FALLING APART
Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against Thee. Psalm 119:11
Somebody passed on to me recently a precious nugget:
"If you see a Bible that is falling apart, it probably belongs to someone who isn’t!”
A well-worn Bible speaks volumes.
Through the centuries, the old Book has kept unnumbered
millions from coming unstuck, cracking up, and going to pieces.
It has saved marriages from collapse, families from destruction, and many a battered soul has made it through a stormy life with the help of a ragged Bible thumbed with reverence and sobbed over in the small night hours when everything seemed lost.
It has healed more hearts than all the counsellors and prevented more breakdowns that all the psychiatrists. Reading it until it falls apart will hold us together!
All the Days - Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 7673
December 22
. . . Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord? . . .
1 Samuel 15:22
No one can trust God who does not obey Him.
Obedience is the root of trust.
In Jesus’ life, trusting went quite without saying, because,
for Him, obedience went without saying.
Corrie Ten Boom
N.J. Hiebert - 7674
December 23
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord . . . as he journeyed . . . suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?
Acts 9: 1-5
That glory and that voice end his career of self-will for ever. Subdued, and humbled in his mind, he meekly asks, “Who art Thou, Lord?” He knew it was God’s voice, but what was his surprise to learn that the speaker was Jesus, that He was the Lord of glory, and that He acknowledged His poor disciples—whom Saul would have marched off to Jerusalem to imprison and slay—as being Himself.
“I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest,” carried volumes to his trembling soul, and now awakened conscience. Supposing himself to be doing God's service (John 16:2), he found out that he was the enemy of the Lord, and the chief of sinners. On the other hand he learned that the saints are one with Christ in glory.
This latter truth formed his life from that moment. Utterly smashed up in all the springs of his moral being, and habits of thought, he discovers a new standing altogether, where he is neither a Jew, nor a Gentile, but “a man in Christ.” From that moment his life and his ministry flow from the sense of
being united to, and having association with, a heavenly Christ.
Simon Peter - W.T. P. Wolston
N.J. Hiebert - 7675
December 24
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins
be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be
red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18.
This verse names four colours, three of which (scarlet, red and crimson)
describe our sin-stained condition in God’s sight.
The good news, however, is that cleansing is available through the sin-atoning
death of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you wish to be “as white as snow,” put your
undivided trust in Him!
George Hall
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Robert Lowry
N.J. Hiebert - 7676
December 25
SPARROWS
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests;
but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head. Luke 9:58
Sparrows are mentioned several times in the Bible. One of the best known Scriptures verses is:
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not
fall on the ground without your Father. Matthew 10:29.
The lowly sparrow is rather drab in comparison with other birds. It is not majestic. It isn’t renowned for much of anything, other than being common and numerous. If you and I were writing the Bible we might have cited the mighty soaring eagle, or the mysterious owl, or a beautiful bird, such as the peacock, flamingo, cardinal, painted bunting or certain parrots - but not the poor sparrow.
Jesus, while here on earth, associated with the poor and the needy. Indeed, the verse above reminds us that He didn’t even have a customary place to sleep. Oh what a contrast! He left and laid aside His glory in heaven to come to this earth.
He never lived sumptuously while here - quite the opposite. He made Himself of no reputation;
He was the lowly carpenter of Nazareth.
We like to “strut our stuff,” as the saying goes, but we had to come to God as common, poor
and needy sinners. God resists the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
Aren’t we glad that our loving God puts such value on the lowly?
L.I.F.E. LINES - Fred Pratt
N.J. Hiebert - 7677
December 26
Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth the people which Thou hast redeemed:
Thou hast guided them in Thy strength
Thou hast guided them in Thy strength
unto Thy holy habitation.
Exodus 15:13
Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
and there is none upon earth that I desire besides Thee.
Psalm 73:25
Guide us, O Thou gracious Saviour, pilgrims through this barren land;
We are weak, but Thou art mighty; hold us with Thy powerful hand.
Saviour, come; we long to see Thee, long to dwell with Thee above,
And to know in full communion all the sweetness of Thy love.
W. Williams - 1774
N.J. Hiebert - 7678
December 27
HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
More than twenty-five hundred years ago, the prophet Isaiah told of One
who would be the hope of mankind, the long awaited Messiah
who would establish an eternal kingdom based on justice and righteousness.
Isaiah’s important pronouncement told that this One would be a God-man: a child born—His humanity; a Son given—His deity. The quintuplet of names ascribed to this One gives further insight into His character and ministry:
- Wonderful—He would be wonderful in what He would accomplish for the fallen human race.
- Counsellor—He would be our guide through life, and our advocate before the heavenly Father.
- The Mighty God—He would be the God before whom every knee shall one day bow.
- The Everlasting Father—He would be the God of eternity.
- The Prince of Peace—He would be the One who would ultimately bring a true tranquillity among all nations.
