March 21
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 1 Corinthians 3:13
The sins and iniquity of the Christian can never be brought into judgment. (Hebrews10:17) Christ has already borne their judgment on the cross, and put them all away forever by the sacrifice of Himself. There will be no second judgment of the believer's sins.
But this trial of the quality of our works should not be thought of with fear and dread, but as one of our greatest privileges; because then shall be fulfilled that precious word. "But then shall I know even as also I am known."
God is light and God is love. He is all love--all light for His children. But His love will have them in the light as He is Himself. This will be perfect blessedness; because we shall then be in the perfect light as well as the perfect love of God. "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5) Our new, our divine nature loves the light--delights in it. The least darkness would be an insupportable burden.
To be in the light, is to be manifested, for light makes manifest. Nothing can be concealed there. And we would not, blessed be His name, have one moment of our history with His tender, gracious dealings towards us, left in the dark. The heart shrinks from the very thought, notwithstanding all our weakness.
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in His body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10) When the whole course of my life is manifested in the perfect light of God--of God in Christ. "Then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12) My judgment of all that was good and bad in that life, will be according to the perfect judgment of God. Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 8792
The sins and iniquity of the Christian can never be brought into judgment. (Hebrews10:17) Christ has already borne their judgment on the cross, and put them all away forever by the sacrifice of Himself. There will be no second judgment of the believer's sins.
But this trial of the quality of our works should not be thought of with fear and dread, but as one of our greatest privileges; because then shall be fulfilled that precious word. "But then shall I know even as also I am known."
God is light and God is love. He is all love--all light for His children. But His love will have them in the light as He is Himself. This will be perfect blessedness; because we shall then be in the perfect light as well as the perfect love of God. "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5) Our new, our divine nature loves the light--delights in it. The least darkness would be an insupportable burden.
To be in the light, is to be manifested, for light makes manifest. Nothing can be concealed there. And we would not, blessed be His name, have one moment of our history with His tender, gracious dealings towards us, left in the dark. The heart shrinks from the very thought, notwithstanding all our weakness.
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in His body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10) When the whole course of my life is manifested in the perfect light of God--of God in Christ. "Then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12) My judgment of all that was good and bad in that life, will be according to the perfect judgment of God. Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 8792
March 22
"Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord?" (Psalm 10:1)
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
But He permits trouble to pursue us, as though He were indifferent to its overwhelming pressure, that we may be brought to the end of ourselves, and led to discover the treasure of darkness, (Isaiah 45:3) the unmeasurable gains of tribulation (Romans 5:3-5).
We may be sure that He who permits the suffering is with us in it. It may be that we shall see Him only when the trial is passing; but we must dare to believe that He never leaves the crucible.
Our eyes are holden; and we cannot behold Him whom our soul loveth. It is dark--the bandages blind us so that we cannot see the form of our High Priest; but He is there, deeply touched. Let us not rely on feeling, but on faith in His unswerving fidelity; and though we see Him not, let us talk to Him.
Directly we begin to speak to Jesus, as being literally present, though His presence is veiled, there comes an answering voice which shows that He is in the shadow, keeping watch upon His own.
Your Father is as near when you journey through the dark tunnel (Psalm 23:4) as when under the open heaven! Selected
"What though the path be all unknown?
What though the way be drear?
Its shades I traverse not alone
When steps of Thine are near."
N.J. Hiebert - 8793
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
But He permits trouble to pursue us, as though He were indifferent to its overwhelming pressure, that we may be brought to the end of ourselves, and led to discover the treasure of darkness, (Isaiah 45:3) the unmeasurable gains of tribulation (Romans 5:3-5).
We may be sure that He who permits the suffering is with us in it. It may be that we shall see Him only when the trial is passing; but we must dare to believe that He never leaves the crucible.
Our eyes are holden; and we cannot behold Him whom our soul loveth. It is dark--the bandages blind us so that we cannot see the form of our High Priest; but He is there, deeply touched. Let us not rely on feeling, but on faith in His unswerving fidelity; and though we see Him not, let us talk to Him.
Directly we begin to speak to Jesus, as being literally present, though His presence is veiled, there comes an answering voice which shows that He is in the shadow, keeping watch upon His own.
Your Father is as near when you journey through the dark tunnel (Psalm 23:4) as when under the open heaven! Selected
"What though the path be all unknown?
What though the way be drear?
