http://www.blogigo.com/4gems Selections to help those desiring to walk with God and to understand the teaching of the Bible, God's Word. en dondegr1 dondegr1 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:04:00 +0100 daily 1 http://www.assemblytestimony.org/?q=node/26 The Truth of Gathering to the Lord Jesus Christ By Ian W. Gibson (Winnipeg, Canada) PAPER 1: The Truth of Gathering in Simplicity — Luke 22.8-14 One of the defining Scriptural principles in relation to a New Testament local assembly is the truth that the believers gather simply to the Name and Person of the Lord Jesus. The Lord is at the centre of every gathering of the saints; our gathering centre is Christ Himself; He is the One who is “in the midst” of His people both now and will be also in the future, Matt.18.20, Heb.2.12. This is a truth that will keep and preserve the believer in God’s assembly for the rest of life, or until our Lord returns, regardless of any possible causes for discouragement that may exist. When this truth of gathering makes real impressions upon the soul, there will be produced strong convictions about the assembly so that there will be no desire to leave. If the... Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:04:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Gathering-to-the-Lord-Jesus-Christ/18/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Gathering-to-the-Lord-Jesus-Christ/18/ My brethren, the reason why you have not got contentment in the things of the world is not because you have not got enough of them - that is not the reason - but the reason is, because they are not things proportionable to that immortal soul of yours that is capable of God Himself. --Jeremiah Burroughs Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized, and leaned upon, God has from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it; so that we find the readiest course to be rid of our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately upon them. - John Flavel How shall I depend on Him for raising my body from the dust; and saving my soul at last; if I distrust Him for a crust of bread, towards my preservation. --Joseph Hall As God did not at first choose you because you were high, so He will not forsake you because you are low. --John Flavel whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes... Sun, 12 Dec 2010 04:25:13 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Enough/17/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Enough/17/ Our Almighty Friend! (Mary Winslow, "Words of Loving Counsel and Sympathy") " Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need ." Hebrews 4:16 The Lord knows what we require every step we take through this poor, trying, wilderness world--and stands ready to supply our needs, small and great. He is concerned in all that concerns us. Let it be our daily habit to cast our care upon Him--who cares for us. We must be growing in a better acquaintance with our own souls--as poor and needy; and with Christ--who is all and everything to us. For in Him all fullness dwells--and that fullness is for us! He is our rich storehouse. We need only to go and tell Him--and His heart is open to us in a moment. Let us live upon Him--and go to Him constantly! He is our Almighty Friend! Could we look into His heart, and see how precious we were to Him, and how truly He is... Sat, 27 Nov 2010 18:06:51 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Our-Almighty-Friend/16/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Our-Almighty-Friend/16/ More of Christ! More of Christ! by James Smith, 1860 What is it my soul, which causes this uneasiness, this dissatisfaction, this deep inward yearning after something which you have not, or do not at present enjoy? I am not at rest. I am not rejoicing in God. I am not singing from the heights of Zion. Yet, I have no slavish fears, I have no gloomy doubts of my saving interest in Christ, I have no actual dread of death or the judgment. But I feel a desire to climb higher , to know more, and to enjoy the power of religion within — as I have not of late. It seems to me that all my needs lead me to Christ, and all my desires go out toward Christ. I want — well, what do I want? I want to feel more of my NEED of Christ. I have imagined at times, that I could not have a deeper sense of my need of Christ, and of all that Christ is, and has — than I have already experienced. But I am... Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:53:39 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/More-of-Christ/15/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/More-of-Christ/15/ O the preciousness of this truth ! (Arthur Pink, "The Sovereignty of God") God is infinite in power, and therefore it is impossible for any to withstand His will, or resist the outworking of His decrees!! Such a statement as that is well calculated to fill the lost sinner with alarm--but from the believer, it evokes nothing but praise. Let us add a word, and see what a difference it makes--"My God is infinite in power, and therefore it is impossible for any to withstand His will, or resist the outworking of His decrees!!" My God is infinite in power! Then " I will not fear what man can do unto me !" My God is infinite in power! Then " whenever I am afraid--I will trust in Him !" My God is infinite in power! Then " I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep--for You alone Lord, make me dwell in safety !" Psalm 4:8 " There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the... Thu, 21 Oct 2010 03:00:08 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Preciousness-of-this-truth/14/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Preciousness-of-this-truth/14/ The grand secret ! (Octavius Winslow, "Evening Thoughts") " This is real love. It is not that we loved God--but that He loved us and sent His Son as a  sacrifice to take away our sins ." 