Gems from October 2025

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches  in glory by Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

What a comfort and encouragement this verse has been to God's people through the years.  And while most people think of it in connection with material things (and Paul was thinking of such in the context), the verse applies to "all your need" of every kind.  We may need material supply, and "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)

We may need comfort or encouragement, and we find Him to be "the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3). We may need help to endure continuing trial  or weakness, and we learn that "He giveth more grace," (James 4:6) and that "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)  We may need guidance, and His promise is that "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye." (Psalm 32:8)

There are times when we need chastening, "for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." (Hebrews 12:6)  Whatever the need in our lives, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches by glory  in Christ Jesus," and "They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." (Psalm 34:10) The Lord is Near

Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you; Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.  C. D. Martin

N.J. Hiebert - 10082

October 1

The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  James 5:8 

It is a good thing to understand prophecy; it is better to have the intended purpose for which it was given.  Today more Christians have some idea of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ than two centuries ago.  But that does not mean that the hearts of Christians  long for Him more than they did then. 

Whenever the coming and the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ are mentioned, there is a practical importance attached to it.  In John 14 it is so that the disciples' hearts may not be troubled in view of his imminent departure.  In Romans 13:12 so that we may cast away the works of darkness and walk  becomingly.  In 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, so that we may be firm, immovable, and abounding always in the work of the Lord.  In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Corinthians 5:8 so as to know that the death of the believer is to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. and thus we may not sorrow as others who have no hope.  In 2 Timothy 4:6-9, so that we may fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.  In Titus 2:12, so that we may live soberly, justly, and piously.  In 1 John 3:2-3 we have this most precious promise that We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!--a statement that should never cease to fill our hearts with joy and lead us always to worship Him. And, He adds, every one that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.     

Finally, Revelation 22:20, we are told this so that our hearts may respond to His saying, Amen.  Even so come, Lord Jesus.   A. M. Behnam  

We go to meet the Saviour, His glorious face to see;
What manner of behaviour doth with this hope agree?
May God's illumination  guide heart and walk aright,
That so our preparation be pleasing in His sight. 
P. Gerhardt

N.J. Hiebert - 10083

October 2

Jesus . . . loved them unto the end.  John 13:1 

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34 

If our hearts are full of the love of God, the roughest knocks cannot make us unloving or unpeaceful.  But how often, in a moment of impatience, we blame the rough knock!  "So-and-so did this; so-and-so said that; my circumstances are difficult. I could be good somewhere else, in some other place or work."

All such excuses are folly.  It is not what happens to us but what is in us that settles the matter.  How often we have to go to our Saviour for cleansing and pardon, after some hard knock has caused us to "spill" something unloving which was inside us.

But have we not been comforted by the generous wealth of His pardon?  Is it not just like Him to assure us again and again that nothing is changed on His side?  He loves us as He did before.  He wants us as He did before.  His tender mercy embrace us on every side.

Such love draws us back to Calvary.  As we think of our own newly discovered sin, we see Him, the sinless One, with new eyes.  How did we react towards some trivial, trying touch of people or circumstances?  How did He react to the torture of the hammer and the nails?  Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.   

Nothing could surprise anything unloving in Him, for there was nothing in Him but love.  Is it not wonderful that such a Lord can care for such as us?  Is it not a wonder of wonders that He can want our love?    
Amy Carmichael - Whispers of His Love 

N.J. Hiebert - 10084

October 3

October 4