Gems from May 21- 31, 2024

 May 21

"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21)

1 To "hope to be better" is to fail to see yourself in Christ only.

2.To be disappointed with yourself is to have believed in yourself.

3.To be discouraged is unbelief - as to the Father's purpose and plan of blessing for you.

4. To be proud is to be blind! For we have no standing before God in ourselves.

5.The lack of divine blessing, therefore, comes from unbelief, and not from failure of devotion.

6. Real devotion to the Father arises, not from man's will to show it; but from the discovery that blessing has been received from Him while we were yet unworthy and un-devoted.

7. To preach devotion first, and blessing second, is to reverse God's order and preach Law, not Grace.

The Law made man's blessing depend on devotion; Grace confers undeserved,

unconditional blessing: our devotion may follow, but does not always do so in proper measure.   (W.R. Newell)

N.J.Hiebert — 9585

May 22

"Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" (Acts 26:8)

In our childhood days we were taught to sing, "Pity my simplicity." Simplicity of the right kind calls not for pity, but for admiration and imitation, and most assuredly it will receive the Lord's commendation at the last.

Men are becoming too wise to be simple; this explains why some find it hard to credit the story of Peter walking on the sea. To all such we are disposed to say in the words of Paul: "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you?" (Acts 26:8). Take God into account, and every difficulty disappears; leave Him out, and difficulties bristle around us hopelessly.

(W.W. Fereday - Peter the Apostle)

N.J.Hiebert — 9586

May 23

"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth…they went backward, and fell to the ground." (John 18:4,6)

The Lord Jesus was fully aware of their intentions, yet He went forth to meet His captors because His hour had not yet come, every previous attempt on His life had utterly failed.  Even then, when He identified Himself with the noble "I AM" of Deity, His enemies went backward and involuntarily collapsed before Him. The power of this simple statement proved they took Him only because He had voluntarily submitted to their evil purpose. (Garry W. Seale)

N.J.Hiebert — 9587

May 24

"In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." 

(Colossians 2:3)

Hidden things are not in plain sight.  We must search for them - delve into secret recesses, and often dig deeply. Then let us search the Scriptures - not satisfied with a mere surface reading, but seeking, with the Spirit's guidance, the rich and manifold treasures that are hidden in Christ and His precious Word. (Christian Truth)

N.J.Hiebert — 9588

May 25

"A certain man found him, and, behold, he (Joseph) was wandering in the field." (Genesis 37:15)

It is worth while, in our reading of the Scriptures, to observe the presence and working of God in the ordinary affairs of everyday life. For instance, in Genesis 37, Joseph is seen on his way to visit his brethren in obedience to his father's command, but is unable to find them It so happened that the "certain man" had heard Joseph's brethren say they were going to Dothan, and thus he was able to direct Joseph on his way.  

Now, what believer would dare to say that the finding and directing of Joseph as here recorded happened by chance, and that God had nothing to do with the "certain man" finding him in that field. (Selected)

"He everywhere hath sway

And all things serve His might."

N.J.Hiebert — 9589

May 26

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Forgiveness is not the same as the curse, and paying a debt is very different from demanding the money. It is quite just to demand payment, but if the debtor has nothing to pay, he is ruined; whereas, if he pays, he is set free. Christ has done more; not only does He pay the debt, but He has acquired glory for those that believe.

