, and He is the truth."
Christ is the truth, and I want to draw your attention tonight to these precious words of the Saviour which I have read--uttered by Him when surrounded by everything that the enmity of man could bring against Him, when betrayed, denied, blindfolded, and passed on from one careless high priest to another, and then trundled away to the judgment-seat of a godless man, as Pilate undoubtedly was. Yet in the face of all this, what was His attitude? Look at Christ! Look how quiet, how calm, albeit how sad.
Then it was He said: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice."
Pilate carelessly says "What is truth?" and then turns his back on Truth personified.
Ah! my friends, there is many a man doing that to-day. Pilate is not the only man who has turned his back on the Truth. W. T. P. Wolston M.D.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me. John 14:6
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I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Psalm 63:6
On three separate occasions does God speak of the value and blessedness of meditation on His Word:
(a) In Joshua 1 it is said to be the secret of Prosperity:verse 8
(b) In Psalm 1 it is said to be the secret of Fruitfulness :verse 2.
(c) In James 1 it is said to be the secret of Blessedness:verse 25.
The art of meditation on His Word is thereby affirmed, and must be well worth acquiring. The broad distinction between study and meditation is, that the one is pre-eminently a thing of the head, and the other, a thing of the heart. Just as it is not what we eat that nourishes us but only what we digest, so it is not what we read that strengthens us spiritually, but only what we assimilate by meditation on it. A simple illustration of the difference between the search for truth, and meditation, is found in Proverbs 12: 27: "The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting.”
That is to say, he enjoyed the chase but, although he brought home the prey, he did nothing further with it, and so failed to appropriate the nourishment which it
would have imparted. In like manner we may hunt for truth: our heads may be full of knowledge of the letter of the Word; but unless we meditate on what we thus acquire, it may do us little good.
Our note-books may be filled, while our hearts may be empty. As preachers, especially, we must ever remember that it is as we muse that the fires of devotion
kindle; and that the words, which are spoken as the result of such musing, will be words of power and blessing (Psalm 39. 3).
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Joseph’s brethren protest that it is their need that brings them into Egypt.
"We have come to buy food" (Genesis 42:10).
They have indeed come to the right person, but they have come with a wrong plan and with a wrong plea. Their plan is to buy, and their plea "We are true men" (V11).
As yet they know neither the love of Joseph's heart, nor the evil of their own hearts. They must learn that Joseph is too rich to sell to his own, and that they have nothing in themselves to plead. Their money shall not buy corn, and of merit they have none whereby to claim it.
They must learn that while Joseph is ready to bestow every blessing, he is one upon whom they have forfeited every claim. Love is a giver when worthlessness has nothing to plead.
The love of Joseph's heart will shut out all mere barter, and the evil of their hearts exclude all plea of merit. If they think they are true men then Joseph will put
them to the test. JOSEPH - Revealer of Secrets Saviour of the World — Hamilton Smith
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Fear not for I am with thee, and will bless thee. Genesis 26:24
Fear ye not: I will nourish you and your little ones. Genesis 50:21
Good is the word of the Lord Isaiah, 39:8
The Saviour can lift every burden,
The heavy as well as the light;
His strength is made perfect in weakness,
In Him there is power and might.
The Saviour can solve every problem,
The tangles of life can undo;
There is nothing too hard for Jesus,
There is nothing that He cannot do.
The Saviour can bear every sorrow,
In Him there is comfort and rest;
No matter how great the affliction,
He only permits what is best.
The Saviour can strengthen the weary,
His grace is sufficient for all;
He knows every step of the pathway
And listens to hear when we call.
The Saviour can break sin's dominion,
The vict'ry He won long ago;
In Him there is freedom from bondage,
He's able to conquer the foe.
The Saviour can satisfy fully
The heart that the world cannot fill:
His Spirit will sanctify wholly
The soul that is yielded and still.
Oswald J. Smith
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For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there.
1 Samuel 1:27,28
FATHER, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.
Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril,
From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them.
