Gems from August 10- 20, 2016

August 9

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”  (Ephesians 3:17-19)

"A little child was playing by the shore of the broad blue sea,

And oft he looked away across the waves, so wonderingly:

It was a new entrancing sight to him, that watery waste,

The tossing billows breaking on the sands with foam-wreaths graced;

And often in his distant inland home, with childish glee,

The boy would say to young and older friends: ‘I’ve seen the sea!’  

And so he had; the child made no mistake, his words were true;

But yet, how much of ocean’s vast expanse had met his view?

Only the waves that rippled on the shore; while far away

The broad Atlantic in its depth and strength beyond him lay.

And thus we say we know the love of Christ; and so we do;

’Tis no exaggeration or mistake, but sweetly true.

But ah! how much of that unfathomed love do we yet know?

Only the ripples on the shores of time, that nearer flow.

The mighty ocean of redeeming love rolls deep and wide,

Filling eternity, and heaven and earth, with its vast tide.

We know it by a sweet experience now; yet shall explore 

Its breadth and length, its depth and height of grace, for evermore.”

(Heaven’s Cure for Earth’s Care) 

N.J. Hiebert - 6340

August 10

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able

to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

(Ephesians 6:16)

Satan cannot touch the obedient believer.

As long as he is kept in dependence and obedience all Satan’s assaults are foiled.

It is easier to keep the enemy out than it is to expel him after he has effected an entrance.

There is not a single operation of the Spirit of God, nor a single form of His working, 

but Satan does not imitate. 

The Spirit and the word of God are sufficient to preserve us from the most dangerous 

simulations of the truth that Satan may present to our souls.

We may rest confidently, whatever the present seeming success of the evil one,

for “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” 

(Romans 16:20)

(Edward Dennett)

N.J. Hiebert - 6341

August 11

“And the king said unto Joab . . . bring the young man Absalom again. . . . So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom  to Jerusalem. And the king said, let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face. . . . and Absalom answered . . . let me see the king’s face . . . he came to the king and the king kissed Absalom.

(2 Samuel 14:21-33)  

David’s inordinate tenderness only paved the way for Absalom’s open rebellion.  Terrible warning!

Deal tenderly with evil, and it will assuredly rise to a head, and crush you in the end.

On the other hand, meet evil with a face of flint, and your victory is sure.

Sport not with the serpent, but at once crush it beneath your foot.

Plain, unflinching decision is, after all, the safest and happiest path.

It may be trying at first, but the end is peaceful.

(C.H. Mackintosh)

N.J. Hiebert - 6342  

August 12

As He IS

“We know that when He shall appear . . . we shall see Him as He is.”

(1 John 3:2)

We shall see Him as He is—let this hope in us undying,

Keep us pure as He is pure, all the wiles of sin defying,

Till before the rainbow throne beauteous beyond all telling,

We shall join unnumbered throngs in the new song, loudly swelling:

“Worthy is is the Lamb once slain Who hath given us salvation,

And redeemed us by His blood out out of every tribe and nation;

Who hath made us kings and priests over all our foes victorious,

Blessing, honour, praise and power, to the King of Saints all glorious.”

Then shall we be satisfied, ended all the soul’s endeavour;

We shall see Him as He is, and shall reign with Him forever.

(Annie Johnson Flint )

N.J. Hiebert - 6343  

August 13

“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.”

(2 Kings 19:30)

Judah had suffered greatly under the hand of invading armies and all the crops were destroyed.

If, going forward, there was to be fruit where would it come from?

It is a principle of horticulture that before fruits come roots! 

Fruit upward demands root downwards.

Planting needed to be undertaken immediately and roots would go downward,

thus, in course of time, producing fruit upward.

So too, spiritually, we must be rooted in faith and love,

in God and His word, before we can expect to bear fruit to His glory.

(Roy Hill)  

O multiply the sower’s seed! and fruit we every hour shall bear,

Throughout the world Thy Gospel spread, the everlasting truth declare.

(Augustus G. Spangenberg)

N.J. Hiebert - 6344

August 14

“God loveth a cheerful giver.”

(2 Corinthians 9:7)

Suspicion is the death-blow to all loving intimacy, and God 

would not have it in the midst of His congregation.

There is not a single act of service which we render to 

our Lord that will not be set down in His book;

and not only the substance of the act,

but the style of it also, for 

God appreciates style as well as we do.

He loves a cheerful giver, and a cheerful worker,

because that is precisely what He is Himself.

(Food for the Desert)

N.J. Hiebert - 6345

August 15

“I had fainted unless . . .!”

(Psalm 27:13)

"FAINT NOT"

(Galatians 6:9)

Hudson Taylor was so feeble in the closing months of his life that he wrote a dear friend:

"I am so weak I cannot write; 

I cannot read my Bible;

I cannot even pray.

I can only lie still in God’s arms like a little child, and trust.” 

This wondrous man of God with all his spiritual power came to 

a place of physical suffering and weakness where he could only lie still and trust.

And that is all God asks of you, His dear child, 

when you grow faint in the fierce fires of affliction. 

Do not try to be strong. 

Just be still and know that He is God, and will sustain you,

and bring you through.

“God keeps His choicest cordials for our deepest faintings.”

