For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.
Ephesians 5:30
Out of the great continent of Africa, there are people who are unable to count beyond ten--the number of their fingers. One of these folk was asked how many oxen he possessed. He replied that he could not tell.
"Then how would you know if one or two of your oxen were missing?" was the next question. "Not because the number was less, but because I should miss a face." Beloved Christian friend, if by any possibility you fail to appear in heaven, you would be missed! But there is no such possibility.
I like very much the reply which the old lady gave to one who objected to her rejoicing so unfeignedly in the biblical assurances of the security of the believer.
"You seem pretty confident about this salvation of yours. I would not be too sure about it if I were you. Suppose the Lord should let you slip through His fingers."
"But," said the old saint, "He cannot do that since I happen to be one of His fingers myself."
"The love that led me all the golden way,
Nor left me when my feet had gone astray,
Will hold me still at dying of the day
And bring me home."
George Henderson - Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care
N.J. Hiebert - 20448
October 1
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4-5
What an exciting thought-- "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son." For centuries, which grew darker and darker, the faithful people of God waited for the promised Messiah who would reign, according to Isaiah 9:6, "Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah goes on to say that "of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end." "He will reign with judgment and with righteousness, from henceforth even forever." But when would He come? When would be this "fullness of the time"? It is not too difficult for us today to identify with the desire and longing expressed in the prophecies of the Old Testament that speak of a Redeemer who would come to deliver His people from the oppression and trouble all around them.
We too live in similar times. While there are a few bright spots of hope, they are quickly overshadowed by the vast amounts of selfishness, misery, strife, despair, and destruction all around us. But there is one great difference between then and now. "The fullness of the time" has come! And all who believe "God sent His Son".
The millennial time is yet to come when our Lord will reign physically over this earth in the manner described by Isaiah and the other prophets. But the time is here and now for each one of us to receive the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, the peace which shall guard our hearts and our thoughts by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). We can enjoy Him now if we recognize and own Him as the One sent to redeem us from our sins.
L.J. Ondrejack
N.J. Hiebert - 20449
October 2
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
Were we to walk in the light and power of this great foundation truth, humility would characterize us. The flesh, in its vanity and assumption, would be mortified; and the meek and lowly spirit of Jesus would be manifested.
The bird that soars on highest wing, builds on the ground her lowly nest,
And she that doth most sweetly sing, sings in the shade when all things rest.
In lark and nightingale we see what honour hath humility.
When Mary chose the better part, she meekly sat at Jesus feet.
And Lydia's gently opened heart was made for God's own temple meet.
Fairest and best adorned is she, whose clothing is humility.
The saint that wears heaven's brightest crown in humble adoration bends;
The weight of glory bows him down, then most, when most, his soul ascends.
Nearest the throne must ever be, the footstool of humility.
When Christ is a complete covering to the eye, contentment fills the heart. We can afford to take the lowest place. Everything needed to make us happy is found in Him. He is not only fair to the eye, but pleasant to the heart. Many are fair that are not pleasant, and many are pleasant that are not fair, but Christ is both.
"Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant."
(Song of Solomon 1:16)
Meditations on the Song of Solomon - Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 20450
October 3
Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And He said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Luke 13:23-24
Some persons seem constantly occupied with religious questions. Their enquiry is not, "Am I saved?" but, are others saved?" Sometimes we find a fond parent solicitous about the future state of a dying child, a kind master anxious about his afflicted servant's spiritual condition, and others manifesting concern for the ignorant and poor around them, without laying to heart what their own state before God really is.
It was so in the days of our Lord. "One said unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved?" to which Jesus replied, "Strive to enter in at the straight gate." Thus He sought to lead him away from the consideration of others, to ponder the all-important question of his own soul's salvation; and exposed the folly of appearing concerned for others, while he himself was on the broad road to destruction. So weighty, so essential, is the point, and so fatal would a mistake be, that He commands them to "strive (or agonize) to enter in at the strait gate."
We do well to observe, that the instruction here is not that they were to do a great many things, or even one thing, to make themselves fit for God; or that they were to wander through a long, tedious labyrinth to find blessing and safety. No; it is simply a "gate" that is presented to them as the alone way of escape; and their security and blessing depended on their entering in at the gate.
The condition of all outside is most perilous; but there is a way of escape; and judgment and condemnation must overtake those who do not accept the only way of deliverance by entering in at the strait (narrow door) gate. [Christ crucified].
Streams of Refreshing H. H. Snell (1815-1891)
N.J. Hiebert - 20451
October 4
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy presence from the pride of man: Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20
Just as the clouds were gathering in the days of Mordecai and Esther, so they are gathering around us today. It looked very bad for God's people, but although God is neither heard nor seen throughout the book of Esther, He was working behind the scenes for the blessing of His people, then and now.
In Psalm 3:8 we read, "Thy blessing is upon Thy people." Dear believer in the Lord Jesus, there is no reason why we should ever be discouraged, we are on the winning side! When our strength is gone, then He will come in and deliver.
Two of the hardest lessons for us to learn are dependence and obedience. This is really what makes up the path of faith, it is not complicated . . . but we may make it so. One who goes on quietly in the presence of God in simplicity, reading the Word and praying, does not find the path complicated.
God has raised up individuals to do His work, and sometimes very strange or unexpected persons are used to carry out His purposes. We remember those scriptures which say,". . . out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength" (Psalm 8:2). This we have in the book of Esther. Can you imagine this young captive, like an exotic plant in the wilderness, moving kingdoms? She did. Don't say, "There's nothing for me to do."
The great thing for you and me is to be in such a state of soul that God can use us. It is easy to say when we get up in the morning, "Lord, make me a channel of blessing today," but it is a little different to sit down and meditate on the Word of God and wait upon God. In the very last days of Israel's future history, when they will be restored, they are told to wait upon God. Oh how hard this is for the flesh. Esther - C. E. Lunden
N.J. Hiebert - 20452
October 5
October 6
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