". . . Yes Lord . . ." Mark 7:28
"YES LORD" are two words found only once in the Bible: (Mark 7:28) But they were the key to blessing for a person who needed help that only the Lord Jesus Christ could give.
These words are still the key which will open the door to good things in our lives. When we submit our wills to the will of God, we have started in the right direction. God has spoken to us in His word, the Bible.
He loves us and wants us to have His best. He sent His Son into our world to die as a sacrifice for us on Calvary's cross. God raised Him from among the dead and has taken Him back to heaven and placed Him on His throne of grace and power.
Jesus lives today. He is LORD. Submit yourself to Him by faith right now. "YES, LORD" is the key!
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, Thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) R. Reeves - J-O-Y GOSPEL DISTRIBUTORS
N.J. Hiebert - 10030
These words are still the key which will open the door to good things in our lives. When we submit our wills to the will of God, we have started in the right direction. God has spoken to us in His word, the Bible.
He loves us and wants us to have His best. He sent His Son into our world to die as a sacrifice for us on Calvary's cross. God raised Him from among the dead and has taken Him back to heaven and placed Him on His throne of grace and power.
Jesus lives today. He is LORD. Submit yourself to Him by faith right now. "YES, LORD" is the key!
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, Thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) R. Reeves - J-O-Y GOSPEL DISTRIBUTORS
N.J. Hiebert - 10030
August 10
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13
God's love is very brave. He trusts us not to look back and wonder about things, or wonder about present things either, or fear for future things. Often in our work for Him something happens which seems the most hindering thing possible. It cuts straight across our hopes and plans. The only thing to do then is to take 2 Timothy 1:12 and use it about everything.
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.
If we are certain, beyond a doubt, that He whom we have believed is able to keep that precious thing or person which we have committed unto Him, then we have peace. If we hold fast the form of these sound words, they will carry us through any storm. They will lead us straight to those other words in
Isaiah 26:3.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee.
The Lord help us to give Him the joy that our children give to us when they loyally and lovingly keep our words. Let us give Him this joy today.
Jesus said . . .If a man love Me, he will keep My words. John 14:23
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 10031
God's love is very brave. He trusts us not to look back and wonder about things, or wonder about present things either, or fear for future things. Often in our work for Him something happens which seems the most hindering thing possible. It cuts straight across our hopes and plans. The only thing to do then is to take 2 Timothy 1:12 and use it about everything.
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.
If we are certain, beyond a doubt, that He whom we have believed is able to keep that precious thing or person which we have committed unto Him, then we have peace. If we hold fast the form of these sound words, they will carry us through any storm. They will lead us straight to those other words in
Isaiah 26:3.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee.
The Lord help us to give Him the joy that our children give to us when they loyally and lovingly keep our words. Let us give Him this joy today.
Jesus said . . .If a man love Me, he will keep My words. John 14:23
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 10031
August 11
The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me. 2 Timothy 4:17
Oh, help me, Lord, to take the time to set all else aside,
That in the secret place of prayer I may with Thee abide. -Unknown
One of the loneliest feelings we can have comes when we face a time of need without having a loving friend to talk to about it. Everyone needs at least one trusted friend in whom to confide. Elisha A. Hoffman, author and composer of more than two thousand gospel songs, gives the following account of the writing of this well-loved hymn.
There was a woman to whom God permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. Coming to her home one day, he, found her much discouraged. She unburdened her heart, concluding with the question, "Brother Hoffman, what shall I do? What shall I do?" He quoted from the Word, then added, "You cannot do better than to take all of your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus."
For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, "Yes, I must tell Jesus." As he left her home he had a vision of that joy-illuminated face and he heard all along his pathway the echo," I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus." Hoffman quickly wrote the following words and soon completed the music as well. This text has reminded many believers that they have a heavenly Friend who is always available to hear and help.
I must tell Jesus all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone;
in my distress He kindly will help me, He ever loves and cares for His own.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles, He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
if I but ask Him, He will deliver, make of my troubles quickly an end.