Its shades I traverse not alone
When steps of Thine are near."
N.J. Hiebert - 8793
March 23
But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him....And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf." (Genesis 8:9-11)
God knows just when to withhold from us any visible sign of encouragement, and when to grant us such a sign. How good it is that we may trust Him anyway! When all visible evidences that He is remembering us are are withheld, that is best; He wants us to realize that His Word, His promise of remembrance, is more substantial and dependable than any evidence of our senses.
When He sends the visible evidence, that is well also; we appreciate it all the more after we have trusted Him without it. Those who are readiest to trust God without other evidence than His Word always receive the greatest number of visible evidences of love. C. G. Trumbull
Believing Him; if storm-clouds gather darkly 'round,
And even if the heaven seem brass, without a sound?
He hears each prayer and even notes the sparrow's fall.
And praising Him; when sorrow, grief, and pain are near,
And even when we lose the thing that seems most dear?
Our loss is gain. Praise Him; in Him we have our ALL.
Our hand in His; e'en though the path seems long and drear
We scarcely see a step ahead, and almost fear?
He guides aright. He has it thus to keep us near.
And satisfied; when every path is blocked and bare,
And worldly things are gone and dead which were so fair?
Believe and rest and trust in Him, He comes to stay.
Delays are not refusals; many a prayer is registered, and underneath it the words: "My time is not yet come." God has a set time as well as a set purpose, and He who orders the bounds of our habitation orders also the time of our deliverance. Selected
N.J. Hiebert - 8794
God knows just when to withhold from us any visible sign of encouragement, and when to grant us such a sign. How good it is that we may trust Him anyway! When all visible evidences that He is remembering us are are withheld, that is best; He wants us to realize that His Word, His promise of remembrance, is more substantial and dependable than any evidence of our senses.
When He sends the visible evidence, that is well also; we appreciate it all the more after we have trusted Him without it. Those who are readiest to trust God without other evidence than His Word always receive the greatest number of visible evidences of love. C. G. Trumbull
Believing Him; if storm-clouds gather darkly 'round,
And even if the heaven seem brass, without a sound?
He hears each prayer and even notes the sparrow's fall.
And praising Him; when sorrow, grief, and pain are near,
And even when we lose the thing that seems most dear?
Our loss is gain. Praise Him; in Him we have our ALL.
Our hand in His; e'en though the path seems long and drear
We scarcely see a step ahead, and almost fear?
He guides aright. He has it thus to keep us near.
And satisfied; when every path is blocked and bare,
And worldly things are gone and dead which were so fair?
Believe and rest and trust in Him, He comes to stay.
Delays are not refusals; many a prayer is registered, and underneath it the words: "My time is not yet come." God has a set time as well as a set purpose, and He who orders the bounds of our habitation orders also the time of our deliverance. Selected
N.J. Hiebert - 8794
March 24
Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here. Mark 16:6
The resurrection of our Lord is the fundamental fact of our faith. If it is not true, Christianity is a stream without a source, an effect without a cause. While no one saw the Saviour rise, no event of history is better attested. Among the familiar proofs are the empty tomb, and the appearance of Jesus to His followers.
Of the circumstances attending this supreme event, different ones are related by each gospel writer, and with a variety of detail. Mark gives a vivid picture of the women who visit the place of burial and find that the body of Jesus is gone. Their errand is one of love but also of unbelief; the Master promised to rise on the third day; but now, early on that Sunday morning, they are approaching the tomb, expecting to anoint His dead body. They are anxious as well as sorrowful, wondering how the stone may be removed to give them access to the sepulchre.
As is often the experience in life, they find that the dreaded difficulty disappears before it is encountered; "they saw that the stone was rolled away. (v.4) As they enter, they find that the sepulchre is empty; yet not empty, for an angel is present to give the astonishing explanation: Be not amazed "He is risen; "He is not here." (v.6) There is no other explanation of that empty tomb. The supposition that the body has been stolen, or that Jesus never really had died, or that the disciples imagined he had risen, or that they invented the falsehood of a resurrection--no one of these can be accepted except by prejudiced skepticism or childish credulity.
Knowledge, however, involves responsibility. Those who know of a risen Christ must be His witnesses. "But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you." (v.7).
