November 21
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:15
The most exciting moment of our vacation up the New England coast was seeing a light house through the thick fog as we approached Nova Scotia by ferry boat. We couldn't see anything. Alone on the deck, we felt lost--as if we were in the middle of nowhere! But then we saw the light and knew where we were and that we would be safe.
Later we visited a lighthouse museum. The guide told us an interesting bit of recent history about lighthouses along the east coast. At some point, the Coast Guard decided that it would be more economical to automate the light houses than to continue to pay keepers to live in them and maintain them. While this did save some money initially, it eventually proved disastrous. If a light failed, there was no one on hand immediately to trouble shoot the problem and repair it. Being unoccupied, the houses themselves fell into disrepair and eventually were vandalized. Finally, it was discovered that the repair costs far outweighed the cost of preventative maintenance. So, the Coast Guard reversed its policy and began turning over the light houses to private groups to care for them.
There is a message here for believers as well. We cannot expect to serve well as beacons of the truth to a lost world if we are not properly maintained. We do this by continually renewing (2 Corinthians 4:16) our inner light:
- through our relationship with Christ who is "the light". (John 1:4-5)
- through the Spirit who is our power. (Acts 1:8)
- through the Word which is our guide. (Psalm 119:105)
- through fellowship with believers which daily keeps us clean.(John 13:5-20)
Being a lighthouse is not an optional occupation for the Christian. The question then is not "Do I want to be a lighthouse?" but rather "What kind of lighthouse am I?" L. J. Ondrejack
N.J. Hiebert - 8307
November 22
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20
The fruit of the Bible is good and only good. Millions of lives can can testify to the truth of this. A striking example of good and bad fruit is seen in the following incident.
An uncle and nephew were travelling with a large sum of money over a wild and very thinly populated prairie land of America. Nightfall came on, and the travellers had to look for a shelter. They discovered a log cabin, and knocked at the door. An old man with long shaggy beard and unkept appearance answered their call. They asked for accommodation, which was willingly offered. They were shown into a room where they could sleep on the floor.
It was arranged that the uncle should lie down to rest, and the nephew should sit up with loaded revolver to make sure that their treasure was safe. Presently the uncle saw the nephew preparing to sleep. He reminded him of the vigil he had promised to keep. The nephew replied, "There is no need to sit up with loaded revolver. We are perfectly safe here. I looked through the keyhole to see what the old man was doing. I saw him take a Bible down from the shelf, and read a chapter to his wife. I then heard him pray for the blessing of God to rest on the travellers under his roof."
I ask, would the sight of a pack of cards, a whisky bottle and a handy revolver, have produced the confidence and sense of security that the sight of the open Bible and bended knee did? This incident was told me when quite young, and made a great impression on my mind. Whenever a life is moulded by the Word of God you get purity, honesty, truthfulness, goodness, kindness. Wherever its teaching and influences are refused you get evil of every kind abounding.
Surely the Bible stands its own test triumphantly, "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20). Why I Believe the Bible- A. J. Pollock
N.J. Hiebert - 8308
November 23
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:1,27).
A soldier had returned home from the war and was telling about the grace of God which was with him. "A short time before I was wounded, I was invited by the officers of the regiment to a supper given in honour of a soldier who had been through all the war, and had done many brave deeds, but had received no reward for them. After the supper was over, one of the officers said to him, "You have been through a lot, and you have not told us a single incident. Now tell us what you consider the most wonderful thing you have experienced in it."
He waited a moment, then replied, "I was walking near my trench one day, when I saw a young soldier lying on the ground intently reading a book. I went up to him and asked him what he was reading. He told me it was the Bible. Now I had read the Bible for many years and it never did me any good. But this soldier said to me, "listen to what I'm reading, "Let not your heart be troubled . . .In my Father's house are many mansions: . . . I go to prepare a place for you." He read on to the end of the chapter."
"Oh, I have read that chapter many times! It never did me any good; give it up, man, give it up." He looked up at me and said, "If you knew what the Bible is to me you'd never ask me to give it up," and, as he spoke, the light on his face was so bright, I never saw anything like it -- it fairly dazzled me. I could not look at it, so I turned and walked away.
Soon after a bomb fell near the place where we had been, and when the dust had cleared away I thought I'd go and see if that young soldier was safe. I found him fatally wounded, but I saw his Bible sticking out of his breast pocket, and here it is" he said, holding it up. "I say the most wonderful thing I have experienced during the war was the light on that young soldier's face, and more than that, I can now say that his Saviour is my Saviour too!" Selected
N.J. Hiebert - 8309
November 24
Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Psalm 37:1
Do not get into a perilous heat about things. If ever heat were justified, it was surely justified in the circumstances outlined in the Psalm.
Evil-doers were moving about clothed in purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every day. "Workers of iniquity" (Psam 5:5) were climbing into the supreme places of power, and were tyrannizing their less fortunate brethren. Sinful men and women were stalking through the land in the pride of life and basking in the light and comfort of great prosperity, and good men were becoming heated and fretful.
