May 11
A TRUE SERVANT DOES NOT ATTRACT ATTENTION TO HIMSELF
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 6:14
Daniel could have used the crisis in the palace of Babylon as an opportunity to glorify himself, he studiously avoids doing so. Daniel told the king, "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh know to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the later days. ...But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living. Daniel 2:28.30 Daniel made it his business to ensure that he was given no credit for the revelation, and that glory was ascribed to God alone.
We are living in days when men vie with each other for a place in the lime light. Whether it be in the political arena, the sports field, or wherever, man is always striving for self-glorification. Sadly this spirit is also at work among the people of God. Remember when the Lord was nearing the cross and the disciples were striving among themselves as to "who should be the greatest" (Mark 9:34).
As the servants of God we cannot allow ourselves to be caught up in the frenzied attempt to get the glory. We have to remind ourselves constantly that, at best, we are only servants. The Apostle Paul grasped this when he tells us that everything that man would count as a credit towards self, he counted but dung.
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ...and do count them but dung that I may win Christ...let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:7,8) - (2:5), and he went on to describe the downward path taken by the Lord Jesus, which culminated in the cross.
May God grant us the same spirit of self-effacement that we see in Daniel, refusing to take any glory to ourselves. We are but bond-slaves. The glory belongs to Him whom we serve, and to Him alone. W Burnett - Daniel
N.J. Hiebert - 8843
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 6:14
Daniel could have used the crisis in the palace of Babylon as an opportunity to glorify himself, he studiously avoids doing so. Daniel told the king, "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh know to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the later days. ...But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living. Daniel 2:28.30 Daniel made it his business to ensure that he was given no credit for the revelation, and that glory was ascribed to God alone.
We are living in days when men vie with each other for a place in the lime light. Whether it be in the political arena, the sports field, or wherever, man is always striving for self-glorification. Sadly this spirit is also at work among the people of God. Remember when the Lord was nearing the cross and the disciples were striving among themselves as to "who should be the greatest" (Mark 9:34).
As the servants of God we cannot allow ourselves to be caught up in the frenzied attempt to get the glory. We have to remind ourselves constantly that, at best, we are only servants. The Apostle Paul grasped this when he tells us that everything that man would count as a credit towards self, he counted but dung.
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ...and do count them but dung that I may win Christ...let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:7,8) - (2:5), and he went on to describe the downward path taken by the Lord Jesus, which culminated in the cross.
May God grant us the same spirit of self-effacement that we see in Daniel, refusing to take any glory to ourselves. We are but bond-slaves. The glory belongs to Him whom we serve, and to Him alone. W Burnett - Daniel
N.J. Hiebert - 8843
May 12
This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Hear ye Him.
Matthew 17:5
God's beloved Son, the Author of life, entered a scene of disease and death but remained untainted, unspotted, flawless and faultless. He took on Himself human flesh, partook of our humanity and unresistingly went to Gethsemane, Gabbatha (John 19:13) and Golgotha.
There He would make reconciliation between a righteous God and the fallen man He had created in His image!
Drew Craig
Lamb of God! when we behold Thee
Lowly in the manger laid;
Wandering as a homeless stranger
In the world Thy hands had made;
When we see Thee in the garden
In Thine agony of blood,
At Thy grace we are confounded,
Holy, spotless Lamb of God!
When we see Thee as the Victim
Nailed to the accursèd tree,
For our guilt and folly stricken,
All our judgment borne by Thee,
Lord, we own, with hearts adoring,
Thou hast washed us in Thy blood:
Glory, glory everlasting,
Be to Thee, Thou Lamb of God!
J. G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8844
God's beloved Son, the Author of life, entered a scene of disease and death but remained untainted, unspotted, flawless and faultless. He took on Himself human flesh, partook of our humanity and unresistingly went to Gethsemane, Gabbatha (John 19:13) and Golgotha.
There He would make reconciliation between a righteous God and the fallen man He had created in His image!
Drew Craig
Lamb of God! when we behold Thee
Lowly in the manger laid;
Wandering as a homeless stranger
In the world Thy hands had made;
When we see Thee in the garden
In Thine agony of blood,
At Thy grace we are confounded,
Holy, spotless Lamb of God!
When we see Thee as the Victim
Nailed to the accursèd tree,
For our guilt and folly stricken,
All our judgment borne by Thee,
Lord, we own, with hearts adoring,
Thou hast washed us in Thy blood:
Glory, glory everlasting,
Be to Thee, Thou Lamb of God!
