"By faith Moses refused". Faith rests on promise; to faith the promise is equivalent to fulfillment; and if only we have the one, we may dare to count on the other as already ours.
It matters comparatively little that the thing promised is not given; it is sure and certain because God has pledged His word for it, and in anticipation we may enter on its enjoyment.
Had Moses simply acted on what he saw, he had never left Pharaoh's palace. But his faith told him of things hidden from his contemporaries; and these led him to act in a way which to them was perfectly incomprehensible.
One blow struck when the time is fulfilled is worth a thousand struck in premature eagerness. "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power" (Acts 1:7). Wait thou only upon God; let your expectation be from Him.
F. B. Meyer
N.J. Hiebert - 8072
April 1
ENTANGLED CIRCUMSTANCES
For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, they are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. Exodus 14:3
Some times when problems come up and we see no way through, or when souls we love seem entangled, we are tempted to think of what Pharaoh will say.
There can be no entanglement, the wilderness cannot possibly shut in anyone whom God is leading Home. It has been said, "What we see as problems, God sees as solutions"; and what we have to do through the age-long minute before we see, is to wait in peace and refuse to be hustled.
"Fear ye not, stand still," and sooner or later, "see the salvation of the Lord" Exodus 14:13. There will be no entanglement.
And is it not comforting that the Lord Jesus knows beforehand what Pharaoh will say? So we need not pay the slightest attention to him, even if he does make discouraging remarks.
The last word is never with Pharaoh. "They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise" (Jeremiah 46:17). So let us trust and not be afraid.
Amy Carmichael - Thou Givest . . . They Gather
N.J. Hiebert - 8073
April 2
HIS RESURRECTION
To whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was attested by "many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3). On one occasion He was seen by "over five hundred brethren at once" (1 Corinthians 15:6). Peter included the other eleven apostles with him when he said, "this Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32).
Our Lord's disciples handled Him (Luke 24:39), talked with Him (Acts 1:6-9), and "did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead" (Acts 10:41). This companying with the disciples after our Lord's resurrection was for "forty days" (Acts 1:3).
Others were raised from the dead, like Lazarus (John 11:43-44), and the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-16), and the twelve year old daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:35-43); but these all rose to die again.
The renown of our Lord's resurrection is that when He emerged from death He brought the "keys of hell and death" with Him (Revelation 1:18). He was a conqueror, not conquered. Our Lord took His life again in resurrection (John 10:17-18). Resurrection was His own act by His own inherent power.
Our Lord will never die again, for death has "no more dominion over Him" (Romans 6:9). He ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
Our Lord Jesus Christ - A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake
N.J. Hiebert - 8074
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was attested by "many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3). On one occasion He was seen by "over five hundred brethren at once" (1 Corinthians 15:6). Peter included the other eleven apostles with him when he said, "this Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32).
Our Lord's disciples handled Him (Luke 24:39), talked with Him (Acts 1:6-9), and "did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead" (Acts 10:41). This companying with the disciples after our Lord's resurrection was for "forty days" (Acts 1:3).
Others were raised from the dead, like Lazarus (John 11:43-44), and the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-16), and the twelve year old daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:35-43); but these all rose to die again.
The renown of our Lord's resurrection is that when He emerged from death He brought the "keys of hell and death" with Him (Revelation 1:18). He was a conqueror, not conquered. Our Lord took His life again in resurrection (John 10:17-18). Resurrection was His own act by His own inherent power.
Our Lord will never die again, for death has "no more dominion over Him" (Romans 6:9). He ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
Our Lord Jesus Christ - A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake
N.J. Hiebert - 8074
April 3
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak . . . and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers. Numbers 13:33
The promised land which God had prepared for His people stretched out before them. All they had to do was possess what God had promised to them.
But between them and God's blessing were giants of great size and strength. These giants robbed God's people of what was rightly theirs.
In like manner today, God has promised His children all spiritual blessings, but too often giants like fear and discouragement and guilt
rob us of God's best.
With God's help all of our Goliaths can be defeated.
Charlie Tempest
O victory in Jesus, my Saviour forever,
He sought me and bought me,
With His redeeming blood.
E. Bartlett
N.J. Hiebert - 8075
But between them and God's blessing were giants of great size and strength. These giants robbed God's people of what was rightly theirs.
In like manner today, God has promised His children all spiritual blessings, but too often giants like fear and discouragement and guilt
rob us of God's best.
With God's help all of our Goliaths can be defeated.
Charlie Tempest
O victory in Jesus, my Saviour forever,
He sought me and bought me,
With His redeeming blood.
E. Bartlett
N.J. Hiebert - 8075
April 4
MINDFUL OF THE WORDS
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour. 2 Peter 3:2
There has long been a tendency to water down the doctrine of verbal inspiration by arguing that it is the "thoughts" of Scripture that count - not the precise words. They forget that the transition of specific thoughts requires precise words. Ambiguous language is bound to produce fuzzy thinking and uncertain response.
