Gems for June - wk 3
June 16
"Certain of the disciples . . . brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge." (Acts 21:16)
He was a disciple. He was an old disciple, he had been long in the way and had evidently gone on well for God. He was a hospitable disciple, for with him the apostle was to lodge.
Some men have spent their lives to win a line in the world's chronicles which are written on sand, and have broken their hearts because they failed; but this passing act of one obscure Christian, in sheltering a little company of travel-stained wayfarers has made his name a possession forever.
"Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not" - but let us fill our little corners, doing our unnoticed work for the love of our Lord, careless about man's remembrance or praise, because sure of Christ's whose praise is the only fame, whose remembrance is the highest reward. (CNL - Jul. 1990)
N.J.H. # 3007
June 17
"For me to live is Christ." (Philippians 1:21)
He is not only Lord, He is Lord of lords.
He is not only King, He is King of kings.
He is not only prominent, he is preeminent.
He is not only superior, He is supreme.
He is not only high, He is higher than the highest.
He is Lord over all, blessed for evermore, and
He is my Lord and my God.
(Anon)
N.J.H. # 3008
June 18
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
Deal with the faults of others as gently as with your own.
(Selected)
N.J.H. # 3009
June 19
"He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron,
where was a garden." (John 18:1)
"Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden;
in the garden a new sepulcher . . ." (John 19:41)
Only John tells us that Gethsemane was a garden, and only John tells us that the Saviour was buried in a garden tomb. In a garden Adam sinned and brought death upon all his posterity. In a garden the Redeemer prayed and wept as He contemplated death, and in a garden tomb His holy body lay silent for three days. But in that same garden He appeared to Mary, risen from the dead, alive forevermore! (Jim Flanigan)
N.J.H. # 3010
June 20
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure."
(2 Corinthians 12:7)
Wherever the flesh appears, there is something that Satan can touch, and unless we judge ourselves, can turn to grief of heart in us and dishonour to God.
If you have not a thorn in the flesh now, it will be sure to be given you one day, to make you realize your weakness. The pitiful beggarliness of the flesh makes you ashamed to speak about what you are passing through, to any but the Lord. There will be different thorns for each.
(Gleanings of G.V. Wigram)
N.J.H. # 3011
June 21
"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)
If your souls would walk in peace and fellowship with God, you must learn there is no good in you, but you learn to know Him in the perfectness of His love. (J.N. Darby)
N.J.H. # 3012
