March 21
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone:
but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit". John 12:24
Life out of death
The seed in an acorn, ever so small
Dies to produce the next oak so tall.
An example of Jesus who died one day,
Then rose again to open the way.
Witnesses saw and recorded their news,
"He is risen again", said hundreds of Jews.
Never before had this been made true,
God raised Him up for me and for you.
An empty tomb, the evidence plain,
Stone rolled away, so hard to explain,
Unless it was by God's power alone,
Approving the work of the Lord to atone.
We deserved death, there was no other way,
Until Jesus died to take death away.
Resurrection day put the seal on His work,
Not one suspicion can dare to lurk.
Life everlasting is what we now gain,
If we believe, not one sin will remain.
Christ led the way to the glory above.
We soon will follow, led by His love.
What can we say but "Thank-you, Lord",
For being so true to your written Word.
Risen with Christ, our new life begun.
Living with Him in the place He has won.
Lorne Perry
N.J. Hiebert - 8427
March 22
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:19
The Lord that I have known as laying down His life for me, is the same Lord I have to do with every day of my life, and all His dealings with me are on the same principles of grace. How precious, how strengthening it is to know that Jesus is at this moment feeling and exercising the same love towards me as when He died on the cross for me.
His death opened the flood-gates, in order that the full tide of love might flow over poor sinners.
(1 Corinthians 11:26) Impossible to find two words, the bringing together of which has so important a meaning, the death of the Lord. How many things are comprised in that He who is called the Lord had died! What love! what purposes! what efficacy! what results!
O Jesus, Lord, who loved me like to Thee?
Fruit of Thy work, with Thee, too, there to see
Thy glory, Lord, while endless ages roll,
Myself the prize and travail of Thy soul.
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)
O what rest for the poor soul when he sees he has to do with One who has conquered all enemies for him. Before he came to the consciousness of this, the book of his daily transgressions appeared to ascend up before God, black with the catalogue of his offences, on every leaf of which was written, Sin, sin, sin; but now these blackened characters are effaced, and on each page is transcribed in letters of blood, in the blood of God's dear Lamb, Love, love, love. Pilgrim Portions for the Day of Rest - J.N.D.
N.J. Hiebert - 8428
March 23
AS PRAYERS GO UP BLESSINGS COME DOWN
See, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
1 Samuel 25:35
We must be accepted in the Beloved before we can expect to be answered through the Beloved. Is there a doubt about this, and a sigh over the words? There need not be; for now, at this moment, the old promise stands with its unchangeable welcome to the weary; "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)
Then, if you come now, at this moment, on the strength of His word, you cannot be rejected, there is nothing but one blessed alternative--accepted. Then come the answers! As surely as the prayers go up from the accepted One, so surely will blessings come down.
When Esther had touched the golden scepter, then said the king unto her, "What wilt thou Queen Esther, and what is thy request? it shall be given thee to the half of the kingdom" (Esther 5:3). But there is no half in our King's promise. He says, "All things," and "Whatsoever." And He does do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, and more than fulfills our little scanty requests. And then, by every fresh fulfillment we should receive ever new assurance of our acceptance--then (shall it not be today?) as we give thanks for each gracious answer, we may look up confidingly and joyfully, and say, "Thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in Thy sight"
( 2 Samuel 14:22).
Accepted, perfect and complete, for God's inheritance made meet!
How true, how glorious, and how sweet! In the Beloved--by the King
Accepted, though not anything but forfeit lives had we to bring.
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8429
March 24
It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people. John 11:50
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us. 1 John 3:16
During the Falkland Islands War, a 500-pound bomb landed in the engine room of the H.M.S. Antelope, but failed to explode. The crew miraculously escaped death and fled to safety. One man went down to the heart of the ship and attempted to defuse the bomb. However, it exploded, killing him and six others standing ready to assist.
Is there not a striking resemblance between this and God's gracious dealings with man in relation to sin and its condemnation? This world was under judgment and fit for destruction because of man's sin. God in grace sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to this earth to save us from God's wrath. He asked that this cup be removed from Him, but added,"nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done," (Luke 22:42) and went to Calvary.