Not only has He freed the debtor from his debts, but He has given him an immense fortune in God's presence." (J.N. Darby - Notes on Mark's Gospel)

N.J.Hiebert — 9590

May 27

"The love of Christ constraineth us." (2 Corinthians 5:14)

What was the power that made Levi leave all and follow Christ? Not the command: the power did lie in the word itself, but it was the presentation of Christ Himself to Levi. You cannot get separation apart from the presenting of the Person. This is the reason of failure in separation — it must begin with the heart.  If you want to help souls you must present Christ to them. How should I separate a quantity of steel filings from a heap of dust?  By picking them out? No, I should only defile my hand. By holding a powerful magnet to them, and all would instantly be attracted and drawn out of the dust.  It is Christ revealed to us that detaches us from this world. (Edward Dennett)

N.J.Hiebert — 9591

May 28

"Did not our heart burn within us, when He (JESUS) talked with

us by the way?" (Luke 24:32)

Are you walking in the light of the affections of that Lord Jesus who loved you and washed you from your sins in His own blood? Is that name of JESUS causing a vibration in your heart as you walk along the wilderness? (G.V. Wigram)

N.J.Hiebert — 9592

May 29

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

If only we are self-emptied, our every act may emit a sweet odor to God. The smallest as well as the greatest services may, by the power of the Holy Ghost, present the fragrance of Christ. The paying of a visit, the writing of a letter, the public ministry of the Word, the giving a cup of cold water to a disciple, giving to the poor, yea, the commonplace acts of eating and drinking all may emit the sweet perfume of the name and grace of Jesus. (Extract)

N.J.Hiebert — 9593

May 30

"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." (1 Peter 2:22)

He did ever those things that pleased God. From the manger of Bethlehem to the cross of Calvary His whole life was in perfect accordance with the will of God. He lived but to glorify God. His every thought His every word. His every look, His every movement, emitted an odor of ineffable sweetness which ascended to the throne and refreshed the heart of god. "Again and again the heavens were opened upon this blessed One; and the voice of the eternal Father bore witness to Him in such accents as these: pleased." (C.H. Mackintosh)

"This is my beloved Son, in whom I an well pleased”

N.J.Hiebert — 9594

May 31

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.   Galatians 2:20

Death and judgment are behind us,

Grace and glory are before;

All the billows  rolled o’er Jesus,

There they spent there utmost power.

First fruits of the resurrection,

He is risen from the tomb;

Now we stand in new creation,

Free, because beyond our doom.

Jesus died, and we died with Him,

“Buried” in His grave we lay,

One with Him in resurrection,

Now “in Him” in heaven’s bright day.

(Mrs. J. A. Trench)

N.J.Hiebert — 9595

June 1

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”  

Proverbs 3:6

Some thoughts to consider as prepared by Ralph Klassen.

- To lead others to Jesus, you must first learn to follow Him.

- There are no dead ends on the road of obedience to God.

- Spiritual growth requires the solid food of God’s Word.

- Some people go through life standing at the complaint counter.

- What we know of God encourages us to trust Him in all we don’t know.

N.J.Hiebert — 9596

June 2

“Remember them which have the rule (leaders) over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God… Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls… Salute all them that have the rule over you.   (Hebrews 13:7,17,24)

It is a fatal mistake to speak against the very feeblest and humblest of God’s servants.  If the servant does wrong — if he is in error, if he has failed in everything — the Lord Himself will deal with him; but let the fellow-servants beware how they attempt to take the matter into their hands, lest they be found like Miriam (Numbers 12:1), meddling to their own hurt.

If we have not been able to discover the good thing in our brother and fellow-servant; if our eye has only detected the crooked thing; if we have not succeeded in finding the vital spark amid the ashes — the precious gem among the surrounding rubbish; if we have only seen what was of mere nature, why, then let us with a loving and delicate hand, draw the curtain of silence around our brother, or speak of him only at the throne of grace.  “Speak evil of no man” (Titus 3:2) (Food for the Desert)  

N.J.Hiebert - 9597  

June 3

Gems from May 11- 20, 2024

 "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)

The disfigured face of Jesus Christ radiated forth the essential glories of a God whose very essence is love and grace. Men spat upon that face (Matthew 26:67). Men struck that face (Luke 22:64). Men tore the beard from that face (Isaiah 50:6).

Their abuse only made the glory glisten brighter.