J. G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8844
May 13
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Not only has my Saviour paid my mighty debt, but He has bought me. I am His, altogether His, and His only. What love! What grace! How can I doubt Him? Yet this is what the Galatians were doing.
God is satisfied with that price, but the senseless Galatians had forgotten. And they wanted to add their own works, circumcision, and the law, to the price that Christ had paid.
If I owe a mighty debt, and my friend pays every cent of it for me, and hands me the receipt, how can I add a further payment? This is what the Galatians were doing. If a man pays a great price to set a slave free, why should the freed slave add to the price that is already completed? But this is what the Galatians were doing.
They could not, or they would not, trust to Christ alone. They wish to add their own wretched works. "O foolish (senseless) Galatians!" (Galatians 3:1) .
This salvation was all "according to the will of our God and Father." On the one hand "Christ gave Himself," (Galatians 2:20) on the other hand "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16)
They have one mind in rescuing poor lost sinners. Well may the Apostle exclaim, "To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen!" (Galatians 1:5) Gladly do we who believe also say "Amen"
Meditations on Galatians - G.C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8845
Not only has my Saviour paid my mighty debt, but He has bought me. I am His, altogether His, and His only. What love! What grace! How can I doubt Him? Yet this is what the Galatians were doing.
God is satisfied with that price, but the senseless Galatians had forgotten. And they wanted to add their own works, circumcision, and the law, to the price that Christ had paid.
If I owe a mighty debt, and my friend pays every cent of it for me, and hands me the receipt, how can I add a further payment? This is what the Galatians were doing. If a man pays a great price to set a slave free, why should the freed slave add to the price that is already completed? But this is what the Galatians were doing.
They could not, or they would not, trust to Christ alone. They wish to add their own wretched works. "O foolish (senseless) Galatians!" (Galatians 3:1) .
This salvation was all "according to the will of our God and Father." On the one hand "Christ gave Himself," (Galatians 2:20) on the other hand "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16)
They have one mind in rescuing poor lost sinners. Well may the Apostle exclaim, "To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen!" (Galatians 1:5) Gladly do we who believe also say "Amen"
Meditations on Galatians - G.C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8845
May 14
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
ORIGINAL TITANIC BOARDING PASS: "Designed by the elite in engineering, built by the best in the business, and crewed by the cream of the White Star line, this new ship incorporates the very latest advances in science and technology and features every modern convenience to ensure you the ultimate in SAFETY and comfort. Enjoy your voyage - Edward J. Smith, Captain"
In April 1912 the passengers and crew of the famous and ill-fated Titanic, set out from Southhampton, England--bound for New York, USA--with very high expectations. For a few days, all went well. Then, disaster! On April 15, the ship struck an iceberg in the dead of night and sank in less than three hours--and more than two-thirds of the 2,224 people who had been aboard went down with the ship.
They made elaborate plans. They set out with great expectation--only to meet with disappointment, or worse. How many of the Titanic passengers would have abandoned the ship before it sailed had they known that the ship was doomed. They believed what they had read and heard. And, had they heard otherwise, would they have believed it? This world is a doomed ship--just as certainly as the Titanic
Men have tried their best and done their worst. Many today are desperately occupied with trying to improve a world which they recognize is in very bad shape and getting worse. Scientists, politicians abound with suggestions, and many around us are making frantic efforts to plug the holes and to paint the ship. Others are just as desperately pursuing passing pleasures--apparently indifferent to current conditions and to coming catastrophe. All are doomed--by sin.
"There is is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that seeketh after God....There is none that doeth good, no, not one. All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10-12, 23).
Because of sin, this world, and everybody in it, faces judgment: "God commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by the that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He raised Him from the dead" Acts 17:30-31 The Titanic did not have adequate lifeboats and there was no help at hand when the ship went down. But because Jesus died and rose again, there is hope and immediate help. He is worthy of your trust. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31) BTP, Adapted
N.J. Hiebert - 8846
ORIGINAL TITANIC BOARDING PASS: "Designed by the elite in engineering, built by the best in the business, and crewed by the cream of the White Star line, this new ship incorporates the very latest advances in science and technology and features every modern convenience to ensure you the ultimate in SAFETY and comfort. Enjoy your voyage - Edward J. Smith, Captain"
In April 1912 the passengers and crew of the famous and ill-fated Titanic, set out from Southhampton, England--bound for New York, USA--with very high expectations. For a few days, all went well. Then, disaster! On April 15, the ship struck an iceberg in the dead of night and sank in less than three hours--and more than two-thirds of the 2,224 people who had been aboard went down with the ship.
