Bits and Pieces – 28th Edition – September 13, 2020

Gradually church services are returning to some degree of normality with both morning and evening meetings now being public, albeit with a number of restrictions.  The Whitefield Christian Schools opened the new school year on Tuesday, again with a number of government imposed restrictions.  The school staff is to be commended for the work they put in getting everything ready to house the almost two hundred and fifty students.  For the meantime the church Wednesday night prayer meeting will continue on Zoom at 7.30pm.

This was copied from a Hamilton, Ontario, newspaper in 1925 by William Kelly, father of Stephen Kelly of the Toronto church.

“This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.  It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the travellers map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully.  It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.  It is given you in life, it will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered for ever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labour, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. The book, the one book, the book of books, the book of God, the God of books, the Bible, the revelation of God to man.”

“God rarely allows a soul to see how great a blessing he  (or she) is.” – Oswald Chambers

“A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench”     [Isaiah 42:3].

“Then I may reckon upon tender treatment from my Lord.  Indeed, I feel myself at best to be as weak, as pliant, as worthless as a reed.  Someone said, ‘I don’t care a rush for you’; and the speech, though unkind was not untrue.  Alas! I am worse than a reed when it grows by a river for that at least can hold up its head.  I am bruised, sorely, sadly bruised.  There is no music in me now; there is a rift which lets out all the melody.  Ah, me! Yet Jesus will not break me; and if He will not do, then I mind little what others try to do.  O sweet and compassionate Lord, I nestle down beneath thy protection, and forget my bruises.

Truly I am also fit to be likened to ‘the smoking flax,’ whose light is gone, and only its smoke remains.  I fear I am rather a nuisance than a benefit.  My fears tell me that the devil has blown out my light, and left me an obnoxious smoke, and that my Lord will soon put an extinguisher upon me.  Yet I perceive that though there were snuffers under the law, there were no extinguishers; and Jesus will not quench me; therefore, I am hopeful.  Lord, kindle me anew, and cause me to shine forth to thy glory, and to the extolling of thy tenderness.”

The writer would again thank all those who faithfully prayed for him during the time of his heart valve surgery.  At a five-week check up by the hospital on Tuesday he was told that the surgery was a success and that he need not return for a year.  That was good news indeed for which we thank the Lord.  The double vision side effect should disappear when he gets his prism glasses that should be here in a few days.

The Christian of all people should be a happy person.  ‘Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord”.  [Psalm 144:15].

The Shorter Catechism’s first answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  However, there are some Christians who seem to be miserable in the extreme.  By cultivating a morose spirit they lose a lot of enjoyment of life.  The Bible encourages us to have a “merry heart.”

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance” Proverbs 15:13].  “He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast”  [Proverbs 15:15].  “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” [Proverbs 17:22]. A merry heart reflects the glory of God.