September 1
". . . Henceforth . . . unto Him, . . . " 2 Corinthians 5:15
In the cemetery of an English town there is a tombstone which attracts the attention of many visitors. It marks the grave where the celebrated Swedish singer, Jenny Lind, known as the Swedish Nightingale, was buried, and upon the stone is the text, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Job 19:25
Jenny Lind was born 1820. When only seventeen she came from her native land, and her lovely voice took the concert-loving people by storm. Queen Victoria often was found in her audience and signally honoured "the girl with a marvellous voice,"as she was called, by throwing to her a bouquet of flowers.
Jenny Lind received honour, and gifts were showered upon her from all sides. Wealth poured in, but her success did not make her proud as is so often the case, and she humbly wrote to a friend in later years, "My unceasing prayer is that what I gave others may continue to live on through eternity and that the Giver of the gift and not the creature to whom He lent it may be acknowledged."
Nothing is more astonishing about the career of Jenny Lind than its comparative shortness. She sang in the English opera for only two years and retired in five years after her first appearance in London. To many it would seem strange circumstances which led a young girl to abandon such a promising career and retire to the quietness of an English country home.
On one occasion she sat on the seashore, reading a Bible, when one who greatly admired her beautiful voice saw her and asked, "How is it, madam, that you abandoned the stage at the very height of your success?" Jenny Lind replied: "When every day it made me think less of this"--laying her hand upon the open Bible, "what else could I do?" What a beautiful answer and how convincing! It was the knowledge of a Saviour's love which led her to abandon what the world counts of such value--riches, honour and popularity. Selected
N.J. Hiebert - 9688
In the cemetery of an English town there is a tombstone which attracts the attention of many visitors. It marks the grave where the celebrated Swedish singer, Jenny Lind, known as the Swedish Nightingale, was buried, and upon the stone is the text, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Job 19:25
Jenny Lind was born 1820. When only seventeen she came from her native land, and her lovely voice took the concert-loving people by storm. Queen Victoria often was found in her audience and signally honoured "the girl with a marvellous voice,"as she was called, by throwing to her a bouquet of flowers.
Jenny Lind received honour, and gifts were showered upon her from all sides. Wealth poured in, but her success did not make her proud as is so often the case, and she humbly wrote to a friend in later years, "My unceasing prayer is that what I gave others may continue to live on through eternity and that the Giver of the gift and not the creature to whom He lent it may be acknowledged."
Nothing is more astonishing about the career of Jenny Lind than its comparative shortness. She sang in the English opera for only two years and retired in five years after her first appearance in London. To many it would seem strange circumstances which led a young girl to abandon such a promising career and retire to the quietness of an English country home.
On one occasion she sat on the seashore, reading a Bible, when one who greatly admired her beautiful voice saw her and asked, "How is it, madam, that you abandoned the stage at the very height of your success?" Jenny Lind replied: "When every day it made me think less of this"--laying her hand upon the open Bible, "what else could I do?" What a beautiful answer and how convincing! It was the knowledge of a Saviour's love which led her to abandon what the world counts of such value--riches, honour and popularity. Selected
N.J. Hiebert - 9688
September 2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice . . . Romans 12:1
"By the mercies of God." What does that mean? It is like this. One evening you are walking quietly home from your place of business. Suddenly the fire alarm rings out; your heart leaps with fear as the thought of home and loved ones flashes upon you. As you near home your worst fears are realized: your house is in flames. You rush thither and find that your wife and children have been saved, except for one little one who is still in the house. The next instance a brave fireman hurries past and dashing into the burning house, finds his way to the little one, carries her out through the flames and smoke, and puts her in your arms--safe.
Weeks go by, and then one day this same brave man comes to you and showing his hands, says, "Behold my love and mercies to you. See these burned and blistered hands; see this scarred face, and these scorched feet. I am in need. I want help. I beseech you, by my mercies to your child, that you help me." There is nothing in the world you would not give to that man.
