December 11
Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27
Earnestly the apostle exhorts these saints to stand fast in one spirit. He saw the need for this earnest appeal. Now he goes a little further, beseeching them to fill full his joy when they mind the same thing. The other conditions for filling full his joy indicate that all in Philippi were not of one mind.
When we come to chapter 4 the apostle speaks out plainly, but oh how gently: "I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord." (Philippians 4:2). Two dear sisters, sisters who had toiled with him in the gospel, were not of one mind: and it kept the apostle's joy from being full. And let us ask what about the Lord's joy in His saints? Did it hinder His tender heart from having the full joy He longed for from His own?
What about us today? We must often fill His heart with grief rather than joy. How few companies of saints do we find where they mind the same thing! Rather, how often do all seek their own; do all look on their own thing; do all mind different things. Oh, the shame and sorrow of it! We know it grieves the Spirit of God and must fill our Lord's heart with sorrow.
We all know something of the exceeding difficulty of healing coldness and divisions that arise between the saints. "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city." (Proverbs 18:19) Note the skill of the apostle, taught by the Spirit of God. Before ever he mentions the need for them to mind the same thing, he turns their eyes to Christ. "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love" (Philippians 2:1). He reminds them of that mighty bond, the "fellowship of the Spirit," and once again he looks off to Christ: "if any bowels and mercies." Only in Christ will we find healing for these sad rents that come between God's people. Let us be found "Looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2). G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8327
December 12
For I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Philippians 1:23
These words were penned in a dark Roman dungeon. For the apostle it would have been"far better" to exchange it for the light and glory of Heaven. But he recognizes that God might have a reason for him to remain.
There are times in the lives of suffering saints when it would be "far better" to be "absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). At such times, peace can be found in knowing that this blessed release will be given, once His purposes for us in this world have been fulfilled. W. H. Burnett
Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is oe'r,
Wait till I see the morning, break on the golden shore. Fanny Crosby
Shepherds - Where have all the shepherds gone,Those we loved and knew?
Who helped us with each falt'ring step, and through each face plant too!
Some are gone before our time to pastures green and bright,
Where all is peace, and joy, and love in the Saviour's glorious light.
Others have stumbled in the way, beset by trials sore
Or hindered by the cares of day and hazards of the road.
Some still carry on the fight with foes on every side,
Praying daily for our lives and helping stem the tide.
Will you step in and fill the ranks, thinned and harried so?
To lift each heavy, burdened soul and make their cares your own?
For if you stop with brotherly love to share your neighbour's care,
The Lord will stoop with heavenly love and all your burdens bear! A.Scharf
N.J. Hiebert - 8328
December 13
And to love Him (God) with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all . . . sacrifices. Mark 12:33
LIVINGSTONE, ON SACRIFICE
People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt we owe to our God be called a sacrifice? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own best reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter?
Away with the word in such a view and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say, rather, it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common convenience and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver and the soul to sink, but let this be only for a moment.
All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall hereafter be revealed in and for us. (Romans 8:18). I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice which was made by Him who left His Father's throne on high to give Himself for us.
"MY JESUS, MY LORD, MY LIFE, MY ALL, I AGAIN DEDICATE MY WHOLE SELF TO THEE."
The above words were found in Dr. Livingstone's diary under date of the day Stanley left him after failing to persuade him to take the only possible opportunity of returning home.
David Livingstone when but twenty-three years of age was exploring the Dark Continent. Mountain Trailways for Youth.
N.J. Hiebert - 8329
December 14
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee . Matthew 26:31-32.
He is not here: for He is risen as He said. . . . go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: Lo, I have told you. (Matthew 28:6-7)
On the last journey to Jerusalem the Saviour charged the disciples to meet him in Galilee after His resurrection. They were reminded of His words by the angels at the sepulchre. Yet, when they reached the North, instead of quietly waiting for the Lord, seven of them went fishing, Simon Peter being the leader of this departure. Their night's labour yielded nothing, for what blessing can disobedient ones expect from God?
At dawn a stranger on the shore challenged them as to their condition; and presently, at His command, they let down their net once more, and this time "they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes." John said to Peter: "it is the Lord". Instantly the impulsive Peter put on his coat, and flung himself into the sea in order to hasten to His feet.
Very beautiful is this! Even after his shameful denial of his Lord, the apostle felt nowhere so happy as in His presence. If human love had broken down, the offender knew perfectly that divine love was still the same. Let every believer find comfort in the thought!
When the weary fishermen reached the shore that morning they found "a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread." A divinely provided breakfast for disobedient disciples! Well has the poet said, "To those who fall, how kind Thou art!" Not a word of remonstrance did the Saviour address either to Peter or his companions until He had first refreshed them with His bounty.
Peter the Apostle - W.W. Fereday
N.J. Hiebert - 8330
December 15
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these? John 21:15
"When then they had dined," the questioning began. It was a warmed and filled Peter that was interrogated that day. "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?" How the question would strike home, seeing that Peter had so vehemently affirmed, "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I" Mark 14:29.