O how the world to evil allures me! O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me over the world the vict'ry to win.
Chorus: I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burden alone;
I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone. Elisha A. Hoffman, 1839-1929
N.J. Hiebert - 10032
Oh, help me, Lord, to take the time to set all else aside,
That in the secret place of prayer I may with Thee abide. -Unknown
One of the loneliest feelings we can have comes when we face a time of need without having a loving friend to talk to about it. Everyone needs at least one trusted friend in whom to confide. Elisha A. Hoffman, author and composer of more than two thousand gospel songs, gives the following account of the writing of this well-loved hymn.
There was a woman to whom God permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. Coming to her home one day, he, found her much discouraged. She unburdened her heart, concluding with the question, "Brother Hoffman, what shall I do? What shall I do?" He quoted from the Word, then added, "You cannot do better than to take all of your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus."
For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, "Yes, I must tell Jesus." As he left her home he had a vision of that joy-illuminated face and he heard all along his pathway the echo," I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus." Hoffman quickly wrote the following words and soon completed the music as well. This text has reminded many believers that they have a heavenly Friend who is always available to hear and help.
I must tell Jesus all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone;
in my distress He kindly will help me, He ever loves and cares for His own.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles, He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
if I but ask Him, He will deliver, make of my troubles quickly an end.
O how the world to evil allures me! O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me over the world the vict'ry to win.
Chorus: I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burden alone;
I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone. Elisha A. Hoffman, 1839-1929
N.J. Hiebert - 10032
August 12
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Mark 15:34
Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Luke 23:34
Christ had been falsely accused by the chief priests and elders, taken to stand trial before Annas and Caiaphas, sent to Pilate and Herod and back again to Pilate. The Roman soldiers brutally beat Him, pulled the hair from His cheeks, and mocked Him. The prophet Isaiah had spoken of this One saying, "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus Christ, bearing His cross and wearing a crown of thorns, was led to Calvary to be crucified.
We stand in awe as we consider the Lord of glory hanging on the accursed tree. We should have been there, and we would have been, had His wondrous love not caused Him to take our place as our blessed Substitute. Christ Himself gave the answer to the question, "Why hast Thou forsaken Me?" The Lord Jesus was forsaken by God so that we would never be forsaken. Instead, we know and enjoy the love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ--God's gift to us.
Willful, sinful, callous hands nailed the Son of God to that Roman cross. At any time, He could have called for twelve legions of angels, but He would not. Instead, at this very time, He prayed. He did not pray for help to be delivered from His adversaries, but He prayed for His enemies: "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Unless He would endure the cross, Jesus knew that no one could be forgiven. Justice must be satisfied; Satan must be defeated; the sinner must be reconciled. What wonderful love! Jacob Redekop
N.J. Hiebert - 10033
Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Luke 23:34
Christ had been falsely accused by the chief priests and elders, taken to stand trial before Annas and Caiaphas, sent to Pilate and Herod and back again to Pilate. The Roman soldiers brutally beat Him, pulled the hair from His cheeks, and mocked Him. The prophet Isaiah had spoken of this One saying, "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus Christ, bearing His cross and wearing a crown of thorns, was led to Calvary to be crucified.
We stand in awe as we consider the Lord of glory hanging on the accursed tree. We should have been there, and we would have been, had His wondrous love not caused Him to take our place as our blessed Substitute. Christ Himself gave the answer to the question, "Why hast Thou forsaken Me?" The Lord Jesus was forsaken by God so that we would never be forsaken. Instead, we know and enjoy the love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ--God's gift to us.