“Stay firm and let thine heart take courage.” (Psalm 27:14)

(Streams in the Desert)

N.J. Hiebert - 6346

August 16

"He shall choose our inheritance for us, the 

excellency of Jacob whom He loved.”

(Psalm 47:4)

Have you ever looked longingly at another life and wished that you had as much as it has to offer?

But He shall choose, and He does not call the inheritance of any Jacob “poor.”

He calls it the "excellency of Jacob”.

The marvel is not that we have so little to 

offer, but that we have anything at all.

There was no worthiness in Jacob.

"Whom He loved” is the 

only explanation.

But — and is not this comforting? — God needs each separate soul,

each personality with the inheritance of His choice, for the

perfecting of His purpose in the spiritual creation.

And when it is perfected He will be satisfied,

and we too shall be satisfied,

“lost in wonder, love and praise” 

that we ever were allowed the smallest 

share in it.

(Amy Carmichael)

N.J. Hiebert - 6347 

August 17

“Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.” 

“Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost."

“Let us eat, and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive 

again; he was lost, and is found.  And they began to be merry.”

(Luke 15: 6, 9, 23-24) 

Each of the parables in Luke 15 illustrates the power and beauty of style.  When the man finds his sheep, what does he do?  Does he complain of all the trouble, and commence to drive the sheep home before Him?  Ah! no; this would never do.  What then?  “He layeth it on his shoulders.”  How?  Complaining of the weight or the trouble?  Nay; but “rejoicing”.  

Here we have the lovely style.  He showed that he was glad to get his sheep back again.  The sheep would have been safe on the shoulder, however it had been placed there; but who would part with the word “rejoicing?”  Who would bear to see the substance of the action stripped of its charming style?

So also in the case of the woman and her lost piece of silver.  “She lights a candle, sweeps the house, and seeks.”  How?  With dulness, weariness, and indifference? By no means; but “diligently,” like one whose whole heart was in her work.  It was quite manifest that she really wanted to find the lost piece of silver.  Her style proved this.

Lastly, mark the style of the father in receiving the poor returning prodigal.  “When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." He does not send out a servant to tell the erring one to turn aside into one of the out-offices, or betake himself to the kitchen, or even to confine himself to his own room.  No; he himself runs. 

He must prove that his whole heart is in the reception; and this he does, not merely by the substance of the act, but by his style of doing it.

(C.H. Macintosh)

N.J. Hiebert - 6348

August 18

OUR WILLS KEPT FOR JESUS

“If ye ask any thing in My name, I will do it.

If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

(John 14:14-15)

Keep my will, oh keep it Thine, for it is no longer mine.

Perhaps there is no point in which expectation has been so limited by experience as this. 

We believe God is able to do for us just so much as He has already done, and no more.

We take it for granted a line must be drawn somewhere, and so we choose to 

draw it where experience ends and faith would have to begin.

Even if we have trusted and proved Him as to keeping our members and our minds,

faith fails when we would go deeper and say, “Keep my will.”

And yet the only reason we have to give is that though we have asked Him to take our will we do not exactly find that it is altogether His but that self-will crops up again and again.

And whatever flaw there might be in this argument, we think the matter is quite settled by the fact that some whom we rightly esteem and who are far better than ourselves have the same experience and do not even seem to think it right to hope for anything better.  

That is conclusive.

And the result of this, as of every other faithless conclusion, is either discouragement  and depression or, still worse, acquiescence in an unyielded will as something that cannot be helped.

Turn from our thoughts to God’s thoughts.

“Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

(Ephesians 3:20) 

(Kept for the Master’s Use - Francis Ridley Havergal)

N.J. Hiebert - 6349 

August 19

“The devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain."

(Matthew 4:8)

“He went up into a mountain, opened His mouth and taught."

(Matthew 5:1-2)

Would’st thou teach others? There is need, but ponder well the thought—

The Lord Himself, the living truth, first practised, then He taught.

Think not to climb where Jesus sat in moral elevation,

Till, like Him, you’ve triumphant left the mountain of temptation.

Dare one exhort, “For food, for drink, for raiment, have no care,”

Who ne’er himself a desert trod, fasting, yet trusting, there?

None may with power divine unfold the Heavenly Kingdom’s story,

Save those who’ve scorned the kingdoms of this world, and all their glory.

(Bells & Pomegranates - James M.S. Tait)

N.J. Hiebert - 6350

August 20

“Speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things.”

(Ephesians 4:15) 

A young man was asked the question, “What have you found to be the best translation of the New Testament?”

Without a moment’s hesitation he answered, “My mother’s.”

His friend said, “Your mother’s!

I didn’t know she was a scholar.

Did she translate the New Testament?”

"My mother was not a scholar, she could not read a word of 

Greek, but she translated the New Testament into her beautiful life,

and that made more of an impression on me than anything else I have ever known.”

That is what you and I are called upon to do, 

to manifest the truth in our lives.

The love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which was 

given unto us and now we are to be controlled by that Holy Spirit.

We are to manifest the love of God in 

all our dealings with others.

Even,

“When truth compels us to contend,

What love with all our strife should blend.”

(H.A. Ironside)

N.J. Hiebert - 6351

August 21

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,

and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

(1 Corinthians 6:20)

Religions are concerned with sins.

