Fwd: Gems From My Reading

Be of good cheer. "Thy brother . . . for whom Christ died."  Romans 14:15 Let us say to ourselves, softly and tenderly as such a name requires, "My brother . . . for whom Christ died."  My "weak brother . . . for whom Christ died" (1 Corinthians 8:11).  How terrible it is that we can "destroy," or cause to "perish," our brother. Surely it means this much, if not more, a wasted life, that might have been fragrant with Christ, a missing of the mark which God desired for him, a grieving of the heart of the Christ who died for him.  Who can measure all this? Many and diverse are the conditions of our beloved brethren for whom Christ died; many are young and tender; many ignorant and ill-instructed; many sick, sorrowful, weary and heavy laden: many scattered and driven away; many lame, halting and stumbled.  Have we tried to help them, have we with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, and forbearing them in love, sought to heal and restore, to teach and to build up, that we may seek to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? Mark the tenderness of that man of God, Paul: "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse (nursing mother) cherisheth her children."  (1 Thessalonians 2:7) O God, melt these stony hearts of our!  Cause us in our dealings with our brethren, to reflect some tiny portion of the tender grace which Christ shows every day to us, ever remembering that Christ died for them, and loves them as He loves us.     S.L.J.  Bible Truth Depot - Los Angeles  Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;  Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, Chords that are broken will vibrate once more.  Fanny Crosby N.J. Hiebert - 8240

But they that wait...

Be of good cheer. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles".  Isaiah 40:31 In 1909 Bleriot, the aviator, was obliged to use crutches as the result of an accident, and, when mounting his plane to make the flight across the English channel, remarked to his companions, "I cannot walk, but I can fly." "I cannot walk, but I can fly;" no roof can house me from the stars, No dwelling pen me in its bounds, nor keep me fast with locks and bars; No narrow room my thoughts can cage, no fetters hold my roving mind; From these four walls that shut me in my soaring soul a way can find. With books and pictures at my side all lands, all ages, are my own;  I dwell among the master minds, the best and greatest earth has known;  I flee to strange and storied scenes of long ago and far away, And roam where saints and heroes trod in Time's forgotten Yesterday. With every wandering butterfly or singing bird on vagrant wing My fancy takes the airy trail, and follows it adventuring, Higher than their highest flight, where cloud-ships drift and star-beams shine,  I rise on tireless pinions fleet, and all the realms of space are mine. From out the paling sunset skies the Twilight Angels come to me  On dusky wings to bear me swift to shadowy haunts of Memory Where 'mid the gardens and the graves, I wander, smiling through my tears,  With all the dear and deathless dead, the loved and lost of vanished years. And when the long, long day is done, I clasp the dearest Book of all And through the dim, sweet silences I hear my Father's accents fall; Then, though in chains, yet am I free. Beyond the pressure of my care, Above Earth's night my spirit mounts on eagle wings of faith and prayer. Annie Johnson Flint N.J. Hiebert - 8231

Gems From My Readings ·  674 Jennifer Crescent · Burlington, On L6M4L5 · Canada

Fwd: Gems From My Reading

Be of good cheer. And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.    Isaiah 30:21 This is the season when migratory birds are winging their way toward warmer climates.  What is it that prompts them to fly for hundreds of miles each year to the balmy southland and to return again in the springtime to the exact spot which they left in the autumn?  For want of a better term, we call it instinct.  One authority states that the word means "inward impulse"; "a natural propensity that incites animals to the actions that are essential to their existence and development"; or, "a propensity prior to experience and independent of instructions." The authorities in charge of one of the oldest missions on the Pacific Coast state the swallows, which make their homes in the walls of this historic institution, migrate with the utmost regularity.  During a record of sixty-eight years, it is said they have never been a day late or early in their arrival at this mission.  One press reporter affirms that "For the first time in the known mission history, the swallows were several hours late in arriving."  This was supposed to have been due to a storm at sea. How can man doubt that there is an all-wise God who has placed within these tiny creatures such mysterious powers?  It is only because of the taint of sin and deception of Satan that men do not obey a higher instinct and seek protection and rest "under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1).     Mountain Trailways  "I like to watch the swallow turn its face to the ocean and set fearlessly over the waters.  If I had no other proof of lands beyond the sea, the instinct of the swallow would satisfy me."

No, never alone...

