September 2

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed" (John 8:31)  "Great peace have they which love Thy law, and they shall have no stumbling block (nothing can make them stumble)" (Psalm 119:165).

    Here is my greatest secret for everyday common folks, known through the ages, and yet ever needing to be restated and learned afresh as generation succeeds generation.  It is this:  The very best way to study the Bible is simply to read it daily with close attention, and with prayer to see the light that shines from its pages, to meditate upon it, and to continue to read it until somehow it works itself, its words, its expressions, its teachings, its habits of thought and its presentations of God and His Christ into the very warp and woof of one's being.

    No there is nothing remarkable about that; it is wonderfully simple.  But it works, and one does come in this way to know the Bible and to understand it.

    What appears to a beginner as a great knowledge of the Bible is thus often only the natural result of a persevering use of the simplest of all means and methods, namely, reading the Book, day by day, until it becomes extremely familiar in all its parts.  (Selected)

[N.J. Hiebert # 1995]

September 3

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."  (Ephesians 6:18) 

    As one of Africa's first explorers, David Livingstone loved its people and longed to see them evangelized.  His journals reveal his spiritual concern and deep faith.

    In late March 1872, he wrote, "He will keep His word - the gracious One, full of grace and truth - no doubt of it.  He said, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out" and "Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name I will give it."  He will keep His word; then I can come and humbly present my petition, and it will be all right.  Doubt is here inadmissible, surely."

    Livingstone had rock-like confidence in the Father's promises.  In our praying we too can exercise the trust that God will not deny our requests when they are in keeping with His will.  (By the way, are we reading His Word so that we know His will?)

    We can defeat doubt when we remind ourselves that no matter what happens in life, He cares deeply about us and longs to give us the wisdom to handle what comes our way ("Casting all your cares upon Him..." 1 Peter 5:7; "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that... giveth liberally..." James 1:5).  Our faith will grow stronger as we realize that our heavenly Father is gracious, delighting to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11).  Humbly but confidently, we can come to Him with our requests.  (VCG)

Thou art coming to a King,

Large petitions with thee bring,

For His grace and power are such,

None can ever ask too much.  - Newton 

WHEN WE LOVE GOD AS OUR FATHER, WE WON'T TREAT HIM AS OUR SERVANT.

Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright 1997, Grand Rapids, MI.  Reprinted permission

[N.J. Hiebert # 1996]

September 4

"Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding." (Proverbs 23:23)

    It has been said, the first generation is characterized by conviction - buys the truth.

    The second generation accepts truth as a "belief," but lacks conviction and takes lightly, or squanders the truth.

    The third generation considers "truth" as a matter of opinion.

    Thank God, this is not always the case!  But where are you and I?  (Anon) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 1997]

September 5

"And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we be brethren."  Genesis 13:80  

The ostensible cause of Lot's fall was the strife between his herdsmen and those of Abram; but the fact is, when one is not really walking with a single eye and purified affections, he will easily find a stone to stumble over.  If he does not find it at one time, he will at another, - If he does not find it here, he will find it there.   In one sense, it makes little matter as to what may be the apparent cause of turning aside; the real cause lies underneath, far away, it may be, from common observation, in the hidden chambers of the heart's affections and desires, where the world, in some shape or form, has been sought after.  The strife between the herdsmen might have been easily settled without spiritual damage to either Abram or Lot.  To the former, indeed, it only afforded an occasion for exhibiting the beautiful power of faith, and the moral elevation - the heavenly vantage-ground - on which faith ever sets the possessor thereof.  But to the latter, it was an occasion for exhibiting the thorough worldliness of his heart.  The strife no more produced the worldliness in Lot than it produced the faith in Abram; it only manifested, in the case of each, what was really there.  (C.H. Mackintosh) 

N.J. Hiebert # 1998

September 6

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord."  (Ephesians 5:19)

Though hymns of praise in purest notes abound,

If only on the lips, these are but sound

Which melt away in air:

But when the heart to melody is moved,

Constrained by love divine, so richly proved,

As incense this to God's own throne ascends,

Nor loses fragrance as it heavenward wends,

And finds a welcome there.  (Christian Truth - Vol. 14)  

[N.J. Hiebert # 1999]

September 7

"He leadeth me beside the still waters."  (Psalm 23:2)

The place where the Shepherd guides His flock is "beside the still waters."  The Lord would not have us to be unhappy and restless; He would have us enjoy His peace under all circumstances.  "My peace I give unto you. ...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  In these perilous times, how much we need that word.  What restfulness of spirit and what contentedness of mind it gives us to lean confidingly upon His love and care.  Nothing can separate us from His love.  And if, because of sorrows and roughness of the wilderness journey, or by reason of the rapid progress of infidelity and worldliness, our spirits have drooped in sadness, and we have become discouraged, let us cheer up; there is enough in Him to make the heart rejoice.  He is the all-powerful, loving, gracious, and tender Shepherd.   His glory has not been tarnished a bit.  He is the Brightness of Eternal Glory.  (W.E.S.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2000]        

September 8

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  (Ephesians 4:32)

    Love does not store up the memory of any wrong it has received.  The word translated "store up" is an accountant's word.  It is the word used for entering up an item in a ledger so that it will not be forgotten.  That is precisely what so many people do.  One of the great arts in life is to learn what to forget.

    A writer tells how "in Polynesia, where the natives spend much of their time in fighting and feasting, it is customary for each man to keep some reminders of his hatred.  Articles are suspended from the roofs of their huts to keep alive the memory of their wrongs - real or imaginary."  In the same way many people nurse their wrath to keep it warm; they brood over their wrongs until it is impossible to forget them.  Christian love has learned the great lesson of forgetting.  (W.B.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2001]

September 9

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)  

    Someone said to Sir Isaac Newton, "Sir Isaac, I do not understand; you seem to be able to believe the Bible like a little child.  I have tried, but I cannot.  So many of its statements mean nothing to me.  I cannot believe; I cannot understand."

    Sir Isaac Newton replied, "Sometimes I come into my study and in my absent-mindedness I attempt to light my candle when the extinguisher is over it, and I fumble about trying to light it and cannot; but when I remove the extinguisher then I am able to light the candle. I am afraid the extinguisher in your case is the love of your sins; it is deliberate unbelief that is in you.  Turn to God in repentance; be prepared to let the Spirit of God reveal His truth to you, and it will be His joy to show the glory of the grace of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ."  (H.A.I)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2002]

September 10

"Lord, save me."  (Matthew 14:30)

There is rarely a prayer too short; often a prayer too long (especially in the prayer meeting). Peter didn't have time for a long prayer.  Had he prayed long, he would have sunk beneath the waves.  But his prayer was certainly fervent!  No preliminaries; no flowery theological language - just an urgent cry for help.  His cry was addressed to the right Person; he knew who alone could meet his instant need.  And his prayer was effective, for immediately the Lord's hand was stretched forth to catch him.  He is the same today; your fervent cry to Him will keep you from sinking beneath the waves.  How is your prayer life?  (Doug Kazen)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2003]

September 11

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble."  (Psalm 50:15)

"My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"  (Psalm 22:1)

The promise of our great God to His people is their deliverance when they call.  Sadly, that was not the case for His only Son, our Saviour, who was abandoned by God on Calvary's tree.  Although He knew no deliverance then, He now offers deliverance to us today in His sovereign will.  Call on Him.    Soon it may be too late, and then you will find yourself forsaken."  (Arnot P. McIntee)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2004]

September 12

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

    I had to see about some work being done the other day, and asked the contractor how much it would cost.

    "It won't cost very much," said he, "because we can use all the old material."

    Now that is precisely what God could not do.  There must be a new start altogether, with new material.

    If there is to be anything for God in man, or any capacity to estimate things according to God, a man "must be born again."  There must be an effectual operation of God by His Word and Spirit producing a new moral being in man, the effect of which is that he begins to think God's thoughts about himself."  (Selected)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2005]

September 13

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)  

    Our first thoughts, on hearing of a brother's sin, should be of self-judgment.  In what way have we contributed to the general weakness of the body, which results in the failure of one of its members?  How often and earnestly have we prayed for that one? and in what way have we shown our care that his walk may be such as becomes the gospel? (John 13.)  It has been said that our unconscious influence is greater than that we are conscious of exerting over others, and on this account the powerful influence of example will have a place in our consideration.

    It is a remarkable fact, and little to our credit, that those who owe their present and prospective blessings to divine mercy alone, are sometimes most unmerciful in their judgment of others.  Do we not often credit others with motives which we should be most indignant to have imputed to ourselves?  (Christian Truth - Vol. 13)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2006]     

September 14

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." (Romans 7:18)

Do you honestly say, I know that in me, that is, in my flesh - dwelleth no good thing?  Do you believe that of yourselves?  You will never get full liberty till you do, and you will never know what it is to be settled and steady in your soul till you have learned it; for them you get not only forgiveness and justification, but deliverance.  (J.N.D.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2007]

September 15

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (1 Timothy 1:7

    In Tamil we have a polite word, which tells someone who asks for something, that we have nothing to give; we have run short of it - Poochiam.

    One day, I felt like saying Poochiam about love, I had run short of it.  I was in the Forest, and I had just read a letter which was hard to answer lovingly.  I was sitting by The Pool at the time, and presently began to watch the water flow down through the deep channel worn in the smooth rocks above it.  There was always inflow, so there was always outflow.  Never for one minute did the water cease to flow in, and so never for one moment did it cease to flow out; and I knew, of course, that the water that flowed out was the water that flowed in.  The hollow that we call The Pool had no water of its own, and yet all the year round there was an overflow.