Gospel of Mark - Charles R. Erdman
"Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He rose again the third day...He was seen by Cephas, then of the twelve...was seen of above five hundred at once." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
N.J. Hiebert - 8795
The resurrection of our Lord is the fundamental fact of our faith. If it is not true, Christianity is a stream without a source, an effect without a cause. While no one saw the Saviour rise, no event of history is better attested. Among the familiar proofs are the empty tomb, and the appearance of Jesus to His followers.
Of the circumstances attending this supreme event, different ones are related by each gospel writer, and with a variety of detail. Mark gives a vivid picture of the women who visit the place of burial and find that the body of Jesus is gone. Their errand is one of love but also of unbelief; the Master promised to rise on the third day; but now, early on that Sunday morning, they are approaching the tomb, expecting to anoint His dead body. They are anxious as well as sorrowful, wondering how the stone may be removed to give them access to the sepulchre.
As is often the experience in life, they find that the dreaded difficulty disappears before it is encountered; "they saw that the stone was rolled away. (v.4) As they enter, they find that the sepulchre is empty; yet not empty, for an angel is present to give the astonishing explanation: Be not amazed "He is risen; "He is not here." (v.6) There is no other explanation of that empty tomb. The supposition that the body has been stolen, or that Jesus never really had died, or that the disciples imagined he had risen, or that they invented the falsehood of a resurrection--no one of these can be accepted except by prejudiced skepticism or childish credulity.
Knowledge, however, involves responsibility. Those who know of a risen Christ must be His witnesses. "But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you." (v.7).
Gospel of Mark - Charles R. Erdman
"Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He rose again the third day...He was seen by Cephas, then of the twelve...was seen of above five hundred at once." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
N.J. Hiebert - 8795
March 25
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1.
I have been sent some beautiful Caladium flowers. When this flower first opens it is hot inside (its temperature has been taken, - 104 F), but as it grows to perfection this excitement of heat passes. The perfect flower is normal.
In the spiritual world, too, there can be heat and excitement. The ferment of an old truth newly apprehended (for there is no such thing as a new truth) may very easily cause it. The devil delights to have it so, and it is easy to see why. If we become interested in ourselves and occupied in taking our own temperatures, so to speak, then that truth which should bring blessing will either slip out of sight or be put out of focus.
Our Lord said (Luke 12:27), "Consider the (Caladiums) how they grow: they toil not, they spin not." God lays His cool hand upon them and perfects them. Think of that word in 2 Corinthians 7:1: perfecting holiness. There is a crisis of new birth, then -- if the Lord has His way unhindered -- a quiet growth and perfecting, which may take the form of a series of crises. But always it is an inwardly quiet thing.
Just before Paul wrote about perfecting holiness he wrote about common life (2 Corinthians 6:3-10). Isn't this a wonderful word for us? "Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience. . . . "
I am glad patience comes first. But read it all.
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael.
N.J. Hiebert - 8796
I have been sent some beautiful Caladium flowers. When this flower first opens it is hot inside (its temperature has been taken, - 104 F), but as it grows to perfection this excitement of heat passes. The perfect flower is normal.
In the spiritual world, too, there can be heat and excitement. The ferment of an old truth newly apprehended (for there is no such thing as a new truth) may very easily cause it. The devil delights to have it so, and it is easy to see why. If we become interested in ourselves and occupied in taking our own temperatures, so to speak, then that truth which should bring blessing will either slip out of sight or be put out of focus.
Our Lord said (Luke 12:27), "Consider the (Caladiums) how they grow: they toil not, they spin not." God lays His cool hand upon them and perfects them. Think of that word in 2 Corinthians 7:1: perfecting holiness. There is a crisis of new birth, then -- if the Lord has His way unhindered -- a quiet growth and perfecting, which may take the form of a series of crises. But always it is an inwardly quiet thing.
Just before Paul wrote about perfecting holiness he wrote about common life (2 Corinthians 6:3-10). Isn't this a wonderful word for us? "Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience. . . . "
I am glad patience comes first. But read it all.
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael.
N.J. Hiebert - 8796
March 26
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12
When an ardent hiker heads for the high country, he keeps his eyes fastened on the far ridges and shining summit. He stimulates himself and steels his resolve to reach the top by focusing his attention on the ultimate goal.
If he has a travelling companion, a hiking partner, he will also give him much of his thought, time, and interest. By doing this, the obstacles and hardships and strain of the climb are scarcely noticed. The tough, rough spots are taken in stride without undue stress or strain. His eyes and interest are not centered on the immediate problems along the path, but on reaching the mountaintop.