Even so, Jesus Christ, our loving Lord, stands here tonight. He stretches forth His hands, pierced with cruel nails for you and me. He points to the wound in His side, made by the blood-thirsty spear. He shows you the scars on His forehead, made by the crown of thorns. He says, "My child, behold, My mercies to you. I saved you from the guilt of sin; I brought you from death unto life; I gave you the Spirit of God.
Some day I will glorify your body and will make you to sit down with Me on My throne. My child, by My mercies, I beseech you." You say, "Lord, what do you want from me?" He answers, "I want you for My service. I beseech you, by My mercies to you, give your life to Me."
James McConkey
N.J. Hiebert - 9689
"By the mercies of God." What does that mean? It is like this. One evening you are walking quietly home from your place of business. Suddenly the fire alarm rings out; your heart leaps with fear as the thought of home and loved ones flashes upon you. As you near home your worst fears are realized: your house is in flames. You rush thither and find that your wife and children have been saved, except for one little one who is still in the house. The next instance a brave fireman hurries past and dashing into the burning house, finds his way to the little one, carries her out through the flames and smoke, and puts her in your arms--safe.
Weeks go by, and then one day this same brave man comes to you and showing his hands, says, "Behold my love and mercies to you. See these burned and blistered hands; see this scarred face, and these scorched feet. I am in need. I want help. I beseech you, by my mercies to your child, that you help me." There is nothing in the world you would not give to that man.
Even so, Jesus Christ, our loving Lord, stands here tonight. He stretches forth His hands, pierced with cruel nails for you and me. He points to the wound in His side, made by the blood-thirsty spear. He shows you the scars on His forehead, made by the crown of thorns. He says, "My child, behold, My mercies to you. I saved you from the guilt of sin; I brought you from death unto life; I gave you the Spirit of God.
Some day I will glorify your body and will make you to sit down with Me on My throne. My child, by My mercies, I beseech you." You say, "Lord, what do you want from me?" He answers, "I want you for My service. I beseech you, by My mercies to you, give your life to Me."
James McConkey
N.J. Hiebert - 9689
September 3
Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:3
It is always going down when we seek to leave the Lord. This was Jonah's first outward step down, but it was by no means his last. The outward step is generally preceded by an inward or spiritual step down. It is easier to go down than to go up, whether it be for body or soul. Beware dear fellow-Christian, when the path begins to go downward, when the travel is easy, and there is no hill to climb! We can be sure then that we have got on the wrong road.
Notice, too, that apparently with no difficulty or delay, he "found a ship going to Tarshish." Perhaps he thought, "this is quite providential! This is surely a sign that I am being prospered in my way." It is wonderful how easy the devil makes our downward pathway. He is always ready to provide all we need to get away from the Lord. Do not let us think for a moment that because the downward road is an easy one, therefore it must be right. The ship already "going to Tarshish" was absolutely no proof that God had "prepared " it. Quite the reverse was the truth, and we ever need to bear in mind that things made ready to our hand to help us to do our own will, are by no means prepared for us by God, but very possibly prepared for us by the devil. "So he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah."
"So he paid the fare thereof." A terribly high fare it must have been for that long journey. The Lord asks, "Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges" (1 Corinthians 9:7). If we are going in the service of the Lord, we may be quite sure that He will see about "the fare;" but if we are going to please ourselves, or in the service of the devil, "the fare" must be paid!
Friends, how very costly is that fare at times! There is many a man who has refused the call of God, and turned to his own way and "the fare" has been his peace of mind, the rest of heart that the Lord alone can give as we bear His yoke and perhaps the eternal loss of family, comfort and possessions. All these cannot begin to make up for the price we had to pay for "the fare". It is a costly thing to disobey God.
The devil takes but he does not give, and the only wages he pays is death. (Romans 6:23) His service is bad, his "fares" are the highest, and his wages are the worst: yet strange to say, he always has a mighty following.
Jonah - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 9690
It is always going down when we seek to leave the Lord. This was Jonah's first outward step down, but it was by no means his last. The outward step is generally preceded by an inward or spiritual step down. It is easier to go down than to go up, whether it be for body or soul. Beware dear fellow-Christian, when the path begins to go downward, when the travel is easy, and there is no hill to climb! We can be sure then that we have got on the wrong road.