They made elaborate plans. They set out with great expectation--only to meet with disappointment, or worse. How many of the Titanic passengers would have abandoned the ship before it sailed had they known that the ship was doomed. They believed what they had read and heard. And, had they heard otherwise, would they have believed it? This world is a doomed ship--just as certainly as the Titanic
Men have tried their best and done their worst. Many today are desperately occupied with trying to improve a world which they recognize is in very bad shape and getting worse. Scientists, politicians abound with suggestions, and many around us are making frantic efforts to plug the holes and to paint the ship. Others are just as desperately pursuing passing pleasures--apparently indifferent to current conditions and to coming catastrophe. All are doomed--by sin.
"There is is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that seeketh after God....There is none that doeth good, no, not one. All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10-12, 23).
Because of sin, this world, and everybody in it, faces judgment: "God commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by the that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He raised Him from the dead" Acts 17:30-31 The Titanic did not have adequate lifeboats and there was no help at hand when the ship went down. But because Jesus died and rose again, there is hope and immediate help. He is worthy of your trust. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31) BTP, Adapted
N.J. Hiebert - 8846
May 15
Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while. Mark 6:31
It should be recognized once for all that the laws of nature are the will of God for the body; and that if we violate these laws knowingly or unknowingly we will suffer. Soul and body are so strangely and so strongly interlinked that undue strain on any one of them vitally affects the other.
Now, since manual work builds up the muscles, and mental work wears out the nerves, it is found that those who suffer most from dejection are the people who have excessive sedentary and brain work. The monotony and strain of their daily tasks have the effect of lowering the vitality of the body, and of damping the ardour of their sprits; and these in turn blur the outlook and darken the sky, depress the mind and sadden the heart.
But despondency is not limited to such. The courageous Elijah faced over eight hundred of the enemies of God (1 Kings 18:19) and did so unflinchingly (verse 27). And yet, when the ordeal was over, the inevitable reaction came even to him. "He went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.' " (19:4).
But see how tenderly God dealt with him, providing just what he needed--rest and food (verses 5-8). Ah! our Maker remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14; Genesis 2:7); it is we who forget it and act as if we, were made of iron. After a season of strenuous activity, the Master said to his disciples:"Come ye...rest awhile (Mark 6:31). And possibly all that is needed to lift from the life of any one of us the gloom and heaviness that have fallen upon it, is a little change and holiday in the country.
If the reader is indoors all day, exercise in the fresh air, if possible is indispensable to the maintenance of health. Of the various forms of recreation none can exceed in utility work in the garden. Contact with the soil--digging, pruning, planting, watering--gives the body just the exercise which it needs, and reacts most helpfully on mind and heart and nerves. Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8847
It should be recognized once for all that the laws of nature are the will of God for the body; and that if we violate these laws knowingly or unknowingly we will suffer. Soul and body are so strangely and so strongly interlinked that undue strain on any one of them vitally affects the other.
Now, since manual work builds up the muscles, and mental work wears out the nerves, it is found that those who suffer most from dejection are the people who have excessive sedentary and brain work. The monotony and strain of their daily tasks have the effect of lowering the vitality of the body, and of damping the ardour of their sprits; and these in turn blur the outlook and darken the sky, depress the mind and sadden the heart.
But despondency is not limited to such. The courageous Elijah faced over eight hundred of the enemies of God (1 Kings 18:19) and did so unflinchingly (verse 27). And yet, when the ordeal was over, the inevitable reaction came even to him. "He went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.' " (19:4).
But see how tenderly God dealt with him, providing just what he needed--rest and food (verses 5-8). Ah! our Maker remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14; Genesis 2:7); it is we who forget it and act as if we, were made of iron. After a season of strenuous activity, the Master said to his disciples:"Come ye...rest awhile (Mark 6:31). And possibly all that is needed to lift from the life of any one of us the gloom and heaviness that have fallen upon it, is a little change and holiday in the country.
