Gems for September - wk 3
September 13
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you . . . being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Even as it is meet for
me to think this of you all" (Philippians 1:3,6,7)
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"The Lord always looks at His people as they will be when they are done." And it is well for us if we can learn to look at them in the same way. An incident is told of an artist who had conceived in his mind a great picture, which he meant to be the masterpiece of his life. He was working on a large canvas, putting in the drabs and grays that were to compose the background, when a friend entered, unnoticed. The artist worked on with enthusiasm, not aware of the onlooker's presence. But, finally happening to turn, he saw him, and exclaimed, "What do you think of this? I intend it to be the greatest work I have ever done." His friend burst into a laugh, and exclaimed, "Why, to be frank, I don't think much of it. It seems to me to be only a great daub." "Ah," replied the artist, at once sensing the situation, "you cannot see what is going to be there. I can." And so it is with God our Father. He sees in every believer that which will be fully brought out at the judgment-seat of Christ, and He is working now toward that end. We too often see the present imperfection and forget the future glory. But, in the day of Jesus Christ, when all shall be manifested, every believer will be conformed to the image of God's blessed Son. (H.A. Ironside - Notes on Philippians)
N.J.H. # 2734
September 14
"Mary, (which) also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha
was cumbered about much serving." (Luke 10:39,40)
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Service is good when He asks it,
Labour is right in its place,
But there is one thing better -
Looking up into His face:
There is so much He would tell us,
Truths that are precious and deep;
This is the place where He wants us,
These are the things we can keep. (Anon)
N.J.H. # 2735
September 15
"He loved them unto the end." (John 13:1)
"He is able to save them to the uttermost." (Hebrews 7:25)
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Truly our Lord loved His own to the end. He loved us as far as love could go. When the cross was required for out justification, He voluntarily laid down His life in order that we might be saved. But what good would it be if He was willing to save us, but unable? Let us thank God that His love not only moved Him to save us, but His power was able to carry out His redemptive plan, so that all who "come unto God by Him" can be forgiven. (C. Mark Hogan)
N.J.H. # 2736
September 16
"These things have I WRITTEN unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that
ye may BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5: 13)
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(THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF A
ONE POUND BANK OF IRELAND NOTE.)
This piece of paper in your hand,
Declares to you that on demand,
You twenty shillings shall receive:
This simple promise you believe,
It sets your mind as much at rest,
As though the money you possessed.
So Christ who died but now doth live,
Doth unto you this promise give:
That if on Him you will believe,
Eternal life you shall receive.
Upon the first you calmly rest:
Which is the safer? Which the best?
The Bank may break, Heaven never can;
'Tis safer trusting God than man."
(In Pastures Green - George Henderson)
N.J.H. # 2737
September 17
" . . . they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. . . . "
(Isaiah 40:31)
Looking unto Jesus in prayer is a blessed training. Prayer without listening is like going to a person, asking questions, and leaving without waiting for an answer.
We need some practice. We have prayed so much without listening that we do not always hear the answer immediately. Then we must wait upon the Lord. This waiting upon Him is a blessing in itself. (Corrie Ten Boom - This Day is the Lord's)
N.J.H. # 2738
September 18
"It is God that justifieth." (Romans 8:33)
Certainly the believer is the last man to justify himself. God justifies, instead of laying anything to the charge of His elect, who abhor themselves before Him, owning not only their sins but their nature as vile and corrupt. They are, " . . . justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". (Romans 3:24) (William Kelly)
N.J.H. # 2739
September 19
"Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. . . .
meditate upon these things." (1 Timothy 4:13 - 15)
MEDITATION is to the sermon what the harrow is to the seed, it covers those truths which else might have been picked or washed away.
An affectionate hearer will not be a forgetful hearer. Love helps the memory: Can a woman forget her child, or a maid her ornaments, or a bride her attire? No, they love them too well; were the truths of God thus precious to thee, thou wouldst with David think of them day and night.
Even when the Christian, through weakness of memory, cannot remember the very words he hears, to repeat them; yea, then he keeps the power and savour of them in his spirit, . . . when meat is eaten and digested, it is not to be found as it was received, but the man is cheered and strengthened by it, more able to walk and work than before, by which you may know it is not lost: so you may taste the truths the Christian heard, in his spirit, see them in his life. (William Gurnall - 1665)
N.J.H. # 2740
September 20
"I pray for them: I pray not for the world but for them which Thou hast given Me: for they are Thine." (John 17:9)
Each believing intercessor has his own immediate circle for whom he first prays. Parents have their children; teachers, their pupils; all workers their special charge, all believers those whose care lies upon their hearts. It is of great consequence that intercession should be personal, pointed and definite, and then our first prayer must always be that they may receive the Word. But this prayer will not avail unless with our Lord we say, "I have given them Thy Word": it is this gives us liberty and power in intercession for souls. Not only pray for them but speak to them. And when they have received the Word let us pray much for their being kept from the evil one for their being sanctified through that Word. (Andrew Murray)
It is important that we speak to men about God:
but it is vastly more important that we speak to God about men. (C.I Scofield)
N.J.H. # 2741