Notice, too, that apparently with no difficulty or delay, he "found a ship going to Tarshish." Perhaps he thought, "this is quite providential! This is surely a sign that I am being prospered in my way." It is wonderful how easy the devil makes our downward pathway. He is always ready to provide all we need to get away from the Lord. Do not let us think for a moment that because the downward road is an easy one, therefore it must be right. The ship already "going to Tarshish" was absolutely no proof that God had "prepared " it. Quite the reverse was the truth, and we ever need to bear in mind that things made ready to our hand to help us to do our own will, are by no means prepared for us by God, but very possibly prepared for us by the devil. "So he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah."
"So he paid the fare thereof." A terribly high fare it must have been for that long journey. The Lord asks, "Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges" (1 Corinthians 9:7). If we are going in the service of the Lord, we may be quite sure that He will see about "the fare;" but if we are going to please ourselves, or in the service of the devil, "the fare" must be paid!
Friends, how very costly is that fare at times! There is many a man who has refused the call of God, and turned to his own way and "the fare" has been his peace of mind, the rest of heart that the Lord alone can give as we bear His yoke and perhaps the eternal loss of family, comfort and possessions. All these cannot begin to make up for the price we had to pay for "the fare". It is a costly thing to disobey God.
The devil takes but he does not give, and the only wages he pays is death. (Romans 6:23) His service is bad, his "fares" are the highest, and his wages are the worst: yet strange to say, he always has a mighty following.
Jonah - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 9690
September 4
John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this Man were true. John 10:41
You may be very discontented with yourself. You are no genius, have no brilliant gifts, and are inconspicuous for any special faculty. Mediocrity is the law of your existence. Your days are remarkable for nothing but sameness and insipidity. Yet you may live a great life.
John did no miracle, but Jesus said that among those born of women there had not appeared a greater than he. (Luke 7:28)
John's main business was to bear witness to the Light, and this may be yours and mine. John was content to be only a voice, if men would think of Christ. (John 1:23)
Be willing to be only a voice, heard but not seen; a mirror whose surface is lost to view, because it reflects the dazzling glory of the sun; a breeze that springs up just before daylight, and says "The dawn! the dawn!" and then dies away.
Do the commonest and smallest things as beneath His eye. If you must live with uncongenial people, set to their conquest by love. If you have made a great mistake in your life, do not let it becloud all of it; but, locking the secret in your breast, compel it to yield strength and sweetness.
We are doing more good than we know, sowing seeds, starting stream-lets, giving men true thoughts of Christ, to which they will refer one day as the first things that started them thinking of Him; and, of my part, I shall be satisfied if no great mausoleum is raised over my grave, but that simple souls shall gather there when I am gone, and say: "He was a good man; he wrought no miracles, but he spake words about Christ, which led me to know Him for myself." George Matheson.
N.J. Hiebert - 9691
You may be very discontented with yourself. You are no genius, have no brilliant gifts, and are inconspicuous for any special faculty. Mediocrity is the law of your existence. Your days are remarkable for nothing but sameness and insipidity. Yet you may live a great life.
John did no miracle, but Jesus said that among those born of women there had not appeared a greater than he. (Luke 7:28)
John's main business was to bear witness to the Light, and this may be yours and mine. John was content to be only a voice, if men would think of Christ. (John 1:23)
Be willing to be only a voice, heard but not seen; a mirror whose surface is lost to view, because it reflects the dazzling glory of the sun; a breeze that springs up just before daylight, and says "The dawn! the dawn!" and then dies away.
Do the commonest and smallest things as beneath His eye. If you must live with uncongenial people, set to their conquest by love. If you have made a great mistake in your life, do not let it becloud all of it; but, locking the secret in your breast, compel it to yield strength and sweetness.