It is precisely the same in our walk with God. Where is your focal point of interest? Are you completely preoccupied with the petty pressures and problems of the immediate moment? Are you so taken up with self-interest that you can't see the shining heights of God's purposes and plan for the world? Is your gaze only on the ground of your grinding, grumbling grievances, or does God Himself fill your view?
Learn to refocus your attention on Christ. Make Him your confidante. Keep Him always in view. Set your will deliberately to see Him; then press on toward the destination of the high country and lofty life to which He has called you. Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J. Hiebert - 8797
When an ardent hiker heads for the high country, he keeps his eyes fastened on the far ridges and shining summit. He stimulates himself and steels his resolve to reach the top by focusing his attention on the ultimate goal.
If he has a travelling companion, a hiking partner, he will also give him much of his thought, time, and interest. By doing this, the obstacles and hardships and strain of the climb are scarcely noticed. The tough, rough spots are taken in stride without undue stress or strain. His eyes and interest are not centered on the immediate problems along the path, but on reaching the mountaintop.
It is precisely the same in our walk with God. Where is your focal point of interest? Are you completely preoccupied with the petty pressures and problems of the immediate moment? Are you so taken up with self-interest that you can't see the shining heights of God's purposes and plan for the world? Is your gaze only on the ground of your grinding, grumbling grievances, or does God Himself fill your view?
Learn to refocus your attention on Christ. Make Him your confidante. Keep Him always in view. Set your will deliberately to see Him; then press on toward the destination of the high country and lofty life to which He has called you. Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J. Hiebert - 8797
March 27
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9
Consider the boyhood of James A. Garfield, 20th President of the USA (Born November 19,1831, Assassinated, September 19, 1881).
His widowed mother, with a splendid independence of spirit, would not go to live with her kin after her husband's death. Although she had a little brood of children to care for and to bring up, and her ideals for their education were high, she stayed on the little farm, and those youngsters did a man's part for the family.
James had always wanted to go to sea, and the nearest thing he could do in that line was to get a job as driver on a canal boat. One cold night he was suddenly thrown into the canal by accident. He could not swim. It was midnight. Nobody heard his cries for help. He managed to get his hands on a rope which was attached to the boat but as he pulled on it to draw himself aboard, the rope kept coming toward him in his hands, and it appeared as if he would not be able to save himself.
At the very desperate peak of his need the rope tightened and held. It had kinked and caught in a crevice, and he drew himself aboard. There he sat in the midnight alone in his wet clothes doing some serious thinking, and the net result of that thinking was that he felt in his heart that he had been saved, as he believed, by God for the sake of his mother and for something better than "canalling" as he put it. So he went home, and as he looked in the window he saw his mother praying.
She was praying for him! That was the beginning of his pursuit of a higher education. When he entered school he had six cents in his pocket, and at the first church service he attended after he entered school he placed the six cents in the collection box and made up his mind he would see what he could do absolutely on his own.
He obtained board and lodging with mending for $1.061/4 cents per week. Notice the quarter of a cent. There is a world of meaning in that fraction. Those were simple days. Motives were simple, purposes were simple, principles were simple, and goals were clear.
If the Weaver of our life's pattern chooses another plan than the one we thought to use, is He not wiser than we? Mountain Trailways for Youth
N.J. Hiebert - 8798
Consider the boyhood of James A. Garfield, 20th President of the USA (Born November 19,1831, Assassinated, September 19, 1881).
His widowed mother, with a splendid independence of spirit, would not go to live with her kin after her husband's death. Although she had a little brood of children to care for and to bring up, and her ideals for their education were high, she stayed on the little farm, and those youngsters did a man's part for the family.
James had always wanted to go to sea, and the nearest thing he could do in that line was to get a job as driver on a canal boat. One cold night he was suddenly thrown into the canal by accident. He could not swim. It was midnight. Nobody heard his cries for help. He managed to get his hands on a rope which was attached to the boat but as he pulled on it to draw himself aboard, the rope kept coming toward him in his hands, and it appeared as if he would not be able to save himself.
At the very desperate peak of his need the rope tightened and held. It had kinked and caught in a crevice, and he drew himself aboard. There he sat in the midnight alone in his wet clothes doing some serious thinking, and the net result of that thinking was that he felt in his heart that he had been saved, as he believed, by God for the sake of his mother and for something better than "canalling" as he put it. So he went home, and as he looked in the window he saw his mother praying.
