Gems from May 2024
“…whatsoever things are pure ..." (Philippians 4:8)
Our school motto was: "Beati Mundo Corde:" the Latin for, "Blessed are the pure in heart." It would be hard to find a more suitable, or a more beautiful, motto for a boy's school. How did we measure up to it, bearing in mind that purity begins with our thoughts? How do we today measure up to it, when we think of it in this way? As we look around on all the filth about us in this filthy world, through which we must pass, we might be utterly discouraged, and say that God had set before us an impossible standard, that He does not expect us to meet. Let not such a thought find lodgment with us.
In the days of old there were various creatures which the people of Israel might not eat, for they were unclean: there were others that were clean. There were two marks by which a clean fish was known: it must have both fins and scales. The fins let it swim against the stream. There is a spot on the Columbia River where you may stand and watch the great fish leap up rapids, or small falls, several feet high.
Similarly God has provided a power whereby you and I may "swim against the stream." But there are times when a fish must swim through filthy water: and to protect it, God has given it scales: which I suppose are “shut up together as with a close seal. One is so near another, that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another, they stick together that they cannot be sundered.” (Job 41:15-17). And, fitted with this armour, the fish can pass in safety through the filth. So God has provided a way for His own to pass unscathed through all the filth around us: as well as the power to go against the stream. (G. Christopher Willis - Sacrifices of Joy)
N.J.Hiebert — 9564
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently (agonizing) for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis."
(Colossians 4:12,13)
Such was Epaphras! Would there were hundreds like him in this our dayl We are thankful for preachers, thankful for writers, thankful for travelers in the cause of Christ, but we want men of prayer, men of the closet, men like Epaphras. We are happy to see men on their feet preaching Christ; happy to see them able to ply the pen of a ready writer in the noble cause; happy to see them making their way, in the true evangelistic sprit, into "the regions beyond;" happy to see them, in the true pastoral spirit, going again and again to visit their brethren in every city.
God forbid that we should undervalue or speak disparagingly of such honourable services; yea, we prize them more highly than words could convey. But then, at the back of all we want a spirit of prayer - fervent, agonizing, persevering prayer. Without this, nothing can prosper.
- A prayerless man is a sapless man.
- A prayerless preacher is a profitless preacher.
- A prayerless writer will send forth barren pages.
- A prayerless evangelist will do but little good.
- A prayerless pastor will have but little food for the flock.
We want men of prayer, men like Epaphras, men whose closet walls witness their agonizing labours. These are, unquestionably, the men for the present moment.
(C.H. Mackintosh — Miscellaneous Writings - Vol. 4)
N.J.Hiebert — 9565
"Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life:
he that cometh to Me shall never hunger." (John 6:35)
Field Marshal William Slim was leading the British forces during the Burma campaign of World War 2. Concerned about the men under his command, he learned that one soldier was extremely despondent over bad news from home. So the commander asked his senior chaplain to have a member of his staff talk to the soldier.
Shortly afterward, the field marshal sent for the senior chaplain. Keenly dissatisfied and upset, he said, "One of your chaplains went to see the man. He was very nice and they drank a cup of tea together, but he never showed the soldier what he needed to see." "And what was that?" the surprised chaplain asked. Field Marshal Slim answered, "The Man on the cross."
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35). When we interact with needy people, it's important to remember that Jesus is the answer to their loneliness, depression, and heartache. It's true that we must be pleasant and sociable, but
we must also point them to the Man on the cross, the sin-bearing Saviour in whom there is forgiveness, strength, grace, and hope.
Yes, Jesus is the only answer to our basic need. (VCG)
I need Jesus, my need I now confess,
No friend like Him in times of deep distress;
I need Jesus, the need I gladly own.
Though some may bear their load alone,
Yet I need Jesus. (Webster)
ONLY CHRIST THE BREAD OF LIFE CAN SATISFY OUR SPIRITUAL HUNGER.
Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (1999), Grand Rapids, MI.
Reprinted permission.
N.J.Hiebert — 9566
"Give attendance to reading, to exhortation,
to doctrine….meditate upon these things."
(1 Timothy 4:13 - 15)
MEDITATION is to the sermon what the harrow is to the seed, it covers those truths which else might have been picked or washed away.
An affectionate hearer will not be a forgetful hearer. Love helps the memory: Can a woman forget her child, or a maid her ornaments, or a bride her attire? No, they love them too well; were the truths of God thus precious to you, you would with David think of them day and night.
Even when the Christian, through weakness of memory, cannot remember the very words he hears, to repeat them; yea, then he keeps the power and savour of them in his spirit, … when meat is eaten and digested, it is not to be found as it was received, but the man is cheered and strengthened by it, more able to walk and work than before, by which you may know it is not lost: so you may taste the truths the Christian heard, in his spirit, see them in his life. William Gurnall - 1665)
N.J.Hiebert — 9567