If the reader is indoors all day, exercise in the fresh air, if possible is indispensable to the maintenance of health. Of the various forms of recreation none can exceed in utility work in the garden. Contact with the soil--digging, pruning, planting, watering--gives the body just the exercise which it needs, and reacts most helpfully on mind and heart and nerves. Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8847
May 16
David went on going and growing, and the Lord . . . was with him.
2 Samuel 5:10
When a believer stops going he ceases growing also. There must be obedience to the truth of God, a "going" on in the ways that be in Christ, as they are learned from His Word. No shirking of the cross that obedience often brings with it, but steady "going and growing" steadily and constantly.
They are the happy saints who thus go on growing, and they are fruitful ones too. They are not toppled over with every wind, for they grow like the cedar in Lebanon, striking down their roots deeper every year, and flourish like the palm tree, evergreen, amid burning deserts. J. Ritchie
The cedar boughs once touched the grass;
But every year they grew
A little farther from the ground
And nearer to the blue.
So live that that you may each year be,
While time glides swiftly by,
A little farther from the earth,
And nearer to the sky.
N.J. Hiebert - 8848
When a believer stops going he ceases growing also. There must be obedience to the truth of God, a "going" on in the ways that be in Christ, as they are learned from His Word. No shirking of the cross that obedience often brings with it, but steady "going and growing" steadily and constantly.
They are the happy saints who thus go on growing, and they are fruitful ones too. They are not toppled over with every wind, for they grow like the cedar in Lebanon, striking down their roots deeper every year, and flourish like the palm tree, evergreen, amid burning deserts. J. Ritchie
The cedar boughs once touched the grass;
But every year they grew
A little farther from the ground
And nearer to the blue.
So live that that you may each year be,
While time glides swiftly by,
A little farther from the earth,
And nearer to the sky.
N.J. Hiebert - 8848
May 17
THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER
Mary . . . sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word. Luke 10:39
Lord teach us to pray. Luke 11:1
The principle of all prevailing intercession lies in the soul entering into the thoughts of God and turning them into prayer.
"Pray for them which despitefully use you." (Luke 6:28) If a brother treats you coldly, if a sister speaks against you, do you make it your habit to pray for them? Oh, how different we would be, if we thus bare one another up before the Lord.
Luther said, "To pray well is to study well," and we may add, to preach well.
All that is outside of the Bible, all that presumes to come into competition with it and challenges the ears of men, is but a sea, an unformed mass, of opinions and reasonings. How welcome therefore to the soul, wearied in its quest after some stable foundation on which to rest in view of death and eternity, is the immutable basis laid for faith in the infallible scriptures.
If we would be preserved from the snares of mysticism and imagination the Word of God must be the basis of our contemplations. Resting on the Word . . . we are on a sure rock, against which all the waves of error dash themselves only to be scattered as mist and foam.
The unchanging God imparts His own character to His own truth, and it thus abides through all times as changeless in its perfections as He whose word it is. Footprints for Pilgrims - Edward Dennett
N.J. Hiebert - 8849
Mary . . . sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word. Luke 10:39
Lord teach us to pray. Luke 11:1
The principle of all prevailing intercession lies in the soul entering into the thoughts of God and turning them into prayer.
"Pray for them which despitefully use you." (Luke 6:28) If a brother treats you coldly, if a sister speaks against you, do you make it your habit to pray for them? Oh, how different we would be, if we thus bare one another up before the Lord.
Luther said, "To pray well is to study well," and we may add, to preach well.
All that is outside of the Bible, all that presumes to come into competition with it and challenges the ears of men, is but a sea, an unformed mass, of opinions and reasonings. How welcome therefore to the soul, wearied in its quest after some stable foundation on which to rest in view of death and eternity, is the immutable basis laid for faith in the infallible scriptures.
If we would be preserved from the snares of mysticism and imagination the Word of God must be the basis of our contemplations. Resting on the Word . . . we are on a sure rock, against which all the waves of error dash themselves only to be scattered as mist and foam.
The unchanging God imparts His own character to His own truth, and it thus abides through all times as changeless in its perfections as He whose word it is. Footprints for Pilgrims - Edward Dennett
N.J. Hiebert - 8849
May 18
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10
It was because of his piety that the Apostle can say, "for this we labour and suffer reproach". We may be prepared to labour and be prominent before men, and thus labour and gain applause, or labour to exalt self. But if piety is behind our labour, it will inevitably mean labour and reproach.