From the worldling's hollow gladness
From the sting of faithless sadness
Holy Father, save our children.
Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life's bitter battle cheer them,
Father, Father, be Thou near them.
Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.
And wherever they may bide,
Lead them Home at eventide. Amy Carmichael
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“The Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
There were two young men who had been friends at college. As life went on they
trod different roads: the one was steady and honourable; step by step he rose in his profession until he became a judge. The other trod the downward path; unsteady, unprincipled, dishonest, he went from bad to worse.
Years passed, and one day the Judge found himself facing his former friend in the prisoner's dock. Many in the Court knew of the old friendship, and they felt sure the prisoner would be lightly dealt with.
But, after hearing the case, the Judge condemned the man to pay a heavy fine, the highest amount it was possible to sentence him to pay. A murmur of disapproval ran round the Court as they thought, Is this his kindness to his friend! He cannot pay; he will have to go to prison.
But, before the man was removed, the Judge ordered a moment's pause. Laying aside his robes of office, he left his seat and came and stood beside the prisoner in the dock; then, taking out his cheque-book, he wrote a cheque for the whole amount of the fine, and gave it to the prisoner.
Do you see — as a righteous Judge he condemned the criminal, but as his friend
he paid the penalty himself, and set him free. Even so, through the death of Jesus, God can now be “a Just God and a Saviour.” (Isaiah 45:21) Christ died that we might be forgiven.
"Because the sinless Saviour died
My sinful soul is counted free!
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him, and pardon me."
"He loved me, and gave Himself for me." This is the good news. Do you believe it? Do you take it in? Listen to these lines:
"I read that He was wounded, and bruised upon the Tree;
Yet felt no thrilling wonder! that He had died for me.
But since, oh since I knew it, and saw Him bear my load,
I cannot cease from praising my great Redeemer, God." J.M.K.
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At about noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching
the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. Acts 10:9.
We are all on a journey, beginning somewhere and ending somewhere else. The Apostle Peter's habit was to pray as he went along; and that's good counsel for us. The Bible, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, urges us to Pray without ceasing. It's not that we should do nothing else with our lives but pray; however it suggests that our lives should be characterized by regular prayer. What were Peter's next steps to be?
He knew he wouldn't know where to go or how to act without guidance from the Lord, and that's what he earnestly sought in prayer.
And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them...to search out a resting place for them. Numbers 10:33. Soon after the Children of Israel began their long journey from Egypt to the promised land, God gave Moses detailed instructions for the construction the Tabernacle, of which the central item was the ark. That was where
God came to be in the midst of His people, wherever the ark rested. This points clearly to the need for us to have our Ark, the Lord Jesus, accompany us every step of our journey through life. Our rest comes from our confidence in the Lord.
(The Lord Jesus) commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip (baggage), no bread, no money in their purse. Mark 6:8. This is a picture of complete trust.
The disciples sent out as missionaries were to rely on the Lord for all needs along the way. He would assure that kind people offered them all they needed. However, their staff was essential for stability along the primitive, often rocky, paths of the day, but otherwise they could leave shelter and provisions up to the Lord. Perhaps we don't often exhibit such simple trust in the Lord, but His resources are open-
ended and generous.
Three more Journeys tomorrow, if the Lord will. Every journey needs some time to pause and reflect, but at the same time, continuing to honour and serve the Lord. (Part 1)
Lorne Perry
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Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well.
John 4:6.
The Lord Jesus was both a Man and God at the same time. He was as weary as we all become after a long hike; but as God, He knew that a kind lady would come to draw water and ease His thirst. It turned out she was ready to have her life turned around by One who had all the answers.
Water in scripture often reminds us of the life-giving Word of God. In this story, she heard Words of Life directly from the lips of the One who asked her for a drink. We need to often pause in our journey and read thoughtfully from the scriptures. Thus we are refreshed and, with renewed vigour, can continue our journey of service to the Lord.