    "God hath not given you the spirit of fear,... but of love".  If love flows in, love will flow out.  Let love flow in.  That was the word of the pool.  There is no need for any of us to run short of love.  We need never say Poochiam.  (Amy Carmichael - Edges of His Ways)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2008]

September 16

"Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you."  (1 Peter 5:7)

He assumes this relegation (to assign to a place of insignificance or of oblivion), in faith, of our every anxiety on our God and Father, who loves to bear burdens too great for His weak ones, for whom He has joys and service which demand freedom of spirit for their right aim and end.  How enfeebling is the unbelief that fancies it our duty too be weighed down outwardly and inwardly!  Why, Christian, have you not rolled upon Him the weight that oppresses you?  Is not His word to us plain and certain?  Does He not care for you - He that gave His Son for your sins, He that numbers all the hairs of your head?  (William Kelly - The Epistle of Peter)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2009]

September 17

"... if ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods... and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve Him only and HE will deliver you... Then the Children of Israel did put away (the idols) and served the Lord only ... we have sinned against the Lord."  (1 Samuel 7:2-6)  

"Repentance and remission of sins."  Repentance is man's true place.  Remission of sins is God's response.  The former is the empty vessel; the latter, the fullness of God.  When these meet, all is settled.  (C.H. Mackintosh - Fullness From An Empty Vessel - Vol. 5)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2010]

September 18

"I am the Lord, I change not."  (Malachi 3:6)

In regard to change, A.W. Tozer said, "In a world of decay and change not even men of faith can be completely happy."  And the poet Frederick W. Faber wrote, "Lord!  I'm sick... of this everlasting change."  Instinctively we seek the unchanging and grieve at the passing of familiar things.  Yet on the other hand, Tozer said, "... the very ability to change is a golden treasure, a gift from God."  For the essence of repentance is a change so radical that the Apostle Paul refers to the man that used to be as "the old man" becoming the "new man" (by new birth) infused with new spiritual life. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation." (2 Corinthians 5:17) Thus, in Christ is found the eternal permanence every heart longs for.  (E. Dyck)  

[N.J. Hiebert # 2011]

September 19

"Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  (Philippians 4:6)

Worry is the child of unbelief.  Anxiety can never stay if the eyes of the heart behold the Man in Glory and faith realizes that all is in the hands of One "Who doeth all things well."  Worry and anxiety accuse Him.  Martha did that when she was encumbered with much service and then said to Him, "Dost Thou not care?"  Each time we give way to anxiety, we act as if He did not care.  But He does; and He would have us rest in faith and commit all to Himself.  (A.C. Gaebelein - The Work of Christ)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2012]

September 20

"All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes:  But Jehovah weigheth the spirits." (Proverbs 16:2)

    Ever since the Fall (in the garden of Eden) it has been second nature with man to justify himself.  Till brought into the light of God's holiness there is nothing of which he is generally so certain as the defensibleness of his own conduct.  His ways are clean in his own eyes, but he is not to be trusted in his own judgement, for the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.  Jehovah weigheth the spirits.  His balances are exact.  His judgment is unerring; and He it is who solemnly declares, "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting!"

    Thus man is shut up to the salvation provided through the finished work of the Son of God on Calvary's cross.  Other wise condemnation alone can be his portion.  (H.A. Ironside -  Notes on Proverb)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2013]

September 21

"And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross.  And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS....and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.  Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said I am King of the Jews.  Pilate answered, What I have written I have written."  (John 19:19-22)

When the Lord Jesus was hanging as the Lamb of God on the accursed tree and over His bleeding brows was written the inscription in every language, "this is the King of the Jews," they sought to blot it out - but God would not have it blotted out.  He would have the whole creation know that the cross was the title to the kingdom.  The inscription that Pilate wrote on the cross, and God kept there, is very fine.  (J.G. Bellett - Musings on the Epistle to the Hebrews)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2014]

September 22

"Teach me Thy way, O Lord;... unite my heart to fear Thy name."  (Psalm 86:11)

    This prayer holds the secret to a well-integrated life.  The psalmist asked the Lord to teach him His way and to unite his heart to fear His name.  He wanted to know what God would have him do, but he also longed to maintain a relationship with Him so that he would walk faithfully in the way of righteousness.  David's deepest desire was to have a commanding center in his life, around which everything else would revolve.  It was to know and to do the will of God.

    Madame Chiang Kai-shek (Wife of the head of the Nationalist Government of the Republic of China, 1887 - 1975) said, "life is very simple, and yet how  confused we make it seem."  She went on to say that in old Chinese art every picture has only one outstanding object.  The artist deliberately subordinated everything else to that one beautiful thing.  Drawing a lesson from this, Madame Chiang commented, "An integrated life is like that.  What is the one beautiful flower?  As I feel it now, it is doing the will of God.  I used to pray that He would do this or that.  Now I ask Him to make His will known to me."  She had learned a very important spiritual lesson.

    I'm sure we've all felt a deep longing within our souls for a simple, uncomplicated life.  The many duties and demands that crowd in upon us and the various roles we have to fulfill often leave us bewildered and overwhelmed.  Well, there's a solution to this frustrating state of affairs.  We must ask ourselves, "Do I want to know and do God's will above ALL ELSE?  What is the controlling center of my life?"  If that question draws a blank, maybe the psalmist's prayer, "Teach me Thy way, O Lord," is the answer to your problem.  (D.J.D.)  

Lord, choose for me and make my will

Obedient to thine own, until

With strong assurance I shall know

That Thou art always where I go.     - Bernhardt

If Christ is at the center of your life, the circumference will take care of itself.

(OUR DAILY BREAD, RBC MINISTRIES, COPYRIGHT (1978), GRAND RAPIDS, MI.  REPRINTED PERMISSION.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2015]

September 23

"Them that honour me I will honour."  (1 Samuel 2:30)

    These were the words of God once to a priest of Israel, and that ancient law of the Kingdom stands today unchanged by the passing of time or the changes of dispensation.  The whole Bible and every page of history proclaim the perpetuation of that law.  "If any man serve me, him will my Father honour" (John 12:26), said our Lord Jesus, tying in the old with the new and revealing the essential unity of His ways with men.

    Sometimes the best way to see a thing is to look at its opposite.  Eli and his sons are placed in the priesthood with the stipulation that they honour God in their lives and ministrations.  This they fail to do, and God sends Samuel to announce the consequences.  Unknown to Eli this law of reciprocal honour has been all the while secretly working, and now the time has come for judgment to fall.  Hophni and Phineas, the degenerate priests, fall in battle; the wife of Hophni dies in childbirth; Israel flees before her enemies; the ark of God is captured by the Philistines, and the old man Eli falls backward and dies of a broken neck.  Thus stark, utter tragedy followed upon Eli's failure to honour God.  (A.W. Tozer - The Pursuit of God)  

[N.J. Hiebert # 2016]

September 24

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)

All that is outside of the Bible, all that presumes to come into competition with it and challenges the ears of men, is but a sea, an unformed mass, of opinions and reasonings.  How welcome therefore to the soul, wearied in its quest after some stable foundation on which to rest in view of death and eternity, is the immutable basis laid for faith in the infallible scriptures.  (Edward Dennett) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2017]

September 25

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up" (James 4:10).

Low at Thy feet, Lord Jesus,

This is the place for me,

Here I have learned deep lessons -

Truth that has set me free.

Free from myself, Lord Jesus,

Free from the ways of men;

Chains of thought that have bound me,

Never shall bind again.

None but Thyself, Lord Jesus,

Conquered this wayward will;

But for Thy love constraining,

I had been wayward still.  (J.N.D.) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2018]

September 26

"For me to live is CHRIST."  (Philippians 1:21)

All that we pass through is that we may get a fresh view of Christ, or a deepening of a former one; but often we are so occupied with the circumstances, or ourselves in the circumstances, that we fail to learn the lesson God would teach us.  (C.T.) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2019]

September 27

"Having loved His own... He loved them unto the end."  (John 13:1)

Oh, how sweet this experience of Christ's love in this cold world!  When the heart is chilled, and yearning for a little warmth, how sweet to turn to the Lord Jesus and feel the warmth of His love!  Ah, looking up to Him, the heart is always warmed.  (G.V. Wigram)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2020]   

September 28

"We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand." (Romans 5:2)

It is not attainments, it is not watchfulness, it is not services or duties which... give the soul entrance into that wealthy place of divine favour - "By faith we have access into this grace wherein we stand."  (J.G. Bellett)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2021]

September 29

"The God of all encouragement."  (2 Corinthians 1:3)

Though distant from the heavenly way

The souls you love, for whom you pray,

Ah! why need ye despair?

Plead on - and ye shall live to prove

That God is power, that God is love,

And loves to answer prayer.  (Sir E. Denny)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2022]

September 30

"Lead me in the way everlasting."  (Psalm 139:24)

God sends rain and fruitful seasons, but though they come, they never come in the same way in any one year, and I find that, as a rule, when I need anything, that it comes from a quarter that I never expected, and that from the quarter where it had come before it does not now.  Thus God keeps the eye on Himself and not on the donor.  (J.B.S. - Footprints For Pilgrims)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2023]

October 1

"O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!" (Deuteronomy 32:29)

The following lines were found among the papers of the late Professor B---, at the close of a life of devotion to the quest of honour and fame, a life which would, no doubt, be highly commended by the children of the world.  The lines speak for themselves with a seriousness and intensity which cannot be overstated, and stand as a solemn warning to all who would walk ambition's glittering highway.

Why labour for honour?  Why seek after fame?

Why toil to establish a popular name?

Fame! aye, what is fame? a bubble - a word,

A sound, that's worth nothing, a hope that's deferred;

A heartsickening hope that's too often denied

Or withheld from the worthy, to pander to pride.

Then out upon fame! let her guerdon be riven,

Nay - hold - let me strive as I always have striven.

Out, out upon fame! too late will she come,

Her wreath mocks my brow, will it hang on my tomb?

Too much have I laboured, too willingly gave

My thoughts to the world AND HAVE EARNED BUT A GRAVE."