Some day in heaven we are going to gaze on that face and fall down in wonder and worship. What a prospect is ours! It could be today. If it is not, may we, through the eyes of faith, see that face and worship Him in spirit and truth. (John M. Clegg)

N.J.Hiebert — 9573

May 10

"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, 

but His that sent Me. 

(John 7:16)

It is a very serious thing to attach undue importance or give an undue place to men, how much they may be used in the Lord's work. We have seen the work marred and workmen morally ruined by this very thing. It is a fatal mistake. Men are taken out of the place in which God has put them. They are lauded, lionized, and gazed at as a sort of phenomenon. In this way, they are lifted into an entirely false position, like a person walking on stilts, and then some terrible fall comes, to bring them to their senses, and recall them to their true place.

See how the blessed Master ever retired from human applause and human excitement. When men wondered at His teaching, He said, "My doctrine is not Mine but His that sent me." Oh, to drink more of His spirit and walk in His footsteps! To be well content to be a nothing and a nobody, so that Christ may be magnified!   (C.H Mackintosh)

N.J.Hiebert — 9574

May 11

"To will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good

I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil

which I would not, that I do." (Romans 7:18,19)

If souls would be honest, many would confess that this has been their condition for years - a condition which brings no glory to God and no happiness to themselves. What is the cause? Simply the mistake of thinking that all depends upon their own efforts instead of accepting the truth that they are utterly without strength, and that, therefore, everything depends upon God.                    

(Edward Dennett)  

N.J.Hiebert — 9575

May 12

"Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

I recall walking along a Texas creek many years ago with my brother-in-law, Ed and his 3 year old son David. David had been collecting smooth, round stones from the stream while we walked. He called them "piggies," because their rounded shape reminded him of little pigs.

David had stuffed a number of "piggies" in his pockets, and after running out of pockets he began carrying them in his arms. After a while he began to stagger under the load and lag behind. It was obvious he would never make it back to the house without help, so Ed said, "Here, David, let me carry your piggies."

Reluctance clouded David's face for a moment, and then it lit up. "I know," he said. "You carry me and I'll carry my piggies!"

I've often thought of that incident and my own childish insistence that I must carry my own load. Jesus offers to take all of my burdens but I resist out of stubbornness and pride. "You carry me," I say, "but I'll carry my 'piggies."

How foolish it is to try to carry all your burdens on your own when Jesus asks you to cast "all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

Have you put all of your "piggies" in Jesus' strong arms today? (David Roper)

I would tell the Lord my longings,

Roll on Him my every care,

Cast upon Him all my burdens,

Burdens that I cannot bear. (Weigle)

Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (2004), Grand Rapids, MI.

Reprinted permission.

N.J.Hiebert — 9576

May 13

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort (encouragement).” (2 Corinthians 1:3)

If we find our souls under pressure of the spirit of fear or bondage or uncertainty we may be sure that they have let go the gentle hand of faith. This ought not to be so. We are to know that we have ever to do with love! (J.G. Bellett)

N.J.Hiebert — 9577

May 14

"The Lord said unto Joshua... ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days... the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times ... make a long blast with the ram's horn ... all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat...." (Joshua 6:2-5)

It may be said, why not simplify the path? Why all these complications? Why go around the city every day, and seven times the seventh day? Why this procession with the ark and trumpets?

Faith does not ask why? It does not reason as to the means God chooses to employ; it accepts them, enters into them, and obtains the victory instead of being beaten by the enemy.

It was thus at the Passover and at the Red Sea. Do you say: Then faith is without intelligence? Not at all; it first submits and then understands. Faith will tell you the reason of the seven days, the ark, the procession, the trumpets, and the shouts of joy, but it will only tell you after submission to them, otherwise it would be intelligence and not faith.

