December 10
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be soldier. 2 Timothy 2:3-4
To maintain the truth and pass it on to others is only possible as we are strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The maintenance of the truth in a day of general departure will involve suffering. Naturally we shrink from suffering. Therefore, Timothy is exhorted, and each one that desires to be true to Christ, to "Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
Compared with Paul the "share" of suffering we may be called to take will be small; but, wherever there is a saint to-day that refuses error and stands for the truth, he must be prepared in some measure to face opposition (ii.25), persecution (iii 12), desertion (iv. 10), and malice (iv. 14); and, as with the apostle, these things may come even from his brethren. This, however, involves suffering, and naturally when suffering unjustly we are inclined to retaliate.
Therefore, we are reminded to take our share in suffering, not as a natural man, but "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." A good soldier will obey his Captain and act as he does. Christ is the great Captain of our salvation, and He has reached His place of glory "through sufferings."
And He has left us this perfect example of suffering in patience, for "When He suffered He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). To act in a way so contrary to nature will indeed demand that we should be "strong the in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1). 2 Timothy - An Expository Outline - Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8691
To maintain the truth and pass it on to others is only possible as we are strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The maintenance of the truth in a day of general departure will involve suffering. Naturally we shrink from suffering. Therefore, Timothy is exhorted, and each one that desires to be true to Christ, to "Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
Compared with Paul the "share" of suffering we may be called to take will be small; but, wherever there is a saint to-day that refuses error and stands for the truth, he must be prepared in some measure to face opposition (ii.25), persecution (iii 12), desertion (iv. 10), and malice (iv. 14); and, as with the apostle, these things may come even from his brethren. This, however, involves suffering, and naturally when suffering unjustly we are inclined to retaliate.
Therefore, we are reminded to take our share in suffering, not as a natural man, but "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." A good soldier will obey his Captain and act as he does. Christ is the great Captain of our salvation, and He has reached His place of glory "through sufferings."
And He has left us this perfect example of suffering in patience, for "When He suffered He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). To act in a way so contrary to nature will indeed demand that we should be "strong the in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1). 2 Timothy - An Expository Outline - Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8691
December 11
A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. Isaiah 42:3
The poorest shepherd boy on our south Indian hills is careful to choose, for the making of his flute, a reed that is straight and fine and quite unbruised.
But our Heavenly Shepherd often takes the broken and the bruised, and of such He makes His flutes. But life, like His Book, is full of parables of tenderness; and one of these parables has often come into this room of late. For a visitor whose name means "God's Peace" has brought his autoharp to play to me, and has first tuned it while I expectantly waited for the music which I knew would follow the tuning.
Is music to come from our harp? Music of prayer, of praise, of consolation? The strings are relaxed, or perhaps too tensely stretched. Illness can cause either condition. But we have a Tuner.
Tune Thou my harp;
There is not, Lord, could never be,
The skill in me.
Tune Thou my harp,
That it may play Thy melody,
Thy harmony.
Tune Thou my harp;
Thy Spirit, breathe His thought through me,
As pleaseth Thee.
Rose From Briar - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8692
The poorest shepherd boy on our south Indian hills is careful to choose, for the making of his flute, a reed that is straight and fine and quite unbruised.
But our Heavenly Shepherd often takes the broken and the bruised, and of such He makes His flutes. But life, like His Book, is full of parables of tenderness; and one of these parables has often come into this room of late. For a visitor whose name means "God's Peace" has brought his autoharp to play to me, and has first tuned it while I expectantly waited for the music which I knew would follow the tuning.
Is music to come from our harp? Music of prayer, of praise, of consolation? The strings are relaxed, or perhaps too tensely stretched. Illness can cause either condition. But we have a Tuner.
Tune Thou my harp;
There is not, Lord, could never be,
The skill in me.
Tune Thou my harp,
That it may play Thy melody,
Thy harmony.
Tune Thou my harp;
Thy Spirit, breathe His thought through me,
As pleaseth Thee.
Rose From Briar - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8692
December 12
SOWING AND REAPING
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap...but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:7-9
The story is told of two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University many years ago. Their funds got desperately low, tuition was coming due, and they badly needed financial help.