She was praying for him! That was the beginning of his pursuit of a higher education. When he entered school he had six cents in his pocket, and at the first church service he attended after he entered school he placed the six cents in the collection box and made up his mind he would see what he could do absolutely on his own.
He obtained board and lodging with mending for $1.061/4 cents per week. Notice the quarter of a cent. There is a world of meaning in that fraction. Those were simple days. Motives were simple, purposes were simple, principles were simple, and goals were clear.
If the Weaver of our life's pattern chooses another plan than the one we thought to use, is He not wiser than we? Mountain Trailways for Youth
N.J. Hiebert - 8798
March 28
He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief . . ." Isiah 53:3
Our Lord is the leader of this company. He was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was tempted in all points as we are. Nobody ever walked through so dark a Valley and He walked it by Himself. We can never suffer as He suffered, die as He died. He has been through the Valley and we need fear no evil for He walks it with us.
So cheer up, my fellow traveler, wending your way through dangers, toils, and snares you will meet a host of kindred souls. You have joined the bereaved at the price of heartache and tears.
But, best of all, as with the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, there is Someone else in the fire; you are in the company of the supreme Sufferer who drank the bitter cup to the dregs. Your grief is but a passing twinge compared to the agony of His soul.
When I preach about these things, I can see some faces light up among the congregation. The Spirit blows on the coals and they glow. Others merely look on uncomprehending. They do not know and there is no way to share with them. They have not been through the Valley.
The Valley is not endless, it will not stretch on forever. Ira D. Sankey, the great gospel singer, went blind in his later years. When a friend visited Him, Sankey sat down at his organ and sang with that voice that had blessed so many:
There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes
To gather His love ones home.
Vance Havner
He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:37
Even so, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20
N.J. Hiebert - 8799
Our Lord is the leader of this company. He was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was tempted in all points as we are. Nobody ever walked through so dark a Valley and He walked it by Himself. We can never suffer as He suffered, die as He died. He has been through the Valley and we need fear no evil for He walks it with us.
So cheer up, my fellow traveler, wending your way through dangers, toils, and snares you will meet a host of kindred souls. You have joined the bereaved at the price of heartache and tears.
But, best of all, as with the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, there is Someone else in the fire; you are in the company of the supreme Sufferer who drank the bitter cup to the dregs. Your grief is but a passing twinge compared to the agony of His soul.
When I preach about these things, I can see some faces light up among the congregation. The Spirit blows on the coals and they glow. Others merely look on uncomprehending. They do not know and there is no way to share with them. They have not been through the Valley.
The Valley is not endless, it will not stretch on forever. Ira D. Sankey, the great gospel singer, went blind in his later years. When a friend visited Him, Sankey sat down at his organ and sang with that voice that had blessed so many:
There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes
To gather His love ones home.
Vance Havner
He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:37
Even so, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20
N.J. Hiebert - 8799
March 29
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Proverbs 21:21
To steadily pursue righteousness and loving kindness, exemplifying both in the walk and ways, this is the sure road to what all men desire--life and honour. They are linked together by uprightness. The empty glory of this world, the applause of the carnally-minded, are worth little after all.
But to be honoured by God, and by those who love Him,--this abides forever. He delights to bestow His blessing upon those who esteem His Word and yield obedience to His truth. For the truth was not given to be a source of intellectual enjoyment alone, though it is that; but that it might be manifested in the life, as it was to the full in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Coupled with moral integrity He would have that gentle loving- kindness which commends the truth to those who might, by severity on the part of its adherents, be driven therefrom. When grace and truth thus together control the being, life, righteousness, and honour must be the happy result.
Notes on Proverbs - H.A. Ironside
Love divine, all praise excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down!
Bless us with Thy rich indwelling, all Thy faithful mercies crown!
Saviour, Thee we'd still be blessing, serve Thee here, as soon above.
Praise Thee, Saviour, without ceasing, glory in Thy dying love.
First-fruits of Thy new creation, faithful, holy, may we be,
Joyful in Thy full salvation, more and more conformed to Thee!
Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,
Then to worship and adore Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise!
Charles Wesley
N.J. Hiebert - 8800
To steadily pursue righteousness and loving kindness, exemplifying both in the walk and ways, this is the sure road to what all men desire--life and honour. They are linked together by uprightness. The empty glory of this world, the applause of the carnally-minded, are worth little after all.