The Bible deals with sin.

Our Lord bore the sin of the world by identification,

taking it upon Himself as if it were  His own, not in sympathy.

And because God had to be true to His words, Jesus had to bear

the punishment for sin: death on the cross.

“Ye are bought with a price."

(Corrie Ten Boom)

N.J. Hiebert - 6352

August 22

Gems from August 1- 10, 2016

"When Pharaoh drew nigh, the childen of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD."  (Exodus 14:10)

Wouldn’t you be?  After all they were trapped.  All of them.

The Egyptians-looking for vengeance, were behind them-the entire army!

And the Israelites had no forces to protect themselves or oppose the enemy.

They had nowhere to go!

And yet the Lord had described the situation exactly to Moses beforehand (vv. 2-4).

with the explanation that He intended to demonstrate His invincible power.

So they, as we today, had nothing to do but to

 “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (v. 13).  

(G.W. Seale)

As we travel through life’s shadowed valley, fresh springs of His love ever rise,

And we learn that our sorrow and losses are blessings just sent in disguise.

(—Anon)

N.J. Hiebert - 6331

August 1

SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR

"Thou art not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34).

If people are not sure whether they are Christians or not,
then I take leave to suggest that they are not. 

The Christian, according to the New Testament,
is someone who can say something like this: 

"I was--I am.” 

That is how the apostle described the Corinthians, was it not--He said, 

"And such were some of you!” 

They had been drunkards, adulterers, fornicators, etc. "But," he says, 

"you are not like that now—But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, 

but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

and by the Spirit of our God' (1 Corinthians 6:11). 

The apostle Peter used exactly the same terminology: 

"Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: 

which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:10).

 That is it!

(Martyn Lloyd-Jones - Walking with God) 

N.J. Hiebert - 6332

August 2

RESCUE THE PERISHING

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives.”  (Isaiah 61:1)

Fanny J. Crosby, often called the “queen of gospel music,“ recalled how she wrote this challenging hymn:

I remember writing that hymn in the year 1869.  Like many of my hymns, it was written following a personal experience at the New York City Bowery Mission.  I usually tried to get to the mission at least one night a week to talk to “my boys.” I was addressing a large company of working men one hot summer evening, when the thought kept forcing itself on my mind that some mother's boy must be rescued that night or he might be eternally lost.  So I made a pressing plea that if there was a boy present who had wandered from his mother’s home and teaching, he should come to me at the end of the service. A young man of 18 came forward - “Did you mean me, Miss Crosby?  I promised my mother to meet her in heaven, but as I am now living, that will be impossible.”

We prayed for him and suddenly he arose with a new light in his eyes - “Now I am ready to meet my mother in heaven, for I have found God.”

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;

weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save. 

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore;

touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, cords that are broken will vibrate once more.

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it - strength for thy labour the Lord will provide;

back to the narrow way patiently win them, tell the poor wand’rer a Saviour has died.

Chorus: Rescue the perishing, care for the dying; Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save. 

(Fanny J. Crosby)

N.J. Hiebert - 6333

August 3

“Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?  

If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell (in the depths), behold Thou art there.If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost  parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.” 

(Psalm 139:7-12)

We cannot shake off the presence of God! When our doors are shut, and curtains drawn, and all is still, and darkest night fills our chamber, and we are left alone to the companionship of our thoughts--it might keep them pure and holy to say, as if we saw two shining eyes looking on us out of the darkness. “Thou God, seest me!” (Genesis 16:13)

The world called that man mad, who imagined that he saw God's eye looking on him . . . out of every star of the sky, and every flower of the earth, and every leaf of the forest, from the ground which He trod upon, from the walls of his lonely chamber, and out of the gloomy depths of night! 

Mad! It was a blessed and holy imagination!

May God help you to feel yourselves at all times in His presence!

(Thomas Guthrie 1803-1873)

“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and open

unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” 

(Hebrews 4:13)

N.J. Hiebert - 6334

August 4

"Herod . . . proceeded further to take Peter also . . . and when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him.”

(Acts 12:3-4)

Herod judged that he had made a grand step when he took Peter, and he 

put four quaternions of soldiers beside him—sixteen soldiers—to guard one solitary

man!  Peter had escaped from prison once before, and no one knew how he got out (Acts 5).

   

But Peter knew the Lord could take him out again, if He so willed.  It is a grand thing to know God, and an awful thing not to know Him.  Peter knew God, and slept peacefully, while Herod, recollecting what had taken place in days gone by, put these sixteen soldiers to guard him, four at a time, by watches.  

Of these two were chained to him, one stationed at the door of his dungeon, and one a little farther off, at the prison door outside.  Herod’s excessive precautions were evidently designed to make a second escape impossible to Peter.  But Herod was leaving God out of his reckoning. What availed all his bolts, bars, sentinels, and “two chains” upon his prisoner, if God stepped in?  - We shall see.

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him (v. 5).  To turn to Herod they knew was in vain, to turn to God was their only resource in this critical moment. God has ever been the help of His people.   The case seemed very hopeless.

The assembly besought God for Peter  “without ceasing” (v. 5).

"But there’s a power which man can wield, when mortal aid is vain; 

God’s eye, God’s arm, God’s love to reach, God’s list’ning ear to gain.