One of them had an idea. They would engage the great pianist, Paderewski for a recital. He figured that the profits from the concert would be enough to pay both board and tuition for the two. The great pianist's manager demanded a guarantee of two thousand dollars for the recital.
It was a huge sum but the two students, undaunted, proceeded to stage the concert. After many hours of hard work, it was held. Sadly however, the concert had raised only sixteen hundred dollars. The two disconsolate young men met with the great artist, telling him of their efforts and poor results. Giving him the entire sixteen hundred dollars, they included with the funds a promissory note for four hundred dollars promising to pay him the balance as soon as possible.
"No," replied Paderewski, "That won't do." Tearing the note to shreds, he handed the money back to them with the following instructions. Take out of this money your tuition and board. Keep 10 % of the balance for your work on the recital, then give me the rest."
Several years rolled by after this event. Mr Paderewski became Premier of Poland. An awful war and famine struck. He desperately worked to feed the many starving thousands of his beloved Poland but it was futile. Only one man in the world could help Paderewski and his people. He pled for help from that man and soon thousands of tons of food began to pour into Poland for distribution by Premier Paderewski.
After the people were fed and the famine over, he journeyed to Paris to thank US President Herbert Hoover for the relief sent to his country. Mr Hoover quietly replied, "That's all right, Mr Paderewski. You don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and was in a hole." TCS D. Nicolet - June 2012
N.J. Hiebert - 8693
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap...but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:7-9
The story is told of two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University many years ago. Their funds got desperately low, tuition was coming due, and they badly needed financial help.
One of them had an idea. They would engage the great pianist, Paderewski for a recital. He figured that the profits from the concert would be enough to pay both board and tuition for the two. The great pianist's manager demanded a guarantee of two thousand dollars for the recital.
It was a huge sum but the two students, undaunted, proceeded to stage the concert. After many hours of hard work, it was held. Sadly however, the concert had raised only sixteen hundred dollars. The two disconsolate young men met with the great artist, telling him of their efforts and poor results. Giving him the entire sixteen hundred dollars, they included with the funds a promissory note for four hundred dollars promising to pay him the balance as soon as possible.
"No," replied Paderewski, "That won't do." Tearing the note to shreds, he handed the money back to them with the following instructions. Take out of this money your tuition and board. Keep 10 % of the balance for your work on the recital, then give me the rest."
Several years rolled by after this event. Mr Paderewski became Premier of Poland. An awful war and famine struck. He desperately worked to feed the many starving thousands of his beloved Poland but it was futile. Only one man in the world could help Paderewski and his people. He pled for help from that man and soon thousands of tons of food began to pour into Poland for distribution by Premier Paderewski.
After the people were fed and the famine over, he journeyed to Paris to thank US President Herbert Hoover for the relief sent to his country. Mr Hoover quietly replied, "That's all right, Mr Paderewski. You don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and was in a hole." TCS D. Nicolet - June 2012
N.J. Hiebert - 8693
December 13
The song of songs, which is Solomon's. Song of Solomon. 1:1
But why call this precious little book, "The Song of Songs"? Just because it is Solomon's, or rather, Christ's who will in due time be King in Jerusalem, in true Solomon glory. On the same principle He is called "King of kings, and Lord of lords." (1 Timothy 6:15) Preeminence in all things is His.
There are many sweet songs in scripture. Moses, Miriam and her maidens, Deborah, and David, all sang sweetly of the Lord's goodness. It is said of Solomon himself that "his songs were a thousand and five" (1 Kings 4:32); but this one he styles "The Song of Songs." It far surpassed them all.
It is the deep melody of hearts filled with holy love, and finding their supreme delight in its full and free expression. "We love Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19) Oh! to be able at all times to sing the song of the Saviour's love, with the heart and with the understanding also.
May each, may all, that master-key of truth--
Its reference to Christ--through grace attain,
And, holding firm the torch of scripture-light,
Comparing book with book, and text with text,
Enter the precincts, otherwise obscure,
Of meditation on "The Song of Songs."
Andrew Miller - Song of Solomon
Oh! I am my Beloved's and my Beloved's mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner into His house of wine!
