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
“these things have I WRITTEN unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that yo may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5: 13)
(THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF A ONE POUND BANK OF IRELAND NOTE.)
This piece of paper in your hand,
Declares to you that on demand,
You twenty shillings shall receive:
This simple promise you believe,
It sets your mind as much at rest,
As though the money you possessed.
So Christ who died but now doth live,
Doth unto you this promise give:
That if on Him you will believe,
Eternal life you shall receive.
Upon the first you calmly rest:
Which is the safer? Which the best?
The Bank may break, Heaven never can;
‘Tis safer trusting God than man.
(In Pastures Green - George Henderson)
N.J.Hiebert — 9568
"Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles* of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)
(*A "wile" is something that looks fair and innocent.)
Throughout the ages the saints have needed the armour of God, but in these closing days when "the darkness of this world" deepens "the wiles of the devil" increase, and Christendom is returning to paganism and philosophy, how deeply important it is to put on the whole armour of God to "withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.”
Let us then stand:
Having our loins girt about with truth, and thus be kept inwardly right in thought and affection;
Having on the breastplate of righteousness, so that we are consistent in all our practice;
Having our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, so that we walk in peace in the midst of a world of discord, strife and confusion.
Taking the shield of faith, so that we walk in daily confidence in God;
Taking the helmet of salvation, and thus realizing that God is making all things work together for our good and salvation;
Taking the sword of the Spirit, whereby we can meet every subtle attack of the enemy;
Lastly, "praying always", so that we can use the armour in the spirit of constant dependence upon God.
(Hamilton Smith - The Epistle to the Ephesians)
N.J.Hiebert — 9569
“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He (Jesus) was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:37,38)
If a storm arise, and if Christ appear asleep, and insensible to the danger - though "He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep"- as disciples we are in the same boat with Him. The Lord give us to rest on that with undivided, undistracted hearts, for Christ is in the boat as well as the water. (J.N. Darby)
N.J.Hiebert — 9570
"But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him ... Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands." (Exodus 17:12)
"Bear ye one another's burdens ..." (Galatians 6:2)
Moses was the key figure in this battle with Amalek. Aaron and Hur were role players, yet if they would have been more interested in their own comfort, schedule and recreation, the battle would have been lost, for on this particular day Moses was not able to bear all the burden himself.
Look around. Do you know someone who is struggling under a burden? "Then lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees" (Hebrews 12:12), because they may be in a serious battle and you could make the difference.
(Charlie Tempest - Choice Gleanings)
O may we feel each brother's sigh, and with him bear a part:
May sorrows flow from eye to eye, and joy from heart to heart.
N.J.Hiebert — 9571
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.” (Isaiah 43:2)
Wendall Moore was wheeling his wife Florence to the surgical unit of a hospital when the nurse said. "You can't go in there; she must go in alone.”
He answered calmly, "She will not be alone, for the Lord will be there.” It is true. He is with us in sickness; He tenderly healed so many. He is with us in sadness; behold His tears at the tomb of Lazarus. He is with us in solitude; Paul could say, "All men forsook me; notwithstanding the Lord stood by me." And He will be with you in whatever sorrow you have today. (Neil Dougal)
N.J.Hiebert — 9572
"The light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ."
(2 Corinthians 4:6)
The disfigured face of Jesus Christ radiated forth the essential glories of a God whose very essence is love and grace. Men spat upon that face (Matthew 26:67). Men struck that face (Luke 22:64). Men tore the beard from that face (Isaiah 50:6).
Their abuse only made the glory glisten brighter.
Some day in heaven we are going to gaze on that face and fall down in wonder and worship. What a prospect is ours! It could be today. If it is not, may we, through the eyes of faith, see that face and worship Him in spirit and truth. (John M. Clegg)
N.J.Hiebert — 9573
"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me.
(John 7:16)
It is a very serious thing to attach undue importance or give an undue place to men, how much they may be used in the Lord's work. We have seen the work marred and workmen morally ruined by this very thing. It is a fatal mistake. Men are taken out of the place in which God has put them. They are lauded, lionized, and gazed at as a sort of phenomenon. In this way, they are lifted into an entirely false position, like a person walking on stilts, and then some terrible fall comes, to bring them to their senses, and recall them to their true place.