That power is prayer, which soars on high, through Jesus, to the throne,

And moves the hand, which moves the world, to bring deliv’rance down.”

“Many were gathered together praying . . . Peter knocked at the door of the gate

. . . when they had opened the door  and saw [Peter] they were astonished” (Acts 12:12-16).

(W.T.P Wolston)

N.J. Hiebert - 6335 

August 5

“The King hath brought me into His chambers; we will be glad and rejoice in Thee; we will remember Thy love more than wine; the upright love Thee.” (Song of Solomon 1:4)

We have the result, the happy fruit, of the drawing and the running.

The prayer expressed conscious weakness, and dependence, combined with holy diligence.

They have run well and reached the goal; and now they are crowned with joy and gladness.

But, never forget, it is grace that draws, and grace that runs, and grace that crowns, 

and that all flows from the shoreless ocean of the Saviour’s love.

“We will remember Thy love more than wine.”  

Now she uses the word “remember,” she knew His love before.

But she is enjoying it with increased interest.

Like air she is surrounded with it, 

she is in it.

“The King hath brought me into His chamber.”  

(Song of Solomon - Andrew Miller)

N.J. Hiebert - 6336

August 6

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)

The little word “all” tells us of the fulness of our blessings.

Not a single blessing that Christ, as a man, enjoyed has been kept back.

We are blessed with “all” spiritual blessings.

However much the profession of Christianity may confer outward benefits upon men,

it ever remains true that Christian blessings are spiritual and not material, as with the nation of Israel.

Our blessings are none the less real because they have a spiritual character.

Sonship, acceptance, forgiveness—some of the blessings brought before us in this Scripture—

are  spiritual blessings beyond the reach of this world’s wealth,

but secured through Christ to the simplest believer in Him.

Further, the proper sphere of our blessings is not earth but heaven.

We are blessed “in heavenly places.”  

On earth we may have little; in heaven we are richly blessed.

Unlike earthly blessings they do not depend upon health, 

or riches, or position, or education, or nationality.

They are outside the whole range of things earthly, and will remain in all their 

fulness when the life in time is finished and our path on earth is closed.

(Ephesians - Hamilton Smith)

N.J. Hiebert - 6337  

August 7

“Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom 

my soul is well pleased (has found its delight - JND).”

(Matthew 12:18)

Every one found room in the inn save He, but any who wanted to find Him 

whom angels celebrate must go to the manger.  

 It is the written word Jesus ever uses, and Satan is powerless.

“It is written” (Luke 4:4).

What amazing importance Jesus gives the scriptures. 

It was not as an act of divine authority He dismissed Satan, but 

the enemy is proved unable to grapple with obedience to the word of God. 

Jesus does not reason with Satan.

A single text silences when used in the power of the Spirit.

The whole secret of strength in conflict is using the word of God in the right way.

(Footprints  for Pilgrims - J.N. Darby)

N.J. Hiebert - 6338

August 8

“So Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd.”

(Jonah 4:6)

Not only was he “glad,” but he was “exceeding glad” because of the gourd, 

as he had been “exceedingly displeased” because of God’s mercy.

How we delight in those temporal mercies that add to our ease and comfort!

The luxuries of the present day are often to us what Jonah’s 

gourd was to him—the cause of exceeding gladness.

“But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, 

and it smote the gourd, that it withered.” (Jonah 4:7)

Whether a whale or a worm, the same word is used.  God prepared them both.

As we see those things which have added to our ease and pleasure, fade and die; 

we may do well to consider whether it is our own loving God who 

Himself has prepared the worm to make them pass away.

We may learn lessons in adversity, in scorching suns, in poverty and want,

that we never could have learned in prosperity and ease and luxury.

(Lessons From Jonah The Prophet - G.Christopher Willis)

N.J. Hiebert - 6339   

August 9

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”  (Ephesians 3:17-19)

"A little child was playing by the shore of the broad blue sea,

And oft he looked away across the waves, so wonderingly:

It was a new entrancing sight to him, that watery waste,

The tossing billows breaking on the sands with foam-wreaths graced;

And often in his distant inland home, with childish glee,

The boy would say to young and older friends: ‘I’ve seen the sea!’  

And so he had; the child made no mistake, his words were true;

But yet, how much of ocean’s vast expanse had met his view?

Only the waves that rippled on the shore; while far away

The broad Atlantic in its depth and strength beyond him lay.

And thus we say we know the love of Christ; and so we do;

’Tis no exaggeration or mistake, but sweetly true.

But ah! how much of that unfathomed love do we yet know?

Only the ripples on the shores of time, that nearer flow.

The mighty ocean of redeeming love rolls deep and wide,

Filling eternity, and heaven and earth, with its vast tide.

We know it by a sweet experience now; yet shall explore 

Its breadth and length, its depth and height of grace, for evermore.”

(Heaven’s Cure for Earth’s Care) 

N.J. Hiebert - 6340

August 10

Gems from July 20- 31, 2016

July 20

“. . . exhort (encourage) one another daily, while it is called today.” 

(Hebrews 3:13)

She had a doubt, and buried it  before the day was old;

She did not tell it to a friend—what if his love grew cold?