I stand upon His merit, I know no safer stand,
Not e'en where glory dwelleth, in Immanuel's land. Mrs. Cousins
N.J. Hiebert - 8694
But why call this precious little book, "The Song of Songs"? Just because it is Solomon's, or rather, Christ's who will in due time be King in Jerusalem, in true Solomon glory. On the same principle He is called "King of kings, and Lord of lords." (1 Timothy 6:15) Preeminence in all things is His.
There are many sweet songs in scripture. Moses, Miriam and her maidens, Deborah, and David, all sang sweetly of the Lord's goodness. It is said of Solomon himself that "his songs were a thousand and five" (1 Kings 4:32); but this one he styles "The Song of Songs." It far surpassed them all.
It is the deep melody of hearts filled with holy love, and finding their supreme delight in its full and free expression. "We love Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19) Oh! to be able at all times to sing the song of the Saviour's love, with the heart and with the understanding also.
May each, may all, that master-key of truth--
Its reference to Christ--through grace attain,
And, holding firm the torch of scripture-light,
Comparing book with book, and text with text,
Enter the precincts, otherwise obscure,
Of meditation on "The Song of Songs."
Andrew Miller - Song of Solomon
Oh! I am my Beloved's and my Beloved's mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner into His house of wine!
I stand upon His merit, I know no safer stand,
Not e'en where glory dwelleth, in Immanuel's land. Mrs. Cousins
N.J. Hiebert - 8694
December 14
Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite. 1 Chronicles 27:30
Have you to try to help people who are rather like camels? You want them to go one way, and they go another. You try persuasion and they turn sulky. It is difficult to be patient with an animal that never looks pleased. It is very difficult to be patient with human camels.
But God knows all about you and your difficulties, and your name is not forgotten by Him. He thought the name of a camel driver who lived three thousand years ago worth writing in HIs Book.
The names of thousands of great kings are buried and forgotten, but the name of David's camel driver is remembered to this day: Over the camels was Obil.
Obil means "driver" or "leader." I expect he sometimes found leading better than driving, and so sometimes shall we. God give His Obils patience to deal with their camels. Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.
Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more. Fanny Crosby
N.J. Hiebert - 8695
Have you to try to help people who are rather like camels? You want them to go one way, and they go another. You try persuasion and they turn sulky. It is difficult to be patient with an animal that never looks pleased. It is very difficult to be patient with human camels.
But God knows all about you and your difficulties, and your name is not forgotten by Him. He thought the name of a camel driver who lived three thousand years ago worth writing in HIs Book.
The names of thousands of great kings are buried and forgotten, but the name of David's camel driver is remembered to this day: Over the camels was Obil.
Obil means "driver" or "leader." I expect he sometimes found leading better than driving, and so sometimes shall we. God give His Obils patience to deal with their camels. Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.
Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more. Fanny Crosby
N.J. Hiebert - 8695
December 15
Jesus being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well...there cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink...then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, how is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? John 4:6-9
In no gospel (John) is Jesus seen so near the sinner. He is alone with the Samaritan, alone with the adulteress, alone with the outcast beggar. And this gives its highest interest to this precious portion of the Word of God. The joy and security of being alone with the Son of God, as is here exhibited, is beyond every thing to the soul.
The sinner thus learns his title to the Saviour, and discovers the blessed truth, that they are suited to one another. The moment we learn that we are sinners, we may look in the face of the Son of God, and claim Him as our own. And what a moment in the very days of heaven that is! He came to seek and to save sinners; and He walked as a solitary man on the earth, save when He met a poor sinner.
Such alone had title, or even power, to interrupt the solitude of this heavenly Stranger. The world knew Him not. His paths were lonely among us, save when He and the sinner found their way to each other. The Leper outside the camp met Him, but none else.
Being alone with Jesus is the sinner's first position. It is the beginning of His joy; and no one has the right to meddle with it. That which has called itself the Church, in every age of Christendom has sought to break in upon the privacy of the Saviour and the sinner, and to make itself a party in the settlement of the question that there is between them. But in this it has been an intruder. Sin casts us upon God alone. J. G. Bellett.