(H.L. Rossier Meditations on the Book of Joshua)

N.J.Hiebert — 9578

May 15

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.  He hath made everything beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.  (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11)

Have you been overwhelmed at times by a nameless dread as though God had utterly forgotten you, and you were cast off forever?  Have you wearied yourself devising one human expedient after another, in the vain hope of averting threatened disaster by the arm of flesh?  Learn, then, from God’s dealings with His servant of old that His heart and His hand are for you still.  

And “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Matthew 12:30)He has heard every sigh; noted, and stored in His bottle, every tear; taken account of every cry of anguish; heard every confiding prayer.  His arm is in no-wise shortened; His ear is in no sense deaf to your cry.  At the appointed time He will awake in your behalf, and you shall know that it is “the God of all grace” with whom you have to do.

Only look up: be not cast down, for you are ever on His heart; and if you just leave all

with Him, He will make your affairs His care.  “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).How sweet the words!  He careth.  He, the most high God: yea, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ careth.  He is no indifferent spectator—no callous, unconcerned looker-on; but, as no one else can, He careth for you.   “I will trust, and not be afraid” (Mark 5:36).(H. A. Ironside)

N.J.Hiebert—9579

May 16

Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  1 Peter 2:24

Christ was an example for us, for we are called to His path, and to follow His steps.  The consideration of Christ in all the glory of His perfection cannot fail to have its affect on us, conforming our thoughts and ways to His.  Yet even so, we are not as He was, for we have sins and He had none.  We needed, therefore, the atoning sacrifice of which verse 24 speaks.  He who did no sin “bore our sins in His own body on the tree.”  This is something altogether beyond us.  We cannot follow in His steps here.

He bore our sins in His own body as our Substitute.  We had sinned in our bodies.  He, having become a true Man, apart from our sin, bore our sins in His holy body as a sacrifice for sin on the tree, for it was exclusively in His death that atonement was effected.  He did not bear our sins during His life, but in His death, and we are healed by His stripes.  He bore our sins and delivered us from the stripes our sins deserved, in order that we should now live unto practical righteousness.  F. B. Hole

N.J. Hiebert — 9580

May 17

And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing to Thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God: for we rest on Thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude.  O Lord,  Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee.  

2 Chronicles 14:11

Most of the kings that followed David and Solomon were failures because they abandoned the God of David and went after idols like their neighbouring countries.  But Asa was one of the exceptions.  He wasn't perfect but the verse above shows his respect for the power of God and trust in Him.  

A great company of Ethiopian soldiers was confronting him and he knew his army was inadequate, but he also knew that his God was able, and of course, Asa’s warriors prevailed.  

God always sees the overall picture, and knew He had promised Abraham that he would be the founder of a great nation.  God suffered long with Israel’s failures, but finally sent His Son to be the means by which Israel will eventually be seen as the single ruling nation on the earth.  All eyes will look to Him and all knees will bow to His glory, power and authority.  

Zechariah 2:8 says: Thus saith the Lord of hosts; after the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye.”

In our day, Satan and his followers are a mighty force that we could never overcome, unless it was by the power of God.  God is more powerful than Satan, and our protection is our faith and trust in Him.  Whenever we put that trust to the test, the truth of James 4:7 comes into play:  “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Lorne Perry (PART 1)

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May 18

Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Yesterday we learned from 2 Chronicles 14:11 that King Asa relied on God’s support when an enemy horde came against Israel, and God gave a great victory.  Now we’ll take a closer look at our experience with God against the forces of Satan.

Satan is always trying to find a way to rob us of our peace with God, always trying to sow doubts  in our minds, eagerly putting temptations in front of us, placing stumbling—blocks in our path, or making our lives so busy we have little time for God or His Son.  When these enemies come up against us (really they are enemies of God), we need to call upon the full panoply of resources open to us.

First is the Person of Christ.  Get in touch with Him in prayer.  Second look into the Word particularly the list of spiritual blessings in Ephesians 1, and the whole armour of God in Ephesians 6:10—18.  In them is the power of God, and you are thus strengthened  for the battle.  The enemy may not go without a fight, but he will flee, because and only because God has so promised us.