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; which have borne witness of thy charity (love) before the church; whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well. 3 John verses 5 and 6. This was a generous commendation of the man addressed, Gaius. He was ready to share with those around just what he had enjoyed of the Word of God for their comfort and edification. May we, who have accumulated and enjoy so much of the truth of God, be ready to pass it on to both saved and unsaved.
The younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Luke 15:13. Not all journeys are in the right direction. This young man wanted his inheritance NOW, and then squandered it. Impatience led him away from home to seek what the world had to offer.
The happy ending is that, in desperation, he humbly returned to find forgiveness and warmth. So it is with us. Too often we stray but when we wake up and retrace our steps, we find a loving Saviour ready to forgive and bless. Psalm 51:3,10 For I acknowledge my transgressions - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Lorne Perrry
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"I (Paul) have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." (1 Corinthians 3:6)
Remember in speaking to any one you wish to help, that the more earnest and unconscious of self you are, the better you will help them. Probably the words you think most telling will affect them least, while those you think nothing of, God will use for their good. Leave all results with God.
You are not always digging up the seeds in your garden to see how they are growing. Trust all to God, and He will bless your work.
Remember, God always works, very slowly and very surely; the bud is formed slowly, opens slowly. We must work as God works, not with great strides self-love would like to work with.
(H. Monsell)
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"For so was it charged (commanded) me by the word of the Lord."
(1 Kings 13:9)
An experiment with teenagers showed how they handle peer pressure.Groups of 10 adolescents were brought into a room and instructed to raise their hands when the teacher pointed to the longest line on three charts. Nine of the people had been told ahead of time to vole for the second-longest line. But one person in the group had not been told.
The experiment began with nine teenagers voting for the wrong line. The tenth person would typically glance around, frown in confusion, and slip his hand up with the group because he lacked the courage to challenge them.
In 1 kings 13, an unidentified man of God performed miraculous signs at the altar in Bethel VV.1-6). But then, after this great victory, he took the word of another prophet to be the truth even though he knew it was contrary to what God had told him (VV.15-19). Because of his disobedience, he was killed by a lion (VV.20-24).
The story teaches us that God's Word is superior to anyone else's word and therefore should be obeyed. When we're tempted to buckle under pressure, it's then that we must stand firm. God's Word - the truth - can always be relied on.
(Anne Cetas)
O help, us Lord, to heed Thy Word,
Its precepts to obey;
And may we fight the tendency
To walk in our own way. - Sper
God's Word is the compass that keeps us on course.
N.J.Hiebert — 9500
"That we may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." (Philippians 2:15)
Even in earthly things men look for guidance to the stars. A man lost on the prairie may find his way home by the stars. In navigation, sailors look to the stars, especially to the North Star.
In an important survey, we always run our base-lines by the stars, particularly the North Star: and so keep them from becoming crooked and distorted. Thus these 'luminaries”, these ‘heavenly lights' in this dark world, need to remember that those who walk in darkness have their eyes upon them: but just as other stars point to the North Star, let us ever have our eye fixed on 'The Bright and Morning Star, and then our path will not be crooked, and we shall not lead astray those watching us.
It was a star which led the wise men to the Saviour at Bethlehem when He was a Babe. How good if we too can be like that!
(G.Christopher Willis — Sacrifices of Joy)
N.J.Hiebert — 9501
"The fiery darts of the wicked." (Ephesians 6:16)
Be not surprised if doubts and fears assail you. They are to be expected like evil thoughts or disease germs. You cannot avoid being attacked and, if you are sore beset, remember that the Bible, the Word of God'‘ has told you they will come.
It is not wrong to be the target of their onslaughts, but you need not be overcome by them. It means that you are in real conflict and dangerous enough to the devil to bring in his hostility.
If you wonder why they seem to increase as you go on and grow older, it is because the fight gets hotter as you grow in grace and it never lets up. But greater is He that is in you than all your adversaries.
You are pressed by many a foe so that you may be all the more helpful to others who are not shadow boxing but are in the thick of the fight."