1 John 4:10 Deal much and closely with a crucified Savior! This is the grand secret of a constant ascending of the affections to God. If you find it difficult to comprehend the love of God towards you--then read it in the cross of His dear Son! Dwell upon this amazing fact, drink into this precious truth, muse upon it, ponder it, search into it, pray over it, until your heart is melted down, and broken, and overwhelmed with God's wondrous love to you, in the gift of Jesus! Oh, how will this rekindle the flame that is ready to die in your bosom! How it will draw you up in a holy and unreserved surrender of body, soul, and spirit! Deal much with Jesus! Whenever you detect . . .   a waning of love,   a... Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:17:07 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Grand-secret/13/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Grand-secret/13/ DIVINE SYMPATHY (John MacDuff, "The Rainbow in the Clouds") " I know their sorrows !" Exodus 3:7 Man cannot say so. There are many sensitive fibers in the soul, which the best and most tender human sympathy cannot touch. But the Prince of Sufferers, He who led the way in the path of sorrow, "knows our frame." When crushing bereavement lies like ice on the heart, when the dearest earthly friend cannot enter into the peculiarities of our grief--Jesus can, Jesus does! He who once bore my sins--also carried my sorrows. That eye, now on the throne, was once dim with weeping! I can think in all my afflictions--" He was afflicted ;" in all my tears--" Jesus wept ." " I know their sorrows !" He may seem at times thus to forget and forsake us; leaving us to utter the plaintive cry, " Has God forgotten to be gracious ?" when all the while He is bending over us in the most tender love. He often allows our needs... Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:28:51 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Divine-Sympathy/12/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Divine-Sympathy/12/ ALMIGHTY GUIDANCE (John MacDuff, "THE THOUGHTS OF GOD") " I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go; I will guide you with My eye ." Psalm 32:8   No more precious assurance can I have, than this: that I am under the constant, loving guidance of my heavenly Father--that He appoints the bounds of my habitation, and overrules all events for my good--that my whole life is a plan arranged by Him! Every apparent little contingency, as well as every momentous turn and crisis-hour--forms part of that plan! " A man's heart devises his way--but the Lord directs his steps ." " I will instruct you and teach you ." How patiently does this almighty Preceptor train, and with what infinite wisdom and tenderness does He adapt His varied teachings to the needs and requirements of His people! It is " line upon line ;" or if need be--cross upon cross, trial upon trial. Or it may be that startling providences are... Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:42:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Guidance-from-God/11/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Guidance-from-God/11/ The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Having the Source of all things, he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight. Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it purely, legitimately and forever. -- A.W. Tozer Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:42:51 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/God-is-our-Treasure/10/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/God-is-our-Treasure/10/ Some of you have truly been brought by God to believe in Jesus. Yet you have no abiding peace, and very little growth in holiness. Why is this? It is because your eye is fixed anywhere but on Christ. You are so busy looking at books, or looking at men, or looking at the world, that you have no time, no heart, for looking at Christ. No wonder you have little peace and joy in believing. No wonder you live so inconsistent and unholy a life. Change your plan. Consider the greatness and glory of Christ, who has undertaken all in the stead of sinners, and you would find it quite impossible to walk in darkness, or to walk in sin. Oh, what low, despicable thoughts you have of the glorious Immanuel! Lift your eyes from your own bosom, downcast believer - look upon Jesus. It is good to consider your ways, but it is far better to consider Jesus. Oh, believer, consider Jesus. Meditate on these things. Look and look again, until your peace flows like a river. - Robert Murray M’Cheyne... Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:22:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Christ-above-all/9/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Christ-above-all/9/ The higher our privileges, the richer our blessings, the nearer our relationship,   the more does it become us, the more solemnly are we bound,  to be faithful, and to seek in all things to carry ourselves in such a way as to be well-pleasing to Him who has called us into the very highest and most blessed place that ever His perfect love could bestow.                                    