There in the lowest place man could afford Him, He bore the full load of God's righteous judgment. Others in fellowship with His sufferings, have subsequently died bearing witness to Him, the One who died for the many.
This earth by God through sin was cursed, and judgment had to come;
But Jesus Christ came down to earth, to save us every one.
He bore God's judgment for our sins, upon that cruel tree;
And so our hymn of praise begins, "my Saviour died for me!"
Delay not for a second more, to put thy trust in Him
Who all your condemnation bore, to set you free from sin.
J. Neufeld - November 18,1995
N.J. Hiebert - 8430
March 25
Even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us...let us keep the feast...with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Passover lies at the very foundation of all the joy we can or ever shall realize here or hereafter; but we must ever think of the death of Christ, His sufferings, His sorrows--all that He passed through when the waves and billows of God's righteous wrath passed over His soul. It is upon these profound mysteries that our hearts ought to be mainly fixed when we are at the Lord's table and keep that feast by which we show the Lord's death till He come.
Now, it is plain to the spiritual and thoughtful reader that the feelings proper to such a holy and solemn institution are not of a jubilant character. We certainly can and do rejoice that the sorrows and sufferings of our blessed Lord are over forever--that those terrible hours are passed; but what we recall in the feast is not simply their being over, but their being gone through, and that for us.
". . . ye do show the Lord's death" (1 Corinthians 11:26) and we know our blessings flow from that precious death. Yet when we are called to meditate upon it, our joy is chastened by those profound exercises of soul which the Holy Spirit produces by unfolding to us the sorrows, the sufferings, the cross, and passion of our blessed Saviour.
Our Lord's words are, " . . . this do in remembrance of Me." (vs 24); but what we especially remember in the supper is, Christ suffering and dying for us; what we show, is His death; and with these solemn realities before our souls, in the power of the Holy Spirit, there will, there must be, subduedness and seriousness. C. H. Mackintosh
O solemn hour! O hour alone in solitary might,
When God the Father's only Son, as man, for sinners to atone,
Expires--amazing sight! The Lord of glory crucified!
The Lord of life has bled and died! J. G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8431
March 26
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.... And all that believed were together... Acts 2:42,44.
Years ago we decided to plant a little garden in an open place in our backyard. We loved strawberries, so that's what we planted. We followed all the prescribed procedures for a successful crop, but nothing materialized other than the leafy part of the plants, and even they didn't look healthy. We were perplexed until we happened to read somewhere that one should never plant strawberries near a walnut tree (which we had inadvertently done). Something about walnut trees is toxic to strawberries.
It matters the company we keep. It matters the environment we choose to be in. Granted, most of us need to work, and sometimes the people with whom we work can be a negative influence if we let them. Maybe, even, where we live could be a bad environment. But do we let those things affect us?
The question becomes, when I can choose with whom I can be, do I chose people and places that will uplift me spiritually and morally? Here is a great verse for consideration: "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." (1 Corinthians 15:33) There's a Spanish proverb that translates, "Tell me who you hang out with and I'll tell you who you are."
Yes, we have to be in the world, but we don't have to stoop to their level and adopt their ways. The early church in our verse devoted themselves to the fellowship. Being together as Christians was one of the four things to which they devoted themselves. There was a time when Peter and John were set free after being imprisoned for preaching Christ. On their release, they went to their own companions (the other believers) (Acts 4:32). They sought out their brothers and sisters in Christ. With whom do you and I choose to be?
Life Lines - Daily Devotions
N.J. Hiebert - 8432
March 27
Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." Hebrews 12:5.
Chastisement is not always the result of sin. It is quite true, that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7); "... Sorrow follows wrong, as echo follows song. But retribution does not exhaust the purposes of God in chastisement. He has also lessons of education and soul culture to teach by its means--lessons which, when learned, will issue in "the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11). If we examine this verse carefully we find that chastisement has always one of three effects upon us; we either despise it, faint under it, or are exercised by it.
The famous philosopher, Lokman, while a slave, being presented by his master with a bitter melon, immediately ate it all. "How was it possible," said the master, "for you to eat so nauseous a fruit?" Lokman replied, I have received so many favours from you, it is no wonder I should, for once in my life, eat a bitter melon from your hand". The generous answer of the slave struck the master so forcibly that he immediately gave him his liberty.