She buried it; and turned to Christ. “Lord, Thou hast died for me—

Increase my faith, my feeble faith, and bid me cling to Thee!”

The days are always dark enough.

There is no need for us to emphasize the 

fact by further spreading gloom.

Instead we should seize every 

opportunity to give encouragement.

Someone has said that encouragement is oxygen to the soul.

A real test of Christian character is the atmosphere one carries around with him.

Our lives should radiate the joy and gratitude of our Christian experience 

so that others may be encouraged by our attitude. 

(Traveling Toward Sunrise)

N.J. Hiebert - 6320 

July 21

THE WORLD IN CHAOS

“These things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God; and that believing ye might 

have life through His name.”

(John 20:31)

The world in chaos spins around; there’s turmoil, terror, on the ground;

Evil and suffering everywhere—widespread discouragement, despair.

There’s always suffering on this earth, so little’s changed; there’s little mirth;

But cynicism now abounds, and hope for peace? There’s little ground.

There’s war and fighting everywhere, and one might ask, “Does someone care?”

The world’s grown smaller in our day; is there someone to lead the way?

Leaders seem helpless in the fight, and where’s the man who’ll stand for right?

Will things continue to decline? Could there be help from the Divine?

There’s little reason for much hope, yet there’s no cause to simply grope;

For God, who holds our very breath waits now to save—hear what He saith:

There is salvation full and free in this dark world of misery,

For Jesus came from heaven above, to show the wonders of God’s love.

It was at Calvary He died; the Son of God was crucified!

He died to save man from his sin, to cleanse him and give peace within.

So though, indeed, the world grows dark, please listen carefully—please hark;

Please hear the gospel message free, how Jesus died for for you and me.

And now, my friend, I offer you the Bible with its word so true;

Yes, Jesus said: “I am the way,” take Him as Lord—be saved today!

(C.H. Krause - May 2006 - # 176)

N.J. Hiebert - 6321     

July 22

“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, it is not in me:

God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

(Genesis 41:16)

These dreams are the third group that Joseph experienced.

The first set concerned Joseph and his brothers, his immediate family;

the second set (the butler and baker) moved beyond family to the immediate world;

this last set had even wider implications, the national and international world.

In addition to the expanding sphere, Joseph’s approach to 

expressing and explaining the dreams grew with each.

There was more Joseph and less God in the first group of dreams,

but more God and less Joseph in the third pair.

God was moulding His man even as He used him!

(C. Funston)

Learning to lean, learning to lean, I’m learning to lean on Jesus;

Finding more power than I’ver ever dreamed, I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

(John Sterling)

N.J. Hiebert - 6322

July 23

“For God giveth to a man that is good in His sight wisdom, and knowledge, and JOY . . .”

(Ecclesiastes 2:26)

Wisdom and knowledge are necessities if we are to do our work properly, 

but joy seems such a kind and lovely extra (like the scent of a flower); and then there is this, 

“I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it,

nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.” 

(Ecclesiastes 3:14)

Nothing that happens (if only it comes to us in the line of His will) can take anything from the joy that does not depend on circumstances but on our God Himself.

If only we are kept by His power from anything that grieves the Spirit, it will be so always, 

“. . . for to the man that pleaseth Him God giveth . . . JOY.”

(Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael)

N.J. Hiebert - 6323

July 24

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but

after their own lusts shall shall they heap to themselves teachers,

having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears  

from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

(2 Timothy 4:3,4)

What is called "political correctness” is often merely a trendy term 

for man-pleasing, ear-tickling misrepresentation of reality. 

TRUTH STANDS.

It may be and should be expressed considerately, 

but it doesn’t bow or curtsey.

(Nuggets of Truth - J. Kaiser)

N.J. Hiebert - 6324  

July 25

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. . . .”

(Psalms 138:8)

“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”

It is possible to begin with a fond wish which becomes father to a thought that multiplies until we have formed a whole philosophy in our wishful thinking.

We must beware of building a doctrine to satisfy our longings.

Concerning the next world, we imagine how things might be and develop theories that have no proof in the Word of God.

We wish it might become true so deeply that we decide it will be that way.

We convince ourselves and convince others.

There is no harm in such longing if we subordinate it to God’s will.

He will perfect that which concerns us and He who has begun 

a good work in us will finish it, (Philippians 1:6) so we leave the details with Him. 

Rest assured that the Judge of all the earth will do right (Genesis 18:25) and the reality

will be more glorious than anything we can now imagine.

(All the Days  - Vance Havner)

N.J. Hiebert - 6325 

July 26

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication 

with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God.”

(Philippians 4:6) 

Instead of worrying, we are told what we are to do (Philippians 4:6).

Tell God all about it.

Have you never found relief when you could tell a friend what you were passing through?

Well, God invites you to make a friend of Him.

He can be better than any earthly friend, for many reasons.

He is never weighted with care Himself, and our earthly friends often are;

He is always at hand, and earthly friends cannot be;

He is always ready to listen, and can impart to us His own peace, which others cannot do.

Moreover we can tell to Him what we could not breathe into any human ear, 

for He says,  “In everything by prayer . . .” 

The same God that made the mammoth and the mote 

will pay attention alike to our smallest,

as well as our greatest concerns. 

