February 21
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then said Jesus unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered Him, No. John 21:3-5.
You remember how Jesus stood on the shore, and called to the disciples who were in the fishing boat, "Children, Have ye any meat?" And they had to answer, "No!" In the Greek Testament the word the Lord used is not "Children" but the diminutive of children, Paidia or as we would say "Little children." But I do not think He was thinking of their age or size: I think that diminutive was called forth by the Lord's loving concern for their long, discouraging night of failure; and now no breakfast; for the very form of His question as recorded in Greek, intimates that He knew the answer must be, "No!"
Then the same love that asks the question in that particular form, tells them what to do: "Cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find." And then the answering chord in the heart of the disciple (John) whom Jesus loved tells him who is that "Stranger" standing on the beach, and he says to Peter, "It is the Lord!"
Then He invites them to breakfast: the breakfast His own hands have prepared, and after they have finished eating, you remember He asks Peter if he loved Him more than the other disciples. Peter dare not use the strong word (agapao) for love, that the Lord had used, but replies, Thou knowest that I am fond of of Thee, (phileõ). Then the Lord says, "Feed my arnia." Arnia is the diminutive of 'lambs" or "Feed my lambkins."
The Lord said to Peter, "Feed My beloved lambs." And let us not forget that He meant size or age as well as affection. So let us not pass by the Children.
Hid Treasures - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8399
February 22
THREE WORLDS
The world that then was . . . 2 Peter 3:6
The heavens and earth, which are now . . . 2 Peter 3:7
Nevertheless, we. . . look for new heavens and a new earth. 2 Peter 3:13
We are hearing much about "one world." The Christian thinks in terms of three worlds. The first was destroyed by water. The second will perish by fire. The believer looks for a third, where righteousness dwells. This present world is reserved for fire. The new world is reserved for us who have become citizens of heaven, to whom this present evil world is but our passage, not our portion. We are strangers and pilgrims, we seek a city.
The people of the first world "knew not" until the flood came. Only Noah had his eyes open. The people of our world know not, nor will they know, until sudden destruction comes. They pride themselves on what they know, but it is only educated ignorance.
There are those today, however, like Noah who know what time of day it is. When the last storm begins to break and all heads in this world droop, they will lift up theirs, for redemption nears. The Third World is about to begin!
Day by Day with Vance Havner
Come to the Saviour, make no delay;
Here in His Word He has shown us the way;
Here in our midst He's standing today,
Tenderly saying, "Come!"
Joyful, joyful, will the meeting be,
When from sin our hearts are pure and free;
And we shall gather, Saviour, with Thee,
In our eternal home G. F. Root
N.J. Hiebert - 8400
February 23
HEAVEN'S BANK
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
I know a never-failing Bank, well filled with golden store;
No other bank contains so much that can enrich the poor.
Should all the banks of Europe break, the Bank of England fail,
Fear not that heaven's glorious Bank its discounts will curtail.
Though a thousand notes lie scattered round, all signed, and sealed and free,
Yet many a doubting soul will say, Ah! they are not for me.
Proud unbelief cannot admit such tidings to be true;
And yet I tell each bankrupt soul, These notes belong to you!
I, too, right at the door have been with painful doubts molested:
Knowing, if Moses keeps the bank, my notes had been protested;
Some fear they write so bad a hand their notes will be rejected;
But always humble souls obtain much more than they expected.
Whenever all my money's spent, and I'm in utter need,
Straight to my Bank I always go, for generous aid to plead.
I've been a thousand times before, and never was rejected;
No notes can ever be refused, that are by Grace accepted.
Should all the bankers close their doors, my Bank stands open wide
To all the chosen of the Lord, for whom the Saviour died.
Sometimes my Banker, smiling says, "Why don't you oftener come?"
And when I draw a little bill, "Why not a larger sum?"
Rowland Hill
N.J. Hiebert - 8401
February 24
And, behold, there arose a a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but Jesus was asleep. Matthew 8:24
Tired from His labour, the Saviour slept--a touching proof of His humanity. Presently, one of the Gennesaret's sudden storms burst upon the little boat, to the dismay of the disciples, who realized only feebly who it was that was voyaging with them. This was the One who ages before "shut up the sea with doors, . . . Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?" (Job 38:8,11).
Mark tells us that the disciples awoke their Lord crying, "Master, carest Thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:38) How those words must have wounded the heart of the Saviour! Had He not cared, He would have remained in His own glory, and the Bethlehem manger, the Galilean boat, and the cross of Calvary would never have been His lot. Yet so gracious is He that no word of censure escaped His lips for their heartless speech. He merely asked, "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith (Matthew 8:26).
His voice sufficed for the stilling of the storm. The psalmist wrote of Him, "Thou rulest the raging of the sea. Thou stillest them." (Psalm 89:9). Not a single attribute of Deity did He lay aside on becoming Man. Omnipotence and Omniscience shone forth in Him whenever occasion called forth their display. Demons, disease, death, winds, and waves all fled before His word. No human mind, however richly taught of God, can unravel the mystery of the union of the divine and human natures in His Person.
The disciples marvelled, saying, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!" (Matthew 8:27). The answer is simple and plain: He was God manifested in flesh, on His way to death for the eternal blessing of all who believe. Then and now, He has power to dispel every danger that could befall His people. We need only to trust Him. W. W. Fereday.