Be of good cheer. ALONE,  YET   NOT  ALONE Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.   John 16:32 Blessed paradox of the Saviour and the Saint!  Our Lord was a solitary soul, yet not alone. And the Christian who presses into the deeper things of God will often be lonely but never alone.  Paul was lonely in the Roman prison: "All men forsook me."  But he was not alone: "The Lord stood with me."  "He that sent me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone."  Jacob may fancy himself alone in a strange land, with a stone for a pillow, but he will make a discovery: "Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not."   Live as though He were with you, for He is.  You have His word for it and you can be confidant of His promise, though you may not be conscious of His presence. Even through the Valley of Death's Shadow, "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."  Alone yet not alone!  Day By Day with Vance Havner  How many times discouraged we sink beside the way; About us all is darkness, we hardly e'en can pray; Then from the mists and shadows, the sweetest voice e'er known, Says, "Child, am I not with thee, never to leave thee alone?" Take courage, wayworn pilgrim though mists and shadows hide The face of Him thou lovest, He's ever at thy side; Reach out thy hand and trust Him, and lo, the clouds have flown; He smiles on thee who promised never to leave thee alone.

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Headship in the Home

Headship in the Home Article download … From:Christian Treasury Volume 1

The husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Savior of the body." Eph. 5:23. "The head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." 1 Cor. 11:3.

An area of great weakness and misunderstanding in many Christian homes is that of leadership. Many husbands have given up their God-given responsibility as "head" because of disinterest, involvement at work, or lack of energy. They have, in fact, abdicated the place God has given them as head of the wife to take that of a carefree man. Wives then begin to pick up the responsibility little by little, until the husband is no longer the head. This type of home is vulnerable to subtle suggestions of the enemy. (See Gen. 3:1.) Furthermore, a wife now assumes a load which God did not intend the woman to bear, since she is the weaker vessel. "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." 1 Peter 3:7. It is essential for every head of the household to realize that he is not the source of direction, but the channel. Dependence on the Lord in earnest prayer and listening to His voice in His Word and that inner voice of communion with the Lord are of great importance. Every head not only sends out direction, but is a center for the reception of many important signals. Each of these requires a response. Thus, every husband and father should be responsive to the needs of his family.

Spiritual Food

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Eph. 6:4. Almost every day our wives spend much of their time planning and preparing appetizing meals. In like manner, husbands and fathers have the responsibility of providing spiritual meals for our families. This meal preparation should begin in the morning. It might be good to get up a little early and get the Scriptures out for a little search and meditation. As the day goes by we should seek the help of the Lord to help us prepare an appetizing meal. A good cook not only finds out what some of the nutritional needs of the family are, but, also, has a change of menu now and then. The family reading is the most important time of the day. Fathers and husbands, you are the cooks who have the responsibility and joy of putting this spiritual meal together. "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." 1 Tim. 4:15.

Redeeming the Time

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Eph. 5:16. Today we. are living in an age of extreme spiritual and moral danger. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." 2 Tim. 3:1. It may well be the most dangerous time in history because of the subtle nature of the evil. What does the Holy Spirit tell us is so important in an evil day? Redeeming the time! Most of us are living in the fast lane of life. The demands at our employment have increased as well as the problems at home. The high payload of stress is leading to the brink of emotional disaster and we are beginning to resemble a loaded semi on a steep mountain grade without brakes. The pressures, problems and extracurricular activities of our children at school are also demanding. What is wrong? Perhaps we need to come to a halt and consider our priorities. For an example:
1. Do you spend time each day giving the Lord the first place in your life and schedule?
2. Do you spend time each day communicating, not only the day's events, but your deep feelings of love toward your family?
3. Do you spend several hours a day playing with your children or helping them with their homework?
4. Are you willing to analyze your time and to get rid of those items that are wasting hours of your time?
5. Do you plan events on a regular basis that give you time alone with your family? Time spent with the Lord Jesus Christ and with your family is redeemed time.

Husbands Love Your Wives

Ephesians gives us the highest truth ever delivered to the Church in the first half of the book, and some very practical truths in the second half. In Eph. 5 are some very well-worn pages in the Bibles of most married couples. Toward the end of the chapter we find the key, "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church." Eph. 5:32. Although no one can see Christ and His mystical body, God has given us a picture in every Christian husband and wife. Now we will consider an area of great need which includes four different kinds of love.

Sacrificing love:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it." Eph. 5:25. If we were just given the exhortation to love our wives, we would all agree that this is much needed. Then we are given the measure: "as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it." This divine love knows no limits, even death itself. It is the very same love that took the Lord Jesus Christ to the cross. No admonition to the husband receives a greater emphasis than this one, since it is the area of great failure. The cross was a load that only Christ could bear. He sacrificed and suffered for the benefit and comfort of His Bride. Likewise, when husbands come home at night, there are opportunities waiting at the door, to sacrifice and unload the burdens of their wives. Thus a picture is formed of Christ and the Church. Meditation on the scene of Calvary's cross and all of the infinite and awesome nature of that love and its display will lead a husband to greater sacrifice, even when he is tired. In Rev. 2:1-7, we read about an assembly of believers who were energetic, active workers for Christ. They had kept out evil and had great endurance under trial. One thing was missing, however, first love. First love is the kind of love that occurs naturally in a new relationship and then often fades. The Lord wanted this first love back in His relationship with His Bride and offered a great reward, the tree of life, for those who would overcome this condition. As time goes on in a Christian marriage, our apprehension of divine love should increase. Paul's prayer for the Philippians was that their "love may abound yet more and more." Phil. 1:9. "Abound more and more" means to increase with time. This increasing capacity to love is dependent upon a person's spiritual growth. It could flatten out or even decline in the life of a person who is starving spiritually. If that capacity to love is increasing with time, the effect will be felt in our marriage. God intended every marriage to have a love that increases with time and retains all of the elements of first love. As with Christ and His Bride, there is a great reward waiting for those who regain their first love.

