For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.
Ephesians 5:30
Out of the great continent of Africa, there are people who are unable to count beyond ten--the number of their fingers. One of these folk was asked how many oxen he possessed. He replied that he could not tell.
"Then how would you know if one or two of your oxen were missing?" was the next question. "Not because the number was less, but because I should miss a face." Beloved Christian friend, if by any possibility you fail to appear in heaven, you would be missed! But there is no such possibility.
I like very much the reply which the old lady gave to one who objected to her rejoicing so unfeignedly in the biblical assurances of the security of the believer.
"You seem pretty confident about this salvation of yours. I would not be too sure about it if I were you. Suppose the Lord should let you slip through His fingers."
"But," said the old saint, "He cannot do that since I happen to be one of His fingers myself."
"The love that led me all the golden way,
Nor left me when my feet had gone astray,
Will hold me still at dying of the day
And bring me home."
George Henderson - Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care
N.J. Hiebert - 20448
October 1
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4-5
What an exciting thought-- "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son." For centuries, which grew darker and darker, the faithful people of God waited for the promised Messiah who would reign, according to Isaiah 9:6, "Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah goes on to say that "of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end." "He will reign with judgment and with righteousness, from henceforth even forever." But when would He come? When would be this "fullness of the time"? It is not too difficult for us today to identify with the desire and longing expressed in the prophecies of the Old Testament that speak of a Redeemer who would come to deliver His people from the oppression and trouble all around them.
We too live in similar times. While there are a few bright spots of hope, they are quickly overshadowed by the vast amounts of selfishness, misery, strife, despair, and destruction all around us. But there is one great difference between then and now. "The fullness of the time" has come! And all who believe "God sent His Son".
The millennial time is yet to come when our Lord will reign physically over this earth in the manner described by Isaiah and the other prophets. But the time is here and now for each one of us to receive the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, the peace which shall guard our hearts and our thoughts by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). We can enjoy Him now if we recognize and own Him as the One sent to redeem us from our sins.
L.J. Ondrejack
N.J. Hiebert - 20449
October 2
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
Were we to walk in the light and power of this great foundation truth, humility would characterize us. The flesh, in its vanity and assumption, would be mortified; and the meek and lowly spirit of Jesus would be manifested.
The bird that soars on highest wing, builds on the ground her lowly nest,
And she that doth most sweetly sing, sings in the shade when all things rest.
In lark and nightingale we see what honour hath humility.
When Mary chose the better part, she meekly sat at Jesus feet.
And Lydia's gently opened heart was made for God's own temple meet.
Fairest and best adorned is she, whose clothing is humility.
The saint that wears heaven's brightest crown in humble adoration bends;
The weight of glory bows him down, then most, when most, his soul ascends.
Nearest the throne must ever be, the footstool of humility.
When Christ is a complete covering to the eye, contentment fills the heart. We can afford to take the lowest place. Everything needed to make us happy is found in Him. He is not only fair to the eye, but pleasant to the heart. Many are fair that are not pleasant, and many are pleasant that are not fair, but Christ is both.
"Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant."
(Song of Solomon 1:16)
Meditations on the Song of Solomon - Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 20450
October 3
Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And He said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Luke 13:23-24
Some persons seem constantly occupied with religious questions. Their enquiry is not, "Am I saved?" but, are others saved?" Sometimes we find a fond parent solicitous about the future state of a dying child, a kind master anxious about his afflicted servant's spiritual condition, and others manifesting concern for the ignorant and poor around them, without laying to heart what their own state before God really is.
It was so in the days of our Lord. "One said unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved?" to which Jesus replied, "Strive to enter in at the straight gate." Thus He sought to lead him away from the consideration of others, to ponder the all-important question of his own soul's salvation; and exposed the folly of appearing concerned for others, while he himself was on the broad road to destruction. So weighty, so essential, is the point, and so fatal would a mistake be, that He commands them to "strive (or agonize) to enter in at the strait gate."
We do well to observe, that the instruction here is not that they were to do a great many things, or even one thing, to make themselves fit for God; or that they were to wander through a long, tedious labyrinth to find blessing and safety. No; it is simply a "gate" that is presented to them as the alone way of escape; and their security and blessing depended on their entering in at the gate.
The condition of all outside is most perilous; but there is a way of escape; and judgment and condemnation must overtake those who do not accept the only way of deliverance by entering in at the strait (narrow door) gate. [Christ crucified].