We are doing more good than we know, sowing seeds, starting stream-lets, giving men true thoughts of Christ, to which they will refer one day as the first things that started them thinking of Him; and, of my part, I shall be satisfied if no great mausoleum is raised over my grave, but that simple souls shall gather there when I am gone, and say: "He was a good man; he wrought no miracles, but he spake words about Christ, which led me to know Him for myself." George Matheson.
N.J. Hiebert - 9691
September 5
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21
This is the season when migratory birds are winging their way toward warmer climates. What is it that prompts them to fly for hundreds of miles each year to the balmy southland and to return again in the springtime to the exact spot which they left in the autumn?
For want of a better term, we call it instinct. One authority states that the word means "inward impulse"; "a natural propensity that incites animals to the actions that are essential to their existence and development"; or, "a propensity prior to experience and independent of instructions."
The authorities in charge of one of the oldest missions on the Pacific Coast state the swallows, which make their homes in the walls of this historic institution, migrate with the utmost regularity. During a record of sixty-eight years, it is said they have never been a day late or early in their arrival at this mission. One press reporter affirms that "For the first time in the known mission history, the swallows were several hours late in arriving." This was supposed to have been due to a storm at sea.
How can man doubt that there is an all-wise God who has placed within these tiny creatures such mysterious powers? It is only because of the taint of sin and deception of Satan that men do not obey a higher instinct and seek protection and rest "under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1). Mountain Trailways
"I like to watch the swallow turn its face to the ocean and set fearlessly over the waters. If I had no other proof of lands beyond the sea, the instinct of the swallow would satisfy me." F. W. Boreham
N.J. Hiebert - 9692
This is the season when migratory birds are winging their way toward warmer climates. What is it that prompts them to fly for hundreds of miles each year to the balmy southland and to return again in the springtime to the exact spot which they left in the autumn?
For want of a better term, we call it instinct. One authority states that the word means "inward impulse"; "a natural propensity that incites animals to the actions that are essential to their existence and development"; or, "a propensity prior to experience and independent of instructions."
The authorities in charge of one of the oldest missions on the Pacific Coast state the swallows, which make their homes in the walls of this historic institution, migrate with the utmost regularity. During a record of sixty-eight years, it is said they have never been a day late or early in their arrival at this mission. One press reporter affirms that "For the first time in the known mission history, the swallows were several hours late in arriving." This was supposed to have been due to a storm at sea.
How can man doubt that there is an all-wise God who has placed within these tiny creatures such mysterious powers? It is only because of the taint of sin and deception of Satan that men do not obey a higher instinct and seek protection and rest "under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1). Mountain Trailways
"I like to watch the swallow turn its face to the ocean and set fearlessly over the waters. If I had no other proof of lands beyond the sea, the instinct of the swallow would satisfy me." F. W. Boreham
N.J. Hiebert - 9692
September 6
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles". Isaiah 40:31
In 1909 Bleriot, the aviator, was obliged to use crutches as the result of an accident, and, when mounting his plane to make the flight across the English channel, remarked to his companions, "I cannot walk, but I can fly."
"I cannot walk, but I can fly;" no roof can house me from the stars,
No dwelling pen me in its bounds, nor keep me fast with locks and bars;
No narrow room my thoughts can cage, no fetters hold my roving mind;
From these four walls that shut me in my soaring soul a way can find.
With books and pictures at my side all lands, all ages, are my own;
I dwell among the master minds, the best and greatest earth has known;
I flee to strange and storied scenes of long ago and far away,
And roam where saints and heroes trod in Time's forgotten Yesterday.
With every wandering butterfly or singing bird on vagrant wing
My fancy takes the airy trail, and follows it adventuring,
Higher than their highest flight, where cloud-ships drift and star-beams shine,
I rise on tireless pinions fleet, and all the realms of space are mine.
From out the paling sunset skies the Twilight Angels come to me
On dusky wings to bear me swift to shadowy haunts of Memory
Where 'mid the gardens and the graves, I wander, smiling through my tears,
With all the dear and deathless dead, the loved and lost of vanished years.
