Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6
He would have us, in the intimacy of His love, to be without reserve before Him--all told out, nothing kept back. Our danger never lies in telling Him too much, but just in the opposite direction.
He loves to hear the cry of His children, for He well knows that it is the expression of their confidence in Him. It may be, as it often is, a foolish cry, but still it is the cry of His own children, and He never wearies of listening to it.
God never spares His rod if thereby He can bless His children.
But, He lifts it up on high,
With pity in His heart,
That every stroke His children feel
May peace and joy impart.
To enter into this will make an immense change in our experience. Meeting with trials and difficulties we shall instantly ask, "What has the Father to say to us through these things?" In this way we shall receive nothing but blessing through the most adverse circumstances.
Like vines, our poor hearts send out tendrils in all directions, winding themselves around this and that object, and then it is that the Father permits trials...to come in to snap these ties to objects other than Christ, and by the discovery of Himself and His love to us in these chastenings He seeks to wean us from everything that might hinder our progress, and to attract us more fully to Himself. Footprints for Pilgrims - Edward Dennett
N.J. Hiebert - 20438
September 21
Wherefore, as by one man sin came into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Romans 5:12
The Bubonic plague, the Ebola virus, SARS, and most recently, the COVID-19 virus, have taken countless thousands of lives over the years. Yet these diseases have only affected a percentage of the world's overall population. But there is another disease that is the worst of all diseases combined, because it affects every person on this earth. And it brings death.
It cannot be identified in a research lab; nor can it be seen under a microscope; and there is no earthly cure for it either. The Bible is the only reliable source of information on it. The Bible has identified it, described it, and has prescribed a cure for it. It is called SIN. It originated with one man, Adam. Through his disobedience sin entered the world, and the Bible says that as a consequence all are under condemnation.
But God has prescribed a cure through another Man. John the Baptist introduced Him when, looking upon Jesus as He walked, he said,"Behold! the Lamb of God, which taketh away the SIN of the world." (John 1:29). Christ died for our SINS on the cross, and "the blood Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). But we must avail ourselves of it:
"For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned" (John 3:16-18).
This disease will be forever eradicated from the world when God brings in a new heaven and a new earth where only righteousness will dwell.
(2 Peter 3:13) Richard Barnett
N.J. Hiebert - 20439
September 22
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His. 2 Timothy 2:19
What a blessed thought of comfort and cheer it is, which should forever banish fear and unbelief! The Lord, the One seated there in the Holiest, knows us personally. He knew us before we ever were in existence. He saw us before the foundation of the world. He knew all our vileness and depths of degradation. He knew us as we wandered in our sins. His loving eyes followed us then. He sought us in His love and brought us to Himself.
He gave us His life and dwells in us. Each believing sinner, saved by grace, is one Spirit with the Lord. "I know My sheep." He calleth each by name, like a Shepherd calleth His own sheep. What a comfort it should be to our hearts, that He knows each of us by name. He knows our circumstances, trials, difficulties and temptations. He knows our conflicts and our tears. "He knoweth the way, which I take." It is very precious! In Psalm 32 we find the comforting word for one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered, "I will guide thee with Mine eye upon thee." That eye up yonder, which measures the depths of the universe, which follows every planet, that eye which neither sleeps nor slumbers, that all-seeing eye rests upon us.
He is occupied with each. The millions of His people who have lived and died, who passed through life and are now at home with Him, were each individually the objects of His care. His loving eye was upon the multitudes of martyrs. He knew and watched that poor tortured saint, who was cast with broken bones into a dungeon to starve to death. His power and love rested upon those who were burned or cast before wild animals.
For each He served and worked. And so He does still. Oh, the preciousness that each believer is under the loving care of the Man in Glory, the object of His love. The Work of Christ - A. C. Gaebelein
N.J. Hiebert - 20440
September 23
hough He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him. Job 13:15
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12
"In fierce storms," said an old seaman, "we must do one thing; there is only one way: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there."
This, Christian is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, (Acts 27:14-20) you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you; and then you can do but one thing; there is only one way.
Reason cannot help you; past experiences give you no light. Even prayer fetches no consolation. Only a single course is left. Put your soul in one position, keep it there.
You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may--winds, waves, cross-seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers--no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm, and hold fast your confidence in God's faithfulness, His covenant engagement, His everlasting love in Christ Jesus. Richard Fuller
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
Will your anchor hold in the straights of fear, when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rave, and the wild winds blow, shall the angry waves then your bark o'erflow?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure as the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.
Priscilla J. Owens
N.J.Hiebert - 20441
September 24
SAD OR GLAD
For they all saw Him, and were troubled. Mark 6:50
Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. John 20:20
The disciples saw Him in a storm but supposed Him to b a spirit. They did not recognize Him. But in our second verse they saw the risen Lord and knew Him by the print of the nails in His hands and feet.
Surely the sight of the Lord should make us glad. But sometimes we wist not that it was He. He draws near, but, like the Emmaus disciples, we have holden eyes. What should thrill us only troubles us. Indeed, as the Emmaus disciples related their experience, Jesus appeared, but they "supposed that they had seen a spirit." (Luke 24:37) He quelled their fears then as He did in John's account by showing the marks of the cross.
We walk by faith, not by sight, these days, and are not granted a view of Him with our eyes. But in His dealings with us He still walks our seas and comes into our rooms through doors we have shut. Alas, that fear so often sees a spirit when faith should see the Saviour! What should bring triumph then brings only trouble. See Him and be glad! Day by Day - Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 20442
September 25
Pilate saith unto Him (Jesus), what is truth? And when he had said this, he went out... John 18:38
It is of vast importance to have the truth. It is a profound mistake not to have it, if it is to be had. Many a man has it not. The Christian has it. The believer in Christ has it. Christ is the truth, and I want to draw your attention to these precious words of the Saviour uttered by Him when surrounded by everything that the enmity of man could bring against Him, when betrayed, denied, blindfolded, and passed on from one careless high priest to another, and then trundled away to the judgment-seat of a godless man, as Pilate undoubtedly was.
Yet in the face of all this, what what was His attitude? Look at Christ! Look how quiet, how calm, albeit how sad. Then it was He said: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice." (John 18:37) Pilate carelessly says "What is truth?" and then turns his back on Truth personified. There is many a man doing that to-day. Pilate is not the only man who has turned his back on the Truth.
The truth, God's truth, may simply pass before us. I shall make mo apology for the Scripture. I believe it to be the Word of God. I believe it to be a revelation from God, of His mind, of His thoughts, of His purposes, and of His counsels; that we have in the Scriptures the truth written, and that in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ we have truth incarnate. The result is, that the man who receives the truth of scripture, in the power of the Holy Ghost, will invariably be brought into contact with Christ, Who is the truth.
Seekers for Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
N.J. Hiebert - 20443
September 26
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