Willful, sinful, callous hands nailed the Son of God to that Roman cross. At any time, He could have called for twelve legions of angels, but He would not. Instead, at this very time, He prayed. He did not pray for help to be delivered from His adversaries, but He prayed for His enemies: "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Unless He would endure the cross, Jesus knew that no one could be forgiven. Justice must be satisfied; Satan must be defeated; the sinner must be reconciled. What wonderful love! Jacob Redekop
N.J. Hiebert - 10033
August 13
I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12
He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me, ye can do nothing. John 15:5
The honeycomb must first be filled by patient industry before it drops. The honey must be gathered from every flower. Such should be the habit of the Christian; learning something from almost everything. But, alas, we too much resemble the butterfly, and too little the bee. The former may be seen hovering over the flower for a little, then flying off without tasting its sweetness, while the latter fastens down upon it, and sucks the honey out of it. Thus her storehouse is filled by little and little.
The word must be carefully studied, and the heart well stored, before the word suited for the occasion lies ready under our tongue. As the fruit of the Spirit, the Lord is refreshed and delighted in finding it so. "Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honey comb: honey and milk are under thy tongue. (Song of Solomon 4:11) The dropping of the honeycomb may suggest the idea of a thoughtful selection, in contrast with "the multitude of words" (Proverbs 10:19). Words are like seeds, they germinate, and bear fruit: whether they be sharp and bitter, or good and wholesome words.
How important then, to sow good seed! If we sow tares we cannot reap wheat; and if we sow wheat we shall never need to reap tares. "For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7) Oh! to be ever dropping the words of kindness, gentleness, meekness, truth, faith, hope and love. What is purer than milk? What is sweeter than honey? What more nourishing than the one? What more healing than the other? The blessed Lord owns us, and here speaks of the precious fruits of the Spirit which are so delightful to Him.
Song of Solomon - Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 10034
He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me, ye can do nothing. John 15:5
The honeycomb must first be filled by patient industry before it drops. The honey must be gathered from every flower. Such should be the habit of the Christian; learning something from almost everything. But, alas, we too much resemble the butterfly, and too little the bee. The former may be seen hovering over the flower for a little, then flying off without tasting its sweetness, while the latter fastens down upon it, and sucks the honey out of it. Thus her storehouse is filled by little and little.
The word must be carefully studied, and the heart well stored, before the word suited for the occasion lies ready under our tongue. As the fruit of the Spirit, the Lord is refreshed and delighted in finding it so. "Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honey comb: honey and milk are under thy tongue. (Song of Solomon 4:11) The dropping of the honeycomb may suggest the idea of a thoughtful selection, in contrast with "the multitude of words" (Proverbs 10:19). Words are like seeds, they germinate, and bear fruit: whether they be sharp and bitter, or good and wholesome words.
How important then, to sow good seed! If we sow tares we cannot reap wheat; and if we sow wheat we shall never need to reap tares. "For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7) Oh! to be ever dropping the words of kindness, gentleness, meekness, truth, faith, hope and love. What is purer than milk? What is sweeter than honey? What more nourishing than the one? What more healing than the other? The blessed Lord owns us, and here speaks of the precious fruits of the Spirit which are so delightful to Him.
Song of Solomon - Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 10034
August 14
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:5
God now justifies an ungodly sinner who believes that He has "raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." But this is just what we are, ungodly sinners. We are helpless and ungodly.
One cannot boast over another, for there are no godly sinners; but it was "when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6) God has taken into account all that we really are as helpless and hopeless sinners, and Christ has died for us as such.
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:7-9)
It has all to do with the death of Christ, and ourselves as sinners, and nothing else. And the moment we bow to what GOD; says in HIS WORD, we have PEACE WITH GOD, being justified by faith.
The Ways of God With Man - W. M. Sibthorpe
N.J. Hiebert - 10035
God now justifies an ungodly sinner who believes that He has "raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." But this is just what we are, ungodly sinners. We are helpless and ungodly.
One cannot boast over another, for there are no godly sinners; but it was "when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6) God has taken into account all that we really are as helpless and hopeless sinners, and Christ has died for us as such.
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:7-9)
It has all to do with the death of Christ, and ourselves as sinners, and nothing else. And the moment we bow to what GOD; says in HIS WORD, we have PEACE WITH GOD, being justified by faith.