The Apostle proceeds to show that the spring of piety is confidence in God. We trust in the living God Who is the preserver of all men, specially of those that believe. Piety is that individual confidence in God that takes up every circumstance of life in relation to God.
The unregenerate man leaves God out of his life; the believer recognizes God in all the details of life and thankfully receives, and uses, every mercy that God places within his reach, without abusing the mercies. Thus piety is the antidote to all the evil influences of the latter days.
Personal precepts for the Servant of the Lord (Vv 11-16)
(Vv 11,12). These things Timothy was to enjoin and teach. Being a young man he was to be specially on his guard against any assumption or youthful pride that would mar his testimony by leading him to be despised because of his youth.
If his exhortations and instructions to others were to be effectual, he would have, in his life, to be "a model of the believers" -- "in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity". Alas! how often we mar our testimony through failing to exhibit these beautiful qualities of Christ. If the truths we teach do not affect our own lives, can we expect our teaching to affect others? 1 Timothy - Hamilton Smith.
N.J. Hiebert - 8850
It was because of his piety that the Apostle can say, "for this we labour and suffer reproach". We may be prepared to labour and be prominent before men, and thus labour and gain applause, or labour to exalt self. But if piety is behind our labour, it will inevitably mean labour and reproach.
The Apostle proceeds to show that the spring of piety is confidence in God. We trust in the living God Who is the preserver of all men, specially of those that believe. Piety is that individual confidence in God that takes up every circumstance of life in relation to God.
The unregenerate man leaves God out of his life; the believer recognizes God in all the details of life and thankfully receives, and uses, every mercy that God places within his reach, without abusing the mercies. Thus piety is the antidote to all the evil influences of the latter days.
Personal precepts for the Servant of the Lord (Vv 11-16)
(Vv 11,12). These things Timothy was to enjoin and teach. Being a young man he was to be specially on his guard against any assumption or youthful pride that would mar his testimony by leading him to be despised because of his youth.
If his exhortations and instructions to others were to be effectual, he would have, in his life, to be "a model of the believers" -- "in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity". Alas! how often we mar our testimony through failing to exhibit these beautiful qualities of Christ. If the truths we teach do not affect our own lives, can we expect our teaching to affect others? 1 Timothy - Hamilton Smith.
N.J. Hiebert - 8850
May 19
Such mighty works are wrought by His hands. Mark 6:2
And He could there do no mighty work. Mark 6:5
Many people knew what the Lord could do (vs. 2) but only a few sick folk were healed that day (vs. 5). Instead of believing what they knew to be true and being blessed, they chose their own reasoning, and were impoverished.
We, as believers, know what He has done with His hands--especially when they were nailed to a cross on our behalf! Psalm 111:7 says, "The works of His hands are verity and judgment." In truth and judgment, He brought salvation and consequently "Thou hast made Him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands." (Psalm 8:6). Let us thank Him today for His mighty work. E.N.
Before Thy throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
Charles Wesley
When we survey the wondrous cross on which the Lord of glory died,
Our richest gain we count but loss, and pour contempt on all our pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that we should boast, Save in the death of Christ, our God;
All the vain things that charm us most, We'd sacrifice them to His blood.
There from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flowed mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature ours, that were an offering far too small;
Love that transcends our highest powers, Demands our soul, our life, our all.
Isaac Watts
N.J. Hiebert - 8851
And He could there do no mighty work. Mark 6:5
Many people knew what the Lord could do (vs. 2) but only a few sick folk were healed that day (vs. 5). Instead of believing what they knew to be true and being blessed, they chose their own reasoning, and were impoverished.
We, as believers, know what He has done with His hands--especially when they were nailed to a cross on our behalf! Psalm 111:7 says, "The works of His hands are verity and judgment." In truth and judgment, He brought salvation and consequently "Thou hast made Him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands." (Psalm 8:6). Let us thank Him today for His mighty work. E.N.
Before Thy throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
Charles Wesley
When we survey the wondrous cross on which the Lord of glory died,
Our richest gain we count but loss, and pour contempt on all our pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that we should boast, Save in the death of Christ, our God;
All the vain things that charm us most, We'd sacrifice them to His blood.
There from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flowed mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature ours, that were an offering far too small;
Love that transcends our highest powers, Demands our soul, our life, our all.