Sanctifying love:

"That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Eph. 5:26, 27. After the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, He ascended up into heaven to perform various functions. One of these is to sanctify or set apart to Himself the Church through the cleansing power of His Word. With the record of her sin forever washed away in His precious blood, He seeks then to bring the practical state of His beloved Bride in line with her perfect standing. The spots, stains and irregularities of His Church that occur in daily life are cleansed by His Word. This cleansing effect sets her apart to Himself from the world and its sinful state. The lesson in the pattern laid down by the Lord Jesus Christ is to let the Word of God make the cleansing changes in our lives. If a husband has "sanctifying love," he will read the pages of this life-changing Book with his wife. The result will be that both husband and wife are changed and their marriage will be set apart from the unconverted world. This requires time and patience.

Sympathetic love:

"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.... For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church." Eph. 5:28, 29. After completing the work of the cross, the Lord ascended to heaven and took His place as head of the Church. As its head, He not only provided direction, but a sympathetic, caring love to every member. Every pain and every heartache is fully felt by Him. He understands and enters into the trials of His Bride and supports her through every trial. How different this attitude is from that of many husbands who are often insensitive to the pain and trials of their mates. When part of the body sends a message of pain, we never question it or criticize it, but begin a program of sympathetic care and support that will lead to a recovery. Emotional hurts are just as great as physical hurts, and if they are not treated with sympathetic love, they will produce scar tissue that will be insensitive to the needs of others later on.

Unseverable love:

"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." Eph. 5:31. When God laid out the blueprint for marriage, He never added a default clause. It would be impossible to think of Christ divorcing the Church because of her unfaithfulness. His love is unseverable in spite of her failure. Today the devil is effectively driving in the wedge between husband and wife. Perhaps he hates the picture he sees of Christ and His Bride, and he wants to obliterate it before the eyes of the world. This verse clearly states that there will be a separation between a husband and his parents, but never between a husband and his wife.

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...but I have prayed for thee...

Gems From My Reading - 7340 (Luke 22:31-32) Date: January 19, 2019 at 12:12:46 AM EST

           “Be of good cheer.” 

   “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he  may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:  and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)

    First observe that the Lord warns him.  Then note two other most touching things, the Lord’s prayer for  him before he fell, and the Lord’s look at him after. “Satan hath desired to have you,”  is divinely met, in grace, by ”but I have prayed for thee.”   

  The Lord made use of Satan to break the self-confidence which was the cause of Peter’s fall, but the Lord’s controlling hand was upon the enemy, even so, and he was allowed to go  so far and no farther; and I believe that when the day of Pentecost came,  and Peter, restored, and happy in His master’s love, was the means  of three thousand souls coming to Christ, and being saved,  the devil was heartily sorry that that he had not left  him alone in the high priest’s hall.

   But for that bitter experience he would never have been enough broken down, humbled, and self-emptied, for the Lord to use him  in that marvellous manner.

 (W. T. P. Wolston)

 N.J. Hiebert - 7340    

Build a Nest Build a nest in the golden air That blows through the trusting tree, Out of reach of the mists of care And the waves of the doubting sea. What tho' the storm winds rack and roar What tho' the raindrops fall! Your nest is safe for evermore In the Hand that is holding all. Thus ever on thro' life we find To trust, O Lord, is best, Who serve Thee with a quiet mind Find in Thy service rest. Their outward troubles may not cease But this their joy shall be "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace Whose mind is stayed on Thee." —J.N.D

Call...upon...Me...

“Be of good cheer.”

“And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and Thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15)

In Time of Trouble . . .

SAY - FIRST: He brought me here; it is by His will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest.

NEXT: He will here keep me in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as HIs child.

THEN: He will make the trial a blessing—teaching me the lessons He means me to learn, and working in me the grace He intends for me.

LAST: In His good time He can bring me out again — how and when, HE KNOWS.

SAY - I AM HERE:
(1) By God’s appointment.
(2) In HIs keeping.
(3) Under His training.
(4) For His time.
(Comforted of God - A.J. Pollock) N.J. Hiebert - 6259)