Gems for September - wk 1
September 1
"And a certain woman said . . . if I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole. (She) fell down before Him (Jesus) and told Him all the truth. And He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole."
(Mark 5:25-34)
FAITH is a divine plant that only grows out of the soil of a broken will. (Edward Dennett)
N.J.H. # 3082
"Occupy till I come." (Luke 19:13)
I am never really in the spirit of service if I do not remember that Christ is an absent and rejected Lord. I am . . . a servant who has to recognize the sorrowful fact that his Master has been rejected and insulted here. Is it not a tender thought that the very sorrows and insults which have been heaped upon Him here are so many fresh claims on one's affections? (J.G. Bellett)
N.J.H. # 3083
September 2
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (Ephesians 4:14)
It is very helpful to see in Ephesians 4 that if you were well grown you would not be "tossed to and fro," The higher you go the safer you are - a fine principle, hence Satan would prevent us from going to the top. (Footprints for Pilgrims)
N.J.H. # 3084
September 3
"And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." (John 17:22)
The more your soul apprehends the glory of Christ's person, the more you are delivered from everything else; and so, unconsciously to yourself, you will become superior to everything here. (E.P Corrin)
N.J.H. # 3085
September 4
"I declare unto you the gospel . . . Christ died for our sins . . . He was buried . . . He rose again the third day . . . we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible . . .and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15)
". . .caught up together with them (dead in Christ) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.'" (1 Thessalonians 4)
If you do not preach the coming of the Lord you only preach a half gospel. (Edward Dennett)
N.J.H. # 3086
September 5
"Take this child, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages." (Exodus 2:9)
"Take this child and nurse it for me" -
So King Pharaoh's daughter spake
To the mother, whose whole being
For her little one did ache.
So God speaks to every mother
At her helpless infant's birth:
"Take this child and nurse it for Me,
During a its life on earth.
"Take this child," to Thee I trust it;
It from Thee must learn the way,
Through the earthly darkness round it,
To the light of heavenly day.
"Take this child" - and Mother, ponder!
Yonder heaven is pure and fair;
Wouldst thou be amidst its number
And thy little one not there?
"Oh, then train it, gently, wisely,
Of its Saviour's love to feel;
And, where sin has cast its shadow,
Teach it Christ has power to heal.
"Take this child, this richest blessing
Given to the earthly home;
Take this child and nurse it for Me,
Till to claim Mine own I come."
(R.K. Campbell - The Christian Home)
N.J.H. # 3087
September 6
"And (Elisha) answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (2 Kings 6:16)
"Fear Not, says Elisha." This is always grace's first word. It is able to reassure a troubled soul. How many times this word "Fear not" is spoken in Scripture! It fills the Old and the New Testament. Everything in this world is of such character to inspire poor, feeble, sinful beings like ourselves with fear. We are confronted with difficult circumstances, the world, its seductions or its hostility, Satan's hatred, our own selves, and our sinful nature; beside, there is the necessity of presenting ourselves before God and of having to do with Him. Who will answer so many troubling questions? Who can calm the anguish and agitation of our hearts? God alone can, for He has the answer to everything. (H.L. Rossier - Meditations on 2 Kings)
N.J.H. # 3088
September 7
"Fear Not." (2 Kings 6:16)
- "Fear not," said Jesus to the sinner who casts himself at His feet, rebuked in his conscience in the presence of His mighty grace (Luke 5:10). It is the first word of our history.
- "Fear not," He said to His disciples when the storm rose up, threatening to swallow them (Matthew 14:27).
- "Fear not," When shipwreck is fully assured (Acts 27:24).
- "Fear not," He says to the little defenseless flock in the midst of wolves who have the power of killing the sheep (Luke 12:32; Matthew 10:28; Revelation 2:10).
- "Fear not," When Satan displays all his power to hinder the work of God (Acts 18:9).
- "Fear not," When death has already done its work (Mark 5:36)
(H.L. Rossier - Meditations on 2 Kings)
N.J.H. # 3089
September 8
"And [God] said, Certainly I will be with thee." (Exodus 3:12)
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
When Moses was about to confront the mighty Pharaoh, he had serious doubts about his ability for the task. When he asked the Lord, "Who am I?" to do such a work, God responded, "Certainly I will be with thee." It's still the same today. He promises to be with us when we face all of life's problem situations. We could not ask for more than that because, "If God be for us, who can be against us!" Whatever it is you are facing, He will strengthen you today. He will be with you. (R.J. Steele)
N.J.H. # 3090