N.J. Hiebert - 8696
In no gospel (John) is Jesus seen so near the sinner. He is alone with the Samaritan, alone with the adulteress, alone with the outcast beggar. And this gives its highest interest to this precious portion of the Word of God. The joy and security of being alone with the Son of God, as is here exhibited, is beyond every thing to the soul.
The sinner thus learns his title to the Saviour, and discovers the blessed truth, that they are suited to one another. The moment we learn that we are sinners, we may look in the face of the Son of God, and claim Him as our own. And what a moment in the very days of heaven that is! He came to seek and to save sinners; and He walked as a solitary man on the earth, save when He met a poor sinner.
Such alone had title, or even power, to interrupt the solitude of this heavenly Stranger. The world knew Him not. His paths were lonely among us, save when He and the sinner found their way to each other. The Leper outside the camp met Him, but none else.
Being alone with Jesus is the sinner's first position. It is the beginning of His joy; and no one has the right to meddle with it. That which has called itself the Church, in every age of Christendom has sought to break in upon the privacy of the Saviour and the sinner, and to make itself a party in the settlement of the question that there is between them. But in this it has been an intruder. Sin casts us upon God alone. J. G. Bellett.
N.J. Hiebert - 8696
December 16
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come. 1 Corinthians 11:26
'Twas on that night of deepest woe,
When darkness round did thicken,
When through deep waters Thou didst go,
And for our sins wast stricken;
Thou, Lord, didst seek that we should be
With grateful hearts remembering Thee.
How deep the sorrow, who can tell,
Which was for us endurèd?
O love divine, which broke the spell
Which had our hearts allurèd.
With heart and conscience now set free,
It is our joy to think of Thee.
O Lord, how precious is Thy thought,
How wondrous Thy desire,
To win our hearts, once worse than naught,
Who now by grace aspire
To seek Thy glory, bear Thy shame,
To keep Thy word, and love Thy name.
We know Thee now exalted high,
Ourselves in Thee accepted;
We wait the hour which now draws nigh,
Thy coming long expected.
Till Thou dost come we still would be
With grateful hearts remembering Thee.
(G. W. Frazer)
N.J. Hiebert - 8697
'Twas on that night of deepest woe,
When darkness round did thicken,
When through deep waters Thou didst go,
And for our sins wast stricken;
Thou, Lord, didst seek that we should be
With grateful hearts remembering Thee.
How deep the sorrow, who can tell,
Which was for us endurèd?
O love divine, which broke the spell
Which had our hearts allurèd.
With heart and conscience now set free,
It is our joy to think of Thee.
O Lord, how precious is Thy thought,
How wondrous Thy desire,
To win our hearts, once worse than naught,
Who now by grace aspire
To seek Thy glory, bear Thy shame,
To keep Thy word, and love Thy name.
We know Thee now exalted high,
Ourselves in Thee accepted;
We wait the hour which now draws nigh,
Thy coming long expected.
Till Thou dost come we still would be
With grateful hearts remembering Thee.
(G. W. Frazer)
N.J. Hiebert - 8697
December 17
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man, Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5
Two great truths are brought before us as the ground on which God deals with men in sovereign grace. First, there is one God; secondly, there is one Mediator. That there is only one God had been fully declared before Christ came.
The unity of God is the great foundation truth of the Old Testament. It was the great testimony to Israel, as we read, "Hear O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord" (Deuteronomy 6:4). It was the great testimony that was to flow out to the nations from Israel, as we read, "Let all the nations be gathered together . . . let them hear, and say, it is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour." (Isiah 43:9-11)
Christianity, while fully maintaining the great truth that there is one God, further presents the equally important truth that there is one Mediator between God and men. This latter truth is the distinctive truth of Christianity. If God is one it is equally important to remember the unity of the Mediator. There is one Mediator and no other.
