Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
Though thy way be long and dreary,
Eagle strength He'll still renew;
Garments fresh and foot unweary
Tell how God hath brought thee through. J.N.D.
Ah! it is blessed to be at the feet of Jesus in our sorrows, for there divine light shines upon them, and though we may suffer, and even be oppressed with our trials, we shall not, while there, doubt His love. "Jesus wept." All know that the verses of our Bible are merely a human arrangement, and yet who can doubt that the Spirit of God controlled the one who made it in putting these two words into one verse?
They indeed should stand alone, inasmuch as they afford such an an inlet into the recesses of the Lord's heart. They have been the comfort of mourners in all ages, and they will continue to minister consolation to His people until God Himself shall wipe away all tears from their faces.
"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 Footprints for Pilgrims
N.J.Hiebert - 9258
June 30
"The words of the wise are as goads." Ecclesiastes 12:11
"Pray." But how? "Without ceasing."
"Rejoice." But when? "Evermore."
"Give thanks." For what? "In Everything." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall
N.J.Hiebert - 9259
"Pray." But how? "Without ceasing."
"Rejoice." But when? "Evermore."
"Give thanks." For what? "In Everything." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall
N.J.Hiebert - 9259
July 1
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Galatians 5:9
Once there was a farmer who desired the use of a piece of ground that lay conveniently near his own, but the owner refused to sell. After much persuasion he was content to lease it.
The farmer covenanted only to farm it for one crop. Now his bargain sealed, he planted his field with with acorns-- a crop that lasted not one year but three hundred!
So Satan seeks to to get possession of our souls by asking us to permit some small sin to enter, some one wrong that seems of no great account. But when once he has entered and planted the seeds and beginnings of evil, he holds his ground, and sins and evils amazingly multiply.
The dangerous thing about a little sin is that it won't stay little.
Each sin has its door of entrance.
Keep--that--door--closed!
Bolt it tight!
Just outside, the wild beast crouches
In the night.
Pin the bolt with a prayer,
God will fix it there. -- Mountain Trailways for Youth
N.J.Hiebert - 9260
Once there was a farmer who desired the use of a piece of ground that lay conveniently near his own, but the owner refused to sell. After much persuasion he was content to lease it.
The farmer covenanted only to farm it for one crop. Now his bargain sealed, he planted his field with with acorns-- a crop that lasted not one year but three hundred!
So Satan seeks to to get possession of our souls by asking us to permit some small sin to enter, some one wrong that seems of no great account. But when once he has entered and planted the seeds and beginnings of evil, he holds his ground, and sins and evils amazingly multiply.
The dangerous thing about a little sin is that it won't stay little.
Each sin has its door of entrance.
Keep--that--door--closed!
Bolt it tight!
Just outside, the wild beast crouches
In the night.
Pin the bolt with a prayer,
God will fix it there. -- Mountain Trailways for Youth
N.J.Hiebert - 9260
July 2
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; for as much as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Daniel 6:3,4
Daniel is coming under fire. His fame in the workplace had aroused some enemies, and they hatched a political plot to bring Daniel down. They engineered a situation whereby the king was made to sign a document which would place Daniel in an impossible situation, without the king being aware of what was being done either to him or to Daniel.
After the document was signed, Daniel was identified to the king as a non-conformist, as one who persisted in holding views and engaging in practices that were contrary to what the king had legislated. The king realized that he himself had been trapped and that he could do nothing about it, but to cast Daniel upon the mercy of God in the den of lions.
The Christian also runs the gauntlet of political intrigue in the business environment. Because the techniques and manoeuvrings employed by others are not available to him, he appears vulnerable. Let us never be tempted to retaliate in kind in such situations. Let us cast ourselves upon the mercy of God, and He will show that He is well able to take care of us in situations that seem impossible. Daniel - William Burnett
N.J. Hiebert - 9261
Daniel is coming under fire. His fame in the workplace had aroused some enemies, and they hatched a political plot to bring Daniel down. They engineered a situation whereby the king was made to sign a document which would place Daniel in an impossible situation, without the king being aware of what was being done either to him or to Daniel.