Thus the apostle Peter, in his last chapter, urged his followers to heed the words written by the Old Testament prophets. And Paul - in his final epistle - stressed that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). That is, all the writings are "God - breathed." The "Scripture," of course, means the writings, the actual words written down - they are "God-inspired," not just the concepts.
Similarly John warned of the grave danger incurred by anyone who would either "add unto" or "take away from," not just the idea, but "the words of the book of this prophecy" (Revelation 22:18-19).
Near the end of the Lord's earthly ministry, He made a startling promise: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away" (Mark 13:31). Thus the actual words of the Bible have come ultimately from God, and we do well to learn them and make them part of our lives.
(Adapted) with thanks B. Lucas
N.J. Hiebert - 8076
There has long been a tendency to water down the doctrine of verbal inspiration by arguing that it is the "thoughts" of Scripture that count - not the precise words. They forget that the transition of specific thoughts requires precise words. Ambiguous language is bound to produce fuzzy thinking and uncertain response.
Thus the apostle Peter, in his last chapter, urged his followers to heed the words written by the Old Testament prophets. And Paul - in his final epistle - stressed that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). That is, all the writings are "God - breathed." The "Scripture," of course, means the writings, the actual words written down - they are "God-inspired," not just the concepts.
Similarly John warned of the grave danger incurred by anyone who would either "add unto" or "take away from," not just the idea, but "the words of the book of this prophecy" (Revelation 22:18-19).
Near the end of the Lord's earthly ministry, He made a startling promise: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away" (Mark 13:31). Thus the actual words of the Bible have come ultimately from God, and we do well to learn them and make them part of our lives.
(Adapted) with thanks B. Lucas
N.J. Hiebert - 8076
April 5
MAY THE GRACE OF CHRIST, OUR SAVIOUR . . .
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
The Apostle Paul concluded one of his letters to the troubled Corinthian church with this benediction: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." (2 Corinthians 13:14).
It is a remarkable verse because it mentions the work of God on our behalf through each person of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
John Newton, the former slave trader whose life was touched by God's amazing grace, became a loving pastor. He loved his congregation, and they loved him. He was not a great preacher, but that did not matter. He had special services for children and special services for senior citizens, teaching the Bible faithfully and singing songs that he had just written.
One writer said, "Newton was more remarkable for his goodness than for his greatness." Newton would have loved that assessment.
Hymns - W. J. Petersen & Randy Petersen
May the grace of Christ, our Saviour,
And the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favour
Rest upon us from above.
Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.
John Newton (1725-1807)
N.J. Hiebert - 8077
It is a remarkable verse because it mentions the work of God on our behalf through each person of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
John Newton, the former slave trader whose life was touched by God's amazing grace, became a loving pastor. He loved his congregation, and they loved him. He was not a great preacher, but that did not matter. He had special services for children and special services for senior citizens, teaching the Bible faithfully and singing songs that he had just written.
One writer said, "Newton was more remarkable for his goodness than for his greatness." Newton would have loved that assessment.
Hymns - W. J. Petersen & Randy Petersen
May the grace of Christ, our Saviour,
And the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favour
Rest upon us from above.
Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.
John Newton (1725-1807)
N.J. Hiebert - 8077
April 6
And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. John 6:18
Jesus' disciples were in peril on the Sea of Galilee; until the Lord appeared walking on the waves. They welcomed Him into the ship, and immediately they were at their destination. We can learn from this, that, however boisterous seas around us become, our Lord Jesus declares, It is I; be not afraid. v.20
Speaking to a brother recently who was experiencing one of life's very perilous times, his expression of confidence was, "The Lord is in the boat". It gave him peace to go forward and weather the storm.
And not only that, but there is the confidence that our ultimate destination is very close; the moment when we will see our Saviour's face and be taken to the Father's home.
And immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. v.21
Sweetest rest and peace have filled us.
Sweeter praise than tongue can tell
God is satisfied with Jesus,
We are satisfied as well.
Filled with this sweet peace forever,
On we go, through strife and care,
Till we find that peace around us
In the Lamb's high glory there.
(From an old German hymn, translated by Mrs. Bevan)
Lorne Perry
N.J. Hiebert - 8078
April 7
And when his brethren saw that their Father loved him (Joseph) more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. Genesis 37:4-5.
The brethren of Joseph hated him for his words. As we read: ". . . they hated him yet the more for his dreams and for his words." Nor was it otherwise with the Lord. Men heard the words of Him that spake as never man spake, and some believed; but "many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye Him?" (John 10:20)
The hatred could not be hid. So too Christ is still the object of a hatred that men cannot conceal, try as they will. A constant stream of abuse of His Name, denial of His Person, and refusal of His work, issues from apostate pulpits, and an infidel press, often masquerading under the cloak of religion.
It is still His professed brethren that cannot speak peaceably of Him. But let us never forget that behind all the "hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him" there are the "ungodly deeds which they have committed." Jude 15
The evil lives of Joseph's brethren were behind the hatred in their hearts, and the evil words of their lips.