(J.K. - Christian Truth - Vol. 23)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2024]

October 2

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see..." (Matthew 5:16)

Remember that your lamps are to be kept well trimmed and brightly burning.  What is more dangerous than a lamppost with no light at the top on a dark night?  The very thing which ought to be a guide, proves a stumbling block; so a Christian who is not letting his light shine, always proves a real hindrance to others.  (Selected)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2025]

October 3

"Their sins and iniquity will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:12)

The moment you get the living God expanded in the Epistle to the Hebrews you find that everything He touches He communicates life for eternity to it.  His throne is for ever and ever - chapter 1.  His house is forever and ever - Chapter 3.  His salvation is eternal - Chapter 5.  His priesthood is unchangeable - chapter 7.  His covenant is everlasting - chapter 9.  His kingdom cannot be moved - chapter 12.  There is nothing He touches that He does not impart eternity to.  To entitle the Epistle to the Hebrews in a word, we might say it is "the loaded altar and the empty sepulchre."  (J.G. Bellett - Musing on the Epistle to the Hebrews)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2026]

October 4

"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 14:11)

The only thing which can enable me to go on is to have Christ the object before me, and just in proportion as it is so can I be happy.  There may be a thousand and one things to vex me if self is of importance; they will not vex me at all if self is no there to be vexed.  The passions of the flesh will not harass us if we are walking with God.  What trials we get when not walking with God and thinking only of self!  There is no such deliverance as that of having no importance in one's own eyes.  Then one may be happy indeed before God.  (J.N. Darby - The Man of Sorrows)

[N.J. Hiebert 2027]

October 5

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23) 

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7) 

It is not what I do, or what I say with my lips, but what I really am, what my heart is, what the affections are occupied with.  I believe we are in a day when intelligence goes very far ahead of the heart.  The secret of the want of a great deal of spiritual power is pride of heart.  Hence I would say before God, let us beware of backsliding in heart.  God must have reality.  (W.T.P. Wolston)  

[N.J. Hiebert # 2028]

October 6

"The blood of Jesus Christ (God's) Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

When the day of judgment comes, who shall be able to stand?  Who?  The great, the mighty, the noble of the earth?  Who?  The well-disposed, the upright, the moral?  They, and they only, who are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."  (H.F.W.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2029]

October 7

"He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true." (John 3:33)

The important, practical question is, How do we treat the Bible?  Do we honour it because it is the Word of God?  Are we guided by its counsels?  Have we proved its sufficiency?  Do we, when we read it, meditate on it, and mix faith with it, and realize the personal enjoyment of it soul-comforting ministrations?  Do we habitually rely on the holy Spirit to enable us to discern, receive, and communicate its precious mysteries?  (H.H.S.)   

[N.J. Hiebert # 2030]

October 8

"It is a good thing. . . to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High: to show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning." (Psalm 92:1,2)

I am a physician, and I find my patients get a great deal of help from one of my rules.  I tell them not to go out of their rooms in the morning until they are physically satisfied; and I say to you, do not go out of your bedroom in the morning until you are spiritually satisfied; until you heart is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord; and then you will show it forth at the breakfast table and all the day long.  (A.T.S.)

Praise shall employ these tongues of ours,

Till we, with all the saints above,

Extol His name with nobler powers,

And see the ocean of His love:

Then, while we look, and wondering gaze,

We'll fill the heavens with endless praise.

[N.J. Hiebert # 2031]

October 9

"The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." (Psalm 119:130)

    After a woman sued a fast-food restaurant for being burned by coffee, companies started changing their manuals and warning labels.  Check out these instructions:

    - On a frozen dinner: DEFROST BEFORE EATING

    - On an iron: CAUTION!  DO NOT IRON CLOTHES ON BODY

    - On a peanut butter jar: MAY CONTAIN PEANUTS

    - On a milk bottlecap: AFTER OPENING, KEEP UPRIGHT

    If some people need these obvious guidelines on household items, think about how much more we need God's direction.  Psalm 119 tells of the importance of His instruction manual - the Bible.  On the pages of Scripture we find what God wants us to believe, to be, and to do.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

"Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32)

"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). 

    Ask the Lord to teach you His statues and to direct your step according to His Word (Psalm 119:133,135).  Then read it often and follow the instructions.  (Anne Cetas) 

Give us, O Lord, a strong desire

To look within Thy Word each day;

Help us to hide it in our heart,

Lest from its truth our feet would stray.  --Branon

Scripture is meant to give us protection, correction, and direction. 

OUR DAILY BREAD RBC MINISTRIES, COPYRIGHT (2004), GRAND RAPIDS, MI. REPRINTED PERMISSION

[N.J. Hiebert # 2032]

October 10

"...Saul of Tarsus - behold he prayeth."   (Acts 9:11)

It is hard to imagine how any one, with the word of God in his hand, could presume to detract from the value of prayer.  It is one of the very highest functions, and most important privileges of the Christian life.  No sooner has the new nature been communicated by the Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ, than it expresses itself in the sweet accents of prayer.  Prayer is the earnest breathing of the new man, drawn forth by the operation of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all true believers.  Hence, to find any one praying is to find him manifesting divine life in one of its most touching and beauteous characteristics, namely, DEPENDENCE. There may be a vast amount of ignorance displayed in the prayer, both in its character and object; but the spirit of prayer is, unquestionably, divine.

    A child may ask for a great many foolish things; but, clearly, he could not ask for anything if he had not life.  The ability and desire to ask are the infallible proofs of life.

    No sooner had Saul of Tarsus passed from death unto life, than the Lord says of him, "Behold he prayeth!"  Doubtless he had, as "a Pharisee of the Pharisees," said many "long prayers;" but not until he "saw that Just One, and heard the voice of His mouth," could it be said of him, "behold, he prayeth."  (C.H. Mackintosh)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2033]

October 11

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."  (Ezra 7:10)

Often nothing is more fatal to souls than a superficial and limited knowledge of the Word.  How many divisions and disputes would be avoided among God's children if they would consider the Scriptures in their various facets.  Separating one truth from other related truths without taking these related truths into consideration, is generally a proof of ignorance and self-will, if not the fruit of proud self-satisfaction that desires to teach others and refuses to be taught of God.  Almost all false doctrines have their starting point in a truth taken out of context, and therefore poorly understood, which thus becomes the very root of error."  (H.L. Rossier - Meditations on Ezra, Nehemia, Esther)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2034]

October 12

"Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (Ephesians 5:14)

WOULDN'T IT BE WONDERFUL  IF ---

All the SLEEPING would wake up,

All the LUKEWARM would warm up,

All the DISGRUNTLED would sweeten up,

All the DISCOURAGED would cheer up,

All the DEPRESSED would look up,

All the GOSSIPERS would shut up,

All the WITNESSES would speak up,

All the BELIEVERS would stand up!

(Taken from CHRISTIAN TRUTH - VOL. 3) 

[N. J. Hiebert # 2035]

October 13

Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand which could keep rank: they were not of double heart." (1 Chronicles 12:33)

    That is a good lesson to learn - to "keep rank."  If you are going to keep rank, you will have to be with those who are marching under the commands of the great "Head-general"; you won't be keeping rank with the "stragglers," but with those in the battle line.

    Isn't it a sad thing to find Christians dropping out of the ranks? lagging behind? joining the stragglers? getting out of step?

    Fellow-Christian, are you in your local gathering, keeping rank?  keeping step with those who are going on with God, or are you a hindrance?  Are you lagging behind?  Are you, by your example, discouraging those that would keep rank?  Thank God! here are some that were men of war that could keep rank.  They didn't learn to do it all in a moment.  They learned that by careful, energetic effort and experience; they set themselves to it; they learned to keep rank.

    There is something wrong when we cannot keep rank with our brethren - when we find ourselves superior to all the rest of our brethren.  There is something wrong with a condition like that.  God expects us to go on with our brethren - not of course in what is wrong - never - but there is such a thing as being found going on with the saints of God.  When we find ourselves going off to ourselves, taking the ground of superior holiness - all our brethren are wrong, and we alone are right - there is something fundamentally wrong with US.  (C.H. Brown)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2036]

October 14

"Not he that commeneth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." (2 Corinthians 10:18)

 Men who run unsent, break down, in one way or another, and find their way back to that which they professed to have left.

 Many a vessel has sailed out of harbour, in gallant style, with all its canvas spread, amid cheering and shouting, and with many fair promises of a first-rate passage; but alas! storms, waves, shoals, rocks, and quicksands have changed the aspect of things; and the voyage that commenced with hope, has ended in disaster.

If we run unsent, we shall not only be left to learn our folly, but to exhibit it.  (Food for the desert)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2037]

October 15

"I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word." (John 17:6)

 God can never forget one particle of what His Son suffered to bring us into that place; and Christ can never forget one of those whom the Father has given Him: not one will be wanting.  Our life is in Him, and whatever we may have to pass through down here, that life is incorruptible and unchanged.  The vessel may be marred, but the life is preserved, it is eternal.  And this eternal life is something that Christ has given you, to be the power of union between yourself and the Father and the Son."  (G.V. Wigram - Gleanings)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2038]

October 16

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20)

There could be no finer test than this. (Matthew 7:20)

The fruit of the Bible is good and only good.  Earl Baldwin, the famous statesman, once Prime Minister of Great Britain, speaking at an annual meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society, said, "No living man can tell or know how The Book in it journeyings through the world has startled the individual soul in ten thousand different places into a new life, a new world, a new belief, a new conception, and a new faith."  Millions of lives can testify to the truth of this.

    A striking example of good and bad fruit is seen in the following incident.  An uncle and nephew were travelling with a large sum of money over a wild and very thinly populated prairie land of America.  Nightfall came on, and the travellers had to look for a shelter.  They discovered a log cabin, and knocked at the door.  An old man with long shaggy beard and unkempt appearance answered their call.  They asked for accommodation, which was willingly accorded.  They were shown into a room where they could sleep on the floor.  It was arranged that the uncle should lie down to rest, and the nephew should sit up with loaded revolver to make sure that their treasure was safe.  Presently the uncle saw the nephew preparing to sleep.  He reminded him of the vigil he had promised to keep.

    The nephew replied, "There is no need to sit up with loaded revolver.  We are perfectly safe here.  I looked through the keyhole to see what the old man was doing.  I saw him take a Bible down from the shelf, and read a chapter to his wife.  I then heard him pray for the blessing of God to rest on the travellers under his roof."  (A.J. Pollock - Why I believe the Bible) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2039]

October 17

"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowls and mercies (love's comforting power)..." (Philippians 2:1) 

    Love knows how to do without what it naturally wants.  Love knows how to say, "What it does matter?"

