"Negative Feedback from the Flesh"
"And he that died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again. " 2 Corinthians 5:15
One great temptation of the Christian life is to evaluate our faith
based on how we feel at any particular moment.
When we place too much importance on our physical or emotionally condition —
and then try to prove faith based solely on what we're experiencing —
it can be very deceptive.
The victory lies in looking away from self and fixing our eyes upon Christ.
Not on how we might be doing or feeling today, but on what
He has done to ensure our present success and eternal destination.
Therefore, the power for victorious living is in Him, the indwelling Spirit of Christ.
(2 Peter 1:3) "His divine power hath given unto all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3)
We might be no match for the ploys of Satan, but he is no match for the living Christ.
Our death to sin is receiving by faith what is true in Christ —
regardless of the deception and the negative feedback
our flesh may give us from one day to the next.
(Adapted)
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December 20
“The righteous considereth the cause of the poor.”
(Proverbs 29:7)
The year was 1780, and Robert Raikes had a burden for the poor, illiterate children in his London neighbourhood. He noticed that nothing was being done to help these children, so he set out to make a difference.
He hired some women to set up schools for them on Sunday. Using the Bible as their textbook, the teachers taught the poorest children of London to read and introduced them to the wisdom of the Bible. Soon about 100 children were attending these classes and enjoying lunch in a safe, clean environment.
These "Sunday schools,” as they were soon called, eventually touched the lives of thousands of boys and girls.
By 1831, Sunday schools in Great Britain reached more than a million children—all because one man understood this truth: “The righteous considers the cause of the poor.”
It’s no secret that Jesus cares greatly for those who struggle. In Matthew 25: 35-36, He suggests that followers of Christ show a readiness for the Lord’s return by helping the hungry to get food, helping the thirsty to get a drink, helping the homeless to find a home, helping the naked to get clothes, and helping the sick or imprisoned to receive comfort.
As we bear witness that Jesus Christ is in our hearts, we honour our compassionate Saviour by considering those on God’s heart. (Dave Brandon)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (2015), Grand Rapids, MI, Reprinted permission."
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December 21
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
(John 3:7)
The Lord Jesus, here speaking to the well respected leader of Israel,
Nicodemus, brings before him his imperative need:
“Ye must be born again.”
On the outside Nicodemus was religious, devoted, a teacher of the law,
but something was missing.
He needed new life—on the inside—not physical but spiritual,
not earthly but heavenly, not material but eternal.
Where could he find it?
The Lord Jesus shows him the way!
The Lord Jesus Himself would be lifted up upon a cross to bear our sins.
You can have eternal life as a gift through Him who died for you.
By faith you can receive it today.
Trust Him and receive life—on the inside.
(Jim Paul)
"A ruler once came to Jesus by night to ask Him the way of salvation and light;
The Saviour made answer in words true and plain,
Ye must be born again.”
(William T. Sleeper 1819-1904)
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December 22
“And when they had seen Him, they made known abroad the saying
which was told them concerning this child.”
(Luke 2:17)
The question asked in this well-loved carol must have been uppermost in the minds of those present at Jesus’ birth.
We can almost hear the question being asked from one to another as they gazed into the humble manger.
How difficult it must have been for them to understand that the Babe
who lay in “such mean estate” was truly the promised Messiah.
And through the centuries men have continued to ponder who Christ really is—
how can He be fully God and still fully man?
Only through divine faith comes the revealed answer.
“He who is the Bread of Life began His ministry hungering.
He who is the Water of Life ended His ministry thirsty.
Christ hungered as man, yet fed the multitudes as God.
He was weary, yet He is our rest.
He prayed, yet He hears prayers.
He was sold for 30 pieces of silver, yet He redeems sinners.
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
He died, and by dying destroyed death."
(Unknown)
What Child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
Why lies He in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear—for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh—come, rich and poor, to own Him;
the King of kings salvation brings—let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Chorus: This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud—the Babe, the Son of Mary.
(William C. Dix - 1642)
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December 23
“Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.”
(Ephesians 5:25)
He not only died for us in the past; He is living for us in the present.
Today He is sanctifying and cleansing the church with the washing of water by the word.
He is daily occupied with us, separating us from this evil world and practically cleansing us from the flesh.
This blessed work is carried on by the application of the word to our thoughts and words and ways.
He did not first make the church worthy to be loved, then love it and give Himself for it.
He loved it as it was, then gave Himself for it, and now works to make it suitable to Himself.
(Hamilton Smith)
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December 24
“Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.”
(Joshua 13:1)
MIND YOU, GOD did not say to this veteran, “You are getting old and you’ve had it”!
On the Pillars of Hercules was a warning to sailors,
Ne plus ultra, which means “no more beyond.”
That was the limit beyond which mariners dared not venture.
But Joaquin Miller in his immortal poem about Columbus began,
Behind him lay the gray Azores,
Behind the Gates of Hercules.
That was really a starting point for Columbus.
He believed there was more beyond and we in North America are living on that more today!
For the Christian, there lies far more to be possessed here and now and beyond that,
new heavens and earth!
God grant the Church today some hardy souls who,
while frightened or complacent saints rebel, know only one reply,
“Sail on! sail on! and on!”
And of such it shall be said,
“He gained a world: he gave the Church its grandest lesson:
On! sail on!”
(Vance Havner)
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December 25
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:11)
In the spring of the year, the lambing season, shepherds in ancient times would sit all night beside their flocks, watching for wolves or other dangers and even feeding orphan lambs with milk on a soaked rag.
No doubt this is why these shepherds were seated on the ground the night Jesus was born, for biblical scholars believe the event was actually some time in April.