The apostle could but reply, "yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee." Never again could he say, "more than these"; his self-sufficiency was humbled and broken. The Lord employed the word indicative of general affection; Peter in his reply gave utterance to a stronger term, one of special affection, meaning "I dearly love." Forthwith the Lord said: "Feed My lambs."
Presently He challenged the apostle in a milder way -- "Lovest thou Me?" dropping the words "more than these." Peter replying as before, He said "Feed My sheep." Then the Lord demanded a third time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" this time using Peter's own word of special affection. This completely broke down the apostle, who could now but cast himself upon the Master's omniscience: "Lord, Thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love Thee."
It was a frank confession that those who had read his life of late could not have gathered from it that Christ was aught to him; but that, nevertheless, at the bottom of his heart there was a true appreciation of His priceless worth. Once more the Saviour said: "Feed My sheep."
No man is competent to serve our Lord Jesus Christ who has not trodden Peter's path. 1. Born again, his sins forgiven by the Saviour's atoning blood, 2. HIs self-confidence shattered that hence forward no power may operate within him but that of the divine Spirit. Peter - W. W. Fereday.
N.J. Hiebert - 8331
December 16
". . . the pleasures of sin for a season . . ." Hebrews 11:2.
"Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" 2 Corinthians 11:14.
We sometimes call them Venus Fly Trap. But in the tropics a similar flower is called "Nepenthes". The meaning of its name is as sobering to consider as the manner in which it traps its victims. "Nepenthes" comes from an ancient Greek word that means "forgetting sorrow"-- something that masks pain (such as some modern day narcotic drugs).
The Nepenthes is a "jug" shaped flower with a narrow neck and a wide, deep body, attached to a long stalk. Inside, the flower is covered with sharp downward pointing spikes. The spikes and the outside opening rim of the flower are coated with a sweet honey-like syrup. Insects, attracted by the sweetness, eagerly begin to consume it gradually being enticed to enter the deadly flower's neck to get more. Enjoying the seemingly endless supply of sweet syrup the insect moves lower until suddenly it finds the sweet syrup is gone! The slippery sides of the Nepenthes afford no foot hold for its victim to escape. And even if the trapped prisoner were able to turn around, it meets sharp pointed spikes barring any exit.
How solemnly this reminds us of Satan as he seeks to trap dear believers, especially the young, with what seems so exiting and attractive in this world. At first, sin often seems "sweet and harmless". Yet each step in the downward path of self-will, seeking more and more fleeting pleasure from this world, only takes the believer deeper into Satan's awful deathtrap.
Only insects caught in these traps are ones that are hungry. Too often we aren't "satisfied" with what our loving God and Father has provided--"every good gift and every perfect gift" (James 1:17). Yet He always and only "filleth the hungry with good things" (Luke1:53). Satan can only offer a tempting "narcotic"--a "Nepenthes" by which he lulls souls into moral sleep till they become trapped in tragedy and sorrow. T.C.S - Feed the Flock
N.J. Hiebert - 8332
December 17
Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life.
Looking unto Jesus in the Scriptures, to learn there what He is, what He has done, what He gives, what He desires; to find in His character our pattern, in His teachings our instruction, in His precepts our law, in His promises our support, in His person and in His work a full satisfaction provided for every need of our souls.
Looking unto Jesus crucified to find in His shed blood our ransom, our pardon, our peace.
Looking unto Jesus risen to find in Him the righteousness which alone makes us righteous and permits us, all unworthy as we are, to draw near with boldness in His name to Him who is His Father and our Father, His God and our God.
Looking unto Jesus glorified to find in Him our heavenly Advocate completing by His intercession the work inspired by His loving kindness for our salvation (1 John 2:1); who even now is appearing for us before the face of God (Hebrews 9:24), the kingly Priest, the spotless Victim, continually bearing the iniquity of our holy things (Exodus 28:38).
Looking unto Jesus revealed by the Holy Spirit to find in constant communion with Him the cleansing of our sin-stained hearts, the illumination of our darkened spirits, the transformation of our rebel wills; enabled by Him to triumph over all attacks of the world and of the evil one, resisting their violence by Jesus our Strength, and overcoming their subtilty by Jesus our Wisdom; upheld by the sympathy of Jesus, who was spared no temptation, and by the help of Jesus, who yielded to none. T. Monod
N.J. Hiebert - 8333
December 18
He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7
Never allow yourself to answer again when you are blamed. Never defend your self. Let them reprehend you, in private or in public, as much as they please. "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let them reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head" (Psalm 141:5). Never so much as explain your meaning under any invitation or demand whatsoever.
It is the mark of the deepest and truest humility, to see ourselves condemned without cause, and to be silent under it. To be silent under insult and wrong is a noble imitation of our Lord. O my Lord, when I remember in how many ways Thou didst suffer, Who in no way deserved it, I know not where my senses are when I am in such a haste to defend and excuse myself.
Is it possible I should desire anyone to speak good of me, or to think it, when so many ill things were thought and spoken of Thee! What is this, Lord; what do we imagine to get by pleasing words? What about being blamed by all men, if only we stand at last blameless before Thee! Alexander Whyte
The day when Jesus stood alone and felt the hearts of men like stone,
And knew He came but to atone--that day "He held His peace."
