May 1
Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry (delay). Hebrews 10:37
Self-sacrifice is always joy where there is grace in it. There is no such joy as self-devotedness.
The soul is tested by afflictions as to how far self-will is active. . . . God searches us. By this means we learn on the one hand what we are, and on the other what God is for us in His faithfulness and daily care. We are weaned from the world, and our eyes become better able to discern and appreciate what is heavenly.
All that makes heaven a home to Christ will make it a home to me. O come, Lord Jesus!
Christ's perfection was not to act, but to suffer; in suffering there was a more entire surrender of Himself.
In His eternal presence, how shall we feel that all our little sorrows and separations were but little drops by the way, to make us feel that we were not with Him, and when with Him what it is to be there.
Footprints for Pilgrims - J. N. Darby
We sing of the realms of the blest, that country so bright and so fair,
The glorious mansions of rest--but what must it be to be there?
We tell of its freedom from sin, from sorrow, temptation, and care,
From trials without and within--but what must it be to be there?
Do Thou, Lord, 'midst pleasure and woe, still for heaven our spirits prepare;
And shortly we also shall know and feel what it is to be there. Mrs. E. Mills - 1829
N.J.Hiebert - 9199
Self-sacrifice is always joy where there is grace in it. There is no such joy as self-devotedness.
The soul is tested by afflictions as to how far self-will is active. . . . God searches us. By this means we learn on the one hand what we are, and on the other what God is for us in His faithfulness and daily care. We are weaned from the world, and our eyes become better able to discern and appreciate what is heavenly.
All that makes heaven a home to Christ will make it a home to me. O come, Lord Jesus!
Christ's perfection was not to act, but to suffer; in suffering there was a more entire surrender of Himself.
In His eternal presence, how shall we feel that all our little sorrows and separations were but little drops by the way, to make us feel that we were not with Him, and when with Him what it is to be there.
Footprints for Pilgrims - J. N. Darby
We sing of the realms of the blest, that country so bright and so fair,
The glorious mansions of rest--but what must it be to be there?
We tell of its freedom from sin, from sorrow, temptation, and care,
From trials without and within--but what must it be to be there?
Do Thou, Lord, 'midst pleasure and woe, still for heaven our spirits prepare;
And shortly we also shall know and feel what it is to be there. Mrs. E. Mills - 1829
N.J.Hiebert - 9199
May 2
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23,24
JOHN RUSKIN, in his Ethics of the Dust, answers the question, "What can mud become when God takes it in hand?" He replies, "Well, what is mud? First of all, mud is clay and sand, and usually soot and a little water."
Then he says, "When God takes it in hand He transforms the clay into a sapphire, for a sapphire is just that; and the sand into an opal, for that is the analysis of an opal; and the soot into a diamond, for a diamond is just carbon which has been transformed by God; and the soiled water into a bright snow crystal, for that is what the crystals are when God takes the water up into the heaven and sends it back again."
Let God have your life. He can do more with it than you can. D. L. Moody
DIAMONDS
Diamonds are only chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs, you see;
If they'd petered out, as most of us do, where would the diamonds be?
It isn't the fact of making a start, it's the sticking that counts. I'll say,
It's the fellow that knows not the meaning of fall, but hammers and hammers away.
Whenever you think you've come to the end, and you're beaten as bad as can be,
Remember that diamonds are chunks of coal, that stuck to their jobs, you see.
Virginia Call
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and do of HIs good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)
N.J.Hiebert - 9200
JOHN RUSKIN, in his Ethics of the Dust, answers the question, "What can mud become when God takes it in hand?" He replies, "Well, what is mud? First of all, mud is clay and sand, and usually soot and a little water."
Then he says, "When God takes it in hand He transforms the clay into a sapphire, for a sapphire is just that; and the sand into an opal, for that is the analysis of an opal; and the soot into a diamond, for a diamond is just carbon which has been transformed by God; and the soiled water into a bright snow crystal, for that is what the crystals are when God takes the water up into the heaven and sends it back again."
Let God have your life. He can do more with it than you can. D. L. Moody
DIAMONDS
Diamonds are only chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs, you see;
If they'd petered out, as most of us do, where would the diamonds be?