CHM:  Deuteronomy  Vol**  P444 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:13:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Our-duty-to-Him/8/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Our-duty-to-Him/8/ The Unity of the Spirit, and what it is to keep it. Being notes of a lecture delivered in 1882 by Wm. Kelly. Third Edition 'The unity of the Spirit.' Ephesians 4: 3. It is needless for one to insist at length on that which is sufficiently plain to every Christian reader — the importance which God attaches to keeping the unity of the Spirit. It is true that 'endeavouring' fails to give the real force of the word employed by the Spirit of God. 'Endeavouring' is an expression which in the ordinary language of the day is habitually applied to that which men essay or seek after, even if they have not a hope of accomplishing. They feel that they may fail, but at any rate they try or 'endeavour' to do this or that. Such is not the meaning of the word here, but rather zeal in heeding and carrying out what is already true, giving diligence 'to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.' This,... Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:27:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Unity-of-the-Spirit-Wm.-Kelly/7/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Unity-of-the-Spirit-Wm.-Kelly/7/   LOVE is conformity to the nature of GOD, the living expression of what HE was.  Communion with GOD alone sustains it.  The manifestation of having been made a partaker of HIS nature. J.N. Darby Thu, 14 May 2009 19:13:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Definition-of-Love/6/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Definition-of-Love/6/ Scriptural Principles of Gathering OR Why I Meet Among Those Known as Brethren by Alfred P. Gibbs   Foreword by John Bloore Plainfield, N. J. February, 1935. As the years pass and the Lord calls home those who have been used to bring out the essential teachings of God's word as to the truth of the gospel and the scriptural order of the assembly, and as a new generation of believers grows up, many of whom are children of the Lord's people who come into the assemblies under circumstances quite different from their fathers, it is very needful that the fundamental principles relating to the fellowship of believers as taught in Scripture should be freshly presented for their help and guidance. This, too, may serve to enlighten others who may be exercised about the disorder, confusion and apostasy of Christendom, as these features are found in its existing religious organizations. In the following... Fri, 08 May 2009 01:50:36 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Scriptural-Principles/5/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Scriptural-Principles/5/ 51                  Suffering seasons are generally sifting seasons. The more we fear God the less we shall fear man. There are Christians who know little but do much, and there are Christians who do little but know much. There are two ways in which Christ shows His perfect love: first, by coming down to earth to bear my sins; second, by going up to heaven to give me His glory. Many will admit that Scripture contains truth, but few will accept that all that it contains is truth. There are many dead religions but only one living Christ. Truth is truth whatever the vessel used to convey it. 52 The world cannot rise to the level of the Christian, but the Christian can sink to the level of the world. Corruption within the camp is much more dangerous than opposition without... Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:04:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Memorable-proverbs-part-2/3/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Memorable-proverbs-part-2/3/ How I Study: Principles of Study Philip Harding 2 Timothy 2:15 Read - using your eyes: "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law" (Ps 119:18). Meditate - using your mind: "in His law doth he meditate day and night" (Ps 1:2). Record - using your hand: "What thou seest write in a book" (Rev 1:11). Apply - using your heart and will: "I will keep Thy precepts with my whole heart" (Ps 119:69). Read (1 Tim 4:13) The first few times read the book quickly, right through if possible. Most books can be read completely in a fairly short time. Read the book out loud as things seem to register better. Don’t write, but read. Grasp the Theme Then, read the book a number of times slowly and try to grasp the theme of the book. For example, in Mark, the focus is Christ the Servant and in 2 Timothy the theme is the believer in the last days or the need... Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:19:05 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Principles-of-Bible-Study/2/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Principles-of-Bible-Study/2/ 1 What is Faith? Close your eyes to everything visible, and open your ear to God. That is faith. Bad doctrine leads to bad behaviour. You can learn of a person by reading of that person in a book, but to learn from that person you must be in his company. Humility is the secret of fellowship, and pride is the secret of division. If we do not put into practice what we say we have believed, then we have not really believed it. I think that when near the Lord you look at your mercies, when away from Him at your troubles.  The best way to correct a failing in your brother is to be in yourself the living expression of the virtue he lacks 2 The Bible is always a new book to those well–acquainted with it. Spiritual work can only be done by spiritual strength. Every step in... Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:20:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Memorable-proverbs/1/ http://www.blogigo.com/4gems/Memorable-proverbs/1/