Unlike Lokman's master, however, our God never chastens arbitrarily or unnecessarily. He always chastens for our profit and the recognition of that grand fact will act as a mighty deterrent in the soul that is in danger of "despising the chastening of the Lord".
Then there is the danger of fainting under it. Those of us who have examined coal cars on the railway have noticed that each is endorsed with its carrying capacity: one "to carry 12 tons", another, "To carry 20 tons", and so on. The builder of these cars knows their frame and prescribes exactly how much weight they are to carry. And He Who "knows our frame" (Psalm 103:14) never suffers us to be tempted above what we are able to bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Chastisement yields it peaceable fruits only to those who are exercised by it (v.11). The Pearl of Psalms - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8433
March 28
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him. Deuteronomy 33:12
A wonderful story is told by a missionary in connection with angelic protection.
An American missionary and his wife bravely went to their station, where, twenty year before, two missionaries had been killed and eaten by the natives. They said as they took up their work it seemed as if often they were surrounded not only by the hostile natives, but by the very powers of darkness. These latter were so real, that night after night they were forced to get up and strengthen their hearts by reading the Word of God. Again, they would pray.
One day a man came and said, "I would like to see your watchmen close at hand. The missionary replied: "I have no watchman; I have only a cook and a little herd boy. What watchman do you mean?" The man asked permission to look through the missionaries' home. Every corner of the house was carefully searched, and the man came out of the house greatly disappointed.
Then the missionary asked the man to tell him about the watchman to whom he referred. Here is the man's answer: "When you and your wife came here we determined to kill you as we did the missionaries twenty years ago. Night after night we came to carry out our intentions, but there always stood around your house a double row of watchmen with glittering weapons, and we dared not come near. At last we hired a professional assassin, who said he feared neither God nor devil.
Last night he came close to your house brandishing his spear. We followed at a distance. There stood the shining watchman, and the killer fled in terror. So we have given up our purpose to kill you, but tell me, who are the watchmen?"
The missionary opened the Word of God and read: "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them."
Psalm 34:7 The Lord hid them. Jeremiah 36:26 Springs in the Valley
N.J. Hiebert - 8434
March 29
Righteousness shall go before Him; and shall set us in the way of His steps. Psalm 85:13
How I ascertain the will of God: I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter.
Nine-tenths of the trouble with people is right here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
Having surrendered my own will, I do not leave the result to feeling or simply impressions. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If the Holy Spirit guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures, and never contrary to them.
Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
Thus, through prayer to God, the study of His Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective. George Müller
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me after Thy will;
While I am waiting, yielded and still. A. A. Pollard
N.J. Hiebert - 8435
March 30
As soon as the soles of the feet of the priests . . . shall rest in the waters
. . . the waters shall be cut off. Joshua 3:13
The people were not to wait in their camps until the way was opened, they were to walk by faith. They were to break camp, pack up their goods, form in line to march, and move down to the very banks before the river would be opened.
If they had come down to the edge of the river and then had stopped for the stream to divide before they stepped into it, they would have waited in vain. They must take one step into the water before the river would be cut off.
We must learn to take God at His Word, and go straight on in duty, although we see no way in which we can go for forward. The reason we are so often balked by difficulties is that we expect to see them removed before we try to pass through them.
If we would move straight on in faith, the path would be opened for us. We stand still, waiting for the obstacle to be removed, when we ought to go forward as if there were no obstacles. Evening Thoughts
Worship, and thanks, and blessing, and strength ascribe to Jesus!
The Lord alone defends His own, when earth or hell oppresses.
Omnipotent Redeemer! Our ransomed souls adore Thee;
Our Saviour Thou, we own it now, and give to Thee the glory.
Thine arm hath safely brought us a way no more expected,
Than when Thy sheep passed through the deep, by crystal walls protected.
Thy glory is our rear-ward, Thy hand our lives doth cover;
And we, even we, have passed the sea, and marched triumphant over.
Charles Wesley
N.J. Hiebert - 8436
March 31
He commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey Him.
