Gems from March 11- 20, 2020

March 11

THE  WORK  OF  CHRST

It is finished: and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.  
John 19:30

"It is finished!" thus He spoke on the cross and the words assure us that all is done. The rent veil and the open tomb tell us "It is finished." But what has been accomplished in this blessed work?  We cannot fully grasp it now as long as we look into a glass darkly.

When at last we are brought into His Presence, transformed into His own image, when we shall have share with Him in His glorious inheritance, when at last sin and death are no more and a new heaven and new earth are called into existence, then shall we more fully know what that work has accomplished.

All, ALL we have and are, all we shall have and shall be as His own, has its blessed source in the cross of Christ.  He died for all. He gave Himself a ransom for all.  He tasted death for every man.  He is the propitiation for the whole world (not for the sins of the  whole world, else the whole world would be saved).

It means His work is available to all sinners.  Upon that fact that He died for all, the Gospel is preached to lost and guilty sinners.  Christ died for the ungodly.  "Whosoever will" - "Whosoever believeth," these are the precious conditions of the Gospel of Grace which sounds forth from the finished work of Christ on the cross.

And all who believe on Him and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, for them He bore their sins on the cross.

Each believing sinner can look back to the cross and can say, "He loved me, He gave Himself for me."  He paid my debt.  He bore my sins in His own body on the tree.  He stood in my place.  He was my substitute.  He tasted death for me.
A. C. Gaebelein

N.J. Hiebert - 8052 

March 12

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, . . .    Psalm 107:22

What is a sacrifice?  It is an offering to God.  A "sacrifice of thanksgiving" is to praise God when you do not feel like it; when you are depressed and despondent; when your life is covered with thick clouds and midnight darkness.

While we are admonished to "pray without ceasing," are we not also commanded to "rejoice evermore"?

Many homes display the motto, "Prayer changes things," and great blessing has resulted from this simple statement.  We are all aware that prayer does change things.

We know, also, that many times the enemy has not been moved one inch from his stronghold, although we have persisted in prayer for days, months -- yes, often years.

Such was my own experience when passing through a time of very great pressure, and prayer did not change things.

I came into possession of a wonderful secret.  That secret is simply this: after we have prayed and believed, "Praise Changes Things."
Streams in the Desert - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

N.J. Hiebert - 8053

March 13

". . . there was a famine in the land.  And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he (Elimelech), and his wife (Naomi), and his two sons (Mahlon and Chilion)". (Ruth 1:1-2)

Elimelech, the head of this family, purposed in his heart to leave God's people, and all the sweet associations connected with the place where God had set His name, that he might go forth to a strange land to dwell among strange people, who knew not God, nor thought upon His name.

He did this rather than endure the chastening of the Lord in the land of promise.  Led away by "the wandering of the desire" (Ecclesiastes 6:9) he found his anticipated joy become unmitigated sorrow, and nothing left but "vanity and vexation of sprit," (Ecclesiastes 6:9).  

God dealt with Elimelech in this way by death, and took him away.  So let us be warned and seek not to avoid the chastening of the Lord, but rather let us be exercised thereby, that we may bring forth "the peaceable fruit of righteousness." (Hebrews 12:11).

He tried to flee from the discipline of God, and he fell into Satan's snare; "as if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand upon the wall, and a serpent bit him." (Amos 5:19).

Elimelech is unquestionably brought before us as a proof that all those who act wilfully must eventually reap that which they have sown.  He had turned away from the fountain of life, and found the cup which he had mingled one of death, unhappy death.

Beware then, for the desire of the Spirit is "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."  (Colossians 1:10).
Meditations on The Book of Ruth - D. McKendrick

N.J. Hiebert - 8054           

March 14

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read
of all men.  2 Corinthians 3:2

The great nineteenth century evangelist, D. L. Moody used to say, "Where one man reads the Bible, a hundred read you and me."

Today fewer and fewer people spend time in serious reading of Holy Scripture but Christians are "read" every day.

Do the readers see kindness, compassion, patience and purity or something else?  Do they see a reflection of the attractive character of Christ and yearn to see more?