They witnessed falsely to His word, they bound Him with a cruel cord,
And mockingly proclaimed Him Lord: and "But Jesus held His peace."
They spat upon Him in the face, they dragged Him on from place to place,
They heaped upon Him all disgrace; "But Jesus held His peace."
My friend, have you for far much less, with rage, which you called righteousness,
Resented slights with great distress? your Saviour" Held His peace." L. S. P.
N.J. Hiebert - 8334
December 19
"YES, BUT" AND "WHAT IF?"
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18
Habakkuk enumerates a lot of gloomy circumstances, failure of figs and olives and vines and fields and flocks. But although these barren states exist, he will rejoice and be glad, for heaven never knows a drought.
Whether actual or potential, we have to reckon with failure around us, and the devil whispers, "Yes, but" . . . and "What if . . .?" "What if you get sick? What if this friend proves false? What if this effort fails?"
If you are going to add up all that may happen, you may as well add sleeplessness and maybe a nervous breakdown. And the thing you fear is more than likely to arrive. "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me" (Job 3:25).
We might as well face the worse thing that could happen and say, "Let worse come to worst, so what? I still have God." Drop your tense grip and fall into His arms. Break the tyranny of Yes, But and What If! Faith is worth nothing until it disregards the Failure around us and rejoices in the Faithfulness above us.
Day by Day with Vance Havner.
N.J. Hiebert - 8335
December 20
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, He said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. Genesis 43:16
When their brother, who was to be their saviour, saw that they had brought with them the dearest treasure of their family, there went forth the instant word for a king's feast to be prepared for them.
That is all that my Saviour is waiting for that He may lavish the fullness of His bounty upon me: my bringing to Him the dearest possession of my life--myself--in unconditional surrender to His mastery, confessing my helplessness and awful need. Then He gives the word that I may come into His own house and eat at His table the best food of which He Himself partakes.
The surrender of Benjamin, their dearest possession, was the key to all the treasures of the kingdom--yes, even to the recognition of Joseph by the brothers and Jacob. The surrender of the costliest possession of my life is the key to the treasures of the kingdom for me--yes, even to the full recognition and appropriation of Christ as my whole and only life.
Messages for the Morning Watch
For me Lord Jesus, Thou hast died,
And I have died in Thee;
Thou'rt risen: my bands are all untied;
And now Thou liv'st in me.
The Father's face of radiant grace
Shines now in light on me.
Mrs. Cousins
N.J. Hiebert - 8336
December 21
For every man shall bear his own burden. Galatians 6:5
The burden (load) in verse 5 is the same word as the "light burden" that Christ speaks of in Matthew 11:30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." It really means "something carried," whether it be heavy or light, and it is often used for a soldier's "pack". You know in an army each soldier has his own pack, and he himself is responsible to carry that. Perhaps here, the Apostle is thinking of those individual packs which he had so often seen the Roman soldiers carrying. The Christian soldier also has own pack, and we must each one carry that.
Some soldiers put their own private things into their packs and make them heavy, but Christ's pack that He gives to each one of us is light. If we fill it up with gold, or even with books, or some other thing that in our eyes is quite innocent and harmless, we will soon find that our "load" has become very heavy. One of the best Christian soldiers that I ever knew used to say: My life motto is "travel light!" Do not put anything in that pack except what the Captain of our salvation has put in it, and then we may be sure our load will be, as He promised, "light."
But there is another burden that is never meant for the shoulders of a Christian, and that is the heavy, heavy burden of anxiety. The Lord says: "Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6-7). He tells us also what to do with anxiety when it comes, "Casting all your cares (anxiety) upon Him; for He careth for you" 1 Peter 5:7).
If we fill up our pack with anxiety, we will never have any strength left to bear the burdens of another. In Hebrews 10:35 we are told of something we are not to "cast away" and that is "our confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." Too often we cast away our confidence, and carry all our care. Galatians - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8337
December 22
And when He had spoken these things . . . He was taken up; and a cloud received Him our of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, . . . why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11
The words of the angels would impress the hearts of each of the disciples with the precious fact that the One they had known would be eternally the same. None of them had lost the Saviour who spoke peace to their hearts. Not one had lost the Friend who so tenderly cared for him.
The One who Mary Magdalene called "Rabboni" (John 20:16), was coming again, her Saviour and gracious Lord. He whose voice had so often stilled the fears of His troubled disciples, as He spoke peace or pardon to their hearts, was coming back again. He has the same love, the same longsuffering, the same goodness, though now He sits on the throne of God. The One who cheered us on our pathway, the One who cared for us as a Shepherd for His sheep, is coming back again.
We read, "And when He had spoken these things" (Acts 1:9). He talked with them as He left them, and how sweet will be His voice when we hear it audibly for the first time:
"Oh, the blessed joy of meeting, all the desert past!
Oh, the wondrous words of greeting, He shall speak at last!
He and I in that bright glory, one deep joy shall share,
Mine to be forever with Him, His that I am there.
The most thrilling joy of the present moment for the people of God, is, "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (James 5:8). May we be watching for Him. Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake
N.J. Hiebert - 8338
December 23
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