"Fret not thyself." Do not get unduly heated! Keep cool! Even in a good cause, fretfulness is not a wise help-meet. Fretting only heats the bearings; it does not generate the steam. It is no help to a train for the axel to get hot; their heat is only a hinderance. When the axels get heated, it is because of unnecessary friction; dry surfaces are grinding together, which ought to be kept in smooth co-operation by a delicate cushion of oil.
And is it not a suggestive fact that this word "fret" is closely akin to the word "friction," and is an indication of absence of the anointing oil of the grace of God?
In fretfulness, a little bit of grit gets into the bearings--some slight disappointment, some ingratitude, some discourtesy--and the smooth working of the life is checked. Friction begets heat; and with the heat, most dangerous conditions are created.
Do not let your bearings get hot. Let the oil of the Lord keep you cool, less by reason of an unholy heat you be reckoned among the evil-doers.
The Silver Lining.
N.J. Hiebert - 8310
November 25
". . . He that believeth shall not make haste. Isaiah 28:16
One of the greatest mistakes in life is hasty praying. We rush into God's presence and try in a few hurried sentences to solicit His help, but not at the expense of spending the necessary time in communion and fellowship with Him!
Quick-firing guns must have time to cool, but how little space do we devote to the cooling process of our souls! If we only realized the true nature of prayer we should understand that it is better to entreat God to make speed to help us than that we should hasten forth to our duties, to the neglect of prayer.
One who knew Luther (1483-1546) well wrote thus to Melancthon (1497-1560): "I cannot admire enough the extraordinary cheerfulness, constancy, faith, and hope of that man in these trying and vexatious times. He constantly feeds these gracious affections by a very diligent study of the Word of God.
Then not a day passes in which he does not employ in prayer at least three of his very best hours. Once I happened to hear him in prayer. Gracious God! What spirit and what faith there is in his expressions! He petitions God with as much reverence as if he were in the Divine presence, and yet with as firm a confidence as he would address a father or friend."
The great Wilberforce (1759-1833) wrote to his son: "Let me beg you not to be seduced into neglecting, curtailing or hurrying over your morning prayer. Of all things, guard against neglecting God, in prayer. There is nothing more fatal in the life and power of faith. How much better I might serve God if I cultivated a closer communion with Him." Haste in prayer means fever and failure. Time spent in prayer is time saved.
"Steal away to Jesus." He is not far from thee at this moment.
Mountain Trailways.
N.J. Hiebert - 8311
November 26
FOR ME
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
When all, like sheep, had gone astray,
And sinned against the light of day,
That Justice might with Love agree,
The Friend of Sinners died for me
Rejected, scourged, and spit upon,
Betrayed, forsaken, left alone
Accursed of God upon the Tree
The Man of Sorrows died for me.
Nor can the robes of glory hide
The wounds in hands and feet and side.
The scars are there that all may see
The Lord of Glory died for me.
If, ere my day of conflict close,
I must combat the last of foes,
Triumphant still my soul shall be,
The Prince of Life has died for me.
Bells and Pomegranates - James M. S. Tait
N.J. Hiebert - 8312
November 27
O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river. Isaiah 48:18
It is difficult to remain calm while the world is filled with violence and senseless crime. But Frances Ridley Havergal, a devout Bible scholar as well as a poet, drew upon two passages from the prophet Isaiah to give fresh understanding to Christian peace in difficult circumstances.
More than once in Isaiah God promises "peace like a river." And in Isaiah 26:3 the prophet says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. These verses have served as the basis of many hymns over the last two centuries, but none is as picturesque as this one.
In one of her last letters, Havergal wrote to another hymn-writer who had also written about peace. Quoting the verse, "We have peace with God" (Romans 5:1), she added, "It is yours already, purchased for you, made for you, sealed for you, pledged to you--by the word of the Father and the precious blood of Jesus." It is not only peace that God promises, but perfect peace--perfected, completed in Christ.
Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace, over all victorious in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller ev'ry day, perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Ev'ry joy or trial falleth from above, traced upon our dial by the sun of love; we may
Trust Him fully all for us to do--they who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
CHORUS: Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest--
Finding as He promised perfect peace and rest. Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879)
N.J. Hiebert - 8313
November 28
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. . . . wherefore 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 6:10-13
The Spirit contemplates that it is a war from beginning to end. There may be certain battles; but, having done with the specific fight, you must still stand as in a war! Are you prepared for finding human life a war?
Whether the specific fighting be present or not, your whole soul is to rest in the conclusion that it is incessant war till you have done with this world, this flesh, and the devil.
If two nations are at war, they may not be fighting every day, a battle may be a rare thing, but war has been proclaimed. The Lord forbid that you and I should not know that as long as we are in the body we are in a field of battle.
"The evil day" (Ephesians 6:13) is a specific battle. If we have won the victory, why are we still to stand? Because war has been proclaimed. Have you proclaimed war with the lusts that are in your body, and the spirit of the world around you? Your soul is to recognize that, while you are in the body, you are a fighting man. That being your position, you are to put on the whole armour of God.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Philippians 4:13
Ephesians - J. G. Bellett
N.J. Hiebert - 8314
November 29
Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord shall appoint.