That is the challenge for us as Christians today.
Paul Young

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wondrous compassion and purity.
By the Spirit divine may Christ from my life shine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
Tom M. Jones

N.J. Hiebert - 8055 

March 15

The  Test

Pray without ceasing.  1 Thessalonians 5:17.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  James 5:16.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication.  Ephesians 6:18.

During the American Revolutionary war a British soldier--a Scottish Highlander--was brought before his commanding officer who also was a Scotsman.  The charge against the young soldier was that he had been communicating with the enemy.  If proven guilty the sentence would be immediate execution.

Though there was no direct proof against the Highlander of subversion or contact with the enemy, British tempers were riled to a peak due to the previous capture and execution as a spy of Major Andre, a high ranking officer.

The circumstantial evidence against the young Scottish soldier was that he had been seen in the darkening twilight furtively stealing out from a thick clump of bushes and underwood that bordered the dense forest.

Though in the immediate neighbourhood of the British, the forests swarmed with the General George Washington's troops.  The charges brought against the young soldier were based on the conjectures and assumptions of those who saw him.

The Highlander's defence to his commanding officer was given in few words.  He claimed that having some 'off duty' time, he had quietly left his fellow soldiers to spend an hour or two in secret prayer.

The Scottish commanding officer sternly asked the young soldier; "Have you been in the habit of spending hours in secret prayer?"  Receiving an affirmative reply he drew out his watch and continued; "Then never in all your life had you more need for prayer than now; Kneel down, Sir, and pray aloud that we may hear you".

Expecting instant death the young Highlander knelt down and began to earnestly pray.  His prayer was obviously uttered by one used to communing with his God.  His language, earnestness, reverence and calm demeanour all gave clear testimony to the reality of his Christianity and the reliability of his defence.

When he finished praying his commanding officer quietly said; "You may go, sir.  You have not, I dare say, had any contact with the enemy tonight". 
The Christian Shepherd - 2009

N.J. Hiebert - 8056 

March 16

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, 
and he prayed earnestly.    
James 5:17 

Do you think that God will welcome that prayer to heaven which has not your heart to bear it company?  And how can your heart go with it, when you have sent it another way?

Will God hear you when you mock Him?  And if this be not to mock Him, what is it?  Like children that knock at a door, and then run away to their play again; thus you raise your voice to God, and then are gone in your roving thought to hold converse with the world, or worse.  Is this not trifling with God?

Satan disturbs you in praying, that he may make you weary of praying.  Indeed he is not likely to miss his mark, if you let these vermin go on to breed in your heart; for these will rob you of the sweetness of prayer; and when the marrow is once out, you will easily be persuaded to throw the bone away.

He is in danger to forsake his meat, who has lost his relish for it.  Prayer is a tedious work for him who has no pleasure in it: and weariness in it stands next door to weariness of it.
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1617-1679)

N.J. Hiebert - 8057 

March 17

"Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where . . . Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan . . . Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom . . . the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly."  Genesis 13:10-13.

The world has more power over a Christian in a low state than the Word and promises of God.  Satan's aim always is to rob us of those things which constitute our joy and strength; and he succeeds only too well.  Let us not forget how gradual declension is.

We all belong to a period of declension.  It is too late for the Church, collectively, to return; but let us, at least, individually, avoid this slippery path.  Let us watch against the world, and mistrust even its fairest baits, seeking, in these closing days, to be among the faithful ones to whom the Lord can say, "I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.  (Revelation 3:20).

God grant that holy separation from the world, and increasing communion with the Lord, may characterize us until the close of our course.
Meditations on the Book of Judges - H. L. Rossier

N.J. Hiebert - 8058

March 18

Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Ephesians 6:13

I am in the war, and I can never get out of it, though I may get out of the evil day.  What then am I to do?  I am to take the whole armour of God.

And now I just ask you to inspect each part of this armour.  Is there one single piece of that which is declared to be the armour of God fitted to send you out into the field of battle with flesh and blood?

Is that the way God armed Joshua and David?  They were to meet flesh and blood; and they were carnal weapons which He put into their hands.  Now there is not a touch of that here.  There are no slings and stones and jaw-bones of donkeys; and this is declared to be the whole armour of God.