The One Mediator is a Man in order that God may be known to men. Men cannot rise to God; but God in His love, can come down to man. This Mediator gave Himself a ransom for all. God's majesty, righteousness, love, truth and all that He is, have been glorified in the work brought by Christ. He is a propitiation for the whole world. All has been done that is needed. His blood is available for the vilest whoever he may be. "Whosoever will let him come". In this aspect we may say Christ died for all, gave Himself a ransom for all...an available sacrifice for sin, for whosoever would come "tasted death for every man." Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8698
Two great truths are brought before us as the ground on which God deals with men in sovereign grace. First, there is one God; secondly, there is one Mediator. That there is only one God had been fully declared before Christ came.
The unity of God is the great foundation truth of the Old Testament. It was the great testimony to Israel, as we read, "Hear O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord" (Deuteronomy 6:4). It was the great testimony that was to flow out to the nations from Israel, as we read, "Let all the nations be gathered together . . . let them hear, and say, it is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour." (Isiah 43:9-11)
Christianity, while fully maintaining the great truth that there is one God, further presents the equally important truth that there is one Mediator between God and men. This latter truth is the distinctive truth of Christianity. If God is one it is equally important to remember the unity of the Mediator. There is one Mediator and no other.
The One Mediator is a Man in order that God may be known to men. Men cannot rise to God; but God in His love, can come down to man. This Mediator gave Himself a ransom for all. God's majesty, righteousness, love, truth and all that He is, have been glorified in the work brought by Christ. He is a propitiation for the whole world. All has been done that is needed. His blood is available for the vilest whoever he may be. "Whosoever will let him come". In this aspect we may say Christ died for all, gave Himself a ransom for all...an available sacrifice for sin, for whosoever would come "tasted death for every man." Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8698
December 18
I will give thee the treasures of darkness. Isaiah 45:3
In the famous lace shops of Brussels, there are certain rooms devoted to the spinning of the finest and most delicate patterns. These rooms are altogether darkened, save for a light from one very small window, which falls directly upon the pattern.
There is only one spinner in the room, and he sits where the narrow stream of light falls upon the threads of his weaving. "Thus," we are told by the guide, "do we secure our choicest products. Lace is always more delicately and beautifully woven when the worker himself is in the dark and only his pattern is in the light."
May it not be the same with us in our weaving? Sometimes it is very dark. We cannot understand what we are doing. We do not see the web we are weaving. We are not able to discover any beauty, any possible good in our experience. Yet if we are faithful and fail not and faint not, we shall some day know that the most exquisite work of all our life was done in those days when it was so dark.
If you are in the deep shadows because of some strange, mysterious providence, do not be afraid. Simply go on in faith and love, never doubting. God is watching, and He will bring good and beauty out of all your pain and tears. J. R. Miller
The shuttles of His purpose move to carry out His own design;
Seek not too soon to disapprove His work, nor yet assign
Dark motives, when, with silent tread, you view some sombre fold;
For lo, within each darker thread there twines a thread of gold.
Spin cheerfully, not tearfully, He knows the way you plod;
Spin carefully, spin prayerfully, but leave the thread with God.
N.J. Hiebert - 8699
In the famous lace shops of Brussels, there are certain rooms devoted to the spinning of the finest and most delicate patterns. These rooms are altogether darkened, save for a light from one very small window, which falls directly upon the pattern.
There is only one spinner in the room, and he sits where the narrow stream of light falls upon the threads of his weaving. "Thus," we are told by the guide, "do we secure our choicest products. Lace is always more delicately and beautifully woven when the worker himself is in the dark and only his pattern is in the light."
May it not be the same with us in our weaving? Sometimes it is very dark. We cannot understand what we are doing. We do not see the web we are weaving. We are not able to discover any beauty, any possible good in our experience. Yet if we are faithful and fail not and faint not, we shall some day know that the most exquisite work of all our life was done in those days when it was so dark.
If you are in the deep shadows because of some strange, mysterious providence, do not be afraid. Simply go on in faith and love, never doubting. God is watching, and He will bring good and beauty out of all your pain and tears. J. R. Miller
The shuttles of His purpose move to carry out His own design;
Seek not too soon to disapprove His work, nor yet assign
Dark motives, when, with silent tread, you view some sombre fold;
For lo, within each darker thread there twines a thread of gold.