And when the long, long day is done, I clasp the dearest Book of all
And through the dim, sweet silences I hear my Father's accents fall;
Then, though in chains, yet am I free. Beyond the pressure of my care,
Above Earth's night my spirit mounts on eagle wings of faith and prayer.
Annie Johnson Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 9693
September 7
Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
Suppose you give a piece of land to another person. You give it up, then and there, entirely to that other; it is no longer in your own possession; you no longer dig and sow, plant and reap, at your discretion or for your own profit. His occupation of it is total; no other has any right to an inch of it; it is his affair now what crops to arrange for and how to make the most of it.
But his practical occupation of it may not appear all at once. There may be wasteland which he will take into full cultivation only by degrees, space wasted for want of draining or by over-fencing, and odd corners lost for want of enclosing; fields yielding smaller returns than they might, because of hedges too wide and shady, and trees too many and spreading, and strips of good soil trampled into uselessness for want of defined paths.
Just so is it with our lives. The transaction of, so to speak, turning them over to God is definite and complete. But then begins the practical development of consecration and here He leads on "softly, according as the children be able to endure." (Genesis 33:14).
We have not a notion what an amount of waste of power there has been in our lives and it never occurred to us what good fruit might be grown in our straggling hedges, nor how the shade of our trees has been keeping the sun from the scanty crops.
And so, season by season, we shall be sometimes not a little startled, yet always very glad, as we find that bit by bit the Master shows how much more may be made of our ground, how much more He is able to make of it than we did; and we shall be willing to work under Him and do exactly what He points out, even if it comes to cutting down a shady tree or clearing out a ditch full of pretty weeds and wild flowers. Kept for the Master's Use - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 9694
Suppose you give a piece of land to another person. You give it up, then and there, entirely to that other; it is no longer in your own possession; you no longer dig and sow, plant and reap, at your discretion or for your own profit. His occupation of it is total; no other has any right to an inch of it; it is his affair now what crops to arrange for and how to make the most of it.
But his practical occupation of it may not appear all at once. There may be wasteland which he will take into full cultivation only by degrees, space wasted for want of draining or by over-fencing, and odd corners lost for want of enclosing; fields yielding smaller returns than they might, because of hedges too wide and shady, and trees too many and spreading, and strips of good soil trampled into uselessness for want of defined paths.
Just so is it with our lives. The transaction of, so to speak, turning them over to God is definite and complete. But then begins the practical development of consecration and here He leads on "softly, according as the children be able to endure." (Genesis 33:14).
We have not a notion what an amount of waste of power there has been in our lives and it never occurred to us what good fruit might be grown in our straggling hedges, nor how the shade of our trees has been keeping the sun from the scanty crops.
And so, season by season, we shall be sometimes not a little startled, yet always very glad, as we find that bit by bit the Master shows how much more may be made of our ground, how much more He is able to make of it than we did; and we shall be willing to work under Him and do exactly what He points out, even if it comes to cutting down a shady tree or clearing out a ditch full of pretty weeds and wild flowers. Kept for the Master's Use - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 9694
September 8
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
How serious are we in our reading and study of God's Word?
- Do we diligently "search the scriptures"?
- Do we "seek . . . out the book of the Lord, and read"?
- Do we "study to show [ourselves] approved unto God . . . rightly dividing the Word of truth?"
God says that "if thou wilt receive My words, and hide My commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding . . .if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
God says to us, "Receive My words. . . hide My commandments . . .incline thine ear . . .apply thine heart."
To those who do so is the promise "then shalt thou understand." Can we say with the psalmist, "O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
"I opened my mouth and panted: for I longed for thy commandments." And thus shall we testify of God's Statutes, that "more to be desired are they than gold . . . sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."
Is God's Word precious to your heart? Do you love it above fine gold?
Does it fill your heart with gladness, with hope and with peace untold?
Comfort of the Scriptures
John 5:39 ~ Isaiah 34:16 ~ Proverbs 2:1-6 ~ Psalm 119:97 ~ Psalm 119:131 ~ Psalm 19:10
N.J. Hiebert - 9695
How serious are we in our reading and study of God's Word?