After the document was signed, Daniel was identified to the king as a non-conformist, as one who persisted in holding views and engaging in practices that were contrary to what the king had legislated. The king realized that he himself had been trapped and that he could do nothing about it, but to cast Daniel upon the mercy of God in the den of lions.
The Christian also runs the gauntlet of political intrigue in the business environment. Because the techniques and manoeuvrings employed by others are not available to him, he appears vulnerable. Let us never be tempted to retaliate in kind in such situations. Let us cast ourselves upon the mercy of God, and He will show that He is well able to take care of us in situations that seem impossible. Daniel - William Burnett
N.J. Hiebert - 9261
July 3
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
The supreme witness for God in this world is the one whose life is Christlike in spirit and conduct. "To be like Christ, compared with that, every ambition is folly, and all lower achievement vain." (H. Drummond); Just as glass may be considered as brilliantly beautiful until we see the fascinating radiance of a diamond, so, when we behold our all-glorious Lord, we are ready to cry out with one of old: "He is altogether lovely". (Song of Solomon 5:16)
No mortal can with Him compare, among the sons of men;
Fairer is He than all the fair, that fill the heavenly train.
Long years ago the first Protestant missionary to Japan was once brought into touch with members of the royal house of that country. During his furlough in England, he was visited in his rooms one day by some members of the Emperor's family who were touring Europe. They chatted for perhaps an hour and then left. Later in the day another group of Japanese--officials--called. "Oh!" one of them exclaimed, "You have been entertaining royalty here today!"
"What makes you think so?" the missionary queried. Why, there is is a perfume manufactured in our country for the exclusive use of royalty. No one else is allowed to use it, and its fragrant odour is in evidence is in evidence in this apartment, so that we know you have had royal visitors to-day!"
Our King has promised not only to visit us, but also to abide with us (John 14:23). Is the fragrance of His presence diffused from us day by day? If so, we shall be following in the footsteps of Paul who said: "For to me to live is Christ." (Philippians 1:21)
Winsome Christianity - Henry Durbanville
N.J.Hiebert - 9262
2 Corinthians 2:14
The supreme witness for God in this world is the one whose life is Christlike in spirit and conduct. "To be like Christ, compared with that, every ambition is folly, and all lower achievement vain." (H. Drummond); Just as glass may be considered as brilliantly beautiful until we see the fascinating radiance of a diamond, so, when we behold our all-glorious Lord, we are ready to cry out with one of old: "He is altogether lovely". (Song of Solomon 5:16)
No mortal can with Him compare, among the sons of men;
Fairer is He than all the fair, that fill the heavenly train.
Long years ago the first Protestant missionary to Japan was once brought into touch with members of the royal house of that country. During his furlough in England, he was visited in his rooms one day by some members of the Emperor's family who were touring Europe. They chatted for perhaps an hour and then left. Later in the day another group of Japanese--officials--called. "Oh!" one of them exclaimed, "You have been entertaining royalty here today!"
"What makes you think so?" the missionary queried. Why, there is is a perfume manufactured in our country for the exclusive use of royalty. No one else is allowed to use it, and its fragrant odour is in evidence is in evidence in this apartment, so that we know you have had royal visitors to-day!"
Our King has promised not only to visit us, but also to abide with us (John 14:23). Is the fragrance of His presence diffused from us day by day? If so, we shall be following in the footsteps of Paul who said: "For to me to live is Christ." (Philippians 1:21)
Winsome Christianity - Henry Durbanville
N.J.Hiebert - 9262
July 4
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
It is strange that any one should question the universality of the offer of mercy with a verse like that in the Bible. "Whosoever believeth hath"--any one in any circumstances or conditions who puts his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ enters into the present possession of eternal life. "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." (1 John 4:15) Mark, it is "whosoever shall confess," not merely whosoever shall profess.