(Vance Havner - All the Days)
N.J.Hiebert — 9502
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple." (Psalm 27:4)
As we come together to worship, what is the focus of our attention? Do we meditate upon the beautiful character and person of our Saviour? He never sinned and never had to ask forgiveness for His words or actions.
His words were full of grace and truth. His life was a life fragrant with love for all. His loving hands healed the sick. His loving lips spoke words of forgiveness to the broken sinner. His agonizing death for sinners proclaimed the amazing love of God.
He is a beautiful Saviour! Behold the beauty of the Lord! (Donald Norbie)
N.J.Hiebert — 9503
…Esau came from the field, and he was faint: and Esau said to Jacob, feed me, I pray thee… for l am faint... and Jacob said, sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me... Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and
drink... Esau despised his birthright."
(Genesis 25:29-34)
Note the conduct of Esau in reference to the birthright, and all which it involved. The natural heart places no value on the things of God.
To it, God's promise is a vague, valueless, powerless thing, simply because God is not known. Hence it is that present things carry such weight and influence in man's estimation. Anything that man can see. he values, because he is governed by sight and not by faith.
To him, the present is everything; the future is a mere un-influential thing - a matter of the merest uncertainty. Thus it was with Esau. "I am at the point to die; and what profit shall this birthright do to me?" What strange reasoning! - the present is slipping from beneath my feet, I will therefore despise and entirely let go the future! - Time is fading from my view, I will therefore abandon all interest in eternity! "Thus Esau despised his birthright."
Man has no heart for the things of God. The present is everything to him. Food is better than a title to Canaan. Hence, the very reason why Esau made light of the birthright was the very reason why he ought to have grasped it with the greater intensity. The more clearly I see the vanity of man's present, the more I shall cleave to God's future.
(C.H. Macintosh - Notes onGenesis)
N.J.Hiebert — 9504
TRUSTING
When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6
Lord, Thou wilt ordain peace for us; for Thou also hast wrought all our works in us. Isaiah 26:12
What a long time it takes to come down to the conviction, and still more to the realization of the fact that without Him we can do nothing, (John 15:5) but that He must work all our works in us! This is the work of God, that ye believe in Him whom He hath sent. And no less must it be the work of God that we go on believing, and that we go on trusting.
Then, you who are longing to trust Him with unbroken and unwavering trust, cease the effort and drop the burden, and now entrust your trust to Him! He is just as well able to keep that as any other part of the complex lives which we want Him to take and keep for Himself.
And oh, do not pass on, content with the thought, “Yes, that is good idea; perhaps I should find that a great help!” But, “Now, then, do it.” It is no help to the sailor to see a flash of light across a dark sea, if he does not instantly steer accordingly.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation, great and free.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; never let me fall!
I am trusting Thee forever, and for all.
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J.Hiebert - 9505
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also had gone down and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow. 2 Samuel 23:20
On a snowy day
Benaiah was one of the men who accompanied David on his flight from King Saul. The Bible calls him a brave man and tells how he fought a lion in a pit on a snowy day. Benaiah performed a difficult task in a difficult place and under difficult circumstances.
God took note and made a point to record this feat in great detail in His Word. The external conditions under which Benaiah had to fight particularly highlight his courage of faith.
The Lord also knows the circumstances under which we serve Him and commit ourselves to His cause:
• He takes note of that Christian who takes the opportunity on a hot summer day to bring people into contact with Jesus Christ.
• He sees the Christian who sits for hours in a traffic jam because she wants to cheer up a sick sister in the faith by visiting her.
• He also notices how a believing mother wants to faithfully fulfil the task of caring for her children despite a headache.
• It does not escape His notice when a servant takes a long drive in the pouring rain to visit a small, lonely group of believers.
In heaven we will realise with amazement that the Lord has taken notice of all these details. It will be a joy for Him to reward the faith that overcame the difficulties with His help. The Good Seed.
N.J.Hiebert - 9506
posted by soundwords at
February 01, 2024
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