The Ways of God With Man - W. M. Sibthorpe
N.J. Hiebert - 10035
August 15
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
We follow on to think of His yoke and His burden. "My yoke, is easy." Let us consider what a yoke is really for. Is it to be a burden to the animal which wears It? Surely not. It is just the very opposite. It is to make its labour light.
The plow, attached to the oxen in any other way than by a yoke, would make the work of plowing intolerable. By means of a yoke, it is light. A yoke is not an instrument of torture; it is an instrument of mercy.
It is not a malicious contrivance for making work hard; it is a simple device to make hard labour light; and the Saviour's yoke never chafes, for, as has been said, it is padded with meekness and lowliness of heart. And then His burden is light. It is such a burden as the wings are to a bird, or as the sails are to a boat.
Here, then, is the two-fold secret of rest. Responding to the Saviour's invitation, we find that the restlessness of the troubled sea gives place to the peace which flows like a river; and by taking His yoke and learning of Him Who is meek and lowly in heart, we anticipate, and experience even now, the deep rest of heart that remains for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9). Then, indeed, do we lie down in green pastures--satisfied.
The Pearl of Psalms - George Henderson
O patient, spotless One, our hearts in meekness train
To bear Thy yoke, and learn of Thee, that we may rest obtain.
Jesus! Thou art enough the heart and mind to fill;
Thy patient life--to calm the soul; Thy love--its fear dispel.
N.J. Hiebert - 10036
We follow on to think of His yoke and His burden. "My yoke, is easy." Let us consider what a yoke is really for. Is it to be a burden to the animal which wears It? Surely not. It is just the very opposite. It is to make its labour light.
The plow, attached to the oxen in any other way than by a yoke, would make the work of plowing intolerable. By means of a yoke, it is light. A yoke is not an instrument of torture; it is an instrument of mercy.
It is not a malicious contrivance for making work hard; it is a simple device to make hard labour light; and the Saviour's yoke never chafes, for, as has been said, it is padded with meekness and lowliness of heart. And then His burden is light. It is such a burden as the wings are to a bird, or as the sails are to a boat.
Here, then, is the two-fold secret of rest. Responding to the Saviour's invitation, we find that the restlessness of the troubled sea gives place to the peace which flows like a river; and by taking His yoke and learning of Him Who is meek and lowly in heart, we anticipate, and experience even now, the deep rest of heart that remains for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9). Then, indeed, do we lie down in green pastures--satisfied.
The Pearl of Psalms - George Henderson
O patient, spotless One, our hearts in meekness train
To bear Thy yoke, and learn of Thee, that we may rest obtain.
Jesus! Thou art enough the heart and mind to fill;
Thy patient life--to calm the soul; Thy love--its fear dispel.
N.J. Hiebert - 10036
August 16
And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him.
Matthew 14:31
I have been feeding on the comfort of this word "immediately"; it has been speaking to me, as sometimes God's words do, by its quick lovingness. How many seconds lie between a man's beginning to sink and his sinking? Any of you who have been out of your depth in water before you could swim, or, being able to swim, were somehow powerless, will know that a single second or less sees one who is beginning to sink under water. How swift, then, was the movement of love.
The use of the word "immediately" in the Gospels makes a Bible study of hours. I must leave all that, and end with this one that has been more than ever life and peace to me of late. They were troubled, those poor men in the boat. "But when they saw Him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: for they all saw Him, and were troubled. And immediately He talked with them." We know what He said. He has said it to us often. "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." (Mark 6:49,50).
How needless their trouble seems to us as we read. Do ours seem as needless to the heavenly watchers? (Psalm 91:11) Do they wonder about us, as we do about those men, how there could be room for trouble in a ship that was under His command? (It was He who had constrained them to go to the other side. It is He who directs our boat now, to the Other Side.) But there is nothing of this wonder in the sweetness of the words of our Lord Jesus when He immediately talked with them. He understood.