There are a great many people who profess that they believe Jesus is the Son of God but they have never trusted Him as such. You cannot confess Him as Son of God until He is your own Saviour. You confess the One in whom you have trusted. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9).
But on the other hand, let us not forget that there is another very solemn "Whosoever," and that is also found in the writings of John, "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15) .Think of the solemnity of that declaration. It is the same word whosoever. "Whosoever believeth...hath everlasting life," therefore the believer's name is inscribed in the book of life.
Whosoever refuses to believe, whosoever will not put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, "whosoever" is "not found written in the book of life," must be banished eternally from the presence of God. H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 9263
It is strange that any one should question the universality of the offer of mercy with a verse like that in the Bible. "Whosoever believeth hath"--any one in any circumstances or conditions who puts his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ enters into the present possession of eternal life. "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." (1 John 4:15) Mark, it is "whosoever shall confess," not merely whosoever shall profess.
There are a great many people who profess that they believe Jesus is the Son of God but they have never trusted Him as such. You cannot confess Him as Son of God until He is your own Saviour. You confess the One in whom you have trusted. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9).
But on the other hand, let us not forget that there is another very solemn "Whosoever," and that is also found in the writings of John, "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15) .Think of the solemnity of that declaration. It is the same word whosoever. "Whosoever believeth...hath everlasting life," therefore the believer's name is inscribed in the book of life.
Whosoever refuses to believe, whosoever will not put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, "whosoever" is "not found written in the book of life," must be banished eternally from the presence of God. H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 9263
July 5
I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour. Isaiah 43:11
I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him. Isaiah 48:15
You may search the depths of the deepest sea:
My sins are remembered no more;
At the judgment throne of eternity,
My sins are remembered no more.
They're blotted, forgiven, buried and gone;
My sins are remembered no more;
They're atoned and covered by God's dear Son:
My sins are remembered no more. Christian's Daily
N.J.Hiebert - 9264
I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him. Isaiah 48:15
You may search the depths of the deepest sea:
My sins are remembered no more;
At the judgment throne of eternity,
My sins are remembered no more.
They're blotted, forgiven, buried and gone;
My sins are remembered no more;
They're atoned and covered by God's dear Son:
My sins are remembered no more. Christian's Daily
N.J.Hiebert - 9264
July 6
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:18,19
It is blessed to dwell on that divinely inspired word "perfect". The love that rests upon us is perfect love. Where known, it casts out fear. It takes away all that which is torment to the soul. It is the love of God which has reached us in Jesus. Everything divine is perfect. When Christ comes out on God's behalf in judgment in the coming day, it is perfect and unsparing judgment.
He who drank the bitter cup of wrath to its dregs in divine love on Calvary's cross is there seen in perfect and inflexible righteousness treading the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God. We, thank God, learn that spotless righteousness not from the way it acts towards us, but from the way it acted towards Christ on Calvary, when He was made sin for us.
Is there anything which causes fear or torment in your soul, Christian? God's love is perfect love, which would remove it all because He loves you, and which can remove it all because it is His love. Maybe something in your past history troubles you; because His love is perfect it reaches even to the removal of that from your heart. Go and tell Jesus.
He is the blessed vessel of God's grace, able to speak a word in secret to him that is weary, the divinely given answer to every need of man's heart.
It may be some great sorrow in the present that overwhelms; as to this, there is a simple word about John's disciple which is helpful. When all was dark with them, the one they followed having not only been imprisoned but finally beheaded, they took up his body and buried it, and "went and told Jesus." (Matthew 14:12). There all is perfect. H. D. Clarke.
N.J.Hiebert - 9625
It is blessed to dwell on that divinely inspired word "perfect". The love that rests upon us is perfect love. Where known, it casts out fear. It takes away all that which is torment to the soul. It is the love of God which has reached us in Jesus. Everything divine is perfect. When Christ comes out on God's behalf in judgment in the coming day, it is perfect and unsparing judgment.
He who drank the bitter cup of wrath to its dregs in divine love on Calvary's cross is there seen in perfect and inflexible righteousness treading the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God. We, thank God, learn that spotless righteousness not from the way it acts towards us, but from the way it acted towards Christ on Calvary, when He was made sin for us.