Luke 8:25
Even. Is there anything you find quite impossible to command in your circumstances or character? Something as deaf to command as the winds and the water? Something that has baffled you a thousand times, and appears as if it would win in the end? Do not despair. Better hath He been for years than thy fears. Better can He be, far better. He can command even this that seems as if it would not be commanded. Let that "even" be a comfort to you. "He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39).
Is there one who is facing something that seems impossible? Does the appointed burden feel too heavy to be carried? The disappointment too sharp to be welcomed? The duty too toilsome to be performed with joy? You have not to do it in your unaided strength: it is God who is all the while supplying the impulse, giving you the power to resolve, the strength to perform, the execution of His good pleasure. And so, I am equal to every lot through the help of Him who gives me inward strength. (Philippians 4:13)
And here is another beautiful word written down long, long ago for us: "Thy God hath commanded thy strength." (Psalm 68:28) So we need never be weak. We can be sure that every day strength is sent forth for us. So we need never be defeated, but can always be strong in the strength of our mighty God.
All the tremendous forces of Nature in the world today are at the call of our God, and are only a faint shadow of the spiritual power that is His, and that He is ready to put forth for us. Is it not amazing? How utterly foolish it is to plead weakness when we, even we, may (if we will) move into the stream of that power. Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8437
April 1
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion (fellowship) of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1 Corinthians 10:16,17
A young man in New Guinea who had been away to school and had gotten a good education after his conversion, returned to his own island and to his own village. On the Lord's Day the group of missionaries and believers were gathered together to observe the Lord's Supper.
As this young man sat by one of the older missionaries, the missionary recognized that a sudden tremor had passed through the young man's body and that he had laid his hand upon the arm of the other in a way that indicated he was under a great nervous strain. Then in a moment all was quiet again. The missionary whispered, "What was it that troubled you?"
"Ah," the young man said, "it is all right. But the man who just came in killed and ate the body of my father. And now he has come in to remember the Lord with us. At first I was so shocked to see the murderer of my own father sit down with us at the table of the Lord, I didn't know whether I could endure it. But it is all right now. He is washed in the same precious blood." And so together they had communion. Does the world know anything of this? It is a marvellous thing, the work of the blessed Holy Spirit of God.
I think of Saul of Tarsus seated there with that little group of believers around him. And I think of them looking over and saying, "That is the man that arrested my father. That is the man that threw my mother into prison. That is the man that tried to make me blaspheme the name of the Lord Jesus. There he sits, a humble, contrite believer, receiving the bread and the wine in commemoration of the Lord who died." What a wonderful fellowship! H. A. Ironside
N.J. Hiebert - 8438
April 2
He (a certain Samaritan) set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (Luke 10:33,34)
A certain man went down from Jerusalem, to Jericho, the city of the curse. But on the way he fell among thieves, who left him naked and wounded and half dead. A priest and a Levite passed by, but did nothing to help the wretched man. Then came "a certain Samaritan", and as he journeyed, he came where he was; and he had compassion on him, and went right down into the ditch with him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine. I am sure he clothed him with his own clothes and he put him on his own beast, and he took him to an inn.
Will there be room for him in this inn? Yes, Thank God, there is room, abundance of room, for him: for the Greek name of this inn is pan-docheion: 'the place that receives all.' Not one has ever been turned away from this inn.
Poverty, wretchedness, sin will never keep a person outside the inn called 'Pan-docheion.' It is God's own inn. Never yet has an applicant been told there is 'no room.' It 'receives all'. "Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out," (John 6:37) is inscribed over that door.
And this inn has a "Host," and the Spirit of God tells us His name: "Pan-docheus": "The person who receives all." And the Samaritan only stayed a short time, for He went away the next day; but before He left, He promised to come back, and in the meantime, He left orders with the "Host": to take care of this poor man. He left Him two pence, but added, Whatsoever Thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay Thee. Luke 10:35.
Since He only paid "two pence" the poor man knew that his good Friend meant to come again soon; and I am sure he kept watching down the road to see if He was coming. "Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20). Hid Treasures - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8439
April 3
April 4
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