Isaac Watts
N.J. Hiebert - 8851
May 20
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God . . .In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. and the light shineth in the darkness: and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:1, 4, 5.
Not long ago a friend of mine was preaching in this town to a very large audience. At the close of the meeting, I came in contact with an excessively intelligent, and withal earnest young fellow, one of your own set. I got into conversation with him, and asked him if he were saved. He said, "How can I know?" "Well," I replied, "I know that I am saved, thank God. Don't you know it?" "No," he replied, "but I am doing my best to live a proper, moral, straight, and square life." "Quite right," I said, "that is exactly what you should do."
"Won't that have some weight with God?" he asked. "Won't that curry favour with God?" "Well," I said, "stop a moment. Will your life compare with the life of Jesus?" He thought a minute, and then said, "What do you mean?" I mean this--Do you think your life will compare with the life of Jesus?" After thinking a little, he replied, "I could not say that. I am doing my best to live a moral, proper and square life, but I cannot say that it could compare with that of Jesus."
Well then, "I said, "you won't do for God; because only one Man will suit Him, and that is Jesus; He is the truth. He is what man should be. A man should be holy, spotless, sinless, undefiled, absolutely devoted and true to God. That is what Jesus was." He thought a moment, and then turning round sharply to me, said, "If what you say is true, every man is lost." "Yes," I said, "you have hit the nail on the head this time. That is exactly what Scripture says. Every man is lost, and 'the Son of Man is come to seek, and to save that which was lost.' (Luke 19:10)
Seekers For Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
N.J. Hiebert - 8852
Not long ago a friend of mine was preaching in this town to a very large audience. At the close of the meeting, I came in contact with an excessively intelligent, and withal earnest young fellow, one of your own set. I got into conversation with him, and asked him if he were saved. He said, "How can I know?" "Well," I replied, "I know that I am saved, thank God. Don't you know it?" "No," he replied, "but I am doing my best to live a proper, moral, straight, and square life." "Quite right," I said, "that is exactly what you should do."
"Won't that have some weight with God?" he asked. "Won't that curry favour with God?" "Well," I said, "stop a moment. Will your life compare with the life of Jesus?" He thought a minute, and then said, "What do you mean?" I mean this--Do you think your life will compare with the life of Jesus?" After thinking a little, he replied, "I could not say that. I am doing my best to live a moral, proper and square life, but I cannot say that it could compare with that of Jesus."
Well then, "I said, "you won't do for God; because only one Man will suit Him, and that is Jesus; He is the truth. He is what man should be. A man should be holy, spotless, sinless, undefiled, absolutely devoted and true to God. That is what Jesus was." He thought a moment, and then turning round sharply to me, said, "If what you say is true, every man is lost." "Yes," I said, "you have hit the nail on the head this time. That is exactly what Scripture says. Every man is lost, and 'the Son of Man is come to seek, and to save that which was lost.' (Luke 19:10)
Seekers For Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
N.J. Hiebert - 8852
May 21
If any man thirst, let him come unto ME, and drink. He that believeth on ME, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37,38.
I saw that it was a matter of thirsting, coming, drinking, believing, overflowing. There was no great emotional experience, but just as I had trusted Christ as my Saviour, so by simple faith I received the the Holy Spirit, Who dwells within.
It has been said that the two words "believe" and "receive" are the hardest for most people to spell correctly, because it is "ie" in one and "ei" in the other. Surely, in Christian experience they are slowly learned by so many of us, and yet they are the key words in the language of things spiritual.
To as many as RECEIVE Him our Lord gives the right to become the sons of God, even to them that BELIEVE on His name. What things soever we desire when we pray, we are to BELIEVE that we RECEIVE them, and we shall have them. And Jesus spoke of the Spirit which they that BELIEVE on Him should RECEIVE.
Believe and receive the Saviour, God's gift of love divine.
And Christ and heaven and glory shall evermore be thine.
Believe and receive the Saviour, forth to the conflict go,
With the Word, the sword of the Spirit, to meet the advancing foe.
Go forth in the Spirit's power, in the all-prevailing name
Of Christ, the world's Redeemer, His Gospel to proclaim.
Chorus: Believe and receive the Saviour, for you His blood was shed;
He took your sins upon Him, and suffered in your stead.