It would be natural for these humble men to be fearful, not only for themselves but also for their flock, when the brilliant light and the voices of the angels pierced the silent night.
But with what wonder and exultation thy must have heard the astounding news!
Are we surprised that they forgot their duty to their flocks and hastened joyfully,
though perhaps doubtfully, to see the Holy Babe in the manger with their own eyes?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around . . .
"Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind;
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind. . . .”
“To you in David’s town this day is born, of David’s line,
The Saviour who is Christ the Lord, and this shall be the sign . . .
“The heav'nly Babe you there shall find to human view displayed,
All meanly wrapt in swathing bands and in a manger laid . . .
“All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace:
Good will henceforth from heav’n to men begin and never cease . . . !”
(Nahum Tate - George Frederick Handel (Music)
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December 26
“The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”
(1John 4:14)
What is Meant by the Incarnation?
We mean that God, who existed from eternity in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
desiring to make Himself known to men, to take upon Himself man’s sin and iniquity, and
to make full atonement for them, stooped in grace in the Person of the Son to
identify Himself with humanity, and became incarnate by taking upon
Himself flesh and blood.
But, remember, it was God who did that.
The Babe in Bethlehem was not merely a remarkable child who was born with a great
religious instinct, but that BABE WAS GOD THE SON, who stooped in grace to
tenant the virgin’s womb, and was born into this word as man,
but did not cease for one moment to be God.
“Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God.” (1 John 4:2).
Not that Jesus Christ began to be when He was born into the world, but that
He came—came from where?
From heaven.
Every spirit that confesseth this is of God.
This is the incarnation.
Did you ever stop to think what a remarkable expression this is,
"JESUS CHRIST CAME?”
Your were born into the world;
you had no existence before you were born.
(H.A. Ironside)
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December 27
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:11)
I (Jesus) will come again, and receive you unto Myself ;
that where I am, there ye may be also.’
(John 14:3)
“The blood of Jesus Christ, His [God’s] Son
cleanseth us from all sin.”
(1 John 1:7)
We join in sending our greetings.
May the Lord bless you and yours as we together
anticipate the Lord's coming back again to take us home.
That moment is not far off - may we rejoice as did the shepherds
of old who came with great joy having seen the “Babe . . .returned
glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.”
May you be blessed in the Lord,
Norm & Lois Hiebert
Gems From My Reading
December 28
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
(Philippians 2:13)
An Exchange of Wills
I want my heart so cleared of self that my dear Lord can come
And set up His own furnishings, and make my heart—His home.
And since I know what this requires, each morning while it’s still,
I slip into that secret room, and leave with Him—my will,
He always takes it graciously, presenting me with His;
I’m ready then to meet the day and any task there is.
And this is how my Lord controls my interest, my ills,
Because we meet at break of day, for an EXCHANGE OF WILLS.
(Anna Jane Granniss)
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December 29
“Last of all he sent unto them His Son."
(Matthew 21:37)
In all the confusion and commercialization of Christmas these days we are more than likely to lose Christ.
Let us never forget that God sent not merely a prophet,
a philosopher, a leader, to meet the world’s need.
He gave His only begotten Son.
“For 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)
Like the man in the parable, He said “I will send my beloved Son” (Luke 20:13).
"He spared not His own Son” (Romans 8:32).
A little boy accustomed to seeing service stars in windows during the war
exclaimed as he watched the evening star at sunset, “God must have a son in the war!”
The story has been misapplied, but in the age-old struggle with sin
God truly gave His Son.
Remember at Christmas that the Gospel is not that
Jesus came or that He lived or that He taught.
He could have done all that, but if He had returned to the
Father some other way than by Calvary and the open tomb,
we would still be in our sins.
Thank God He was born.
But He was born to die and live again,
that we might live forever.
(Adapted)
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December 30
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel
of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of
the Lord shone round about them:
and they were sore afraid.”
(Luke 2:8-9)
An intelligence of the things of God comes from His revelation, and not from the reasoning of men.
Hence the simple go farther in spiritual understanding than the wise and prudent of the earth.
God acts here so as to set aside all appearance of human wisdom.
Happy is he who has so seized the intention of God as to be
identified with it, and to want none but God!
This was the case with the shepherds.
They little entered into the great intent of the registration:
but it was to them, and not to the prudent,
that God revealed Himself.
Our true wisdom is through what God reveals.
But we never get God’s fullest blessings till we are where the flesh is brought down and destroyed—
I speak as regards walk. We cannot get into the simple joy and power
of God till we accept the place of lowliness and humiliation,
till the heart is emptied of what is contrary to the lowliness of Christ.
These shepherds were in the quiet fulfillment of their humble duty, and that is the place of blessing.
Whoever is keeping on terms with the world is not walking with God,
for God is not walking with you there.
From the manger to the cross all in Christ was simple obedience.
Christ did all in God’s way, and not only so, but we must do so too.
(J.N. Darby)
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December 31
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”
(Exodus 14:13)
It will not do to say that we trust in the Lord; we must prove that we do,
and that too when every thing apparently is the king's bearing in the eyes of the people;
yea, rather, such is ever the bearing of faith, calm, self-possessed, dignified, in the presence of man;
while, at the same time, ready to sink into the very dust in self-abasement in the presence of God.
The man of faith can say to his fellow, 'Stand still, and see the salvation of God!' and,
at the same moment, send up to God the cry of conscious weakness.
Harken to Him while, in the retirement of the sanctuary, shut in
with God, he pours out the anxieties of his soul in the ear
of One who was willing to hear and ready to help.
(C.H.Mackintosh - D.H.)
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