- Do we diligently "search the scriptures"?
- Do we "seek . . . out the book of the Lord, and read"?
- Do we "study to show [ourselves] approved unto God . . . rightly dividing the Word of truth?"
God says that "if thou wilt receive My words, and hide My commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding . . .if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
God says to us, "Receive My words. . . hide My commandments . . .incline thine ear . . .apply thine heart."
To those who do so is the promise "then shalt thou understand." Can we say with the psalmist, "O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
"I opened my mouth and panted: for I longed for thy commandments." And thus shall we testify of God's Statutes, that "more to be desired are they than gold . . . sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."
Is God's Word precious to your heart? Do you love it above fine gold?
Does it fill your heart with gladness, with hope and with peace untold?
Comfort of the Scriptures
John 5:39 ~ Isaiah 34:16 ~ Proverbs 2:1-6 ~ Psalm 119:97 ~ Psalm 119:131 ~ Psalm 19:10
N.J. Hiebert - 9695
September 9
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Proverbs 1:10
Shun the man who tempts. Avoid the woman who allures to evil. A ship or a boat laden with gunpowder hoists a red flag, and other vessels give her a very wide berth. Do the same in respect of moral peril. Never run into danger.
There was a boy named Robert, whose father had for some time noticed a change for the worse in his conduct. One day he saw him with a number of bad boys. This suggested to him the cause.
That evening he brought in from the garden six beautiful apples, put them on a plate, and gave them to Robert. He was thankful for his father's kindness. "Now", said his father, "you must lay them aside for a few days to ripen."
Just as he was putting them away his father laid on the plate a seventh apple, which was much decayed, and desired him to allow it to remain there.
"But the rotten one will spoil the others." "Oh, do you think so? Why should not the first apples make the bad one good?" And with these words he went out of the room.
The lad understood it all; no interpreter was required; he took the wise hint, and often it was helpful to him in resisting sin.
The incident is apparent, but impressive. Lay it to heart, young friends. Do sinners entice? "Refrain thy foot from their path, walk not thou in the way with them." (Proverbs 1:15). Stories on the Book of Proverbs - J. L. Nye
Those who are young, O God, make them thine own;
Hear from Thy blest abode, make them Thine own;
Now in their early days, turn them to Thy blest ways,
Save from the giddy maze, make them Thine own. A Midlane
N.J. Hiebert - 9696
Shun the man who tempts. Avoid the woman who allures to evil. A ship or a boat laden with gunpowder hoists a red flag, and other vessels give her a very wide berth. Do the same in respect of moral peril. Never run into danger.
There was a boy named Robert, whose father had for some time noticed a change for the worse in his conduct. One day he saw him with a number of bad boys. This suggested to him the cause.
That evening he brought in from the garden six beautiful apples, put them on a plate, and gave them to Robert. He was thankful for his father's kindness. "Now", said his father, "you must lay them aside for a few days to ripen."
Just as he was putting them away his father laid on the plate a seventh apple, which was much decayed, and desired him to allow it to remain there.
"But the rotten one will spoil the others." "Oh, do you think so? Why should not the first apples make the bad one good?" And with these words he went out of the room.
The lad understood it all; no interpreter was required; he took the wise hint, and often it was helpful to him in resisting sin.
The incident is apparent, but impressive. Lay it to heart, young friends. Do sinners entice? "Refrain thy foot from their path, walk not thou in the way with them." (Proverbs 1:15). Stories on the Book of Proverbs - J. L. Nye
Those who are young, O God, make them thine own;
Hear from Thy blest abode, make them Thine own;
Now in their early days, turn them to Thy blest ways,
Save from the giddy maze, make them Thine own. A Midlane
N.J. Hiebert - 9696
September 10
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou Me? John 18:23
No one is able to attribute evil words to the Lord Jesus. Even when officers were sent to arrest Him, they returned empty-handed, excusing themselves with the assertion "Never man spake like this Man" (John 7:46).