It isn't the fact of making a start, it's the sticking that counts. I'll say,
It's the fellow that knows not the meaning of fall, but hammers and hammers away.
Whenever you think you've come to the end, and you're beaten as bad as can be,
Remember that diamonds are chunks of coal, that stuck to their jobs, you see.
Virginia Call
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and do of HIs good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)
N.J.Hiebert - 9200
May 3
Consecrate yourselves to day to the Lord . . . that He may bestow upon you a blessing this day. Exodus 32:29
Not a long time hence, not even tomorrow, but "this day." Do you not want a blessing? Is not your answer to your Father's "What wilt thou?" the same as Achsah's "Give me a blessing!" (Joshua 15:16-19) Here is His promise of just what you so want; will you not gladly fulfill His condition?
A blessing shall immediately follow. He does not specify what it shall be; He waits to reveal it. You will find it such a blessing as you had not supposed could be for you--a blessing that shall verily make you rich, with no sorrow added--a blessing this day. (Proverbs 10:22)
One the channel, deep and broad,
From the Fountain of the Throne,
Christ the Saviour, Son of God,
Blessings flow through Him alone.
He, the Faithful and the True,
Brings us mercies ever new:
Till we reach His home on high,
God shall all your need supply.
Francis Ridley Havergal
N.J.Hiebert - 9201
Not a long time hence, not even tomorrow, but "this day." Do you not want a blessing? Is not your answer to your Father's "What wilt thou?" the same as Achsah's "Give me a blessing!" (Joshua 15:16-19) Here is His promise of just what you so want; will you not gladly fulfill His condition?
A blessing shall immediately follow. He does not specify what it shall be; He waits to reveal it. You will find it such a blessing as you had not supposed could be for you--a blessing that shall verily make you rich, with no sorrow added--a blessing this day. (Proverbs 10:22)
One the channel, deep and broad,
From the Fountain of the Throne,
Christ the Saviour, Son of God,
Blessings flow through Him alone.
He, the Faithful and the True,
Brings us mercies ever new:
Till we reach His home on high,
God shall all your need supply.
Francis Ridley Havergal
N.J.Hiebert - 9201
May 4
And ye shall say unto the good-man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as He had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. Luke 22:11-13
The two disciples, Peter and John, found things just as Jesus had told them. They had been directed to follow a man carrying a pitcher of water, which speaks to us of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The room to which this man brought them was all furnished. The disciples contributed nothing. They were asked to make ready for the Passover feast.
Jesus is Master of Ceremonies and orders all the details. The disciples are the honoured guests. Jesus, who is Lord of all, is in the midst. This last Passover feast certainly was a holy convocation and most solemn. It was the night of His betrayal. Jesus then, in the dignity of his Person, introduced something new--the Lord's Supper. Only He had the authority to do this.
The disciples were asked to partake of the emblems, the bread and the wine, in loving memory of Him. Little did they enter into the significance of this occasion. Instead, we find them questioning among themselves who should be the greatest. This only exposed the deceitfulness of their hearts, yet His heart of love, though grieved did not change. This privilege of remembering Him as we partake of the Lord's supper is our's today.
The Lord Himself is in the midst of those gathered unto His Name, and, as we lose sight of everything else, He will be exalted before our eyes. May we cherish this blessed privilege, bringing to Him the worship of our hearts and the praise of our lips as we remember what He has done for us.
"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) Jacob Redekop
N.J.Hiebert - 9202
The two disciples, Peter and John, found things just as Jesus had told them. They had been directed to follow a man carrying a pitcher of water, which speaks to us of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The room to which this man brought them was all furnished. The disciples contributed nothing. They were asked to make ready for the Passover feast.
Jesus is Master of Ceremonies and orders all the details. The disciples are the honoured guests. Jesus, who is Lord of all, is in the midst. This last Passover feast certainly was a holy convocation and most solemn. It was the night of His betrayal. Jesus then, in the dignity of his Person, introduced something new--the Lord's Supper. Only He had the authority to do this.