His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord; He is the mighty King, Master of everything; His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He’s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He;
Bow down before Him, love and adore Him, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
Audrey Mieir, 1916-1996
N.J. Hiebert - 7679
December 28
HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
More than twenty-five hundred years ago, the prophet Isaiah told of One
who would be the hope of mankind, the long awaited Messiah
who would establish an eternal kingdom based on justice and righteousness.
Isaiah’s important pronouncement told that this One would be a God-man: a child born—His humanity; a Son given—His deity. The quintuplet of names ascribed to this One gives further insight into His character and ministry:
- Wonderful—He would be wonderful in what He would accomplish for the fallen human race.
- Counsellor—He would be our guide through life, and our advocate before the heavenly Father.
- The Mighty God—He would be the God before whom every knee shall one day bow.
- The Everlasting Father—He would be the God of eternity.
- The Prince of Peace—He would be the One who would ultimately bring a true tranquillity among all nations.
His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord; He is the mighty King, Master of everything; His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He’s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He;
Bow down before Him, love and adore Him, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
Audrey Mieir, 1916-1996
December 29
He hath not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us
according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10
God keeps accurate books, and settles all accounts with sinners.
The blessing for believers is that the Lord’s ledger was reconciled fully at the cross!
Our sins and iniquities were taken completely into account.
It is not necessary that we know each one—and we certainly don’t, but He does!
God dealt with His Son for our sins, and rewarded Him according to our iniquities, on the cross.
All our sins have been forgiven by that one sublime sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Let us thank Him, love Him, and serve Him with rejoicing,
for He took them all away, forever!
Carl Knott
All my sins are gone, all because of Calvary,
Life is filled with song, all because of Calvary.
W. P. Loveless
N.J. Hiebert - 7681
December 30
For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Matthew 6:32
One day while pioneering the Gospel in Canada, a faithful evangelist was very hungry.
As he trekked along in a certain place he came to a little restaurant.
He ventured in without a penny in his pocket.
He bowed his head and in faith gave thanks to the Lord for the food.
At the pay counter, the owner said to him,
“When I opened this place I made a vow—
the first person I see giving thanks, the meal will be free!"
Our God ever delights to honour faith in His goodness.
E. MacLelland
All you may need, He will provide,
Nothing you ask will be denied,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
God will take care of you!
C. D. Martin
N.J. Hiebert - 7682
December 31
IN JESUS
In Me . . . peace. In the world . . . tribulation.
John 16:33
In the world, tribulation; but in Jesus—peace;
The heart of the whirlwind where its roarings cease,
A little home waiting, still and light and warm,
A safe sanctuary from the night and storm.
In the world, tribulation; but in Jesus—rest;
A sure place of refuge for the sore-opprest,
A guarded pavilion no device can take,
A strong-walled fortress no assault can shake.
In the world, tribulation; but in Jesus—joy;
A full cup of gladness that can never cloy,
A sweet fountain rising out of Marah’s tide,
A spring of rejoicing that is never dried.
In the world, tribulation; but in Jesus—peace;
A deep, quiet harbour where the high waves cease,
A long—desired haven on a friendly shore,
Where the wild winds of ocean sweep the soul no more.
In the world, tribulation, trials all around,
For on earth no resting and no joy are found;
Let us flee unto Jesus where all sorrows cease;
Here alone is gladness, here alone is peace.
The Life of Annie Johnson Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 7683
January 1
My God shall supply all your need according to
His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
What a source—“God!” What a supply—“His riches in glory!”
What a channel—"Christ Jesus!”
It is your sweet privilege to place all your need over against His riches,
and lose sight of the former in the presence of the latter.
His exhaustible treasury is thrown open to you, in all the love of His heart;
go and draw upon it, in the artless simplicity of faith, and you
will never have occasion to look to a creature-stream,
or lean on a creature—prop.
C. H. Macintosh
MY CUP RUNNETH OVER
There is always something over, when we trust our gracious Lord;
Every cup He fills o’erfloweth, His great rivers all are broad.
Nothing narrow, nothing stinted, ever issues from His store;
To His own He gives full measure, running over, evermore.
Margaret E. Barber
N.J. Hiebert - 7684
January 2
Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. Acts 15:18
But now they (Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc.) desire a better country,
that is, an heavenly . . . Hebrews 11:16.
The earth at the beginning was given to the children of men.
What did they do with it? They forfeited it. Then what did God do with them?
Well, He opened heaven to them! He gave them the earth to enjoy. They soiled and lost it by sin.
Well said He, I’ll open heaven to you. This is one way in which
the grace of God abounds.
What should I say of one who, when I had abused the gift which He put in my hand,
put a better gift in my other hand? This is God!
Ephesians - J. G. Bellett
N.J. Hiebert - 7685
January 3
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