The few words that Christ uttered at His trials before both Jews and Gentiles were peerless indicators of His innocence.
What is more, His statements from the cross manifested divine love, mercy, and holiness (in contrast to the reviling spectators and the cursing malefactors).
The Father registered His verdict on His Son's words and works by raising Him from the dead and exalting Him to His own right hand (Acts 2:33,36).
K. R. Keyser
Thy lips the Father's name to us reveal;
What burning power in all Thy words we feel,
When to our raptured hearts we hear Thee tell
The heavenly glories which Thou knowest so well.
That precious stream of water and of blood
Which from Thy pierced side so freely flowed,
Has put away our sins of scarlet dye,
Washed us from every stain, and brought us nigh.
J. G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 9697
No one is able to attribute evil words to the Lord Jesus. Even when officers were sent to arrest Him, they returned empty-handed, excusing themselves with the assertion "Never man spake like this Man" (John 7:46).
The few words that Christ uttered at His trials before both Jews and Gentiles were peerless indicators of His innocence.
What is more, His statements from the cross manifested divine love, mercy, and holiness (in contrast to the reviling spectators and the cursing malefactors).
The Father registered His verdict on His Son's words and works by raising Him from the dead and exalting Him to His own right hand (Acts 2:33,36).
K. R. Keyser
Thy lips the Father's name to us reveal;
What burning power in all Thy words we feel,
When to our raptured hearts we hear Thee tell
The heavenly glories which Thou knowest so well.
That precious stream of water and of blood
Which from Thy pierced side so freely flowed,
Has put away our sins of scarlet dye,
Washed us from every stain, and brought us nigh.
J. G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 9697
September 11
LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ENEMY OF YOUR SOUL
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11
The devil is declared in the Scriptures to be an enemy of God and of all men. Because he is a spirit he is able to "walk up and down in the earth" at his pleasure. Job 1:7
While we must not underestimate the strength of our foe, we must at the same time recognize that we need not live in constant fear of him! If he cannot make skeptics of us he will make us devil-conscious and thus throw a permanent shadow across our lives, for there is but a hairline between truth and superstition.
We should learn the truth about the enemy, but we must stand bravely against every superstitious notion he would introduce about himself. The truth will set us free but superstition will enslave us!
The scriptural way to see things is to set the Lord always before us, put Christ in the center of our vision; and if Satan is lurking around he will appear on the margin only and be seen as but a shadow on the edge of the brightness. It is always wrong to invert this - to set Satan in the focus of our vision and push God out to the margin. Nothing but tragedy can come from such inversion!
The best way to keep the enemy out is to keep Christ in! The sheep need not be terrified by the wolf; they have but to stay close to the shepherd. The instructed Christian whose faculties have been developed by the Word and the Spirit will practice the presence of God moment by moment!
Renewed Day By Day - A. W. Tozer
N.J. Hiebert - 9698
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11
The devil is declared in the Scriptures to be an enemy of God and of all men. Because he is a spirit he is able to "walk up and down in the earth" at his pleasure. Job 1:7
While we must not underestimate the strength of our foe, we must at the same time recognize that we need not live in constant fear of him! If he cannot make skeptics of us he will make us devil-conscious and thus throw a permanent shadow across our lives, for there is but a hairline between truth and superstition.
We should learn the truth about the enemy, but we must stand bravely against every superstitious notion he would introduce about himself. The truth will set us free but superstition will enslave us!
The scriptural way to see things is to set the Lord always before us, put Christ in the center of our vision; and if Satan is lurking around he will appear on the margin only and be seen as but a shadow on the edge of the brightness. It is always wrong to invert this - to set Satan in the focus of our vision and push God out to the margin. Nothing but tragedy can come from such inversion!
The best way to keep the enemy out is to keep Christ in! The sheep need not be terrified by the wolf; they have but to stay close to the shepherd. The instructed Christian whose faculties have been developed by the Word and the Spirit will practice the presence of God moment by moment!
Renewed Day By Day - A. W. Tozer
N.J. Hiebert - 9698
September 12
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