Is there anything which causes fear or torment in your soul, Christian? God's love is perfect love, which would remove it all because He loves you, and which can remove it all because it is His love. Maybe something in your past history troubles you; because His love is perfect it reaches even to the removal of that from your heart. Go and tell Jesus.
He is the blessed vessel of God's grace, able to speak a word in secret to him that is weary, the divinely given answer to every need of man's heart.
It may be some great sorrow in the present that overwhelms; as to this, there is a simple word about John's disciple which is helpful. When all was dark with them, the one they followed having not only been imprisoned but finally beheaded, they took up his body and buried it, and "went and told Jesus." (Matthew 14:12). There all is perfect. H. D. Clarke.
N.J.Hiebert - 9625
July 7
I will put my trust in Him. Hebrews 2:13
What a moment it must have been when the Lord stilled the wind on the Sea of Galilee! It must have been wondrous and beautiful to witness it; as it would be now, had we but hearts sensible of the glories of Christ, to think of it.
People may talk of the necessary force of principles, of the laws of nature, and the course of things; but surely it is the first law of nature to obey its Creator.
And here, in the twinkling of an eye, the Sea of Galilee felt the presence, and answered the word, of Him who at His pleasure transfigures the course of nature, or by a touch unhinges it all.
"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?
And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
"And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? (Mark 4:37-41)
The Son of God - J.G. Bellett
N.J.Hiebert - 9266
What a moment it must have been when the Lord stilled the wind on the Sea of Galilee! It must have been wondrous and beautiful to witness it; as it would be now, had we but hearts sensible of the glories of Christ, to think of it.
People may talk of the necessary force of principles, of the laws of nature, and the course of things; but surely it is the first law of nature to obey its Creator.
And here, in the twinkling of an eye, the Sea of Galilee felt the presence, and answered the word, of Him who at His pleasure transfigures the course of nature, or by a touch unhinges it all.
"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?
And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
"And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? (Mark 4:37-41)
The Son of God - J.G. Bellett
N.J.Hiebert - 9266
July 8
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29
In scripture, the yoke is a symbol of submission to the will of another. From the beginning to the end of His wonderful path through this world, the Lord, as the perfect Man, was here for the will of the Father. He could say, "For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (John 6:38). "For I do always those things that please Him" (John 8:29).
However painful our circumstances may be, we are exhorted to take the Lord's yoke by quietly submitting to what the Father allows. Moreover, the Lord says, "Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." He was not only meek and lowly in manner, but He was meek and lowly in heart. The right manner for men to see on the outside is comparatively easy to put on, but the right condition of heart that the Lord alone can see is only the result of turning to Him in prayer and submitting to the Father's will. We are not naturally meek or lowly.
Instead, we prefer to assert ourselves and seek self-importance. To correct these natural tendencies of the flesh, the Lord engages us with Himself and says, "Learn of Me." As we gaze upon Him and admire the lovely qualities we see in our Lord, we become changed into His image. We become like the One we admire.
The fact that often we are so little like Him tells only too plainly how little we have Him before our souls--how little we learn of Him. By taking His yoke and learning of Him, we shall find rest for our souls. Dwelling upon our circumstances will bring no rest. Instead, learn to submit to what the Father allows and catch the beautiful spirit of Christ in all His meekness and lowliness. Then we shall enjoy the rest of spirit that was ever the portion of the Lord in a world of unrest. Hamilton Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9267
In scripture, the yoke is a symbol of submission to the will of another. From the beginning to the end of His wonderful path through this world, the Lord, as the perfect Man, was here for the will of the Father. He could say, "For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (John 6:38). "For I do always those things that please Him" (John 8:29).
However painful our circumstances may be, we are exhorted to take the Lord's yoke by quietly submitting to what the Father allows. Moreover, the Lord says, "Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." He was not only meek and lowly in manner, but He was meek and lowly in heart. The right manner for men to see on the outside is comparatively easy to put on, but the right condition of heart that the Lord alone can see is only the result of turning to Him in prayer and submitting to the Father's will. We are not naturally meek or lowly.