Spin cheerfully, not tearfully, He knows the way you plod;
Spin carefully, spin prayerfully, but leave the thread with God.
N.J. Hiebert - 8699
December 19
I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32:5
The story is told of a little girl who broke one of her mom's favourite demitasse cups. The little girl came to her mom sobbing: "O Mama," she said," I'm sorry I broke your beautiful cup."
The mother said. "I know you're sorry, and I forgive you. Now don't cry anymore." The mother then swept up the pieces of the broken cup and placed them in the trash can.
But the little girl apparently enjoyed the guilty feeling. She went to the trash can and retrieved some of the pieces. She brought them to her mother and sobbed, "I'm so sorry that I broke your pretty cup."
This time the mother spoke firmly to her: Take those pieces and put them back in the trash, and don't take them out again. I told you I forgive you, so don't cry anymore."
Do you find, yourself dredging up things from the past that the Lord has already forgiven? Do you beat yourself up about them...again? Re-read the verse above, and remember that God has put them behind Him. They are forgiven, and He choses to remember them against us no longer. "...their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:12). He wants us to move on. When we re-focus on them, we give them life again, which is not good.
Jesus said to the woman who had been caught in adultery: "Jesus said unto her neither do I, condemn thee: go and sin no more." (John 8:11). When God forgives us, we are forgiven and freed to live a new life in Christ. May we stop carrying around guilt for things that are washed away in the blood of Christ. If they've been confessed, let us move on. L.L. (Daily Devotions).
N.J. Hiebert - 8700
The story is told of a little girl who broke one of her mom's favourite demitasse cups. The little girl came to her mom sobbing: "O Mama," she said," I'm sorry I broke your beautiful cup."
The mother said. "I know you're sorry, and I forgive you. Now don't cry anymore." The mother then swept up the pieces of the broken cup and placed them in the trash can.
But the little girl apparently enjoyed the guilty feeling. She went to the trash can and retrieved some of the pieces. She brought them to her mother and sobbed, "I'm so sorry that I broke your pretty cup."
This time the mother spoke firmly to her: Take those pieces and put them back in the trash, and don't take them out again. I told you I forgive you, so don't cry anymore."
Do you find, yourself dredging up things from the past that the Lord has already forgiven? Do you beat yourself up about them...again? Re-read the verse above, and remember that God has put them behind Him. They are forgiven, and He choses to remember them against us no longer. "...their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:12). He wants us to move on. When we re-focus on them, we give them life again, which is not good.
Jesus said to the woman who had been caught in adultery: "Jesus said unto her neither do I, condemn thee: go and sin no more." (John 8:11). When God forgives us, we are forgiven and freed to live a new life in Christ. May we stop carrying around guilt for things that are washed away in the blood of Christ. If they've been confessed, let us move on. L.L. (Daily Devotions).
N.J. Hiebert - 8700
December 20
I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. Luke 7:8
"Arise, Go." (Jonah 1:2) Not only was Jonah to arise, but he had the very same orders that we have, "Go!" This centurion Luke 7:8 understood authority. When the Lord said "Go!" to Jonah, Jonah decided he would not go. The soldier did not dream of complaining that the way was too long, or to rough, or too dangerous, or the time was not convenient; he did not suggest that he did not want to go, or that he was too busy with other work. No, the soldier understood authority, and went. When the captain says, "Go!" he goes.
The same word is used of the prodigal in Luke 15. "I will arise and go to my father." He may have often said, "I ought to go to my father," or, "I must go to my father," but it was not until he did finally arise that he ever reached his father. It took the energy of faith to arise. A believer understands and experiences what it means to arise and go to their Father. May God help us to understand what it means for us arise and go to them that sit in darkness!
How many there are of us to whom the Lord has said "GO!" and we have been like Jonah and refused. It may be that we have been so busy with our own affairs, that we have hardly heard Him say "GO," or it may be that we know so little of authority, that we decide that there is no need to obey, but think we may chose our own will instead. May the Lord give us each one to hear His voice, speaking with Divine authority, that we dare not question, saying to us, "ARISE! GO!" ARISE, GO TO NINEVEH."
