Gems for February - wk 1
February 1
"Restore unto me the joy of salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit."
(Psalm 51:12)
There may be many things ahead that look difficult (and are difficult). We want to be willing for them and perhaps do not see quite how we can be, or we fear to fail in inward willingness. But the Lord will not fail. "Uphold me with Thy free (willing) Spirit." (Amy Carmichael - Edges of His Ways)
N.J.H. # 3236
February 2
"Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the
water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17)
It is recorded in history that some years ago a man was condemned to be put to death. When he came to lay his head on the block, the prince who had charge of the execution asked him if there was any one petition that he could grant him. All that the condemned man asked for was a glass of water. They went and got him a tumbler of water, but his hand trembled so that he could not get it to his mouth.
The prince said to him, "Your life is safe until you drink that water."
He took the prince at his word, and dashed the water to the ground. They could not gather it up, and so he saved his life. My friend, you can be saved now by taking God at His Word. The water of life is offered to "whosoever will." Take it now, and live. (Moody's Anecdotes - D.L. Moody)
N.J.H. # 3237
February 3
"But He (Jesus) answered and said, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)
If I were a doctor, and someone came to me and said this: "Doc, I have absolutely no appetite for food. I don't mean once in a while; I mean ever": I would immediately know there's something wrong with this man. Fluctuations in appetite are normal, but absolutely no appetite is a sign of sickness, and I would try to find out what it is! And that's exactly the way I respond to a Christian who tells me that he has no desire at all to read the Bible - or that he has no desire to pray or assemble with other believers. That's not normal; that's abnormal - a sign of bondage brought about by error. So I would try to identify the error and replace it with truth from the Word of God.
Just like my physical appetite, my spiritual appetite ebbs and flows. It isn't perfectly consistent, and I don't worry about it if the fluctuations aren't extreme. But there are times, physically, when I get the flu and have no appetite for food at all. Then I'll often have to force myself to eat, knowing that I need to keep my strength up. In the same way, there are times when I might not have a desire for God's Word, and the reason is because I have started believing the lie of legalism and the accusations of the Accuser (Satan). At those times, even though I don't have the desire, I'll make myself get into the Bible simply because I know I need to renew my mind with truth. But don't forget, those times are still the abnormal, not the normal state of my spiritual life. My assumption is that when a man understands the fullness of God's love and acceptance, he'll want to read God's Word; he'll want to spend time with God his Father in prayer; and he'll want to gather with other believers for worship and encouragement. (B. George)
N.J.H. # 3238
February 4
"God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." (Psalm 73:26)
Has the year brought sadness? Joy is yet in store.
Has it given gladness? Next year giveth more.
Let your Father measure All your pain and care,
Let Him weigh the burden That your heart must bear,
Sending light or shadow As He deemeth best,
For in His sure wisdom You can safely rest.
Peace for all the morrows, Strength for all the days,
These shall be your portion Through the New Year's ways.
(Annie Johnson Flint - Best Loved Poems)
N.J.H. # 3239
February 5
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
(Psalm 119:105)
The Bible is our unerring chart as we journey to the heavenly land. Robert Pollock speaks of it as "the star of eternity, the only star by which the barque of man could navigate the sea of life, and gain the coast of bliss securely." It tells of the dangers which beset us on every hand; of the rocks on which so many gallant ships have foundered; and, best of all, it directs us how to launch on that swelling tide which bears us to Immanuel's Land. Be sure that you consult it daily. A man called upon an old lady to enquire if she owned a Bible. "Certainly I own a Bible ," she replied with a degree of pride. He asked her if she read the Bible. "Indeed I do," she answered, calling a little girl to bring her Bible from the bureau drawer. When she opened the Bible her glasses fell out, and before she thought she exclaimed: "Oh, here are my glasses which have been lost for three months!" O Grandma! (George Henderson - In Pastures Green)
N.J.H. # 3240
February 6
"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, THOU SHALT BE SAVED." (Romans 10:9)
I do not know of any more important truth to bring before an unconverted person than the answer to the question - "What must I do to be saved?" - because that is the beginning of everything with regard to the divine life. A man must know he is saved before there is any peace, or joy, or comfort. The answer is, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
The question that comes right after that from almost every one is, "What is it to believe?" I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; I believe that He came into the world to save sinners. Well, so do the devils. The devils not only believe, but they tremble. I can believe intellectually that Jesus Christ is able and willing to save, and yet be as far from the kingdom of God as any man who never heard about Jesus Christ. To be saved I must believe in IN MY HEART, and TRUST in His atoning work. (Daily Gems - The D.L. Moody Year Book)
N.J.H. # 3241
February 7
"It is I (Jesus); be not afraid." (Mark 6:50)
The realization of Christ's presence is the antidote to every possible fear, and the way to comfort people is the ministry of Christ in the power of the Spirit, to so present Him that they shall apprehend His presence. (Edward Dennett)
N.J.H. # 3242