One of Satan’s tempting ploys is to convince us that we have within us the capacity to beat the temptation on our own, or perhaps with the help of counsellors and internet “wisdom”.  These apparent avenues are limited resources, at best.  

The Apostle Paul learned, by his experience walking with God, this message from above : “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”King Asa knew it, and put it into practice.”  

Lorne Perry for Gems from my Reading.

N.J.Hiebert - 9582

May 19

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.  1 John 3:2

God’s ultimate purpose is to populate Heaven with those like His Son.  We see this illustrated in what scientists call “Metamorphosis”.  The process begins with an  ugly, earth-bound caterpillar, but soon, it emerges from the chrysalis; now a beautiful butterfly fitted for the skies.

So also, when our Lord returns, we will receive bodies “like unto His glorious body” (Philippians (3:21), fitted for Heaven.  “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

(Revelation 22:20)  

Willie H. Burnett

And is it so — I shall be like Thy Son?

Is this the grace which He for me has won?

Father of glory (thought beyond all thought!)

In glory, to His own blest likeness brought!

(John Nelson Darby)  

N.J.Hiebert - 9583

May 20

And He commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.  (Mark 6:39)

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.  (Psalm 23:2)

Those who do most in the day and who always have time for one thing more are those who know what it is to sit down on the green grass.  It is not the bustling, chattery people who do most for others.  It is those who know most of quietness.

Before our Lord Jesus could feed the people, He had to make them sit down.  Before He can feed us we too must sit down.  David sat down before the Lord; he was quiet before his God.

Even if we have not a long time to spend in the morning wth our God, much can be received in a very few minutes if only we are quiet.  Sometimes it takes a little while to gather our scattered thoughts and quiet our soul.  Even so, don’t hurry; make it sit down on the green grass.

Gather my thoughts, Lord, they fitful roam,

Like children bent on foolish wandering,

Or vanity of fruitless wayfaring;

O call them home.

Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael  

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May 21

"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21)

1 To "hope to be better" is to fail to see yourself in Christ only.

2.To be disappointed with yourself is to have believed in yourself.

3.To be discouraged is unbelief - as to the Father's purpose and plan of blessing for you.

4. To be proud is to be blind! For we have no standing before God in ourselves.

5.The lack of divine blessing, therefore, comes from unbelief, and not from failure of devotion.

6. Real devotion to the Father arises, not from man's will to show it; but from the discovery that blessing has been received from Him while we were yet unworthy and un-devoted.

7. To preach devotion first, and blessing second, is to reverse God's order and preach Law, not Grace.

The Law made man's blessing depend on devotion; Grace confers undeserved,

unconditional blessing: our devotion may follow, but does not always do so in proper measure.   (W.R. Newell)

N.J.Hiebert — 9585

May 22

"Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" (Acts 26:8)

In our childhood days we were taught to sing, "Pity my simplicity." Simplicity of the right kind calls not for pity, but for admiration and imitation, and most assuredly it will receive the Lord's commendation at the last.

Men are becoming too wise to be simple; this explains why some find it hard to credit the story of Peter walking on the sea. To all such we are disposed to say in the words of Paul: "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you?" (Acts 26:8). Take God into account, and every difficulty disappears; leave Him out, and difficulties bristle around us hopelessly.

(W.W. Fereday - Peter the Apostle)

N.J.Hiebert — 9586

May 23

"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth…they went backward, and fell to the ground." (John 18:4,6)

The Lord Jesus was fully aware of their intentions, yet He went forth to meet His captors because His hour had not yet come, every previous attempt on His life had utterly failed.  Even then, when He identified Himself with the noble "I AM" of Deity, His enemies went backward and involuntarily collapsed before Him. The power of this simple statement proved they took Him only because He had voluntarily submitted to their evil purpose. (Garry W. Seale)

N.J.Hiebert — 9587

May 24