Gems for February - wk 3
February 17
"Then cometh Jesus. . .unto a place called Gethsemane." (Matthew 26:36)
"He brought Jesus forth. . .in a place called. . .Gabbatha." (John 19:13)
"And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha." (Mark 15:22)
This is the path that only One could have walked. Behold three significant stops. The first, Gethsemane, was a place of fervent anguish, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death." The second, Gabbatha, was a place of false accusation. The expedient sentence was passed and He was delivered to the people to be crucified. The third, Golgotha, was a place of fierce agony. "They pierced My hands and My feet." He took this path willingly, and so we willingly gather in His name and worship Him today. (Kong Fui Lee)
Man of sorrows! what a name for the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
(P.P. Bliss)
N.J.H. # 2890
February 18
I will sing of mercy and judgment, unto Thee, Oh LORD, will I sing."
(Psalm 101:1)
Those two words stood out. How could I have mercy, if Jesus did not take my judgment? We need to have this settled before we reach the Father's house. He will not have us concerned that mercy will not last; that sometime (in the timeless eternity) the question may arise about my sins. NEVER! The debt has been paid in full. When Jesus rose from the dead we get the receipt, as it were. . . . He "was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:25). When we see the awful judgment of the cross, we realize how great our debt was. We will be constantly learning more when Ephesians 2:7 is fulfilled. "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Submitted by a reader of the "Gems")
N.J.H. # 2891
February 19
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath
great recompence of reward." (Hebrews 10:35)
Hold fast your confidence and it will be the secret of strength to you. Where do we see victory over the world? In those who are happiest in Christ. Why are you and I so miserably down in the traffic of the world? Because we are not as happy in Christ as we ought to be. Give me a soul that has boldness and joy in God's presence and I will show you one that has victory over the world. (J.G. Bellett - Musings on the Epistle to the Hebrews)
N.J.H. # 2892
February 20
". . . the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5)
Harm and wounds inflicted by others can be so deep, the scars so painful, that humanly speaking it is impossible to forgive. But Jesus gave us God's love, and this love is always abundant. Did you, did I, really accept this love from Him? (Corrie Ten Boom - This Day is the Lord's)
N.J.H. # 2893
February 21
"It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;
not with meats, which have not profited them that have
been occupied therein." (Hebrews 13:9)
Where are our hearts? Are they occupied with this world, or are we quietly passing on to heaven, taken up with that which love cannot lose sight of - a living Christ in heaven?
What wealth have you if you have not got Christ? If Christ is the object before you, will all the things that fret you take Christ from you? All the things you long for, will they give you more of Christ?
Our springs, all the way from beginning to end, are in Christ; you cannot find anything apart from Christ. It won't do to stand on any ground apart from an ascended Christ. He who spake as never man spake, is the One whose word is to stand throughout eternity. (G.V. Wigram - Gleanings)
N.J.H. # 2894