    "And it is my prayer that your love may be more and more rich in knowledge and in all manner of insight, enabling you to have a sense of what is vital".  A moment later he has to refer to something trying to the spirit, but Love which enables to "a sense of what is vital" comes to the rescue at once.  He does not brood over it or worry, for "What does it matter?"

    "Some indeed actually for envy and strife... are proclaiming the Christ... from motives of faction... thinking to raise up tribulation for me in my bonds.  Shall I give way to the trial and lose patience and peace? ... Nay; what matters it? Is not the fiery arrow quenched in Christ for me?" (Moule.)  It will not touch the glory of God, the ultimate victory of truth.  Love accepts the trying things of life without asking for explanations.  It trusts and is at rest. "Love's comforting power."  (Amy Carmichael - Edges of His Ways)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2040]

October 18

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)

"I shall not want."  This conclusion flows, not from what we are to Him, but from what He is to us.  (Edward Dennett)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2041]

October 19

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

If I examine my own heart I cannot find it out.  I know more of God's heart than I do of my own; for my own is so subtle I cannot get to the bottom of it; "desperately wicked: who can know it" and the best man upon earth will be the first to confess this.  (JND)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2042]

October 20

"...the trying of your faith worketh patience." (James 1:3)

 By nature we are inclined to be fretful and impatient.  Even Christians sometimes rebel against the ways of God when these go contrary to their own desires.  But he who learns to be submissive to whatever God permits glorifies Him who orders all things according to the counsel of His own will.  David said his soul had quieted itself as a weaned child (Psalm 131:2).  This is patience exemplified.  When natural nourishment is taken from a babe, and it is fed on other food more suitable for its age, it becomes peevish and fretful.  But when actually weaned all this is ended, and it accepts gratefully the proffered refreshment.  (H.A. Ironside - Notes on James)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2043]

October 21

"And He (Jesus) said unto them, Come... and rest a while." (Mark 6:31)

"THERE IS NO MUSIC IN A REST, BUT THERE IS THE MAKING OF MUSIC IN IT" - Ruskin 

The great Composer writes the theme

And gives us each a part to play.

To some a sweet and flowing air,

Smooth and unbroken all the way.

They pour their full hearts gladness out

In notes of joy and service blent;

But some He gives long bars of rests

With idle voice and instrument.

He who directs the singing spheres,

The music of the morning stars,

Needs, for His full creation's hymn,

The quiet of those soundless bars.

Be silent unto God, my soul,

If this the score He writes for thee,

And "hold the rest"; play no false note

To mar His perfect harmony.

Yet be thou watchful for thy turn;

Strike on the instant, true and clear,

Lest from the grand, melodious whole

Thy note be missing to His ear.

(Annie Johnson Flint)  

[N.J. Hiebert # 2044]

October 22

"And when they had taken up the anchors , they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands..." (Acts 27:40)

It is the word of God which provides direction for out lives.  The Bible is like those rudder bands that kept the ship steady and unwavering in the midst of those terrible waves, wind and storm.  How important to keep our eyes steadily focused, through the Bible's Divine direction, on the end of the path of faith (he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God - Hebrews 11:10).  How we need this Divide rudder to guide us along the journey of life!  (Doug Nicolet - The Journey of Life)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2045]

October 23

"When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door..." (Luke 13:25)

The gospel is not always going to be preached.  God will not always send forth the message of peace.  He is the God of judgement as well as the God of peace, and Christ is a Judge as well as a Saviour.  He is now seated on the right hand of God, but He will ere long rise up and shut to the door.  The preaching of the cross will then cease; the seeker will not find, the knocker will be disappointed, the asker will be refused; the gospel testimony will close, the church (all those redeemed by the precious blood of Christ) be removed to glory, and the hypocrite and unbeliever left for judgment.  Men will discover their mistake then.  The folly of putting off salvation will be made manifest.  The door will be shut, and man's doom eternally settled.  "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still." (Revelation 22:11)  How imperative, then, is the necessity to "strive to enter in at the strait gate." (Luke 13:24)   (H.H. Snell - Steams of Refreshing)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2046]

October 24

"And seekest thou great things for thyself?  Seek them not."  (Jeremiah 45:5)

Our corporate society has successfully infected out thinking that climbing to heights of promotion is most desirable.  Or do we say that we want to be like some respected teacher or evangelist?  When does a lump of pliable clay ever tell the Potter what vessel it wishes to be?  The Potter Himself has the sovereign right to determine the clay's purpose, either lofty or lowly; and O glorious truth - He desires that we be conformed to the image of His Son, not to another mortal.  "As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you" (Jeremiah 26:14).  (Rick Morse)

Through me, Thou gentle Master Thy purposes fulfill:

I yield myself forever to Thy most holy will.

(Theodore Monod) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2047]

October 25

"Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."  (Philippians 2:8)

We cannot know what it meant for the Son of God to step down from His throne, humbling Himself to behold the things in heaven (Psalm 113:6) and to pass through the myriad galaxies and place His foot on the dust of this microscopic planet, stained with sin.  Just to become a man was a sorrow.  The inhabitor of Eternity submitting to the process of time, sunset and sunrise; the Creator of all things to become the carpenter in Nazareth.  God manifest in human flesh!  Why this infinite stoop?  "The death of the cross."  Only thus could divine justice and man's need be satisfied.  (J. Boyd Nicholson) 

From the highest heights of glory, to the cross of deepest shame,

Thus accomplishing redemption, Jesus in His pity came.  (De Matos) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2048]

October 26

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."  (Ephesians 1:7)

    One of the Christian's greatest blessings is the forgiveness of sin.  Without it, we could never know true joy or peace.  In fact, without forgiveness we would be forever separated from a holy God and barred from heaven and all of its glories.

    In his book Dare to Believe, Dan Baumann told of a man named Fred Blom.  Although he was converted as a child, as he grew older he chose the wrong friends.  Becoming involved with them in a serious crime, he was arrested and sent to prison.  During his confinement, he recalled the blessed relationship he had once enjoyed with the heavenly Father.  So, confessing his sins to the Lord, he experienced His forgiveness and was restored to fellowship with Him.  When his case came up for review by the parole board, Fred hoped for an early release.  But the decision went against him.  Although he was discouraged, he was not despondent.  Rather, he fixed his hope on something more wonderful than walking out of a prison's iron gates.  He began joyfully anticipating the pearly gates of heaven.  With that glowing prospect, Fredrick Blom penned these words: "He the pearly gates will open, so that I may enter in; for He purchased my redemption and forgave me all my sin." 

    How wonderful to be forgiven!  It gives us joy, peace, and hope.  And all who experience it find the words of Mr. Blom a fitting _expression of their own heart's gratitude to God. (R.W.D.)

Love divine, so great and wondrous!

All my sins He then forgave!

I will sing His praise forever,

For His blood, His power to save.  (Blom) 

WHEN GOD FORGIVES, HE REMOVES THE SIN AND RESTORES THE SINNER.

Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (1987), Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted permission

[N.J. Hiebert # 2049]

October 27

"Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1)

Every day spent in procrastination is adding to the terrible number of things you can never undo.  It is often forgotten by the young that even though saved and forgiven at last, there are consequences of their sins which will never be blotted out.  We have an influence on others, for good or ill, that a future change of ways can never utterly destroy.  Then, sin leaves its effect upon our minds and bodies - an effect that lasts through all time.  It was this a father meant to impress upon his son when he bade him drive a handful of nails part way into a clean, smooth post.  With great delight the lad did as he was bidden.  "Now, my boy," said the father, "draw them out."  This was soon successfully accomplished.  "Now take out the holes," was the next command.  "Why, father," exclaimed the child, "that is impossible!"  So we may think of the forgiveness of our sins as a drawing out of the nails; but, let us never forget, the marks remain.  Therefore the wisdom of ceasing at once to do what can never be undone."  (H.A. Ironside - Proverbs)

[N.J. Hiebert #  2050]

October 28

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

For those who say, "I don't see any harm in it."

1)  Is the dust of worldliness in your eyes?

2)  Are you willing to see any harm in it?

3)  Will you see any harm in it on a dying bed?

4)  Would you like Christ to see you in the act?

5)  Do the best Christians you know see harm in it?

6)  Is it consistent with "The world is crucified unto me and I unto the world"? 

7)  Can you commune with God as freely after it?

8)  Can you look to God for blessing in the midst of it?

9)  How will it look at the judgment seat of Christ?  (Christian Truth - Vol. 23)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2051]

October 29

"A beloved brother, and a faithful minister." (Colossians 4:7)

Wouldn't we all like to be that?  I believe our hearts ought to long for that kind of thing.  You would like to be that some day.  That kind of thing is made up of a lot of very small threads.  It is like one of the great hawsers that they use on the ships.  They are as big as your arm; but if you were to examine that great rope, you would find that it is made up of lesser ropes, and these are made up of still lesser ropes; and finally you get down to the fibres.  Our Christian character is like that.  (C.H. Brown)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2052]

October 30

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God..." (Psalm 42:1,2.)

    An eastern caravan was once overtaken in the desert with the failure of the supply of water.  The accustomed fountains were all dried, the oasis was a desert, and they halted an hour before sunset after a day of scorching heat, to find that they were perishing for want of water.  Vainly they explored the usual wells, for they were all dry.  Dismay was upon all faces and despair in all hearts, when one of the ancient men approached the sheik and counselled him to unloose two beautiful harts that he was conveying home as a present to his bride, and let them scour the desert in search of water.  Their tongues were protruding with thirst , and their bosoms heaving with distress.  But as they were led our to the borders of the camp and set free on the boundless plain, they lifted up their heads on high and sniffed the air with distended nostrils, and then with unerring instinct, with speed as swift as the wind, they darted off across the desert.  Swift horsemen followed close behind; an hour or two later they hastened back with the glad tidings that water had been found, and the camp moved with shouts of rejoicing to the happily discovered fountains.

    No instinct can be put in you by the Holy Spirit but one He purposes to fulfill.  He who breathes into our hearts the heavenly hope will not deceive nor fail us when we press forward to its realization.