Not only did the Lord tell Jonah to "Arise, Go," but He told him just where he was to go. He did not say, "Arise, go anywhere you like"; but he told him just where to go. The Lord will tell us where to go. It may be that the Lord will send us to someone in our own family, or to our neighbours, or it may be to those of a different nation, and language, at the other end of the earth. C. Willis - Jonah
N.J. Hiebert - 8701
"Arise, Go." (Jonah 1:2) Not only was Jonah to arise, but he had the very same orders that we have, "Go!" This centurion Luke 7:8 understood authority. When the Lord said "Go!" to Jonah, Jonah decided he would not go. The soldier did not dream of complaining that the way was too long, or to rough, or too dangerous, or the time was not convenient; he did not suggest that he did not want to go, or that he was too busy with other work. No, the soldier understood authority, and went. When the captain says, "Go!" he goes.
The same word is used of the prodigal in Luke 15. "I will arise and go to my father." He may have often said, "I ought to go to my father," or, "I must go to my father," but it was not until he did finally arise that he ever reached his father. It took the energy of faith to arise. A believer understands and experiences what it means to arise and go to their Father. May God help us to understand what it means for us arise and go to them that sit in darkness!
How many there are of us to whom the Lord has said "GO!" and we have been like Jonah and refused. It may be that we have been so busy with our own affairs, that we have hardly heard Him say "GO," or it may be that we know so little of authority, that we decide that there is no need to obey, but think we may chose our own will instead. May the Lord give us each one to hear His voice, speaking with Divine authority, that we dare not question, saying to us, "ARISE! GO!" ARISE, GO TO NINEVEH."
Not only did the Lord tell Jonah to "Arise, Go," but He told him just where he was to go. He did not say, "Arise, go anywhere you like"; but he told him just where to go. The Lord will tell us where to go. It may be that the Lord will send us to someone in our own family, or to our neighbours, or it may be to those of a different nation, and language, at the other end of the earth. C. Willis - Jonah
N.J. Hiebert - 8701
December 21
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.
(2 Corinthians 2:14)
There is one other thing which we would do well to note, namely, that a fragrance is the same everywhere. "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you."
(2 Corinthians 2:4)
A rose smells as sweetly in the kitchen as in the living room; in the house of business as in the prayer meeting or on the playground.
Lord Jesus, in the busy mart, the hurrying crowd, the anxious strife,
Maintain Thy throne within my heart, be thou to me my very life.
The wild pursuit of paltry wealth, the craze and lure of wrong desires,
The world that lives without Thyself, and all for self alone aspires--
Let these all leave me undismayed, untouched, unstained, by sin or shame,
Calm, and at all times unafraid, indifferent quite, to worldly fame.
But filled alone with Thee, my Lord, and all of Heaven's joy beside,
Thus walk with Thee in glad accord, and find my Heaven at Thy side.
One look of love from Thy kind eyes, one pressure of Thy nail-scarred hand,
Are more than earth's most thrilling prize, acclaimed abroad in every land.
Winsome Christianity - Henry Durbanville
N.J. Hiebert - 8702
(2 Corinthians 2:14)
There is one other thing which we would do well to note, namely, that a fragrance is the same everywhere. "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you."
(2 Corinthians 2:4)
A rose smells as sweetly in the kitchen as in the living room; in the house of business as in the prayer meeting or on the playground.
Lord Jesus, in the busy mart, the hurrying crowd, the anxious strife,
Maintain Thy throne within my heart, be thou to me my very life.
The wild pursuit of paltry wealth, the craze and lure of wrong desires,
The world that lives without Thyself, and all for self alone aspires--
Let these all leave me undismayed, untouched, unstained, by sin or shame,
Calm, and at all times unafraid, indifferent quite, to worldly fame.
But filled alone with Thee, my Lord, and all of Heaven's joy beside,
Thus walk with Thee in glad accord, and find my Heaven at Thy side.
One look of love from Thy kind eyes, one pressure of Thy nail-scarred hand,
Are more than earth's most thrilling prize, acclaimed abroad in every land.
Winsome Christianity - Henry Durbanville
N.J. Hiebert - 8702
December 22
No comments:
Post a Comment