Streams of Refreshing H. H. Snell (1815-1891)
N.J. Hiebert - 20451
October 4
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy presence from the pride of man: Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20
Just as the clouds were gathering in the days of Mordecai and Esther, so they are gathering around us today. It looked very bad for God's people, but although God is neither heard nor seen throughout the book of Esther, He was working behind the scenes for the blessing of His people, then and now.
In Psalm 3:8 we read, "Thy blessing is upon Thy people." Dear believer in the Lord Jesus, there is no reason why we should ever be discouraged, we are on the winning side! When our strength is gone, then He will come in and deliver.
Two of the hardest lessons for us to learn are dependence and obedience. This is really what makes up the path of faith, it is not complicated . . . but we may make it so. One who goes on quietly in the presence of God in simplicity, reading the Word and praying, does not find the path complicated.
God has raised up individuals to do His work, and sometimes very strange or unexpected persons are used to carry out His purposes. We remember those scriptures which say,". . . out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength" (Psalm 8:2). This we have in the book of Esther. Can you imagine this young captive, like an exotic plant in the wilderness, moving kingdoms? She did. Don't say, "There's nothing for me to do."
The great thing for you and me is to be in such a state of soul that God can use us. It is easy to say when we get up in the morning, "Lord, make me a channel of blessing today," but it is a little different to sit down and meditate on the Word of God and wait upon God. In the very last days of Israel's future history, when they will be restored, they are told to wait upon God. Oh how hard this is for the flesh. Esther - C. E. Lunden
N.J. Hiebert - 20452
October 5
Absalom . . . reared up for himself a pillar . . . and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place. 2 Samuel 18:18
Prince Albert died of typhoid in 1861. Queen Victoria had an enormous four sided granite pyramid constructed in his memory within the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Scotland. An inscription bears testament to the fact that it was "erected by his broken hearted widow." It is called Prince Albert's Cairn.
Absalom had a pillar erected so that his name would be remembered. Our Lord did not seek a physical monument to His memory but He did institute a weekly memorial gathering around simple emblems so that His own followers would actively remember Him. Will you remember Him today in the way He asked? Brian Powlesland
A monument of grace, a sinner saved by blood,
The streams of love I trace, up to the fountain, God. John Kent
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread:
And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.
After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
N.J. Hiebert - 20453
October 6
HANDS -- A MIGHTY MECHANISM
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. Ecclesiastes 9:10
Let us lift up our . . . hands unto God in the heavens. Lamentations 3:41
Stay a minute, and look at your hand, the hand that holds this little book as you read it. See how wonderfully it is made; how perfectly fitted for what it has to do; how ingeniously connected with the brain, so as to yield that instantaneous and instinctive obedience without which its beautiful mechanism would be very little good to us!
Your hand, do you say? Whether it is soft and fair with an easy life, or rough and strong with a working one, or white and weak with illness, it is the Lord Jesus Christ's. It is not your own at all; it belongs to Him. He made it, "for without Him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3), not even your hand. And He has the added right of purchase--He has bought it that it might be one of His own instruments.
We know this very well, but have we realized it? Have we really let Him have the use of these hands of ours? and have we ever simply and sincerely asked Him to keep them for His own use?
Jesus, Master, whom I serve, though so feebly and so ill,
Strengthen hand and heart and nerve all Thy bidding to fulfill;
Open Thou mine eyes to see all the work Thou hast for me.
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 20454
October 7
He (Daniel) went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees . . . and prayed. Daniel 6:10
Daniel did not have to open his windows when he wanted to commune with his Lord. Apparently they were open (as are our windows in India) all the time. Is it not a perfect picture of how we are meant to live?
We do not have to spend even one minute in opening our windows, if our custom is to keep them open. To be earthly-minded, moved by self-love, self-pity, self-will--that trend of feeling which leads to self-occupation--is to close the shutters.
Are my windows open toward (Jerusalem) HIM? Is my whole being, with all its various "windows", always open? Sometimes winds blows from one side or another and a window is blown shut. If that happens, do I know it at once? Lord Jesus, let me know it at once. Do not let me go on with any windows shut or half-open. Lord, help me to keep my windows open continually "toward Jerusalem". Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 20455
October 8
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:25,26
We usually call vainglory, conceit. The law makes us more vainglorious or conceited than we were before, instead of destroying our vainglory, because the law makes me think of myself.