(Angels in White - Russell Elliott)

N.J. Hiebert - 6326 

July 27

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended,

and we are not saved.”

(Jeremiah 8:20)

God has arranged the seasons for the blessing of mankind.

The sun shines warm during summer, bringing forth

a bountiful harvest, before the onset of winter.

God has also made such an arrangement for man in the spiritual sense.

The bright sun of God’s Gospel has bathed our planet for over two

thousand years now, and the harvest is still being brought in. 

But the signs are that the day of God’s grace is about to close,

and the terrible day of God’s vengeance is about to break.

When the harvest has been gathered in, will you be left behind to face 

the judgment of God for all of eternity?

(W.H. Burnett)

Then hasten O sinner, whilst He will receive thee,

The harvest is passing, the summer will end.

Anon—

N.J. Hiebert - 6327 

July 28

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; 

and He knoweth them that trust in Him.”

(Nahum 1:7) 

He knoweth, not we know.

That we know God is evidenced in measure, 

at least when we can say,  “The Lord is good.”

But here it is that He knows us — that He knows

the heart that trusts in Him.

Peter could lay open his heart to Him and say,

“Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.”

How sweet in trouble, when we dare not openly boast that we trust Him,

that we have the confidence that He knows that we trust in Him — One who 

will never fail the simple trust of a dependent soul!

(Comforted of God - A.J. Pollock)

N.J. Hiebert - 6328

July 29

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves.”

(2 Timothy 3:2)

When the soul is cast upon God the Lord is with the soul in the trial, 

and the mind is kept perfectly calm.

The Spirit of love, the Spirit of Christ is there;

if thinking of myself this is the spirit of selfishness.

The Holy Spirit has no fellowship with . . . self.

The heart is not delivered from it until the Spirit has guided our thoughts to Jesus.

The effectual presence of the Spirit crucifies egotism and 

gives freedom of thought about  ourselves . . . 

it occupies us with but one object—

JESUS. 

(J.N. Darby) 

N.J. Hiebert - 6329

July 30

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Once, while clearing some overgrown plants I encountered a vine of wild grapes.

They had really taken over and were all intertwined among the other surrounding plants.

As I worked I noticed the little tendrils that went out from the branches and latched onto the vine.

They were tenacious, and that was a good thing.

But then I noticed that some of the tendrils had attached themselves to branches of a dead tree.

Those were just as tenacious as the others.  

They were still connected to the vine, but out of convenience or proximity, 

there they were hooked onto those dead branches, going the direction of those branches.

. . .  you and I, as born again followers of Christ, 

can become attached to the dead things of this world and follow them.

Our attention to the things of Christ becomes divided.

And it may not be things that in themselves are evil;

it might be getting all wrapped up in the news events that go on to where we start to take 

up causes that don’t enhance what we’re supposed to be about as Christians.

What am I clinging to?

What am I getting attached to?

“Test all things; hold fast what is good."

(L.I.F.E. LInes - F. Pratt)

N.J. Hiebert - 6330    

July 31

"When Pharaoh drew nigh, the childen of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD."  
(Exodus 14:10)

Wouldn’t you be?  After all they were trapped.  All of them.

The Egyptians-looking for vengeance, were behind them-the entire army!

And the Israelites had no forces to protect themselves or oppose the enemy.

They had nowhere to go!

And yet the Lord had described the situation exactly to Moses beforehand (vv. 2-4).

with the explanation that He intended to demonstrate His invincible power.

So they, as we today, had nothing to do but to

 “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (v. 13).  

(G.W. Seale)

As we travel through life’s shadowed valley, fresh springs of His love ever rise,

And we learn that our sorrow and losses are blessings just sent in disguise.

(—Anon)

N.J. Hiebert - 6331

August 1

SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR

"Thou art not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34).

If people are not sure whether they are Christians or not,
then I take leave to suggest that they are not. 

The Christian, according to the New Testament, is someone who can say something like this: 

"I was--I am.” 

That is how the apostle described the Corinthians, was it not--He said, 

"And such were some of you!” 

They had been drunkards, adulterers, fornicators, etc. "But," he says, 

"you are not like that now—But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, 

but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

and by the Spirit of our God' (1 Corinthians 6:11). 

The apostle Peter used exactly the same terminology: 

"Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: 

which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:10).

 That is it!

(Martyn Lloyd-Jones - Walking with God) 

N.J. Hiebert - 6332

August 2

Gems from July 11- 22, 2016

July 11

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

(Isaiah 40:31)

On one occasion, while fighting Great Britain, George Washington,

 Commander and Chief of the Continental Army,

went alone into the woods at Valley Forge to pray.

He was overheard by a Tory on the side of England who returned to his home shaken.

He said to his wife, “Our cause is lost.

I came unexpectedly upon a person kneeling in prayer.

I heard the impassioned plea of his prayers.

I saw tears on his cheeks and knew our cause was lost!”

(R.E. Surgenor)

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear.

The upward glancing of an eye, when none but God is near.

(J.M)

N.J. Hiebert - 6311 

July 12

“All things are of God . . . “ (2 Corinthians 5:18).

There is nothing in the new creation that is not of God—nor can anything 

else ever enterer into it. 

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). 

Our “life,” which "is hid with Christ in God”, is a tested life, not a life exposed to be tested—

and God has been glorified in that life.