If this is not the armour I have on me, I am not fighting for Christ.  Saints may take carnal weapons; but if I do--if, for instance, I go into a court of justice to assert my rights--do not let me talk of being in the light God.  That is where dispensational truth is so important.

I find here that the Spirit sends me into a field of battle, and I find that my security depends on truth, righteousness, faith, peace, and the sword of the Spirit.
Ephesians - J. G. Bellett

N.J. Hiebert - 8059     

March 19

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."   Psalm 37:23

We have the fullest assurance that our God can and does guide His children in all things.  He can signify His mind to us as to this or that particular act or movement.  If not, where are we?

How are we to get on?  How are we to regulate our movements?  Are we to be drifted hither and thither by the tide of circumstances?  Are we left to blind chance, or to the mere impulse of our own will?

Thank God, it is not so.  He can, in His own perfect way, give us the certainty of His mind in any given case; and, without that certainty, we should never move.

Our Lord Jesus Christ can intimate His mind to His servant as to where He would have him go, and what he would have him do, and no true servant will ever think of moving or acting without such intimation.

If we are not sure, let us be quiet and wait.  Very often we harass and fret ourselves about movements that God would not have made us make at all.

A person once said to a friend, "I am quite at a loss to know which way to turn."  "Then don't turn at all,"  was the friend's wise reply.
Traveling Toward Sunrise

N.J. Hiebert - 8060        

March 20

GRACE  OPENS  THE  DOOR

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Do we not always fail when God confers a responsibility upon us?  Only grace can keep us.  How thankful we can be that grace always overrules when we have spoiled everything.  It gives us an "open door."

No, this is not to return to what we have ruined.  Rather, grace gives us something entirely new--something better than what we previously possessed.

When Sardis did not repent, the Lord gave an open door--not a door back to the beginning of Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6), but a door to Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).  The meaning of this open door is not liberty in preaching the gospel; it has nothing to do with this.

Even when it concerns the gospel an open door does not mean that we will not have any opposition.  On the contrary the apostle Paul writes: "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries." 
(1 Corinthians 16:9).

An open door means that the Lord is clearly showing us which way He wants us to go.  In a world where Satan has his way there will always be tremendous opposition and problems to overcome.
The Book of Ruth - H. L. Heijkoop

N.J. Hiebert - 8061  

March 21

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7 

And stayed by joy divine, as hireling fills his day,
Through scenes of strife, and desert life, I tread in peace my way.

It is a serious thing, whatever be the goodness of God, to find peace with a God of holiness.  Christ has made peace; but He would have us feel what it is to have need of it, in order that we may know it.

You look to getting the victory in order to get peace; we must get peace to get the victory--peace already made by Christ's work--then you will get strength.  We do not find it till we see we have none.

The gospel of peace is ours in Christ; but I must have the spirit of peace in my heart.  Peace has been made for us that we may dwell in peace.

It is Christ's work which gives peace to the conscience; but it is subdued will, having none of our own, which in great and in little things makes us peaceful in heart in going through a world of . . . trial.

In all things . . . instead of disquieting ourselves . . . we ought to present our request to God with prayer, with supplication . . . so that, even while making our petition to Him, we can already give thanks, because we are sure of the answer of His grace, be it what it may. . . .  It does not say, you will have what you ask; but God's peace will keep your hearts. . . .  Oh, what grace! that even our anxieties are a means of our being filled with this marvellous peace.
Pilgrim Portions for the Day of Rest. - J.N.D,

N.J. Hiebert - 8062   

March 22

VINEYARD - KEEPING

They made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.    Song of Solomon 1:6

Busy running to and fro,
Busy toiling here and there;
Not an idle hour to show,
Not a minute left to spare.

To every call a ready  ear,
For every task a hand adept;
But one thing's left undone, I fear--
"My own vineyard I have not kept."

I would not slow the busy pace,
I would not stay the helpful hands;
Nor would I, with averted face,
Pass by when need my help demands.

But teach me, Lord (for was Thou not
The busiest, yet the holiest Man?)
How first to tend my private plot,
Then haste to do what else I can.
Bells and Pomegranates - James M. S. Tait

N.J. Hiebert - 8063 

March 23