We, who know how upholding dear and loving words can be when a friend who understands does not blame, but just understands even the trouble that need not be, and comforts it, can enter into this most lovely story and find honey in this honeycomb word, immediately. Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 10037
I have been feeding on the comfort of this word "immediately"; it has been speaking to me, as sometimes God's words do, by its quick lovingness. How many seconds lie between a man's beginning to sink and his sinking? Any of you who have been out of your depth in water before you could swim, or, being able to swim, were somehow powerless, will know that a single second or less sees one who is beginning to sink under water. How swift, then, was the movement of love.
The use of the word "immediately" in the Gospels makes a Bible study of hours. I must leave all that, and end with this one that has been more than ever life and peace to me of late. They were troubled, those poor men in the boat. "But when they saw Him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: for they all saw Him, and were troubled. And immediately He talked with them." We know what He said. He has said it to us often. "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." (Mark 6:49,50).
How needless their trouble seems to us as we read. Do ours seem as needless to the heavenly watchers? (Psalm 91:11) Do they wonder about us, as we do about those men, how there could be room for trouble in a ship that was under His command? (It was He who had constrained them to go to the other side. It is He who directs our boat now, to the Other Side.) But there is nothing of this wonder in the sweetness of the words of our Lord Jesus when He immediately talked with them. He understood.
We, who know how upholding dear and loving words can be when a friend who understands does not blame, but just understands even the trouble that need not be, and comforts it, can enter into this most lovely story and find honey in this honeycomb word, immediately. Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 10037
August 17
THE BELOVED UNSEEN
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 1 Peter 1:8
Walking with a little four-year old, I said something about loving Jesus. "But how can I love Him," she asked, "when I can't see Him?"
Thus she posed a problem which has occupied not a few grown-ups. Peter had seen Jesus. He was writing to Christians who had not. Yet they loved Him, anyway, and though now they saw Him not, yet believing, they rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
We cannot see Him, but He lives and we can believe. And if we trust Him the Spirit makes Him real and the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. And we make our way through this evil world in love with One we have never seen.
We are not infatuated with a hero of fiction, a memory or an ideal. We love a Living Person who was and is, and we shall be like Him, for one day we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2)
Yes, we can love Him though we cannot see Him.
Day by Day With Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 10038
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 1 Peter 1:8
Walking with a little four-year old, I said something about loving Jesus. "But how can I love Him," she asked, "when I can't see Him?"
Thus she posed a problem which has occupied not a few grown-ups. Peter had seen Jesus. He was writing to Christians who had not. Yet they loved Him, anyway, and though now they saw Him not, yet believing, they rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
We cannot see Him, but He lives and we can believe. And if we trust Him the Spirit makes Him real and the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. And we make our way through this evil world in love with One we have never seen.
We are not infatuated with a hero of fiction, a memory or an ideal. We love a Living Person who was and is, and we shall be like Him, for one day we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2)
Yes, we can love Him though we cannot see Him.
Day by Day With Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 10038
August 18
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above. Colossians 3:1,2
Many years ago, when airplanes were just becoming a safe way to travel a famous British pioneer aviator, Mr. Page, was flying his motorized aircraft in India. As he flew a few hundred feet above the flat plains of that part of India, he became alarmed by a strange sound coming from inside his aircraft's control panel. Though the motor made a loud noise, the pilot was still able to hear the alarming sounds and realized that he very likely had a very unwelcome passenger in his airplane.
The scratching sounds were coming from some animal and Mr. Page assumed that the animal was probably the very unwelcome but very common India rat. By the sounds he was able to detect that the creature was actively moving around inside the area where there were many delicate wires, cables and hoses containing oil which allowed him to control the aircraft.
Knowing the normal activity of the rat was to gnaw on things he became increasingly alarmed for though he could hear the rat's movements, it was out of his sight and his reach. Nor could he see any convenient place to land the aircraft on the ground below, so that he could get rid of his unwelcome guest.