See how the blessed Master ever retired from human applause and human excitement. When men wondered at His teaching, He said, "My doctrine is not Mine but His that sent me." Oh, to drink more of His spirit and walk in His footsteps! To be well content to be a nothing and a nobody, so that Christ may be magnified! (C.H Mackintosh)
N.J.Hiebert — 9574
"To will is present with me;
but how to perform that which is good
I find not. For the good that I would I do not:
but the evil which I would not,
that I do." (Romans 7:18,19)
If souls would be honest, many would confess that this has been their condition for years - a condition which brings no glory to God and no happiness to themselves. What is the cause? Simply the mistake of thinking that all depends upon their own efforts instead of accepting the truth that they are utterly without strength, and that, therefore, everything depends upon God.
(Edward Dennett)
N.J.Hiebert — 9575
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
I recall walking along a Texas creek many years ago with my brother-in-law, Ed and his 3 year old son David. David had been collecting smooth, round stones from the stream while we walked. He called them "piggies," because their rounded shape reminded him of little pigs.
David had stuffed a number of "piggies" in his pockets, and after running out of pockets he began carrying them in his arms. After a while he began to stagger under the load and lag behind. It was obvious he would never make it back to the house without help, so Ed said, "Here, David, let me carry your piggies."
Reluctance clouded David's face for a moment, and then it lit up. "I know," he said. "You carry me and I'll carry my piggies!"
I've often thought of that incident and my own childish insistence that I must carry my own load. Jesus offers to take all of my burdens but I resist out of stubbornness and pride. "You carry me," I say, "but I'll carry my 'piggies."
How foolish it is to try to carry all your burdens on your own when Jesus asks you to cast "all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
Have you put all of your "piggies" in Jesus' strong arms today? (David Roper)
I would tell the Lord my longings,
Roll on Him my every care,
Cast upon Him all my burdens,
Burdens that I cannot bear. (Weigle)
Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (2004), Grand Rapids, MI.
Reprinted permission.
N.J.Hiebert — 9576
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort (encouragement).” (2 Corinthians 1:3)
If we find our souls under pressure of the spirit of fear or bondage or uncertainty we may be sure that they have let go the gentle hand of faith. This ought not to be so. We are to know that we have ever to do with love! (J.G. Bellett)
N.J.Hiebert — 9577
"The Lord said unto Joshua... ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days... the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times ... make a long blast with the ram's horn ... all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat...." (Joshua 6:2-5)
It may be said, why not simplify the path? Why all these complications? Why go around the city every day, and seven times the seventh day? Why this procession with the ark and trumpets?
Faith does not ask why? It does not reason as to the means God chooses to employ; it accepts them, enters into them, and obtains the victory instead of being beaten by the enemy.
It was thus at the Passover and at the Red Sea. Do you say: Then faith is without intelligence? Not at all; it first submits and then understands. Faith will tell you the reason of the seven days, the ark, the procession, the trumpets, and the shouts of joy, but it will only tell you after submission to them, otherwise it would be intelligence and not faith.
(H.L. Rossier Meditations on the Book of Joshua)
N.J.Hiebert — 9578
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made everything beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11)
Have you been overwhelmed at times by a nameless dread as though God had utterly forgotten you, and you were cast off forever? Have you wearied yourself devising one human expedient after another, in the vain hope of averting threatened disaster by the arm of flesh? Learn, then, from God’s dealings with His servant of old that His heart and His hand are for you still.
And “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Matthew 12:30)He has heard every sigh; noted, and stored in His bottle, every tear; taken account of every cry of anguish; heard every confiding prayer. His arm is in no-wise shortened; His ear is in no sense deaf to your cry. At the appointed time He will awake in your behalf, and you shall know that it is “the God of all grace” with whom you have to do.
Only look up: be not cast down, for you are ever on His heart; and if you just leave all
with Him, He will make your affairs His care. “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).How sweet the words! He careth. He, the most high God: yea, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ careth. He is no indifferent spectator—no callous, unconcerned looker-on; but, as no one else can, He careth for you. “I will trust, and not be afraid” (Mark 5:36).(H. A. Ironside)
N.J.Hiebert—9579
Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Peter 2:24
Christ was an example for us, for we are called to His path, and to follow His steps. The consideration of Christ in all the glory of His perfection cannot fail to have its affect on us, conforming our thoughts and ways to His. Yet even so, we are not as He was, for we have sins and He had none. We needed, therefore, the atoning sacrifice of which verse 24 speaks. He who did no sin “bore our sins in His own body on the tree.” This is something altogether beyond us. We cannot follow in His steps here.