The disciples were asked to partake of the emblems, the bread and the wine, in loving memory of Him. Little did they enter into the significance of this occasion. Instead, we find them questioning among themselves who should be the greatest. This only exposed the deceitfulness of their hearts, yet His heart of love, though grieved did not change. This privilege of remembering Him as we partake of the Lord's supper is our's today.
The Lord Himself is in the midst of those gathered unto His Name, and, as we lose sight of everything else, He will be exalted before our eyes. May we cherish this blessed privilege, bringing to Him the worship of our hearts and the praise of our lips as we remember what He has done for us.
"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) Jacob Redekop
N.J.Hiebert - 9202
May 5
Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. Psalm 119:2
There are two things which characterize a man of the world, namely, his home and his business. But the order is, from his home to his business; and if his home be a happy one, he carries the fragrance of it with him to his business. Exactly so is it with the Christian; his "home" is in heaven, his "business" is to work for Christ on earth.
We once heard a preacher say of Dr. Bonar that, as one beheld him in the pulpit, and heard him preach, the impression created was that the Doctor had just come from the presence of God for a few moments to deliver a message, and that he intended to go back there immediately after he had delivered it.
The time is approaching, however, when we shall go "no more out", which, by the way, is one of the many differences between Eden and heaven--the final Home of the redeemed. The former had a way out, but not a way in; the later has a way in, but happily has no way out.
Fellow pilgrim to the realms of endless glory, let us look upwards and onwards--"the coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (James 5:8). "Let us lay aside every weight;" Hebrews 12:1 "Let us forget those things which are behind" Philippians 3:13)--the weaknesses and the waverings, the failures and the follies; and "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us. . . looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." (Hebrews 12:1-2, Titus 2:13)
The Pearl of Psalms - George Henderson
N.J.Hiebert - 9203
There are two things which characterize a man of the world, namely, his home and his business. But the order is, from his home to his business; and if his home be a happy one, he carries the fragrance of it with him to his business. Exactly so is it with the Christian; his "home" is in heaven, his "business" is to work for Christ on earth.
We once heard a preacher say of Dr. Bonar that, as one beheld him in the pulpit, and heard him preach, the impression created was that the Doctor had just come from the presence of God for a few moments to deliver a message, and that he intended to go back there immediately after he had delivered it.
The time is approaching, however, when we shall go "no more out", which, by the way, is one of the many differences between Eden and heaven--the final Home of the redeemed. The former had a way out, but not a way in; the later has a way in, but happily has no way out.
Fellow pilgrim to the realms of endless glory, let us look upwards and onwards--"the coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (James 5:8). "Let us lay aside every weight;" Hebrews 12:1 "Let us forget those things which are behind" Philippians 3:13)--the weaknesses and the waverings, the failures and the follies; and "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us. . . looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." (Hebrews 12:1-2, Titus 2:13)
The Pearl of Psalms - George Henderson
N.J.Hiebert - 9203
May 6
- Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
- But whom say ye that I am?
- And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
- Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:13-18
What is the rock? Peter? Not a bit of it! Christ is the rock, and Peter is the stone put on the rock. That is a very good place to be. I never knew a stone yet that sunk through a rock. And I never knew anybody that was resting on the Rock of Ages, resting on Jesus, that was lost. Have you become a stone? How do you become a stone?
Peter tells us: "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also, as lively (living) stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:4,5).
From that moment when Simon came to Jesus, and had his name changed to Peter, he became a stone. Though he did not then know what it was to be built in, he learned he was a stone, and soon after he knew what the building was of which he became an essential part.
That, he learned, was the house of God, built upon the rock Christ. Peter was a stone, and so is every converted soul. My brother in Christ, you are a stone; and Christ would like you to know what it is to be a stone in His building.
"To whom coming as unto a living stone...ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house."
We become living stones as soon as we come in contact with Christ, who is the living stone Seekers For Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
N.J.Hiebert - 9204
- But whom say ye that I am?
- And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
- Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:13-18
What is the rock? Peter? Not a bit of it! Christ is the rock, and Peter is the stone put on the rock. That is a very good place to be. I never knew a stone yet that sunk through a rock. And I never knew anybody that was resting on the Rock of Ages, resting on Jesus, that was lost. Have you become a stone? How do you become a stone?
Peter tells us: "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also, as lively (living) stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:4,5).