Now, very alarmed because he knew that the rat, by his gnawing abilities, could easily damage the cables and hoses causing him to lose control of the aircraft and have a terrible disaster, he desperately thought about what he might do.
It was then Mr. Page remembered that the India rats were common to the plains but never found at the higher altitudes of the mountains due to the thinner air. Immediately he lifted the nose of the aircraft and quickly gained altitude. He flew the plane up to several thousand feet--the highest his aircraft could fly. As Mr. Page kept the aircraft at that altitude, the noises inside the control panel lessened and before long completely stopped. After the noises had long ceased Mr. Page was able to land his aircraft, and a short time later removed a very large dead rat. The Christian Shepherd - May 2012
N.J. Hiebert - 10039
Many years ago, when airplanes were just becoming a safe way to travel a famous British pioneer aviator, Mr. Page, was flying his motorized aircraft in India. As he flew a few hundred feet above the flat plains of that part of India, he became alarmed by a strange sound coming from inside his aircraft's control panel. Though the motor made a loud noise, the pilot was still able to hear the alarming sounds and realized that he very likely had a very unwelcome passenger in his airplane.
The scratching sounds were coming from some animal and Mr. Page assumed that the animal was probably the very unwelcome but very common India rat. By the sounds he was able to detect that the creature was actively moving around inside the area where there were many delicate wires, cables and hoses containing oil which allowed him to control the aircraft.
Knowing the normal activity of the rat was to gnaw on things he became increasingly alarmed for though he could hear the rat's movements, it was out of his sight and his reach. Nor could he see any convenient place to land the aircraft on the ground below, so that he could get rid of his unwelcome guest.
Now, very alarmed because he knew that the rat, by his gnawing abilities, could easily damage the cables and hoses causing him to lose control of the aircraft and have a terrible disaster, he desperately thought about what he might do.
It was then Mr. Page remembered that the India rats were common to the plains but never found at the higher altitudes of the mountains due to the thinner air. Immediately he lifted the nose of the aircraft and quickly gained altitude. He flew the plane up to several thousand feet--the highest his aircraft could fly. As Mr. Page kept the aircraft at that altitude, the noises inside the control panel lessened and before long completely stopped. After the noises had long ceased Mr. Page was able to land his aircraft, and a short time later removed a very large dead rat. The Christian Shepherd - May 2012
N.J. Hiebert - 10039
August 19
And they that passed by reviled Him. . . saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save Thyself. If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him: for He said, I am the Son of God. Matthew 27:39-43.
The greatest demonstration of God's power is seen in the cross. God, who is a consuming fire, and who is described in Nahum 1:2 as "God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserveth wrath for His enemies." was silent at the cross, and did not suddenly punish those who mocked God Himself.
They dared God, saying that if He did not deliver the Lord as He hung on the cross, this would mean that the Lord Jesus was rejected by Him. Not only did they affront God but they blasphemed and wickedly abused and mocked the Lord Jesus, of whom God the Father had said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
Does it not surprise us that God the Father as a jealous God, as a consuming fire, did not act suddenly to destroy these evil ones?
In this we see the omnipotence of God and His love for His enemies. "For God so loved the world" (John 3:16); "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." (Ezekiel 33:11) He, "Who will have all men to be saved," (1 Timothy 2:4) gave His Son to provide reconciliation and forgiveness for man. If He would have acted, if He had saved the Lord from the cross, and if the Lord would have come down from the cross, we would be condemned. Indeed, by His great power God has saved us. Albert Blok
N.J. Hiebert - 10040
The greatest demonstration of God's power is seen in the cross. God, who is a consuming fire, and who is described in Nahum 1:2 as "God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserveth wrath for His enemies." was silent at the cross, and did not suddenly punish those who mocked God Himself.