    Are you panting for a draught from some cool spring?  Follow the "scent of water"!  It will lead you to the heavenly springs.  (Mountains Trailways for Youth)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2053]    

October 31

"What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)

 The cross, as the means by which sins were put away, is of course valued by all real believers, and in this sense they can and do glory in it.  But Paul gloried in it for another reason, and saw in the death of Christ another aspect.  To him that death was not only deliverance from sins, but deliverance "from this present evil world."  To him that cross was not only the place where sin had been judged, but the means by which "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."  He saw in the death of Christ the death of all, "and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again."  What complete separation from the world, what complete devotedness to Christ, do we see here!  And yet this is only what becomes one who, in the light of Christ's own words , realizes the place he is responsible to occupy in this world.  For must there not be a complete separation of heart and feeling between the servant who is truly occupying for Christ, and the world which has rejected Him?  (T.B.B.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2054]

November 1

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."  (2 Timothy 3:16)

    The Scriptures are the permanent _expression of the mind and will of God furnished as such with His authority.  They are the _expression of His thoughts.  They edify, they are profitable, but this is not all - they are inspired....

    They teach, they judge the heart, they correct, they discipline according to righteousness, in order that the man of God may be perfect; that is, thoroughly instructed in the will of God, his mind formed after that will and completely furnished for every good work.  The power for performing these comes from the actings of the Spirit.  Safeguard from error, wisdom unto salvation, flow from the Scriptures; they are capable of supplying them....  (J.N. Darby)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2055]

November 2

"Jacob have I loved."  (Romans 9:13)

    In tracing the history of Jacob, and in contemplating his natural character, we are again and again reminded of the grace expressed in those words, "Jacob have I loved."  The question why God should love such a one, can only receive for an answer the boundless and sovereign grace of Him who sets His love upon objects possessing nothing within them; and who calls things thatt be not, as though they were; "that no flesh should glory in His presence."  Jacob's natural character was most unamiable; his name indeed was at once the effusion of what he was, "a supplanter."  He commenced his course in the development of this, his disposition; and until thoroughly crushed, he pursued a course of the merest bargain-making.

(C.H. Mackintosh)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2056]

November 3

"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."  (1 Peter 1:2) 

Practical sanctification, the fruit of the new life, shows itself mainly in two ways - obedience  and holiness - obedience according to the obedience of Christ, holy because the Father is.  Paul's sanctification began the moment that another will took the place of his own.  "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6)  From that instant a new power moved him, a new life energized him, a new object possessed him, a new person controlled him, the love of Christ constrained him."  (A.T. Scofield)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2057]

November 4

"Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee. (Psalm 143:8)  "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32) 

Poor Mephibosheth ("shameful thing") was lame on both his feet for his nurse had let him fall.  In misery he was dwelling in Lo-debar ("no pasture").  One day he became a marvellous object of grace!  To show the kindness of God, David fetched him and brought him to sit at the king's table to eat there continually.  Do you see yourself in this picture?  Ruined by the fall, living in degradation, saved by sovereign grace, now feasting at the table of the King.  (E.M.) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2058]

November 5

"The blood shall be to you for a token." (Exodus 12:13)

There is none other granted.  Look not for a sign within your breast; see it in the cross of Christ.  Look not at your feelings, but at His shed blood.  It would not have been faith but disobedience in Israel to have spent their night in inquiring and looking if the blood marks were upon their houses.  "None of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning," God had said.  And they sat within and waited for the daybreak.  Is that family whose doors are shut, and who assemble in fear and trembling around their paschal lamb, less safe than its neighbours who calmly wait for liberty's coming morn as they keep the feast?  Is the firstborn of the pale, dejected mother less secure than hers whose strong faith in Jehovah already accepts God's freedom?  No, it is the blood without the door, not the feelings of them within the house, wherein the safety lies.  Faith obeyed God, took the blood and sprinkled it, and in the redeeming blood was the security.  (H.F.W.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2059] 

November 6

"I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house."  (Acts 20:20)

Paul was not only an apostle; he combined in a truly marvellous manner the evangelist, the pastor, and the teacher.  The two last named are closely connected, (Ephesians 4:11); and it is of the utmost importance that this connection should be understood and maintained.  The teacher unfolds truth; the pastor applies it.  The teacher enlightens the understanding; the pastor looks to the state of the heart .  The teacher supplies the spiritual nutriment; the pastor sees to the use that is made of it.  The teacher occupies himself more with the Word; the pastor looks after the soul.  The teacher's  work is, for the most part, public; the pastor's work is chiefly in private.  When combined in one person, the teaching faculty imparts immense moral power to the pastor, and the pastoral element imparts affectionate tenderness to the teacher.  (C.H. Macintosh)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2060]

November 7

"Who His own self bear our sins in His own body on the tree." (1 Peter 2:24)

"He hath made Him to be sin for us." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Have you ever noticed the difference between these two verses?  In 1 Peter 2:24 it is sins - actual offences committed.  In 2 Corinthians 5:21, He was made sin; that is different.  It is important to see that the Lord Jesus was not only there to bear our sins; but all the depth of our evil, sinful nature - sin, root and branch - came out before God then.  He was made sin for us, who knew no sin.  (R.F. Kingscote)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2061]

November 8

"And of the children of Isachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment." (1 Chronicles 12:32)

    That is something to be coveted - to have the understanding of the times.  That is the privilege of every child of God.  It is not the mind of the Spirit of God that we should be unwise. "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17)

    We are living in strange and stirring times.  I suppose from one viewpoint the people of God never lived in a more fascinating time or a time of greater privilege than the very present time.  Things are happening around us at a terrific speed; there are changes all about us.  The world is becoming overwhelmed and confused, and there is a babel of voices on every hand.  But, it is your privilege and mine to sit quietly by and have the mind of Christ in the midst of all that is going on.

    It is your privilege and mine to understand what all the confusion is about that exists in the world and in the Church today, to understand the end to which all tends, and to see behind the scenes, and to see the hand of God ruling these scenes.

    The only way to know these things is by familiarizing oneself with the Word of God.  I do not mean in a "heady" way, simply that one might become a biblical encyclopaedia, but seek in the pages of the Word of God, the mind of Christ, that we may be wise.  God does not intend us to be overwhelmed by what is taking place in the world; He intends us to be wise - to have His mind about it - to find a pathway, through the confusion, that is in His secret.  (C.H. Brown)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2062]

November 9

"Looking unto Jesus."  (Hebrews 12:2)

        UNTO JESUS NOW, if we have never looked unto Him, -

        UNTO JESUS AFRESH, if we have ceased doing so, -

        UNTO JESUS ONLY,

        UNTO JESUS STILL,

        UNTO JESUS ALWAYS, with a gaze more and more constant, more and more confident, "changed into the same image from glory to glory". (2 Corinthians 3:18) and thus awaiting the hour when He will call us to pass from earth to Heaven, and from time to eternity, - The promised hour, the blessed hour when at last "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).  (Translated from the French of THEODORE MONOD by Helen Willis)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2063]

November 10

"Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."  (1 Corinthians 14:19)

    The grand end of speaking in the assembly is edification; and we know this end can only be reached by persons understanding what is said.  It is utterly impossible that a man can edify me if I cannot understand what he says.  He must speak in an intelligible language and in an audible voice, else I cannot receive any edification.  This surely is plain, and well worthy of the serious attention of all who speak in public. 

    Our only warrant for standing up to speak in the assembly is that the Lord Himself has given us something to say.  If it be but "five words" let us utter the five and sit down.  Nothing can be more unintelligent than for a man to attempt to speak "ten thousand words" when God has only given "five."  Let us be simple, earnest, and real.  An earnest heart is better than a clever head, and a fervent spirit better than an eloquent tongue.  Where there is a genuine, hearty desire to promote the real good of souls, it will prove more effectual with men, and more acceptable to God, than the most brilliant gifts without it.  (Christian Truth - Vol. 23 - June 1970) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2064]

November 11

"In the beginning God..." (Genesis 1:1)  "All things were made by Him (God) and without Him was not anything made that was made." (John 1:3) 

    A well-known servant of the Lord once said something like this: "There are too many evidences of wisdom, power, and design for any reasonable being to suppose that things came into existence without a God; on the other hand, there are too many evidences of misery and evil for anyone to imagine that a God of power and love could have created things as they now are."

    While it is perfectly true that the mind of fallen man is naturally infidel, yet, on the other hand, man's mind is so constituted that it cannot conceive of anything coming into existence without a cause.

    Let anybody seriously consider, and he is driven to the conclusion that there must be a God.  The first question that arises in the mind as we look at anything is, Who made that?  Let it be a terrestrial globe, we say, Who made it?  A man would be looked upon as a fool who would reply, Nobody made it.  If we cannot conceive of that globe coming into existence without a maker, how much less this earth of which it is but an insignificant representation?  (A.H. Barry)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2065]

November 12

"Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path" (Psalm 27:11). 

    How is it that some Christians break down?  How is it their needs are not met?  How is it some get into confusion and perplexity?

    The answer to these questions are in many cases because they have gotten out of the path of God's will.  In that path, we get full supplies, provided we are in constant dependence on Him.  We must always be receiving from Him.

    It is like a water wheel going round.  What makes it go round?  The water that went over it yesterday?  No!  The stream that my flow tomorrow?  No!  What then?  The water passing over it just now.  If that stops, the wheel stops.  So we are dependent moment by moment.