From that moment when Simon came to Jesus, and had his name changed to Peter, he became a stone. Though he did not then know what it was to be built in, he learned he was a stone, and soon after he knew what the building was of which he became an essential part.
That, he learned, was the house of God, built upon the rock Christ. Peter was a stone, and so is every converted soul. My brother in Christ, you are a stone; and Christ would like you to know what it is to be a stone in His building.
"To whom coming as unto a living stone...ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house."
We become living stones as soon as we come in contact with Christ, who is the living stone Seekers For Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
N.J.Hiebert - 9204
May 7
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. Luke 16:10
Picture the side of a mountain, high, steep and rugged. Tearing down from its heights into the valley below is a stream, dashing, foaming and driving all before it--a mountain torrent. Follow the stream, as it reaches the valley and it flows into the grassy plain. What a change comes over it. It trickles peacefully on, watering the flowers and ferns, giving drink to the birds and insects--a quiet, calm stream. It is the the same stream as the mountain torrent, yet oh, how changed!
That stream is a very good representation of the two prophets, Elijah and Elisha, and of the work God gave them to do. Elijah is the stream on the mountainside, bearing down on injustice and sin by his stern rebukes and by his bold reproof.
Elisha is like the stream on the grassy plain, going quietly and peacefully on his way, bringing joy, happiness and comfort to all around him. Elijah upholds the righteousness of God's law while Elisha displays God's grace. And yet, just as the stream was one stream, the same on the mountain as on the plain, so Elisha's work, although different from Elijah's was still the same work flowing from the same source.
The same God used bold Elijah and gentle Elisha; both carried out His commands. "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) How much happier we should be if we remembered this! We are not all called to do the same work. And God does not call us to do the work He has given to others. It may be He would have us be like the quiet stream, going on our way and doing our work for Him almost unobserved, but still working for Christ.
And who shall say that Elisha's work was less than Elijah's? In the Master's eyes that work is great which is done because of love to Him and in obedience to His directions. Even a cup of cold water wins a word of praise from his lips, if it is given in His name. (Mark 9:41) Mrs. O. F. Walton
N.J.Hiebert - 9205
Picture the side of a mountain, high, steep and rugged. Tearing down from its heights into the valley below is a stream, dashing, foaming and driving all before it--a mountain torrent. Follow the stream, as it reaches the valley and it flows into the grassy plain. What a change comes over it. It trickles peacefully on, watering the flowers and ferns, giving drink to the birds and insects--a quiet, calm stream. It is the the same stream as the mountain torrent, yet oh, how changed!
That stream is a very good representation of the two prophets, Elijah and Elisha, and of the work God gave them to do. Elijah is the stream on the mountainside, bearing down on injustice and sin by his stern rebukes and by his bold reproof.
Elisha is like the stream on the grassy plain, going quietly and peacefully on his way, bringing joy, happiness and comfort to all around him. Elijah upholds the righteousness of God's law while Elisha displays God's grace. And yet, just as the stream was one stream, the same on the mountain as on the plain, so Elisha's work, although different from Elijah's was still the same work flowing from the same source.
The same God used bold Elijah and gentle Elisha; both carried out His commands. "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) How much happier we should be if we remembered this! We are not all called to do the same work. And God does not call us to do the work He has given to others. It may be He would have us be like the quiet stream, going on our way and doing our work for Him almost unobserved, but still working for Christ.
And who shall say that Elisha's work was less than Elijah's? In the Master's eyes that work is great which is done because of love to Him and in obedience to His directions. Even a cup of cold water wins a word of praise from his lips, if it is given in His name. (Mark 9:41) Mrs. O. F. Walton
N.J.Hiebert - 9205
May 8
GOT ANY MOUNTAINS
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which He saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever He saith. Mark 11:23
Can we confidently claim and expect the conversion of our loved ones? Well, it must be in God's will. "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us." (1 John 5:14). Does He will the conversion of everyone? "the Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).
Then He will remove this mountain, but we must expect the mountain to move. "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22) And the verse following our test says, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24)
We pray hoping, but hoping is not faith. Faith takes God's word for the deed and in its geography lists the mountains as "disappeared."