Though as we have seen, if we use the law in the right way it is most useful, for when I think of myself, and see how bad I am -- when I see how far short of the righteous demands of the law I come -- then the law helps to compel me to own myself a lost sinner. But the law, as we have seen, never can produce righteousness.
And the law cannot produce holiness either. The law is not the rule of life for the Christian. Even the Christian's flesh is not subject to the law, and so the law cannot produce holiness in it. But God has given us a new life, and the Holy Spirit dwells in us, to produce fruits which are well-pleasing to God.
Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, living by Him, walking by Him, led by Him, taught by Him from the Word of God, (the Bible), let us each one by Him seek to walk in line, to keep step, to walk, in the footsteps of Christ (1 Peter 2:21). If we keep step, we are likely also to "keep rank" (1 Chronicles 12:33).
Let us remember:
1. Through the Spirit we wait for (eagerly expect) the hope of righteousness by faith (Galatians 5:5). 2. We walk in The Spirit. (5:16). 3.The Spirit opposes the flesh. (5:17). 4. We are led of the Spirit. (5:18). 5. We live in the Spirit. (5:25). 6. We keep step by the Spirit. (5:25). 7. We sow to the Spirit to reap life everlasting. (6:8). Meditations on Galatians - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 20456
October 9
THE QUEENS QUESTION - CAN WE BE SURE?
"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9
Is there any way of making sure that we shall spend eternity in heaven, welcomed into the fellowship of God and not in "the second death" of eternal separation from Him? Many suppose that this question, the greatest that can confront one, must necessarily wait for its answer until the present life is over. But is it so? Must the question of eternal blessedness or misery, heaven or hell, remain a torturing uncertainty till too late to make any change?
A beautiful incident in the experience of Queen Victoria is worth remembering. It is unquestionably authentic. The Queen had attended a service in St. Paul's Cathedral and had listened to a sermon that interested her greatly; then she asked her chaplain, "Can one be absolutely sure in this life of eternal safety?" His answer was that he "knew of no way that one could be absolutely sure."
This was published in the Court News and fell under the eye of a humble minister of the Gospel, John Townsend, an intimate friend of George Muller, whose life of faith led to the founding of his well-known orphanages. John Townsend was the father of "Sister Abigail," another Christian of extraordinary faith and service. After reading Queen Victoria's question and the answer she received, John Townsend thought and prayed much about the matter, then sent the following note to the Queen:
"To her gracious Majesty, our beloved Queen Victoria, from one of her most humble subjects: With trembling hands, but heart-filled love, and because I know that we can be absolutely sure even now of our eternal life in the Home that Jesus went to prepare, may I ask your Most Gracious Majesty to read the following passages of scripture: John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10? These passages prove there is full assurance of salvation by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ for those who believe and accept His finished work. I sign myself, your servant for Jesus' sake," John Townsend
John Townsend was not alone in praying about his letter to the Queen. He took others into his confidence, and much prayer from many hearts went up to God. In about a fortnight he received a modest-looking envelope containing the following letter:
To John Townsend:
Your letter of recent date received and in reply would state that I have carefully and prayerfully read the portions of Scripture referred to. I believe in the finished work of Christ for me, and trust by God's grace to meet you in that Home of which He said, "I go to prepare a place for you." (Signed ) Victoria Guelph
Whether one is an earthly monarch or an inconspicuous unknown person the way of salvation and of eternal life is the same. - Come Home
N.J. Hiebert - 20457
October 10
I have surely seen the affliction of My people . . . come now, therefore , I will send thee, (Exodus 3:7,10)
Does that seem a weak ending to a powerful beginning? The Lord God looks upon terrible affliction and He sends a weak man to deal with it. Could He not have sent fire from heaven? Could He not have rent the heavens and sent His ministers of calamity and disasters? Why chose a man when the archangel Gabriel stands ready at obedience?
This is not the way of the Lord. He uses human means to divine ends. He works through man to the emancipation of men. He pours His strength into a worm, and it becomes an instrument with teeth. He stiffens a frail reed and it becomes an iron pillar.
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He,
The Lord of Host's His name, from age to age the same.
And He must win the battle. Martin Luther
And this mighty God will use thee and me. On every side there are Egypts where affliction abounds, there are homes where ignorance breeds, there are workshops where tyranny reigns, there are lands where oppression is rampant. "Come now, therefore, I will send thee." Thus saith the Lord, and He who gives the command will also give the equipment." J. H. Jowett.
N.J. Hiebert - 20458
October 11
October 12