    So there is a path of the will of God for us, and in that path there is full provision.  Out of it, we need not wonder if we do not find constant supplies.  Remember, then, one great secret of success is to be learning more and more perfectly how to be kept in the path of God's will.  (Selected)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2066]

November 13

"Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."  (1 John 1:3)

 Can I get truth outside the Father and Son?  I may have more to learn.  If a man is on the ocean, there may be a great deal he has to discover of it, but he has not to get there; he says, "I am there."  So I am in the truth.  I have a great deal to learn; but I am in the Father and the Son, and I am in the truth.  I do not want to seek it if I am in it.  I have the very eternal God in whom I dwell.  (J.N. Darby)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2067]

November 14

"Forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:13)

    A brother in Christ, E.L. Hamilton, once rebuked a Christian worker for manifesting an unforgiving spirit toward a penitent.  After a moment's thought the lady replied, "Well, I guess I will pardon her, as you suggest, but I never want to have anything more to do with her!"  Said Mr. Hamilton, "Is that how you want God to treat you?  Do you want Him to say He will forgive you, but that He will never have anything more to do with you?  Remember, when Christ forgave you, He cast your sins into the sea of everlasting forgetfulness!"  The lady was made to see that she had the wrong spirit .  She repented, forgave the erring one, and later the two became the best of friends.  Such forbearing of one another goes beyond out poor human powers.  It requires God's grace, and the softening influence of the Holy Spirit within our heart.

    Recently I read the story of how Louis XII ascended to the throne of France.  Before coming to power, he had been thrown into prison and kept in chains.  There he was in constant fear of death because of the threats of his cousin Charles VIII.  When he finally became king, he was urged by his advisors to seek revenge.  Louise XII refused.  Rather, he prepared a scroll, listing those who had been guilty of perpetrating crimes against him.  Behind each man's mane, he placed a cross in red ink.  When his enemies heard of this, they feared for their lives and fled.  However, Louis explained, "The cross which I draw by their name was not a sign of punishment, but a pledge of forgiveness... for the sake of the crucified Saviour, who upon His cross forgave all His enemies, prayed for them, and blotted out the hand writing that was against them."  (Selected)  

[N.J. Hiebert # 2068]

November 15

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich."  (2 Corinthians 8:9)

 Here is a concept that escapes our understanding.  How rich was the Son of God?  He owns everything!  Yet by His own act of will He gave it all up and became as poor as anyone had ever become.  Why?  That we, who were utterly destitute, might become as rich as He is.  Such grace!  That is the One we love and serve.  Are we availing ourselves of the wonderful riches of Christ?  Let us thank Him today for His abundant grace toward us. (Crawford Paul - Choice Gleanings) 

Out of the ivory palaces, into a world of woe,

Only His great, redeeming love made my Saviour go.

(H. Barraclough) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2069]

November 16

Take therefore no (worry) for (tomorrow),for (tomorrow) (will worry about its own things).  Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof."  (Matthew 6:34) (Inserted in brackets NKJV)

Life holds no surprises for God.  He is never taken aback by any situation in our world or in our life.  No path is unknown to Him, nor is any circumstance unsettling to Him.  The future is perfectly clear to our heavenly Father.  We have the full assurance that as we trust daily in His leading, He knows and cares about all our tomorrows and He will meet the need.  Don't worry about the "might happens" of our life.  Just follow.  (James Comte - Choice Gleanings)

I won't look forward - God sees all the future,

The road that, short or long, will lead me home;

And He will face with me its every trial,

And bear with me the burdens that may come. 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2070]

November 17

"The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)  "There is none that doeth good, no, not one."  (Romans 3:12)  "All have sinned." (Romans 3:23)

 Leprosy speaks of the uncleanness and loathsomeness of sin.  It is a constitutional disease which wrought fearful havoc in the bodies of its victims, even as sin works havoc in the souls of those who are under its power.  A man was not a leper because he was disfigured by horrible ulcers and painful sores.  These things were but the witness to the decease that was working within.  Even so, one is not a sinner because he sins: he sins because he is a sinner.  (H.A. Ironside)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2071]

November 18

"He will stand upon the earth."  (Job 19:25)

    "While I was walking on the moon" are the words with which astronaut James Irwin sometimes begins his talk.  What could be a more arresting opening?  You just have to hear what comes next!

    Many have heard Colonel Irwin relate how he stood on the moon and saw Planet Earth suspended in space as an iridescent jewel.  As a guest speaker, he shared that as he walked the thought came to him - "Man walking on the moon - this is the greatest event of human history!"  And then it was he heard an inner voice speak to his heart, "I did something greater than that - I walked on the earth!"  

    Colonel Irwin testifies that he returned from the moon not to be a celebrity but a servant of the Lord of the universe who came and walked on the earth in the person of Jesus Christ.

    The greatest event this world has ever experience is - the incarnation - God taking on Himself the form of human flesh.  Deity clothed in the garb of humanity.  The infinite becoming the Intimate.  The Sovereign becoming the Saviour.  As Malcolm Muggeridge has expressed it: "The coming of Jesus into the world is the most stupendous event of human history."

    "He will stand upon the earth." - this remarkable declaration of Job anticipated centuries in advance of our Lord's coming to earth, the supreme event of history.  For Job, it was his great hope.  It enabled him to endure and maintain his faith amidst the fiercest assaults on him.

    We live not with a great anticipation but with a grand realization.  Our Redeemer has come to earth, and our lives can never again be the same.  Because Christ came and He lives and reigns, we can face tomorrow.  Because He came and through the power of His resurrection, we can say with even greater confidence than did Job, "And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God" (Job 19:26).  (Henry Gariepy - Portraits of Perseverance)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2072]

November 19

"In all thy ways acknowledge HIM." (Proverbs 3:6)

I can wish you no greater blessing than that salvation may be no longer a "theory" but a glorious reality to you, constraining you henceforth to live unto Him entirely and joyfully.  If you once get hold of this, everything will seem different; the false lights of the world will no longer throw their flickering, deceiving lights around you, but you will view and estimate all in the true light, the glorious light which makes the earthly delusions altogether unattractive, and the grand eternal realities appear what they are, just realities.  (Francis Ridley Havergal)

Lord Jesus, make Thyself to me a living bright reality,

More present to faith's vision keen than any earthly object  seen,

More dear, more intimately nigh, than e'en the dearest earthly tie.

[N.J. Hiebert # 2073]

November 20

"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

Powerful testimony! which judges the walk and searches the heart.  The world's true character has now been manifested, because it has rejected and crucified the Son of God. Man had been already tried without law, and under law; but after he had shown himself to be wholly evil without law, and had broken the law when he had received it, then God Himself came in grace; He became man in order to bring the love of God home to the heart of man, having taken his nature.  It was the final test of man's heart.  He came not to impute sin to them, but to reconcile the world to Himself.  But the world would not receive Him; and it has shown that it is under the power of Satan and of darkness.  It has seen and hated both Him and His Father."  (J.N.D.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2074] 

November 21

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given."  (Isaiah 9:6) 

    A man may pretend to know the future, and by mere coincidence some of his predictions might come to pass.  If he knows the climate in a given part of the country, he may prophesy that it will rain on a certain day, and it might happen.  Or he may say that some day you will meet a man who has a black moustache, and very likely you will.  But should this pretender add some details, as for instance, saying that the rain will start at 2 o'clock and stop at 2:25, or that you will meet that man in a certain city, and specify the date, hour, and the place, there is less chance of its coming to pass.  The more detail he adds, the sooner his fraud will be discovered.

    But when God speaks of the future, it is as certain of fulfillment in all its details as though it were recorded history; and every detail given but enhances the beauty of the prophecy and displays the divine wisdom of Him who gave it.

    The Old Testament abounds with prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ, and the very multiplicity of details concerning Him and His coming leave an "honest and good heart" no room for anything but admiration and praise.  (P.W.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2075]

November 22

"But 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.... bring forth the best robe... put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet... let us eat and be merry..." (Luke 15:20-22) 

    God could not have us in His presence with sin upon us - could not suffer a single speck or stain of sin.  The father could not have the prodigal at his table with the rags of the far country upon him.  He could go forth to meet him in those rags; he could fall upon his neck and kiss him in those rags; it was the worthy and beautiful characteristic of his grace to do so.  But then to seat him at his table in the rags would never do.

    The grace that brought the father out to the prodigal, reigns through the righteousness which brought the prodigal in to the father.  It would not have been grace had the father waited for the son to deck himself in robes of his own providing; it would not have been righteous to bring him in - in his rags.  But both grace and righteousness shone forth in all their respective brightness and beauty when the father went out and fell on the prodigal's neck, but yet did not give him a seat at the table until he was clad and decked in a manner suited to that elevated and happy position.  (C.H. Mackintosh)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2076]

November 23

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." (Philippians 4:4)

"Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end." (Isaiah 102:27)

 We rejoice in Christ Jesus; and since He never changes, we can go on rejoicing in Him, whatever be our circumstances, whatever be our lot, whatever be our difficulties.  Jesus is there, and Jesus is the same, and Jesus is enough.  We can make our boast in the Lord all the day long. (W.Y.F.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2077]

November 24

"My grace is sufficient for thee." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

 What a word!  "Sufficient!"  More than any other, it meets all our need - the greater or the lesser needs, as they daily and hourly occur.  "Sufficient!"  Who can sink with such a word?(J.D.S.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2078]

November 25

"Turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven" (1 Thessalonians 1:9,10).

    That which should characterize Christians is, not merely holding the doctrine of the Lord's coming as that which they believe, but their souls should be in the daily attitude of waiting, expecting, and desiring His coming.  But why?  That they may see Himself and be with Him and like Him forever!  Not because the world which has been so hostile to them is going to be judged, though God will smite the wicked.

    The whole walk and character of a saint depends upon his waiting for the Lord.  Everyone should be able to read us by this, as having nothing to do in this world but to get through it, and not as having any portion in it.  (The Young Christian)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2079]

November 26

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever."  (Hebrews 13:8)

    A familiar saying among us is, "Man's extremity is God's opportunity."  No doubt we fully believe it; but yet when we find ourselves brought to our extremity, we are often very little prepared to count on God's opportunity.

    It is one thing to utter or hearken to a truth, and another thing to realize the power of that truth.  It is one thing, when sailing over a calm sea, to speak of God's ability to keep us in a storm, and it is another thing altogether to prove that ability when the storm is actually raging around us.