God any mountains you think are unsinkable? Vance Havner
Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?
Got any mountains, you cannot tunnel through?
God specializes in things thought impossible
And He can do what no other power can do. Oscar C. Eliason
N.J.Hiebert - 9206
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which He saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever He saith. Mark 11:23
Can we confidently claim and expect the conversion of our loved ones? Well, it must be in God's will. "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us." (1 John 5:14). Does He will the conversion of everyone? "the Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).
Then He will remove this mountain, but we must expect the mountain to move. "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22) And the verse following our test says, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24)
We pray hoping, but hoping is not faith. Faith takes God's word for the deed and in its geography lists the mountains as "disappeared."
God any mountains you think are unsinkable? Vance Havner
Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?
Got any mountains, you cannot tunnel through?
God specializes in things thought impossible
And He can do what no other power can do. Oscar C. Eliason
N.J.Hiebert - 9206
May 9
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7)
However, God graciously overrules our folly and weakness, and while we are called upon to reap the fruits of our unbelieving and impatient ways, He takes occasion from them to teach our hearts still deeper lessons of His own tender grace and perfect wisdom.
This, while it assuredly affords no warrant whatever for unbelief and impatience, does most wonderfully exhibit the goodness of our God, and comfort the heart even while we may be passing through the painful circumstances consequent upon our failure.
God is above all; and, moreover, it is His special prerogative to bring good out of evil,--to make the eater yield meat, and the strong yield sweetness; (Judges 14:14) and hence, while it is quite true that Jacob was compelled to be an exile from his father's roof in consequence of his own restless and deceitful acting, it is equally true that he never could have learned the meaning of "Bethel" (House of God) (Genesis 28:16-19), had he been quietly at home.
Thus the two sides of the picture are strongly marked in every scene of Jacob's history. It was when he was driven, by his own folly, from Isaac's house, that he was led to taste, in some measure, the blessedness and solemnity of "God's house." Notes - Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9207
However, God graciously overrules our folly and weakness, and while we are called upon to reap the fruits of our unbelieving and impatient ways, He takes occasion from them to teach our hearts still deeper lessons of His own tender grace and perfect wisdom.
This, while it assuredly affords no warrant whatever for unbelief and impatience, does most wonderfully exhibit the goodness of our God, and comfort the heart even while we may be passing through the painful circumstances consequent upon our failure.
God is above all; and, moreover, it is His special prerogative to bring good out of evil,--to make the eater yield meat, and the strong yield sweetness; (Judges 14:14) and hence, while it is quite true that Jacob was compelled to be an exile from his father's roof in consequence of his own restless and deceitful acting, it is equally true that he never could have learned the meaning of "Bethel" (House of God) (Genesis 28:16-19), had he been quietly at home.
Thus the two sides of the picture are strongly marked in every scene of Jacob's history. It was when he was driven, by his own folly, from Isaac's house, that he was led to taste, in some measure, the blessedness and solemnity of "God's house." Notes - Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9207
May 10
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6
Many Christians live in a state of unbroken anxiety, and others fret and fume terribly. To be perfectly at peace amid the confusion and turbulence of daily life is a secret worth knowing. What is the use of worrying? It never made anybody strong; never helped anybody to do God's will; never made a way of escape for anyone out of perplexity.
Worry spoils lives which would otherwise be useful and beautiful. Restlessness, anxiety, and care are absolutely forbidden by our Lord, who said: "Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (Matthew 6:31)
He does not mean that we are not to take forethought and that our life is to be without plan or method; but that we are not to worry about these things. People know you live in the realm of anxious care by the lines on you face, the tones of your voice, the minor key in your life, and the lack of joy in your spirit.
Scale the heights of a life abandoned to God, then you will look down on the clouds beneath your feet. Darlow Sargent
N.J.Hiebert - 9208
Many Christians live in a state of unbroken anxiety, and others fret and fume terribly. To be perfectly at peace amid the confusion and turbulence of daily life is a secret worth knowing. What is the use of worrying? It never made anybody strong; never helped anybody to do God's will; never made a way of escape for anyone out of perplexity.