They dared God, saying that if He did not deliver the Lord as He hung on the cross, this would mean that the Lord Jesus was rejected by Him. Not only did they affront God but they blasphemed and wickedly abused and mocked the Lord Jesus, of whom God the Father had said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
Does it not surprise us that God the Father as a jealous God, as a consuming fire, did not act suddenly to destroy these evil ones?
In this we see the omnipotence of God and His love for His enemies. "For God so loved the world" (John 3:16); "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." (Ezekiel 33:11) He, "Who will have all men to be saved," (1 Timothy 2:4) gave His Son to provide reconciliation and forgiveness for man. If He would have acted, if He had saved the Lord from the cross, and if the Lord would have come down from the cross, we would be condemned. Indeed, by His great power God has saved us. Albert Blok
N.J. Hiebert - 10040
August 20
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. James 5:7
We are always waiting for the Lord, if we really understand our position; but whatever may be our desire, we cannot command the Lord to come, nor know when He will come. And blessed be His name! the Lord is patient; as long as there is yet one soul to be called by the gospel, He will not come. His whole body, His bride, must be formed; every member must be present, converted and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Then He will come and take us. Christ Himself is seated on the Father's throne. He also is waiting for that moment, with more desire surely than we are; and therefore the patience of Christ is spoken of: this is the true meaning of Revelation 1:9. Thus also in Revelation 3:10, "because thou hast kept the word of My patience;" also in 2 Thessalonians 3:5, "the patience of Christ."
We are taught also in Hebrews 10:12, that Christ is seated at the right hand of God, waiting till His enemies shall be made His footstool. We may well wait if Christ is waiting; but we wait in suffering and conflict. He is waiting to reign, and then He will cause full blessing to flow forth for His own, whether in heaven or on earth, and will banish evil from both.
Thus we need patience, that neither self-will nor weariness of the conflict should take possession of our souls; but in the confidence that the time that God wills is best (for it is that which divine wisdom and His love for us have ordained) let us fix our affections on the Lord and on things above, because we wait for Him with desire of heart, with broken will, and unwavering faith, leaving His return to the decision of God.
Not only in fact we cannot retard it but the heart has entire confidence in His love, assured that the Lord waits for us with greater love than we for Him, calm in confidence, patient in the wilderness-journey. How sweet to wait for Christ--for the fulness of joy with Him! Thanks be to God, He says, "it is at hand." J.N. Darby
N.J. Hiebert - 10041
We are always waiting for the Lord, if we really understand our position; but whatever may be our desire, we cannot command the Lord to come, nor know when He will come. And blessed be His name! the Lord is patient; as long as there is yet one soul to be called by the gospel, He will not come. His whole body, His bride, must be formed; every member must be present, converted and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Then He will come and take us. Christ Himself is seated on the Father's throne. He also is waiting for that moment, with more desire surely than we are; and therefore the patience of Christ is spoken of: this is the true meaning of Revelation 1:9. Thus also in Revelation 3:10, "because thou hast kept the word of My patience;" also in 2 Thessalonians 3:5, "the patience of Christ."
We are taught also in Hebrews 10:12, that Christ is seated at the right hand of God, waiting till His enemies shall be made His footstool. We may well wait if Christ is waiting; but we wait in suffering and conflict. He is waiting to reign, and then He will cause full blessing to flow forth for His own, whether in heaven or on earth, and will banish evil from both.
Thus we need patience, that neither self-will nor weariness of the conflict should take possession of our souls; but in the confidence that the time that God wills is best (for it is that which divine wisdom and His love for us have ordained) let us fix our affections on the Lord and on things above, because we wait for Him with desire of heart, with broken will, and unwavering faith, leaving His return to the decision of God.
Not only in fact we cannot retard it but the heart has entire confidence in His love, assured that the Lord waits for us with greater love than we for Him, calm in confidence, patient in the wilderness-journey. How sweet to wait for Christ--for the fulness of joy with Him! Thanks be to God, He says, "it is at hand." J.N. Darby
N.J. Hiebert - 10041
August 21
THE PRAYER IN THE NIGHT
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instructions. Job 33:15,16
Sometimes I wake with dark and quiet around me,
And swift across my vision, like a light,
Flashes the face of one I know who suffers,
Or one whom sorrow newly touched last night.
