Saturday, March 24, 2018

Gems from March 22- 31, 2018

March 22


“As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
(Deuteronomy 33:25)

The whole force of this scripture depends upon the connection.
The last words of Deuteronomy 33:24 are, 
Let him dip his foot in oil”;
that is, in its christian interpretation, 
let him walk in the power of the Holy Spirit,
and then his shoes should be as iron and brass—
a firm and consistent walk, and his spiritual strength should never decay.
As thy days, thy strength shall be.
(Edward Dennett)

N.J. Hiebert - 7029 

March 23


The set Of The Sail

“They that go down to the sea in ships . . . He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind,
which lifteth up the waves thereof.  They mount up to the heaven, they go down
again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.  They reel to
and fro . . . and are at their wits end.  Then they cry unto the Lord 
in their trouble . . . He maketh the storm a calm, so that the  
 waves thereof are still.  Then are they glad because they be 
quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.”
(Psalm 107:23-30)

“Oh, set your sail to the heavenly gale,
And then, no matter what winds prevail,

No reef shall wreck you, no calm delay,
No mist shall hinder, no storm shall stay;

Though far you wander and long you roam,
Through salt sea-spray and o’er white sea-foam,

No wind that can blow but shall speed you home.    
Annie Johnson Flint 

N.J. Hiebert - 7030

March 24


“ . . . Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word.
. . . Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:39,42)

It is not to the one who works most, nor to the one who reads most, 
that the Lord confides His mind, but to the one who loves Him most (as Mary Magdalene).

It is only near Himself that the human mind is so in abeyance 
that His mind is in the ascendant.
(Footprints for Pilgrims)

N.J. Hiebert - 7031

March 25


“But they cried, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him . . .
And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that He might be crucified.”
(Luke 23:21,23)  

Jesus was not popular.

The multitude might follow Him for a moment, because 
His ministry stood connected, in their judgment, 
with "the loaves and fishes,” which met their
need; but they were just as ready to
cry,“Away with Him!” as
 "Hosanna to the Son of David.” 

When we are in our proper priestly condition, 
nature is as though it had no existence; then we can feed upon Christ.

We can taste the divine luxury of being wholly at leisure from ourselves, 
and wholly engrossed with Christ.
(Food for the Desert)

N.J. Hiebert - 7032

March 26

”How long halt ye between two opinions?
(1 Kings 18:21)

God is patient; but God is never neutral; and 
neutrality is an abomination to Him.

He bears with us in our weakness and ignorance;
but the danger is that indecision easily becomes indifference,
and indifference is detestable to Him. 

Moreover, indifference does not tend toward discretion, when decision is due.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, 
I will spue thee out of My mouth.”
(Revelation 3:16)
(Morsels - John Kaiser)

N.J. Hiebert - 7033

March 27


The Two Wonders

He marvelled . . . so great faith. — Matthew 8:10

He marvelled because of their unbelief. — Mark 6:6

There are two marvels which out-vie 
All other wonders ‘neath the sky;
A faith that seeth but the clearer
As gathering trials press severer;
An unbelief that grows more blind,
The more God shows His mercies kind.
(Bells & Pomegranates - James M. S. Tait)  

N.J. Hiebert - 7034 

March 28


The One Indispensable Book
(Continued from Gem # 6960)

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
(Psalm 119:105)

THE BIBLE: sparkles with the fervour and gladness of youth, celebrates the strength and glory of manhood, bewails the sorrows and infirmities of old age.

THE BIBLE: Exults in the mighty deeds of kings and conquerors, sympathizes with the poor and lowly, lifts up the fallen, delivers the oppressed, and breathes the blessing of peace upon the quiet homes of domestic life.

THE BIBLE:  Describes with startling clearness . . . the seductions of temptation, 
the conflicts of doubt and the miseries of skepticism.

THE BIBLE: Searches the secret chambers of the heart, brings to light its purest love and its darkest hate, reveals its highest joy and its deepest grief.  

THE BIBLE: Compasses the utmost range of thought and 
feeling and desire—and it sounds the utmost depth of motive and character and passion.

Thus in the BIBLE, God and man, earth and heaven, time and eternity—
speak with one voice and teach the same truth.

The BIBLE sets forth the most spiritual and heavenly truths—in the lights
and shadows of earthly scenes and human characters.

Thus the BIBLE is the one indispensable book . . . for all ages—and all nations,
for all classes of men—and all states of society, for all capacities 
of intellect—and all necessities of the soul!
(Daniel March - 1870)

N.J. Hiebert - 7035  

March 29


“Consider the lilies, how they grow.”
(Matthew 6:28)

Yes, leave it with Him, the lilies all do, and they grow—
They grow in the rain, and they grow in the dew—yes, they grow:
They grow in the darkness, all hid in the night—
They grow in the sunshine, revealed by the light—still they grow.

Yes, leave it with Him, ’tis more dear to His heart, you will know,
Than the lilies that bloom, or the flowers that start ’neath the snow:
Whatever you need, if you seek it in prayer,
You can leave it with Him—for you are His care. 
You, you know.
(Selected)

N.J. Hiebert - 7036 

March 30


PATIENCE AND HOPE

“Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
(Romans 15:4)

HOPE hath an eye that can see heaven in a cloudy day, and an anchor that can find firm land 
under a weight of waters to hold by; it can expect good out of evil.

True hope is a jewel that no one wears but Christ’s bride; 
a grace with which no one is graced but the believer’s soul.
Christless and hopeless are joined together.
(Ephesians 2:12)

We are directed to “take the helmet of salvation”; and this not for some particular occasion,
and then hang it up till another extraordinary strait calls us to take it down,
and use it again; but we must take it so as never to lay it aside,
till God shall take off this helmet, to put on a crown of 
glory in the room of it.

Be sober, and hope to the end,“ is the apostle Peter’s counsel (1 Peter 1:13)
(William Gurnall - 1617-1679)  

N.J. Hiebert - 7037

March 31


Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river.
Isaiah 66:12

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: 
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
John 14:27

Lord, Thou wilt ordain peace for us: for Thou also 
hath wrought all our works in us.
Isaiah 26:12

The Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means.
The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

N.J. Hiebert - 7038 

April 1

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