Worry spoils lives which would otherwise be useful and beautiful. Restlessness, anxiety, and care are absolutely forbidden by our Lord, who said: "Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (Matthew 6:31)
He does not mean that we are not to take forethought and that our life is to be without plan or method; but that we are not to worry about these things. People know you live in the realm of anxious care by the lines on you face, the tones of your voice, the minor key in your life, and the lack of joy in your spirit.
Scale the heights of a life abandoned to God, then you will look down on the clouds beneath your feet. Darlow Sargent
N.J.Hiebert - 9208
May 11
My Lord and my God. John 20:28
These word were recorded after Thomas realized he was actually seeing the Lord Jesus in resurrection. The Lord had just pointed out the marks of the wounds He received on the cross. Thomas spoke out in awe, in humility and in worship.
My Lord - Two words that dramatize the relationship between the believer and the Lord, based on all He accomplished in dying. It encompasses the love we have towards Him in response to His towards us. It takes in our standing before God on the basis of the shed blood. It recognizes His role as our Good Shepherd. And it includes the promise of eternal life in the Father's home, with the Lord.
My God - here we have our appreciation of our intimacy with Jesus Christ as one Person of the Holy Trinity; become a man so that He could die as the perfect sacrifice for sin and sins. It expresses the glory He had from a past eternity, as well as His acquired glory as the sin-bearer. It alludes to the removal of distance between sinners and God, our Father.
Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29). Thomas' natural reasoning process kicked in. He doubted the Lord's bodily resurrection could be possible. We often do the same; letting our natural minds question the clear statements of scripture. We may not actively doubt, but our thoughts and actions will betray us. In order to be saved, we had to come to the realization that the Lord was a real Saviour, that our sins formed the barrier, and we needed to simply "Trust and Obey". And all that without actually seeing the Lord with our natural eyes. So why not just continue that pattern; nothing about the Lord has changed or ever will."Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8)
Believing is a continuous process, needing to be renewed every morning. The scriptures reinforce the strong beliefs that date from the day of our salvation; continuing to grow, enlarge and mature in us as we read and think about them. Another valuable assist is our regular entry into the presence of the Lord, especially when we meet together with others of like precious faith to remember Him in the circumstances of His death, as He has asked us to do. Each time, we leave fortified for the week ahead. Each such occasion draws from our heart and lips thanksgiving and praise; well summed up in the expression, My Lord and my God. Lorne Perry
N.J.Hiebert - 9209
These word were recorded after Thomas realized he was actually seeing the Lord Jesus in resurrection. The Lord had just pointed out the marks of the wounds He received on the cross. Thomas spoke out in awe, in humility and in worship.
My Lord - Two words that dramatize the relationship between the believer and the Lord, based on all He accomplished in dying. It encompasses the love we have towards Him in response to His towards us. It takes in our standing before God on the basis of the shed blood. It recognizes His role as our Good Shepherd. And it includes the promise of eternal life in the Father's home, with the Lord.
My God - here we have our appreciation of our intimacy with Jesus Christ as one Person of the Holy Trinity; become a man so that He could die as the perfect sacrifice for sin and sins. It expresses the glory He had from a past eternity, as well as His acquired glory as the sin-bearer. It alludes to the removal of distance between sinners and God, our Father.
Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29). Thomas' natural reasoning process kicked in. He doubted the Lord's bodily resurrection could be possible. We often do the same; letting our natural minds question the clear statements of scripture. We may not actively doubt, but our thoughts and actions will betray us. In order to be saved, we had to come to the realization that the Lord was a real Saviour, that our sins formed the barrier, and we needed to simply "Trust and Obey". And all that without actually seeing the Lord with our natural eyes. So why not just continue that pattern; nothing about the Lord has changed or ever will."Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8)
Believing is a continuous process, needing to be renewed every morning. The scriptures reinforce the strong beliefs that date from the day of our salvation; continuing to grow, enlarge and mature in us as we read and think about them. Another valuable assist is our regular entry into the presence of the Lord, especially when we meet together with others of like precious faith to remember Him in the circumstances of His death, as He has asked us to do. Each time, we leave fortified for the week ahead. Each such occasion draws from our heart and lips thanksgiving and praise; well summed up in the expression, My Lord and my God. Lorne Perry
N.J.Hiebert - 9209
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