    And yet God is ever the same.  In the storm and in the calm, in sickness and in health, in pressure and in ease, in poverty and in abundance, (Hebrews 13:8) the same grand reality for faith to lean upon, cling to, and draw upon, at all times and under all circumstances.  (Christian Truth - December 1960 - Vol. 22)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2080]  

November 27

"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 18:3)

 The little child is not self-confident; it fears the untried and unknown; it seeks the companionship of mother or friend, and it is willing to be led.  O for the child-heart, with its simplicity and trust - its unbounded faith and lovely guilelessness!  Many strong men may read these words, who glory in their strength, and they must be converted and become as little children if they would learn the secret of abiding in Him.  (Selected)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2081] 

November 28

"... wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."  (Psalm 51:7) 

    These words are part of the contrite prayer of King David after he committed the gross sins of adultery and murder.  Truly repentant, he pleads in agony of soul, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."  This _expression is not an exaggeration; for although snow appears to be perfectly clean, each flake has at its core a tiny speck of dust - a dirty heart - around which its lacy pattern is formed.  The implication is that the psalmist wishes to be thoroughly cleansed from every vestige of sin.

    When King Edward Vll was still the Prince of Wales, he went to visit a country nobleman.  The little daughter of his host soon climbed up on his knee and quickly charmed the prince by her loving attitude.  Though just a youngster, she had already come to know the Saviour and enjoyed talking about Him.  After a few moments, in her childlike way she inquired, "Do you like to make guesses?"  Yes," he replied with a smile.  "Please, sir, ca you tell me what is whiter than snow?"  Unprepared for such a strange remark, the royal visitor looked confused and finally gave up.  The little maid said with a sweet rebuke in her eyes, "O Prince, I'm sorry, but every soul washed in Jesus' blood should know that he's been made 'whiter than snow'!"

    Are you burdened by unconfessed sin?  If you turn to Jesus and ask His forgiveness, you too will experience the wondrous cleansing He imparts.  Christ alone can put your feet on the highway to Heaven and make your heart "whiter than snow."  (H.G.B.) 

                                                Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?

There's power in the blood, power in the blood;

Sin stains are lost in its life-giving flow -

There's wonderful power in the blood.

(Jones)

 MEN MAY "WHITEWASH" SIN, BUT ONLY JESUS' BLOOD CAN WASH IT WHITE!

Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (1974), Grand Rapids, MI - Reprinted permission. 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2082]

November 29

"What is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom."  (Esther 5:3)

"Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom." (Mark 6:23)

 Two offers, two requests, two kingdoms.  Esther was willing to face death to bring life to her people.  Herodias' daughter used her life to bring death to John the Baptist.  Satan offers the kingdoms of this world at the cost of your own soul.  God offers His kingdom at the cost of His own Son.  In the final analysis, the latter is a kingdom of light, life and love; the former of darkness, destruction and dread.  Which kingdom are you pursuing?  (Tom Steere)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2083]

November 30

"There hath no temptation (trial) taken us, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempter (tried) above that ye are able; but will, with the temptation (trial), also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  (1 Corinthians 10:13) 

 Whenever we get into trial, we may feel confident that, with the trial, there is an issue, and all we need is a broken will, and a single eye to see (accept) it.  (Food for the Desert)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2084]

December 1

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in THEE.  In God I will praise HIS word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.... put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?... God is for me.... In God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me."  (Psalm 56:3,4,8,11)  

     The word or promise of God is all His resource - not present strength, but the word of promise - God's remembrance of him.... The word is the hope of the sufferer here, and he assures himself that the chief occasion of his praise by and by will be the word also, or the accomplishing of what he now believes and hopes.  As the apostle says, "I know whom I have believed." (2 Timothy 1:12)  It is not that there is present deliverance, but there is promise, and faith can listen to that and receive it as the pledge of future praise.

    Such should just be the state of our souls.  They should rest in the promises, knowing that they will be made good, and become the theme of constant delight.  We are never straitened in "the word" or the promises.  They are all we want.  We need only the faith to enjoy them with fulll ease of heart.  As this poor sufferer anticipates occasions of praise and the payment of his vows, in the light of the living.  (J.G. Bellett - Short Meditations on the Psalms)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2085]

December 2

"Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night. (Nehemiah 4:9)

 "Here," said George Muller, "is the greatest secret of success; work with all your might but trust not in your own power to achieve.  Pray with all your might for God's guidance and blessing.  Pray, then work, work and pray; and again pray and work.  Whether you see much fruit or little fruit, remember that God delights to bestow real blessing.  This comes generally in answer to earnest, believing prayer."

While working for my Saviour here, the devil tries me hard;

He uses all his mighty power, my service to retard;

He's up to every move, and yet through all I prove,

A little talk with Jesus makes it right, all right.

[N.J. Hiebert # 2086]

December 3

"Oh that I were, as in months past."  (Job 29:2)

It is always a bad sign when people look back to dwell on the past.  Are people not to grow?  Are children of God merely to be occupied with the immense favour of God?  No doubt it is very true that one is plucked out of the teeth of Satan; but what is that compared with the positive knowledge of God?  It is a great thing for us; but is not the knowledge of God infinitely greater than merely the action of divine grace in rescuing a poor wretched sinner?  It is an admirable thing for the sinner always to feel it; but it is a sad thing when he looks back to it as the brightest of all things.  Why, that means he has been making no progress at all; it means that he has been all these years afterwards looking back upon that as the divine moment.  Surely divine life ought to be a growing enjoyment; and the more so as you know of Christ and of God.  (William Kelly - Lectures on the Book of Job) 

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2087]

December 4

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord."  (2 Corinthians 4:5)

 We have an excellent touchstone by which to try all sorts of teaching and preaching.  The most spiritual teaching will ever be characterized by a full and constant presentation of Christ.  The Spirit cannot dwell on aught but Jesus.  Of Him He delights to speak.  He delights in setting forth His attractions and excellencies.  Hence, when a man is ministering by the power of the Spirit of God, there will always be more of Christ than anything else in his ministry.  There will be little room in such ministry for human logic and reasoning.  Such things may do very well when a man desires to set forth himself; but the Spirit's sole object - be it well remembered by all who minister - will ever be to set forth Christ.  (C.H. Mackintosh)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2088]

December 5

"Being in an agony, He (Jesus) prayed more earnestly."  (Luke 22:44)

 Challenges and difficulties are an inevitability in this life.  However, when trials and temptations come our way, too often we become disheartened or distracted and we pray less.  But with our Lord it was so different.  In the depths of His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed more earnestly.  Instead of them being barriers to our prayer life, may our problems become blessed reasons for praying even more earnestly.  (John M. Clegg) 

Oh, what peace we often forfeit;

Oh, what needless pain we bear -

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

(Joseph Scriven) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2089]

December 6

"For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven."  (Psalm 119:89) 

The Bible - There it stands

Century follows century - There it stands.

Empires rise and fall and are forgotten - There it stands.

Dynasty succeeds dynasty - There it stands.

Kings are crowned and uncrowned - There it stands.

Storms of hate swirl about it - There it stands.

Atheists rail against it - There it stands.

Profane, prayerless punsters caricature it - There it stands.

Agnostics smile cynically - There it stands.

An anvil that has broken a million hammers - There it stands.

The flames are kindled about it - There it stands.

The arrows of hate are discharged against it - There it stands.

Radicalism rants and raves against it - There it stands.

Fogs of sophistry try to conceal it - There it stands.

The tooth of time gnaws, but makes no dent in it - There it stands.

(Anon)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2090]

December 7

"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness."  (Psalm 17:17

 Dear friends of Gems,

    Richard (Dick) K. Gorgas, a man who loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, but still had room in that large heart of his to love those of the family of God, has gone "home".  Those in his assembly, community, prisons and numerous others were touched by his love for his Lord and the desire that others would also get to know HIM.  Many did!  The Spanish community is feeling the loss intensely.  It was mentioned at the funeral, "who will come in to replace a fallen soldier?"  His work is finished and he is "With Christ which is far better.

    Many will remember his generosity.  The needy found a friend who provided practical help and sought to meet their spiritual needs as well.

    We will remember the many encouraging e-mail messages, including scriptural portions, poems and hymns.  He was known as the "SINGING PILGRIM."  His songs are now even sweeter but we no longer hear the voice.  The hands that once poured out messages, are no longer on the keyboard.  His memory will linger on in our hearts.

    I can still hear his voice teaching us the following song while at a hymn sing some years ago.  I believe it portrays one of the many admirable characteristics of a friend who "cared" and "shared". 

I'll Be a Friend to Jesus

They tried my Lord and Master,  With no one to defend;

Within the halls of Pilate  He stood without a friend

Refrain  I'll be a friend to Jesus,  My life for Him I'll spend;

I'll be a friend to Jesus,  Until my years shall end 

The world may turn against Him,  I'll love Him to the end;

And while on earth I'm living,  My Lord shall have a friend.

I'll do what He may bid me;  I'll go where He may send; 

I'll try each flying moment,  To prove that I'm His friend.

To all who need a Saviour,  My friend I recommend;

Because He brought salvation,  Is why I am His friend.   

[N.J. Hiebert # 2091]

December 8

"Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee."  (Psalm 119:11)

     The word of God is sufficient for every possible condition.  Acquaintance with it is the one way of being fortified against every insidious effort of the enemy.

    May God in His mercy cause us to direct our attention to it more and more, with unceasing prayer.

    Let it be the subject of meditation day and night while, with unremitting desire and patience, we study and search the sacred page.  It is the diligent soul that is made fat.  (Christian Truth - Volume 21 - May 1968)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2092]

December 9

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world...the world passes away."  (1 John 2:15,17)

 Forty years ago veteran missionary Mr. E.H. Sims said to me, "The stores today are full of so many things one can do without!"  A brother once heard him having a conversation in his tent and wondered who could be with him?  No one!  He was just talking with his Saviour!  "Uncle Bert's" life was so uncluttered with the things of this world that he was able to enjoy constant communion with his Lord.  Are the things which are "passing away" cluttering up my life and taking up my time and affection?  (David Croudace)

Vanity, then, of vanities, all things for which men grasp and grope!