It is so today, the ungodly deeds in men's lives lead to the "hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." Jude 15
Joseph - Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8079
April 8
This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Timothy 3:1
The word translated "perilous" is ch a l p o s, and the dictionary gives the meaning as: "hard; hard to do, or deal with; difficult; hard to bear; painful; grievous; harsh; fierce; savage."
Does not this word very accurately describe the condition of our present day? As we look around us we might well be discouraged, cast down, filled with fears and forebodings.
But if one little Greek word can so accurately describe the spirit of the present day, there is another little Greek word that can heal the wounds of fear and sorrow and discouragement caused by all that is about us. That little word is Th ar s e o, or, as our Lord loved to use it, Tharsei, (Cheer Up).
The word has been translated: Be of Good Cheer!" or, "Be of Good Comfort," . . . but others prefer, "Be of Good Courage", or "Be Confidant!" or "Take Heart!" or, (as I love it best), "CHEER UP!!" But it has the meaning of all these.
Hid Treasures - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8080
April 9
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7).
It is hardly necessary to explain that when God tells us to be careful for nothing, He does not mean we are to be careless. But He positively forbids us to be worried and anxious, and it becomes a sin, grieving to the Hoy Spirit, when we are. This verse promises us that we may exchange all our care for His peace.
How, then, is the great blessing of this verse to become ours - the peace of God keeping our hearts and minds?
In the first place, we must accept it as a direct command from God not to be careful. And as soon as we find ourselves becoming anxious, we must say to ourselves, "This is dishonouring to God, I am disobeying Him; He has told me I am not to be anxious."
Sometimes this may seem easy, but the test lies in that word "nothing." There are some matters about which we think it the correct and proper thing to worry. But God says there is nothing.
Can we believe Him? Nothing, in heaven or earth, in the Church or in the world, in your private life or business life, nothing as to yourself or anybody else, even your nearest and dearest; nothing as to the past, present, or future about which you are to worry.
And yet we are so accustomed to do it that we live in a chronic state of worry, and have become so accustomed to the burden that sometimes we awake with a start to find how really anxious we are getting. Instead of worrying, we are told what we are to do: "In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known unto God." Tell God all about it.
Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J. Hiebert - 8081
April 10
IN THE SUMMER SILENCE
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen (nations), I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10.
Most of us want an instant fix. We want immediate renewal. We demand an overnight remedy for all our hurts.
We will not give God in Christ either the time or opportunities to bring us back from the bleak disasters that overwhelm us. Instead we turn to every sort of human device or manmade technology in an attempt to find consolation and comfort amid the chaos of our calamity.
The one great lesson I have learned above and beyond all other amid the great distress of recent months is this: Be still, Be quiet, Be calm, and know that I am God! It takes time to do this. It means one must, by a deliberate act of the will, learn to repose confidently in Christ . . . to rest assuredly in the faithfulness of our Father.
He is our hope.
He is our healing.
He is our helper.
The wondrous work which He accomplishes in our souls is done in silence. It is nothing less than the persistent incoming of His own Presence to generate in us new life, new vitality, new confidence to carry on. He actually transmits to us His hope, His love, His energy, His ability to begin anew.
Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J. Hiebert - 8082
April 11
R E S C U E D
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
It was winter and a small river running into the Chesapeake Bay was once again hosting many white swans, Canada Geese and ducks. Infrequently snow and freezing sleet would move into the area causing the small river inlet to harden into ice over night.
One morning, after a freezing ice storm had blanketed the area, a couple, living in a house on the shore of the river were enjoying breakfast as they viewed the pretty winter scene through ice frosted windows.
With a sudden exclamation of surprise, the lady snatched a pair of binoculars and peered intently at the far edge of the frozen river. She saw a large Canada goose, sitting very still, its wings folded tight to its side, and its feet frozen to the ice.
Just then the couple saw a line of swans flying overhead in perfect formation. They flew across the river heading in the opposite direction of the bird frozen to the ice. Quite unexpectedly the leader of the swans brought the string of white birds into a white circle which floated down to the river which floated down to the ice and circling the Canada goose. The couple were sure it would be pecked to death by the swans for they knew that Canada geese and white swans are not friendly and don't mix with each other.
Instead of pecking the trapped goose however, the swans' strong powerful bills began to peck the ice! After a long time the goose was rimmed by just a narrow margin of thin ice. The swans rose into the air and hovering, circled as the goose struggle to free itself.
Finally it broke free. As it stood on the small island of ice no longer a prisoner, the goose tried to fly. But the bird could not overcome the weight of the ice which had caked its body and wings. Four swans left their flock overhead and dropped back down, landing by the goose. Again their powerful beaks went to work slowly chipping and scrapping ice off the helpless bird's wings and body. When the goose was finally able to stretch its wings back and forth to their fullest spread, the four swans flew back to rejoin their flock and resume their journey.
Behind them, rising with incredible speed and seemingly unbounded joy, the liberated Canada goose caught up with them. Following at the end of the line of swans, it flew away with them in perfect formation.
The Christian Shepherd - September 2009 - Doug Nicolet.
N.J. Hiebert - 8083
April 12
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