“He is before all things, and by Him all thing consist” (Colossians 1:17).

God’s purposes are not in Adam, but are all in Christ.

(Hunt’s Sayings - Rochfort Hunt)

N.J. Hiebert - 6312

July 13

“. . . Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, 

that it may bring forth more fruit.”

(John 15:2)

When the violin-makers of the Middle Ages wished to form a perfect instrument,

they caused the selected tree to be felled at a particular period of its growth.

The wood was then planed and cut into small pieces.

These were exposed to the heat of the sun and to the winter’s storms;

then they were bent, rubbed, polished, and finally fastened together with incomparable skill.

If the wood could have fond tongue, doubtless it would have begged to grow in the forest,

to rustle its branches, and to bear its fruit as its companions were left to do,

becoming at last a part of sodden earth.

But it was this harsh treatment that made out of common boards the 

Stradivari violin, whose music still charms the world.

God of the gallant trees give to us fortitude; 

Give as Thou givest to them valorous hardihood!  

We are the trees of Thy planting, O God, 

We are the trees of Thy wood.

Now let the life-sap run clean through our every vein,

Perfect what Thou hast begun God of the sun and rain.

Thou who dost measure the weight of the wind,

Fit us for stress and strain.

(Amy Carmichael)

Be weather-worn timber!

N.J. Hiebert - 6313 

July 14

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, 

and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know 

what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” 

(1 Thessalonians 1:5) 

The religion of the Lord Jesus is valuable only as its power is experienced in the heart. In this respect, and in this only, it may be compared to the physical sciences, which, however ingenious in structure, or beautiful in theory—yet, if not reduced or reducible to purposes of practical use, are of little worth. It is so with the truth of Jesus. 

The man of mere taste may applaud its external beauty, 

the philosopher may admire its ethics, 

the orator may admire its eloquence, and 

the poet may admire its sublimity—

but if the Spirit of God does not take His own truth, and impress it upon the heart, 

as to the great design of its revelation—it avails nothing. 

What numbers there are who rest in the mere "theory" of Christianity! 

But as a practical principle—they know nothing of it.

As a thing experienced in the heart—it is a hidden mystery to them.  

(Octavious Winslow 1808-1878)

N.J. Hiebert - 6314

July 15

“I AM THAT I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)

God is His own equivalent, and God needs nothing but Himself to 

achieve the great purposes on which He has set His heart. 

God gave Moses a blank cheque book, and as life went forward for the next forty years, 

Moses kept filling in the blank with his special need.

He filled in fearlessness before Pharaoh.

He filled in guidance across the Red Sea.

He filled in manna for the whole population.

He filled in water from the rock.

He filled in guidance through the wilderness.

He filled in victory over Amalek.

He filled in clear revelation at Sinai.

And so Moses, for the rest of his life, had little else to do than to go quietly alone, 

and taking God’s blank cheque book, signed by God’s name,

I AM THAT I AM, write in I AM guidance; 

I AM bread. 

He presented the cheque and God honoured it.

And whenever you come to live upon God’s plan as Moses from that moment did,

you may absolutely trust God.

And when you come down to the hoar head you will say 

“Not one good thing hath failed of all the good things which the 

LORD your God spake concerning you.” 

(Joshua 23:14).

(A.B. Simpson - 1848-1919)

N.J. Hiebert - 6315

July 16

“Behold, the sower went forth to sow . . . the word of the kingdom.”

(Matthew 13:3,19)

Ask anyone if they have ever heard of John Chapman of American History and they will say “No.”

Ask them if they know him by his nickname  Johnny Appleseed and they will answer, “Yes.”

Most of them will also be able to tell you how he got his other name—by traveling across America planting apple seeds.

But then they will tell you that they thought he was only a fictional character of American folklore.

Johnny Appleseed/Chapman, born in Massachusetts in 1774, was a real American hero.

Before his death in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1845, he really did plant apple seeds throughout Massachusetts,

New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.  But that is not all he planted.

When he left home at age 18 to start his planting career, 

he carried two things in his knapsack—apple seeds and his Bible.

Wherever he went, he planted apple seeds in the ground and the seeds 

of the kingdom of God in the hearts of all he encountered.

Among all the myths that have arisen around this American health food pioneer, the most spiritually

significant is recorded by David Collins, one of his biographers: “As he planted tiny seeds in the soil across an ever-growing  America, Johnny Appleseed carried the Christian message to everyone he met . . . He was truly a messenger of God, sharing the Lord’s Word with all who would listen.”

Johnny Appleseed knew from Matthew 13, his favourite passage, that not every seed he sowed—

whether appleseeds or God’s Word—would spring up as a healthy fruit bearing plant.

However, he did know that the more he sowed, the more would spring up to bear fruit for God.
And this was his driving force—fruit for God’s glory.

Do we have the same interest?

(L.J. Ondrejack)

N.J. Hiebert - 6316  

July 17

“Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among 

women? Whither is thy beloved turned aside?

That we may seek him with thee.”

(Song of Solomon 6:1)

Most blessed and varied are the results which flow from the soul’s entire occupation with Christ.

To lose sight of self, and have Him for our one object, 

is immediate—certain blessing.