He bore our sins in His own body as our Substitute. We had sinned in our bodies. He, having become a true Man, apart from our sin, bore our sins in His holy body as a sacrifice for sin on the tree, for it was exclusively in His death that atonement was effected. He did not bear our sins during His life, but in His death, and we are healed by His stripes. He bore our sins and delivered us from the stripes our sins deserved, in order that we should now live unto practical righteousness. F. B. Hole
N.J. Hiebert — 9580
And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing to Thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God: for we rest on Thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee. 2 Chronicles 14:11
Most of the kings that followed David and Solomon were failures because they abandoned the God of David and went after idols like their neighbouring countries. But Asa was one of the exceptions. He wasn't perfect but the verse above shows his respect for the power of God and trust in Him.
A great company of Ethiopian soldiers was confronting him and he knew his army was inadequate, but he also knew that his God was able, and of course, Asa’s warriors prevailed.
God always sees the overall picture, and knew He had promised Abraham that he would be the founder of a great nation. God suffered long with Israel’s failures, but finally sent His Son to be the means by which Israel will eventually be seen as the single ruling nation on the earth. All eyes will look to Him and all knees will bow to His glory, power and authority.
Zechariah 2:8 says: Thus saith the Lord of hosts; after the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye.”
In our day, Satan and his followers are a mighty force that we could never overcome, unless it was by the power of God. God is more powerful than Satan, and our protection is our faith and trust in Him. Whenever we put that trust to the test, the truth of James 4:7 comes into play: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Lorne Perry (PART 1)
N.J.Hiebert - 9581
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
Yesterday we learned from 2 Chronicles 14:11 that King Asa relied on God’s support when an enemy horde came against Israel, and God gave a great victory. Now we’ll take a closer look at our experience with God against the forces of Satan.
Satan is always trying to find a way to rob us of our peace with God, always trying to sow doubts in our minds, eagerly putting temptations in front of us, placing stumbling—blocks in our path, or making our lives so busy we have little time for God or His Son. When these enemies come up against us (really they are enemies of God), we need to call upon the full panoply of resources open to us.
First is the Person of Christ. Get in touch with Him in prayer. Second look into the Word particularly the list of spiritual blessings in Ephesians 1, and the whole armour of God in Ephesians 6:10—18. In them is the power of God, and you are thus strengthened for the battle. The enemy may not go without a fight, but he will flee, because and only because God has so promised us.
One of Satan’s tempting ploys is to convince us that we have within us the capacity to beat the temptation on our own, or perhaps with the help of counsellors and internet “wisdom”. These apparent avenues are limited resources, at best.
The Apostle Paul learned, by his experience walking with God, this message from above : “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”King Asa knew it, and put it into practice.”
Lorne Perry for Gems from my Reading.
N.J.Hiebert - 9582
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2
God’s ultimate purpose is to populate Heaven with those like His Son. We see this illustrated in what scientists call “Metamorphosis”. The process begins with an ugly, earth-bound caterpillar, but soon, it emerges from the chrysalis; now a beautiful butterfly fitted for the skies.
So also, when our Lord returns, we will receive bodies “like unto His glorious body” (Philippians (3:21), fitted for Heaven. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
(Revelation 22:20)
Willie H. Burnett
And is it so — I shall be like Thy Son?
Is this the grace which He for me has won?
Father of glory (thought beyond all thought!)
In glory, to His own blest likeness brought!
(John Nelson Darby)
N.J.Hiebert - 9583
And He commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. (Mark 6:39)
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
(Psalm 23:2)
Those who do most in the day and who always have time for one thing more are those who know what it is to sit down on the green grass. It is not the bustling, chattery people who do most for others. It is those who know most of quietness.
Before our Lord Jesus could feed the people, He had to make them sit down. Before He can feed us we too must sit down. David sat down before the Lord; he was quiet before his God.
Even if we have not a long time to spend in the morning wth our God, much can be received in a very few minutes if only we are quiet. Sometimes it takes a little while to gather our scattered thoughts and quiet our soul. Even so, don’t hurry; make it sit down on the green grass.
Gather my thoughts, Lord, they fitful roam,
Like children bent on foolish wandering,
Or vanity of fruitless wayfaring;
O call them home.
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
N.J.Hiebert - 9584
posted by soundwords at
May 01, 2024
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