Instead, we prefer to assert ourselves and seek self-importance. To correct these natural tendencies of the flesh, the Lord engages us with Himself and says, "Learn of Me." As we gaze upon Him and admire the lovely qualities we see in our Lord, we become changed into His image. We become like the One we admire.
The fact that often we are so little like Him tells only too plainly how little we have Him before our souls--how little we learn of Him. By taking His yoke and learning of Him, we shall find rest for our souls. Dwelling upon our circumstances will bring no rest. Instead, learn to submit to what the Father allows and catch the beautiful spirit of Christ in all His meekness and lowliness. Then we shall enjoy the rest of spirit that was ever the portion of the Lord in a world of unrest. Hamilton Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9267
July 9
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
A child in turning over the leaves of an old gardening book, read that if an apple tree did not bear fruit, a good plan was to drive a few iron nails into it. She told her father of this, and he tried it with a useless tree in his garden. Next year that tree bore prolific fruit. Seeing this tree, he, turned to His Lord and said---
- "Lord, is that the secret of my bareness?
- Is that why I so often have failed in the day of testing?
- Is that why temptation has so easily conquered me?
- Is that why I have become the victim of those things which I know do not belong to the new life in Christ?
- Is that why so often I have failed in bearing fruit unto Thy glory?
- Is it because I have raised a protest against the nails being driven into this flesh-life, this wretched ego, this cursed self?
- Have I said, "No, Lord, I do not give consent to that crucifixion"?
- And is this the result of all this-- just barrenness?"
The Lord make us willing for the nails to be driven in, "for only as we are willing to die, can we bear fruit, and live the resurrection life of the Lord Jesus Christ." A Christian means C H R I ST and the remaining letters I A N 'I AM NOTHING. Only as this is really true do we discover what Paul calls the glory of the cross.
But do not let that mean to anyone, "I am nothing, so it is no use expecting me to conquer in the fight." That is self making weak excuses for Self. Take the words you know so well and count on their truth--I am nothing, but I am Christ's; therefore, "I can do all things [this thing that I feel impossible] through Christ which strengtheneth me." THOU GIVEST...THEY GATHER - Amy Carmichael
N.J.Hiebert - 9268
A child in turning over the leaves of an old gardening book, read that if an apple tree did not bear fruit, a good plan was to drive a few iron nails into it. She told her father of this, and he tried it with a useless tree in his garden. Next year that tree bore prolific fruit. Seeing this tree, he, turned to His Lord and said---
- "Lord, is that the secret of my bareness?
- Is that why I so often have failed in the day of testing?
- Is that why temptation has so easily conquered me?
- Is that why I have become the victim of those things which I know do not belong to the new life in Christ?
- Is that why so often I have failed in bearing fruit unto Thy glory?
- Is it because I have raised a protest against the nails being driven into this flesh-life, this wretched ego, this cursed self?
- Have I said, "No, Lord, I do not give consent to that crucifixion"?
- And is this the result of all this-- just barrenness?"
The Lord make us willing for the nails to be driven in, "for only as we are willing to die, can we bear fruit, and live the resurrection life of the Lord Jesus Christ." A Christian means C H R I ST and the remaining letters I A N 'I AM NOTHING. Only as this is really true do we discover what Paul calls the glory of the cross.
But do not let that mean to anyone, "I am nothing, so it is no use expecting me to conquer in the fight." That is self making weak excuses for Self. Take the words you know so well and count on their truth--I am nothing, but I am Christ's; therefore, "I can do all things [this thing that I feel impossible] through Christ which strengtheneth me." THOU GIVEST...THEY GATHER - Amy Carmichael
N.J.Hiebert - 9268
July 10
What Will You Answer?