When Christians slip into a low, dull state of soul, 

what will most speedily and effectually bring them out of it?

Becoming filled and occupied with Christ for themselves, 

and speaking of Him to others.

(Andrew Miller)

N.J. Hiebert - 6317

July 18

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings 

in heavenly places in Christ.”

(Ephesians 1:3)

In Ephesians believers are called upon to enter by faith NOW into the possession 

of that inheritance which we shall enjoy in all its fulness by-and-by.

We are far richer than we realize.

All things are ours, and yet how little we appropriate!

It is said in the prophecy of Obadiah that when the Lord 

returns and His kingdom is established, the people of Israel shall

“Possess their possessions.” (Obadiah 1:17)

This is a challenge to us.

Do you possess your possessions?

Or are your heavenly estates like castles in Spain

about which you dream, but never really make your own?

I trust the Holy Spirit may lead us into the present 

enjoyment of our portion in Christ.

(H.A. Ironside)

N.J. Hiebert - 6318  

July 19

“Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet.”

(Hebrews 2:8)

In the opening of the Gospel of Luke one is struck by the deep and vivid expression of intimacy between heaven and earth which is found and felt to be there.

It is man’s necessity and weakness which open the heavenly door; 

but once open, it is thrown wide open.

Zacharias and Elizabeth were both righteous before God, 

walking in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless.

They were of the priestly family, the seed of Aaron.

But it was not their righteousness that opened heaven to them, but their need and infirmities.

Elizabeth was barren, and they were both now well stricken in age; 

and their point of real blessing lay there, lay in their sorrow and weakness.

For to the barren wife and the childless husband  Gabriel comes with a word of promise from heaven.

But, as we said, the door of heaven, being once opened, is flung wide open.

Angels are all action and joy; and no matter whether it be the temple in the royal, holy city,

or a distant village in despised Galilee, Gabriel with equal readiness visits either and both.

The glory of God, as well as hosts of angels, fills also the fields of Bethlehem.

The Holy Spirit, in His divine light and power, 

fills His elect vessels, and the Son Himself assumes flesh.  

Heaven and earth are very near each other.

The action and the joy which had begun on high, 

are felt and answered from the scene here below.

The shepherds, the favoured women, the aged priest, and the unborn child, 

share the holy enthusiasm of the moment; and waiting saints go forth 

from the place of expectation.  

"Heaven comes down our souls to greet.” 

(The Son of God - J.G. Bellett)

N.J. Hiebert - 6319 

July 20

“. . . exhort (encourage) one another daily, while it is called today.” 

(Hebrews 3:13)

She had a doubt, and buried it  before the day was old;

She did not tell it to a friend—what if his love grew cold?

She buried it; and turned to Christ. “Lord, Thou hast died for me—

Increase my faith, my feeble faith, and bid me cling to Thee!”

The days are always dark enough.

There is no need for us to emphasize the 

fact by further spreading gloom.

Instead we should seize every 

opportunity to give encouragement.

Someone has said that encouragement is oxygen to the soul.

A real test of Christian character is the atmosphere one carries around with him.

Our lives should radiate the joy and gratitude of our Christian experience 

so that others may be encouraged by our attitude. 

(Traveling Toward Sunrise)

N.J. Hiebert - 6320 

July 21

THE WORLD IN CHAOS

“These things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God; and that believing ye might 

have life through His name.”

(John 20:31)

The world in chaos spins around; there’s turmoil, terror, on the ground;

Evil and suffering everywhere—widespread discouragement, despair.

There’s always suffering on this earth, so little’s changed; there’s little mirth;

But cynicism now abounds, and hope for peace? There’s little ground.

There’s war and fighting everywhere, and one might ask, “Does someone care?”

The world’s grown smaller in our day; is there someone to lead the way?

Leaders seem helpless in the fight, and where’s the man who’ll stand for right?

Will things continue to decline? Could there be help from the Divine?

There’s little reason for much hope, yet there’s no cause to simply grope;

For God, who holds our very breath waits now to save—hear what He saith:

There is salvation full and free in this dark world of misery,

For Jesus came from heaven above, to show the wonders of God’s love.

It was at Calvary He died; the Son of God was crucified!

He died to save man from his sin, to cleanse him and give peace within.

So though, indeed, the world grows dark, please listen carefully—please hark;

Please hear the gospel message free, how Jesus died for for you and me.

And now, my friend, I offer you the Bible with its word so true;

Yes, Jesus said: “I am the way,” take Him as Lord—be saved today!

(C.H. Krause - May 2006 - # 176)

N.J. Hiebert - 6321     

July 22

“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, it is not in me:

God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

(Genesis 41:16)

These dreams are the third group that Joseph experienced.

The first set concerned Joseph and his brothers, his immediate family;

the second set (the butler and baker) moved beyond family to the immediate world;

this last set had even wider implications, the national and international world.

In addition to the expanding sphere, Joseph’s approach to 

expressing and explaining the dreams grew with each.

There was more Joseph and less God in the first group of dreams,

but more God and less Joseph in the third pair.

God was moulding His man even as He used him!

(C. Funston)

Learning to lean, learning to lean, I’m learning to lean on Jesus;

Finding more power than I’ver ever dreamed, I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

(John Sterling)

N.J. Hiebert - 6322