J. Ward Childs
N.J. Hiebert - 8853
I saw that it was a matter of thirsting, coming, drinking, believing, overflowing. There was no great emotional experience, but just as I had trusted Christ as my Saviour, so by simple faith I received the the Holy Spirit, Who dwells within.
It has been said that the two words "believe" and "receive" are the hardest for most people to spell correctly, because it is "ie" in one and "ei" in the other. Surely, in Christian experience they are slowly learned by so many of us, and yet they are the key words in the language of things spiritual.
To as many as RECEIVE Him our Lord gives the right to become the sons of God, even to them that BELIEVE on His name. What things soever we desire when we pray, we are to BELIEVE that we RECEIVE them, and we shall have them. And Jesus spoke of the Spirit which they that BELIEVE on Him should RECEIVE.
Believe and receive the Saviour, God's gift of love divine.
And Christ and heaven and glory shall evermore be thine.
Believe and receive the Saviour, forth to the conflict go,
With the Word, the sword of the Spirit, to meet the advancing foe.
Go forth in the Spirit's power, in the all-prevailing name
Of Christ, the world's Redeemer, His Gospel to proclaim.
Chorus: Believe and receive the Saviour, for you His blood was shed;
He took your sins upon Him, and suffered in your stead.
J. Ward Childs
N.J. Hiebert - 8853
May 22
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee... Psalm 55:22
Two young Christian men who lived many years ago were walking from their small village through the country side, heading towards another village where they planned to earn some money helping with the fall harvesting of crops. As they walked, they came to a wide river. There was no bridge in that particular location but since the river was shallow, people who needed to cross at that place often waded through the water. The two young men decided to do the same thing.
When they came to the river they saw an elderly woman sitting at the edge of the water. She had come from the village with a bundle of food and some other supplies. She was quite downcast because since there was no bridge, with the weight of her burdens, she was now afraid to try to wade back across the river, fearing she would lose her balance.
The first young man kindly spoke to her. "We will be glad to carry you across with your bundle, if you would like us to do that." The old lady was very grateful, "Oh, thank you so much" she said. "I would very much appreciate your help." The two young men joined hands together and carefully lifted the elderly woman and her bundle between them. They slowly walked through the river, carrying her to the other side. They put her down on the opposite shore and she heartily thanked them as she continued on her journey.
After the two had walked about a mile, the second young man began to complain. "Look at my shoes and pants" he said. "They are wet and stained from carrying that woman across the river. Besides, my back is very stiff and hurts from lifting her." The first young man just smiled and nodded. After four more miles the second man began to complain again. "My back is really hurting--all because we had to carry that silly old woman across the river! I can't continue" he said "as he lay down moaning. The first man looked at him and asked; "Do you wonder why I'm not complaining? You're back hurts because you're still carrying that woman. I set her down five miles ago." The Christian Shepherd - December 2017
N.J. Hiebert - 8854
Two young Christian men who lived many years ago were walking from their small village through the country side, heading towards another village where they planned to earn some money helping with the fall harvesting of crops. As they walked, they came to a wide river. There was no bridge in that particular location but since the river was shallow, people who needed to cross at that place often waded through the water. The two young men decided to do the same thing.
When they came to the river they saw an elderly woman sitting at the edge of the water. She had come from the village with a bundle of food and some other supplies. She was quite downcast because since there was no bridge, with the weight of her burdens, she was now afraid to try to wade back across the river, fearing she would lose her balance.
The first young man kindly spoke to her. "We will be glad to carry you across with your bundle, if you would like us to do that." The old lady was very grateful, "Oh, thank you so much" she said. "I would very much appreciate your help." The two young men joined hands together and carefully lifted the elderly woman and her bundle between them. They slowly walked through the river, carrying her to the other side. They put her down on the opposite shore and she heartily thanked them as she continued on her journey.
After the two had walked about a mile, the second young man began to complain. "Look at my shoes and pants" he said. "They are wet and stained from carrying that woman across the river. Besides, my back is very stiff and hurts from lifting her." The first young man just smiled and nodded. After four more miles the second man began to complain again. "My back is really hurting--all because we had to carry that silly old woman across the river! I can't continue" he said "as he lay down moaning. The first man looked at him and asked; "Do you wonder why I'm not complaining? You're back hurts because you're still carrying that woman. I set her down five miles ago." The Christian Shepherd - December 2017
N.J. Hiebert - 8854
May 23
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