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad". 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Saved souls need not fear or be troubled by this precious verse. It will be no place of eternal judgment for sin to any who have expressed "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21) for Christ has forever borne and put away the sins of each believer. This 'judgment seat' will be a place to 'receive' God's perfect reward for anything done in the life of a redeemed child, that pleased and honoured Him.
In view of this, the following simple thoughts expressed by a dear believer now home with the Lord are well worth considering. You won't be asked what kind of car you drove, but you will be asked how many people who didn't have transportation you drove to their destination. You won't be asked the square footage of your house or the brand name of your furniture, but you will be asked how many people you welcomed into the hospitality and comfort of your home.
You won't be asked about the clothes you wore or how many outfits you had in your closet, but you will be asked how many destitute you helped clothe. You won't be asked what your highest salary was, but you will be asked if you compromised your Christian character or undermined others in order to obtain it.
You won't be asked what your job title was, but you will be asked if you performed your job to the best of your ability--if you did it "to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31), if you did it "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17), and if you did "it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Colossians 3:23). You won't be asked how many friends you had, but you will be asked how many people there were to whom you were a friend (Luke 11:5-8).
You won't be asked what kind of neighbourhood you lived in, but you will be asked how you treated your neighbours and what kind of testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ you gave to them.
Only one life, twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
T.C.S. - Doug Nicolet - October 2007
N.J.Hiebert - 9269
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad". 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Saved souls need not fear or be troubled by this precious verse. It will be no place of eternal judgment for sin to any who have expressed "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21) for Christ has forever borne and put away the sins of each believer. This 'judgment seat' will be a place to 'receive' God's perfect reward for anything done in the life of a redeemed child, that pleased and honoured Him.
In view of this, the following simple thoughts expressed by a dear believer now home with the Lord are well worth considering. You won't be asked what kind of car you drove, but you will be asked how many people who didn't have transportation you drove to their destination. You won't be asked the square footage of your house or the brand name of your furniture, but you will be asked how many people you welcomed into the hospitality and comfort of your home.
You won't be asked about the clothes you wore or how many outfits you had in your closet, but you will be asked how many destitute you helped clothe. You won't be asked what your highest salary was, but you will be asked if you compromised your Christian character or undermined others in order to obtain it.
You won't be asked what your job title was, but you will be asked if you performed your job to the best of your ability--if you did it "to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31), if you did it "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17), and if you did "it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Colossians 3:23). You won't be asked how many friends you had, but you will be asked how many people there were to whom you were a friend (Luke 11:5-8).
You won't be asked what kind of neighbourhood you lived in, but you will be asked how you treated your neighbours and what kind of testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ you gave to them.
Only one life, twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
T.C.S. - Doug Nicolet - October 2007
N.J.Hiebert - 9269
July 11
N0 SMELL OF FIRE
Nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Daniel 3:27
When the three Hebrews came out of the fiery furnace, they had lost only the cords that bound them. When we come through God's testing properly, all we lose are the shackles that tied us up earlier--we have been set free!
And the smell of the smoke does not linger; there is no odour from the suffering. Instead, we have been purified and the perfume of a new holiness is soon detected.
There is no lamenting over our losses or boasting of our survival--only the sweetness of a chastened spirit, the glow of gold refined after dross has been removed. Have you emerged from the furnace with no scorch, no shackles, no smell of the smoke? ALL THE DAYS - VANCE HAVNER
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower. William Cowper 1779
N.J.Hiebert - 9270
Nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Daniel 3:27
When the three Hebrews came out of the fiery furnace, they had lost only the cords that bound them. When we come through God's testing properly, all we lose are the shackles that tied us up earlier--we have been set free!
And the smell of the smoke does not linger; there is no odour from the suffering. Instead, we have been purified and the perfume of a new holiness is soon detected.
There is no lamenting over our losses or boasting of our survival--only the sweetness of a chastened spirit, the glow of gold refined after dross has been removed. Have you emerged from the furnace with no scorch, no shackles, no smell of the smoke? ALL THE DAYS - VANCE HAVNER
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower. William Cowper 1779
N.J.Hiebert - 9270
July 12
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