But to be honoured by God, and by those who love Him,--this abides forever. He delights to bestow His blessing upon those who esteem His Word and yield obedience to His truth. For the truth was not given to be a source of intellectual enjoyment alone, though it is that; but that it might be manifested in the life, as it was to the full in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Coupled with moral integrity He would have that gentle loving- kindness which commends the truth to those who might, by severity on the part of its adherents, be driven therefrom. When grace and truth thus together control the being, life, righteousness, and honour must be the happy result.
Notes on Proverbs - H.A. Ironside
Love divine, all praise excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down!
Bless us with Thy rich indwelling, all Thy faithful mercies crown!
Saviour, Thee we'd still be blessing, serve Thee here, as soon above.
Praise Thee, Saviour, without ceasing, glory in Thy dying love.
First-fruits of Thy new creation, faithful, holy, may we be,
Joyful in Thy full salvation, more and more conformed to Thee!
Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,
Then to worship and adore Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise!
Charles Wesley
N.J. Hiebert - 8800
March 30
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge. Proverbs 15:7
How well I recollect this disappointment to myself, again and again, when a mere child! In those early seeking days I never could understand why, sometimes, a good man whom I heard preach or speak as if he loved Christ very much, talked about all sorts of other things when we came back from church or missionary meeting.
I did so wish he would have talked about the Saviour, whom I wanted, but had not found. It would have been so much more interesting even to the apparently thoughtless and merry little girl.
How could he help it, I wondered, if he cared for me, a "Pearl of Great Price" (Matthew 13:46), as I was sure I should care for it if I only could find it! And, oh, why didn't they ever talk to me about it, instead of about my lessons or their little girls at home?
They did not know how their conversation was observed and compared with their sermon or speech, and how a hungry little soul went empty away from the supper-table. Kept for the Master's Use - Frances Ridley Havergal
Tell it again! tell it again!
Salvation's story repeat o'er and o'er
Till none can say of the children of men,
"Nobody ever has told me before".
Mrs. M. B. C. Slade
N.J. Hiebert - 8801
How well I recollect this disappointment to myself, again and again, when a mere child! In those early seeking days I never could understand why, sometimes, a good man whom I heard preach or speak as if he loved Christ very much, talked about all sorts of other things when we came back from church or missionary meeting.
I did so wish he would have talked about the Saviour, whom I wanted, but had not found. It would have been so much more interesting even to the apparently thoughtless and merry little girl.
How could he help it, I wondered, if he cared for me, a "Pearl of Great Price" (Matthew 13:46), as I was sure I should care for it if I only could find it! And, oh, why didn't they ever talk to me about it, instead of about my lessons or their little girls at home?
They did not know how their conversation was observed and compared with their sermon or speech, and how a hungry little soul went empty away from the supper-table. Kept for the Master's Use - Frances Ridley Havergal
Tell it again! tell it again!
Salvation's story repeat o'er and o'er
Till none can say of the children of men,
"Nobody ever has told me before".
Mrs. M. B. C. Slade
N.J. Hiebert - 8801
March 31
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things. Ephesians 4:10
No fact of Scripture is more wonderful that this--there is a risen Man in the glory of God. It is the appropriate sequel to the wonder of God having been manifested in flesh. (1 Timothy 3:16)
We are also well within the mark when we say that no fact of Scripture is verified with such abundant care as this. In 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 the apostle Paul rehearses the gospel which he preached. The death of Christ for our sins and His burial are simply stated, for there was no need to verify these facts since they were beyond dispute and acknowledged by all.
He passes to the third fact of the gospel, "That He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" and in support of this he adduces a host of witnesses. The resurrection of Christ had not the same publicity and was not carried out with spectacular effect as was His death. Nevertheless, it is the very keystone of the whole arch of divine truth, as 1 Corinthians 15:13-19 shows. How necessary then for the apostle to start by showing that the resurrection of Christ is a fact beyond dispute.
And that risen Man is in glory!--a truly astounding fact! The Old Testament view of things is stated concisely in "The heaven, even the heavens are the Lord's: but the earth hath He given to the children of men." (Psalm 115:16) The earth was emphatically man's sphere as he was originally created, and there was the place of his dominion.