Perhaps, for just that moment and that purpose,
There lacks a link in God's great chain of prayer;
So, lest the chain be weakened by my silence,
Or break because I fail to do my share,
I shape the link, and know the Spirit's fire
Will forge it into place and weld it there.
Annie Johnson Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 10042
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instructions. Job 33:15,16
Sometimes I wake with dark and quiet around me,
And swift across my vision, like a light,
Flashes the face of one I know who suffers,
Or one whom sorrow newly touched last night.
Perhaps, for just that moment and that purpose,
There lacks a link in God's great chain of prayer;
So, lest the chain be weakened by my silence,
Or break because I fail to do my share,
I shape the link, and know the Spirit's fire
Will forge it into place and weld it there.
Annie Johnson Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 10042
August 22
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. John 20:16
The One whom Magdalene called "Rabboni" was coming agin, her unchanged and gracious Lord. He whose voice had so often stilled the fears of His troubled disciples, as He spoke peace or pardon to their hearts, was coming back again. There was unmeasured consolation to the wondering "men of Galilee," (Acts 1:11) when the angels assured them that He who was in heaven, and He who was returning for them again, was the same Jesus.
How marvellous that the Christ of the glory is the Christ of the carpenter shop! How transcendently precious that the Christ of Bethesda, and of Sychar's well, is still the very same. He has the same love, the same longsuffering, the same goodness, though now he sits on the throne of God. The One who cheered us on our pathway, the One who cared for us as a Shepherd for His sheep, is coming back again.
And He will come "in like manner" as He went. Our Lord went away, "while they beheld"; when He returns "we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). With their own eyes they gazed intently upon Him as He went up; with our own eyes we shall see Him without a veil between, when He comes again. It will be a cloud that will bring Him back to this earth as well: (Revelation 1:7).
We read, "And when He had spoken these things" (Acts 1:9). He talked with them as He left them, and how sweet will be His voice when we hear it audibly for the first time: A Plant of Renown Leonard Sheldrake
"Oh, the blessed joy of meeting, all the desert past!
Oh, the wondrous words of greeting, He shall speak at last!
He and I in that bright glory, one deep joy shall share,
Mine to be forever with Him, His that I am there." Francis Bevan
N.J. Hiebert - 10043
The One whom Magdalene called "Rabboni" was coming agin, her unchanged and gracious Lord. He whose voice had so often stilled the fears of His troubled disciples, as He spoke peace or pardon to their hearts, was coming back again. There was unmeasured consolation to the wondering "men of Galilee," (Acts 1:11) when the angels assured them that He who was in heaven, and He who was returning for them again, was the same Jesus.
How marvellous that the Christ of the glory is the Christ of the carpenter shop! How transcendently precious that the Christ of Bethesda, and of Sychar's well, is still the very same. He has the same love, the same longsuffering, the same goodness, though now he sits on the throne of God. The One who cheered us on our pathway, the One who cared for us as a Shepherd for His sheep, is coming back again.
And He will come "in like manner" as He went. Our Lord went away, "while they beheld"; when He returns "we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). With their own eyes they gazed intently upon Him as He went up; with our own eyes we shall see Him without a veil between, when He comes again. It will be a cloud that will bring Him back to this earth as well: (Revelation 1:7).
We read, "And when He had spoken these things" (Acts 1:9). He talked with them as He left them, and how sweet will be His voice when we hear it audibly for the first time: A Plant of Renown Leonard Sheldrake
"Oh, the blessed joy of meeting, all the desert past!
Oh, the wondrous words of greeting, He shall speak at last!
He and I in that bright glory, one deep joy shall share,
Mine to be forever with Him, His that I am there." Francis Bevan
N.J. Hiebert - 10043
August 23