2 Samuel 15:15
I love to think that God appoints
My portion day by day;
Events of life are in His hand,
And I would only say,
Appoint them in Thine own good time,
And in Thine own best way.
A. L. Waring
If we are really, and always, and equally ready to do whatsoever the King appoints, all the trials and vexations arising from any change in His appointments, great or small, simply do not exist.
If He appoints me to work there, shall I lament that I am not to work here? If He appoints me to wait in-doors to-day, am I to be annoyed because I am not to work out-of-doors?
If I meant to write His messages this morning, shall I grumble because He sends interrupting visitors, rich or poor, to whom I am to speak to, or "show kindness" for His sake, or at least obey His command, "Be courteous?"
If all my members are really at His disposal, why should I be put out if to-day's appointment is some simple work for my hands or errands for my feet, instead of some seemingly more important doing of head or tongue?
Daily Strength for Daily needs.
N.J. Hiebert - 8315
November 30
He that spared not His Own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
Do you ask for some proof that God really loves you? How would you have Him prove it? Would you ask Him to give you everything this world affords--friendship, fame, riches, pleasure? That would be no proof that He cared for you. It would cost Him nothing.
By a word He could create a thousand worlds and present them to you. But what would they cost Him? Nothing! And until we find that which has cost Him something, we have no proof of whether He loves, or of how much He loves. Where shall we find this? Where shall we discover the final proof the heart craves for? God Himself alone can disclose it.
Blessed be His name, He has done so--"HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON." The choicest and the best, the closest and the dearest, the object of His eternal love and pleasure, has been given. Had God said, "I would like to save; I am ready to do a great deal for My creatures, sinful as they are but I must spare My Son all suffering, I cannot allow Him to enter that dark, sin-stained world, and die," the final proof of His love would have been wanting.
But "He that spared not His Own Son"--this reveals all we need to know. God has given that which cost Him most to give. If we think of all the ills of humanity, let us think of this too--"He that spared not HIS OWN SON." What more can God do than, in the Person of His Own Son, take part in human life and taste its bitterness and woe and then be delivered up to death for us, even the death of the Cross?
The Cross reveals, the awful character of sin and its fearful consequences, and makes known the love which at infinite cost to Itself took the sin and bore the consequences to put them away. Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J. Hiebert - 8316
December 1
JOSEPH MISUNDERSTOOD AND IMPRISONED
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Galatians 6:9
Jospeh might have said, "I give all up; of what profit is my godliness? I may as well live as others do." How much nobler was his course of patient continuance in well doing! (Genesis 39) (Romans 2:7) Do right, because it is right to do right; because God sees you; because it puts gladness into the heart. And then, when you are misunderstood and ill-treated, you will not swerve, or sit down to whine and despair.
Above all, do not avenge yourselves. (Romans 12:19) When Joseph recounted his troubles, he did not recriminate harshly on his brethren, Potiphar, or Potiphar's wife. He simply said: "I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon." He might have read the words of the apostle, "Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath."
"If when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." (1 Peter 2:20).
We make a great mistake in trying always to clear ourselves; we should be much wiser to go straight on, humbly doing the next thing, and leaving God to vindicate us.
"He will bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noonday." (Psalm 37:6) In Psalm 105:19 there follow words which rightly rendered, "The word of the Lord cleared him." What a triumphant clearing did God give His faithful servant!
Joseph - F. B. Meyer
N.J. Hiebert - 8317
December 2
And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels. Malachi 3:17
Several years ago there was found in an African mine the most magnificent diamond in the world's history. It was presented to the king of England to blaze in his crown of state. The king sent it to Amsterdam to be cut. It was put in the hands of an expert lapidary. And what do you suppose he did with it? He took this gem of priceless value. He cut a notch in it. Then he struck it a hard blow with his instrument and lo! the superb jewel lay in his hand, cut in half.
What recklessness! what wastefulness! what criminal carelessness! Not so. For days and weeks that blow had been studied and planned. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, its defects, its lines of cleavage had all been studied with minutest care. The man to whom it was committed was one of the most skillful lapidaries in the world. Do you say that blow was a mistake! No.
It was the climax of the lapidary's skill. When he struck that blow, he did the one thing which would bring that gem to its most perfect shapeliness, radiance, and jewelled splendor. That blow which seemed to ruin the superb precious stone was in fact its perfect redemption. For, from these two halves were wrought the two magnificent gems which the skilled eye of the lapidary saw hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mines.
So, God lets a stinging blow fall upon your life. The nerves wince. The soul cries out in an agony of wondering protest. The blow seems to you a mistake. But it is not, for you are the most priceless jewel in the world to God. And He is the most skilled lapidary in the universe. Some day you are to blaze in the diadem of the King of Kings. As you lie in His hand now He knows just how to deal with you. Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul but that the love of God permits it, and works out from it depths of blessing and spiritual enrichment unseen, and unthought of by you. J. H. McConkey
N.J. Hiebert - 8318
December 3
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