The precious things in heavenly eyes -

Are LOVE, and TRUTH, and TRUST, and HOPE. 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2093] 

December 10

"He made the stars also."  (Genesis 1:16)

 In Moses' Spirit-inspired account of the creation, he tells us that God made the sun and the moon.  Then it's as though he says, "Oh, incidentally, He made the stars also."  Earth's galaxy alone is computed to have some 100 billion stars.  Beyond our galaxy are at least several hundred thousand other galaxies, each doubtless containing billions of stars.  The psalmist tells us that God knows "the number of the stars; He calls them all by their names" (Psalm 147:4).  What an infinitely great God we have!  (W. Ross Rainey) 

O Lord, my God!  When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed. 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2094] 

December 11

"By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain."  (1 Corinthians 15:10)

 Commenting on this verse, the erstwhile slave runner John Newton exclaimed, "I am not what I ought to be!  Ah, how imperfect and deficient!  I am not what I wish to be!  I abhor that which is evil, and would cleave to that which is good.  I am not what I hope to be!  Soon, soon I shall put off mortality and with it all sin and imperfection.  Yet though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say I am not what I once was!"

Then we shall be where we would be,

Then we shall be what we should be;

Things that are not now nor could be

Soon shall be our own.

(T.Kelly) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2095]

December 12

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." (James 1:17)

 The grateful heart receives all as from God, knowing that every good and perfect gift (everything that He gives answers to this description) comes down from heaven, from the Father of lights.  He knows what is in the darkness, but the light dwells with Him (Daniel 2:22), with whom is neither changeableness not shadow cast by turning.  Every blessing for time and eternity we owe to the unfailing goodness and unalterable purpose of grace. (H.A. Ironside)  

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2096]

December 13

"...when He was reviled, [He] reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not." (1 Peter 2:23)

    I am not sure it ever happens exactly like this, but you'll recognize the point: Four-year old Angelo wakes up and discovers that his new beagle puppy has chewed up his plastic guitar.  The little fellow has a fit of grief.  Mom's nerves tighten.  Yesterday's headache starts coming back, and she snaps at husband Tony as he leaves for the office.  Still feeling the unhappy sendoff, he greets his secrtary with some cold and unreasonable instructions.  She immediately picks up the mood, and at coffeebreak tells off a fellows secretary in a way that puts the whole pool on ice.  Fifteen minutes before the office closes, the second put-down secretary vents her anger at her boss and tells him she's had it.  About an hour and a half later, he walks into his house after fighting heavy freeway traffic.  Seeing his wife, he blurts out an angry word because little Nelson has left his bike in the driveway again.  Mom turns around and yells at their 5-year old son.  Nelson's eyes fill up with tears, he rushes to his room, slams the door, and kicks his Scottish terrier.

    Where does it all end?  Every reaction is understandable.  Each person had a reason for being upset.  But what that little world of people needed that day was someone who could absorb unjust treatment without lashing out.  And this is where a Christian has a unique opportunity.  By knowing the Father's will, by heeding the Son's example, and by relying on the Spirit's help, he can put up with bad treatment in order to show others a better way.  In terms of a chain reaction of anger, he can be where it all ends.  (Selected) 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2097]

December 14

"He said to them, go ye into all the world..."  (Mark 16:15) 

"Jesus... saith unto him go home to thy friends, and tell them..." Mark 5:19 

    William Carey, pioneer missionary to India, first heard the gospel from a fellow apprentice in a shoemaker's shop.  Carey made light of his co-worker's testimony, but secretly became convicted of his deep need: "I found myself a sinner, whose only hope was to trust Jesus."

    Once saved, he really got into God's Word.  he also read books and listened to preachers that expounded it.  As he began preaching, the Lord burdened his heart for the lost in India.  He also discovered that he had a gift for languages, and easily taught himself Greek, Hebrew, Latin, French, Dutch, and Italian.  He became convinced that translating the Bible into native tongues was a key to taking the gospel to all the world.  But when he shared his burden for the lost in India, he was told, "When God pleases to convert the heathen, he'll do it without your aid."  Undaunted, he took as his motto, "Attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God."  With his whole family, he departed for India in 1793.  

    Overcoming great set backs, Carey eventually established 26 churches, translated the whole Bible into six languages and the New Testament into 23 languages.  Shortly before his death in 1834, he characterized himself as a "plodder - one who simply persevered in what he undertook for God."  The gospel is not spread today so much by miracles as by "going" and "telling."  This is what Carey did in India, but just as importantly, this is what his co-worker did in the shoemaker's shop in England.  Whose was the greater work?  If God calls you to do great things for Him in India, by all means go!  But if He calls you to serve with your co-workers, friends, and neighbours right where you are, do that!  (Taken from "The Lord is Near") 

[N.J. Hiebert # 2098]

December 15

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."  (Acts 12:5)

This verse tells us that there was a much stronger force at work than the squadron of soldiers under Herod.  While Peter was in prison, earnest, ceaseless, urgent supplication was being made by the Church to the living and true God.  It was sure, united and in the unction of the Holy Spirit.  As the prayers rose, chains slid off manacled wrists.  Vigilant guards saw nothing.  Iron gates yielded.  Prayer worked then, and it works today.  Learn to engage in and enjoy prayer.  Then watch what God will do.  (Choice Gleanings)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2099]

December 16

"She hath wrought a good work upon Me."  (Matthew 26:10)

 Christ Himself was the immediate object of this woman's soul; and it was this which gave value to her act, and sent the odour of her ointment straight up to the throne of God.  Little did she know or think that untold millions would read the record of her deep-toned personal devotedness.  Little did she imagine that her act would be stereotyped by the Master's hand on the very pages of eternity, and never be obliterated.  She thought not of this.  She sought not, nor dreamed of such marvellous publicity; had she done so, it would have robbed her act of all its charms, and deprived her sacrifice of all its fragrance. (Christian Truth - Vol. 20)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2100]

December 17

"Grace reign[s] through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."  (Romans 5:21)

 It is only in redemption that this reign of grace could be seen. We may see in creation the reign of wisdom and power; we may see in providence the reign of goodness and long-suffering; but only in redemption do we see the reign of grace, and that, too, on the principle of righteousness.  (C.H. Mackintosh)    

[N.J. Hiebert # 2101]

December 18

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."  (Luke 16:10)

 There is a serving of one's time; that is, you will not be entrusted with very great works until you have proved your competency in small ones.  It is impossible but that a star must shine, and it is equally so, that if your eye were single, your whole body would be full of light.  The cause of idleness, or ignorance of one's mission is, either that one is not fit for it, or not free and humble in heart enough to begin at the little works appointed for one to do.  (J.B.S.)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2102]

December 19

"Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them."  (Luke 24:15)

 Jesus Himself!  Nothing less is offered to us.  If we want Him, we can have Him.  All that He is, and all that He has, may be ours.  Our Christianity, to be all that it ought to be and may be, must be just this - Himself.

The true and perfect knowledge of Him really settles every difficulty.  To know Him is to know God, and to know God is to end our doubts.  Christ had none, because this knowledge was His; and it may be ours.

"In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.  And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:9,10)  (Selected)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2103]

December 20

The wages of sin is death."  (Romans 6:23)

 Man may seek to hide his humiliation in various ways; to cover his retreat through the valley of death in the most heroic manner possible; to call the last humiliating stage of his career by the most honourable titles he can devise; to gild the bed of death with a false light; to adorn the funeral procession and the grave with the appearance of pomp, pageantry, and glory; to raise above the mouldering ashes a splendid monument, on which are engraved the records of human shame.  All these things he may do; but death is death after all, and he cannot keep it off for a moment, or make it aught else than what it is; namely, "the wages of sin is death; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD."   "THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT." (2 CORINTHIANS 9:15)  (Selected)  Having read this, can you be of good cheer? 

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2104]

December 21

"Ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord.... Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching."  (Luke 12:36,37)

Our Lord would have us "watch" as well as "wait" for His coming.  Both imply spiritual activity.  Waiting souls are certainly not sleeping; for waiting according to our Lord's mind must be with girded loins, diligence in His service, and lights burning, thus bearing clear testimony to Him in the power of the Holy Spirit during the darkness of the night.  (H.H.S.)

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2105]

December 22

"The Lord gave the WORD: great was the company of those that published it."  (Psalm 68:11)  

Holy Bible, Book divine!

Precious treasure, thou art mine!

Mine, to tell me whence I came;

Mine, to teach me what I am.

Mine, to chide me when I rove;

Mine, to show a Saviour's love;

Mine thou art, to guide my feet;

Mine, to judge, condemn, acquit.

Mine, to comfort in distress,

If the Holy Spirit bless;

Mine, to show by living faith,

How to triumph over death.

Mine, to tell of joys to come;

Mine, to show the sinner's doom;

Holy Bible, Book divine!

Precious treasure, thou art mine!

(Author unknown)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2106] 

December 23

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?  by taking heed thereto according to Thy word." (Psalm 119:9)

We need to read the Word daily so that we might have that cleansing that is so needful.  As we read and let the Word speak to our hearts and consciences, it exercises us.  (A.M. Barry)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2107]

December 24

"Show me now Thy way."  (Exodus 33:13)

 May we so trust the love of God, the faithfulness of God, that we may have courage to say, "Show me Thy way"; faith in the full delight of God to bless us, so that we may do His will, even if it be the loss of everything; our souls so intimate with God, that we may seek His way and nothing else.  (Selected) 

 [N.J. Hiebert # 2108]

December 25

"When the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." (John 15:26)  "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come.  He shall glorify Me;  for He shall received of Mine and show it unto you.  All things that  the Father hath are Mine; therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine and shall show it unto you." (John 16:13-15)

The coincidence of these words with the testimony of Abraham's servant is instructive and interesting.  It was by telling of Isaac that he sought to attract the heart of Rebekah; and it is, as we know, by telling of Jesus, that the Holy Ghost seeks to draw poor sinners away from a world of sin and folly, into the blessed and holy unity of the body of Christ.  "He shall take of Mine and show it unto you."  The Spirit of God will never lead any one to look at Himself or His work, but only and always at Christ.  Hence, the more really spiritual any one is, the more entirely will he be occupied with Christ.  (C.H. Mackintosh - Genesis)

[N.J. Hiebert # 2109]