N.J. Hiebert - 8402
February 25
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. Acts 20:7-8
The apostle Paul had a very active and busy life. Serving the Lord in a hostile world gave him very little time to think of himself. We don't read of him taking a vacation either.
Nevertheless when the first day of the week came around he was not too busy to meet with the Christians at Troas to break bread. After the many conflicts he encountered in following and serving the Lord, what a delight it must have been for the apostle just to enjoy the presence of the Lord in the midst of His saints. And in the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the cup he could recall the love that had led the Lord into unfathomable depths of suffering at Calvary.
Nothing less than the sufferings of Christ could put away our sins and secure a place of acceptance before God for us. And as we gain an increased appreciation of the Lord Jesus, our affections are stirred up to greater devotion and untiring service for Him.
The upper room reminds us of our spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. A high and lofty calling is ours. If we want to be in a condition to walk worthy of our calling we need to hear Paul's discourse in this morally dark midnight hour.
There were also many lights in the upper room where they were assembled, and so it will ever be when the Word of God is opened to us in the power of the Spirit of God. There we will not need to grope in the darkness, but the light of His Word will be a lamp we need for the pathway before us. Wondrous provision from God! J. Redekop January 1995
N.J. Hiebert - 8403
February 26
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2
I suppose that there has been no man in the world more distinguished for sound wisdom in the field of medicine than Sir William Osler. At the time of his death he was Regius Professor of medicine in Oxford University in England and was ultimately knighted by the Queen. He had received honorary degrees from almost every high-class university and college in the world.
Where did he start? Under what auspices did he make his beginning? In a little frontier settlement on the edge of the forest in eastern Canada, twelve miles from the nearest doctor. His father was a missionary, a university man from England, who with his bride came out to that wild primitive country. His circuit riding took him away from home four days out of every week. If he ever had a bridge over which to cross those abundant Canadian rivers it was made of floating logs fastened together in primitive fashion, which sometimes sank when he stepped upon it.
It is not your entrance but your exit that really counts. Selected
All the way my Saviour leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.
Fanny Crosby
N. J. Hiebert - 8404
February 27
WHICH MAN IS IN CHARGE
Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:14
Are you aware of two forces striving within: the old Adam doubting and fearing, the new man believing and rejoicing? In the Christian, both are present and we shift gears back and forth. It should not be so. We should walk habitually in the Spirit although there may be occasional lapses back into the flesh. Such lapses should be accidents on the trip, possible but not on the schedule! Make no provision for the flesh, leave no loopholes, nothing that makes sinning more likely. Live in the new man and the old Adam will grow weaker.
Which man is in charge?
All the Days - Vance Havner
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight prayerfully onward, dark passions subdue,
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
To him that o'ercometh God giveth a crown;
Through faith we shall conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you,
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through. Horatio Palmer
N.J. Hiebert - 8405
February 28
THE BURDEN-BEARER
Casting all your your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
I know the Son of God for me
The cross endured.
I know He suffered in my stead,
And, by the precious blood He shed,
My peace secured.
I know the Man who died for me
Is on the throne.
I know He ever watches there,
With sympathizing shepherd-care,
O'er all His own.
So why should I not trust His love
And power divine?
If He could bear my sins away,
Can He not carry day by day
Those cares of mine?
My burdens, then, my frets, my fears,
On Him I'll cast.
I'll leave my life in His good hand,
Assured my path in love He's planned
From first to last.
Thus gladly on my homeward way
I'll singing go;
Until, by His abounding grace,
At last I see Him face to face
Who loved me so.
Bells & Pomegranates - James M. S. Tait
N.J.Hiebert - 8406
March 1
WAKEFUL HOURS
"Thou holdest mine eyes waking." Psalm 77:4
If we could always say, night after night, "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep," (Psalm 4:8) receiving in full measure the Lord's quiet gift to His beloved, we should not learn the disguised sweetness of this special word for the wakeful ones.
When the wearisome nights come, it is hushing to know that they are appointed (Job 7:3). But this is something nearer and closer bringing, something individual and personal; not only an appointment, but an act of our Father: "Thou holdest mine eyes waking." (Psalm 77:4). It is not that He is merely not giving us sleep; it is not a denial, but a different dealing.
Every moment that the tired eyes are sleepless, it is because our Father is holding them waking. It seems so natural to say, "How I wish I could go to sleep!" Yet even that restless wish may be soothed by the happy confidence in our Father's hand, which will not relax its "hold" upon the weary eyelids until the right moment has come to let them fall in slumber.
Ah! but we say, "It is not only wish, I really want sleep." Well; wanting it is one thing, and needing it is another. For He is pledged to supply "All our need, not all our notions." (Philippians 4:19) And if He holds our eyes waking, we may rest assured that, so long as He does so, it is not sleep but wakefulness that is our true need.
Now if we first simply submit ourselves in the appointed wakefulness, instead of getting fidgeted because we cannot go to sleep, the resting in His will, even in this little thing, will bring a certain blessing. And the perfect learning of this little page in the great lesson-book of our Father's will, will make others easier and clearer. Royal Bounty - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8407
March 2
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