The New Testament view, consequent upon the exaltation of Christ, is very different and vastly enlarged. The Lord Jesus is today a Man in glory. God has "set Him down at His right hand in the heavenlies...and has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things..." (Ephesians 1:20-23), a portion in contrast to our verse in the psalm above. F. B. Hole
N.J. Hiebert - 8802
No fact of Scripture is more wonderful that this--there is a risen Man in the glory of God. It is the appropriate sequel to the wonder of God having been manifested in flesh. (1 Timothy 3:16)
We are also well within the mark when we say that no fact of Scripture is verified with such abundant care as this. In 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 the apostle Paul rehearses the gospel which he preached. The death of Christ for our sins and His burial are simply stated, for there was no need to verify these facts since they were beyond dispute and acknowledged by all.
He passes to the third fact of the gospel, "That He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" and in support of this he adduces a host of witnesses. The resurrection of Christ had not the same publicity and was not carried out with spectacular effect as was His death. Nevertheless, it is the very keystone of the whole arch of divine truth, as 1 Corinthians 15:13-19 shows. How necessary then for the apostle to start by showing that the resurrection of Christ is a fact beyond dispute.
And that risen Man is in glory!--a truly astounding fact! The Old Testament view of things is stated concisely in "The heaven, even the heavens are the Lord's: but the earth hath He given to the children of men." (Psalm 115:16) The earth was emphatically man's sphere as he was originally created, and there was the place of his dominion.
The New Testament view, consequent upon the exaltation of Christ, is very different and vastly enlarged. The Lord Jesus is today a Man in glory. God has "set Him down at His right hand in the heavenlies...and has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things..." (Ephesians 1:20-23), a portion in contrast to our verse in the psalm above. F. B. Hole
N.J. Hiebert - 8802
April 1
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
Faith is a condition of salvation and being a condition it must be our act. Saving faith is a choice and we are responsible for our actual choices. Many people pray for faith and quote Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: and conclude that faith is the gift of God." Instead of asking God for faith, it is their duty to believe.
When people say they cannot believe they utter a libel against God. A man in an enquiry room said to D. L. Moody, "I have no faith, I can't believe." Mr Moody said to him, "Who can't you believe? The man replied several times that he couldn't believe, Mr. Moody each time, asking, "Who?" Finally the man replied, "I can't believe myself." "Well," said Mr. Moody, "I don't want you to. Make yourself out a liar, but make God true."
Believe then for all God has promised. We cannot well go outside the promises of God. Prayer is pleading the promises. Faith is claiming them. There must be a "Thus saith the Lord," either expressed or implied for all we ask, and everything that God has promised is His will for us.
When your retire at night, you do not worry all night lest the bed break down. Neither do you hold on to something for fear of falling. Very little rest would you find in that way. No! you simply trust yourself to the bed and just rest.
Thus we should trust ourselves wholly to Jesus, and "Ceased from our own works." (Hebrews 4:10) We that believe do enter into rest. Why? Because someone else is going to do for us. God requires us to yield and trust in Him and His word. Trust for all you need. Trust with all your heart. Trust all the time. Streams in the Desert
`
N. J. Hiebert - 8803
Faith is a condition of salvation and being a condition it must be our act. Saving faith is a choice and we are responsible for our actual choices. Many people pray for faith and quote Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: and conclude that faith is the gift of God." Instead of asking God for faith, it is their duty to believe.
When people say they cannot believe they utter a libel against God. A man in an enquiry room said to D. L. Moody, "I have no faith, I can't believe." Mr Moody said to him, "Who can't you believe? The man replied several times that he couldn't believe, Mr. Moody each time, asking, "Who?" Finally the man replied, "I can't believe myself." "Well," said Mr. Moody, "I don't want you to. Make yourself out a liar, but make God true."
Believe then for all God has promised. We cannot well go outside the promises of God. Prayer is pleading the promises. Faith is claiming them. There must be a "Thus saith the Lord," either expressed or implied for all we ask, and everything that God has promised is His will for us.
When your retire at night, you do not worry all night lest the bed break down. Neither do you hold on to something for fear of falling. Very little rest would you find in that way. No! you simply trust yourself to the bed and just rest.
Thus we should trust ourselves wholly to Jesus, and "Ceased from our own works." (Hebrews 4:10) We that believe do enter into rest. Why? Because someone else is going to do for us. God requires us to yield and trust in Him and His word. Trust for all you need. Trust with all your heart. Trust all the time. Streams in the Desert
`
N. J. Hiebert - 8803
April 2
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