We have often heard it said that "Time waits for no man"! How true that is, and as we look back over the past six months of 2018, perhaps we should ask ourselves, along with the songwriter, "I wonder -- Have I done my Best for Jesus, when He has done so much for me"?
As we prepare to celebrate the 4th of July with family and friends, may we "Let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven." Then, when the holiday is over, and we return to our various places of responsibility, may we make a conscious effort to be a blessing to others. I like these words from Helen Steiner Rice:
"You can't do a kindness without a reward,
Not in silver or gold, but in joy from the Lord --
You can't light a candle to show others the way,
Without feeling the warmth of that bright little ray --
And you can't pluck a rose, all fragrant with dew,
Without part of its fragrance remaining with you."
And then, as we get ready to begin a new month, and step into the unknown future, may we resolve to "take time to be holy, speak often with our wonderful Lord---love Him, trust Him, obey Him, hide His Holy Word in our heart, and remember always that "nothing sweeter can be known than full surrender to the perfect will of God"!
Friday, June 29, 2018
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
The Family!
My son brought me to my door after midnight last night; tired, but filled with sweet memories of a few days spent with family at a Family Reunion -- the High School graduation of my granddaughter, Angel, with a class of about 200 students from various parts of the globe who home-schooled through A.C.E. -- and a wonderful time of family fun and fellowship staying in a Chalet together on top of a mountain in TN! The only sad part was that my son, Jonathan, and his family were not able to go with us.
Then I thought about how wonderful it is to be part of the family of God! Sometimes, now, there are circumstances that make it impossible for all the family to be together; but if we will be true to God, there is coming a day when all of God's family can sit down together at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! What a wonderful day that will be! I love this beautiful scripture in Revelation 5:11-13:
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Saying, with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Praise the Lord!
"Come and go with me to Glory-Land!"
Then I thought about how wonderful it is to be part of the family of God! Sometimes, now, there are circumstances that make it impossible for all the family to be together; but if we will be true to God, there is coming a day when all of God's family can sit down together at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! What a wonderful day that will be! I love this beautiful scripture in Revelation 5:11-13:
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Saying, with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Praise the Lord!
"Come and go with me to Glory-Land!"
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Like A Flood!
In Isaiah 59:19, we read: "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." What a wonderful verse! If the devil was bold enough to tempt Jesus, I'm sure that none of us will be exempt from his attacks. (However, I'm glad God's Word says: "Resist the devil and he will flee from you.")
Satan is the great enemy of our souls. In I Peter we read: "the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Yet, strangely enough, God's Word tells us in I Corinthians that he can also be "transformed into an angel of light." Other times, the enemy comes in like a great flood until the waves seem about to engulf us, but then we can cry with the Psalmist: "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul."
But, praise the Lord, God is on our side as long as we are on His side, and holding fast to his Holy Word! Before the demonic flood can overwhelm us, the Spirit of the Lord will lift us His standard and God will prevail once again!
The Lord never promised us an easy road, but He did promise us that He would never leave us nor forsake us! And John reminds us in his First Epistle -- "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."
Satan is the great enemy of our souls. In I Peter we read: "the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Yet, strangely enough, God's Word tells us in I Corinthians that he can also be "transformed into an angel of light." Other times, the enemy comes in like a great flood until the waves seem about to engulf us, but then we can cry with the Psalmist: "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul."
But, praise the Lord, God is on our side as long as we are on His side, and holding fast to his Holy Word! Before the demonic flood can overwhelm us, the Spirit of the Lord will lift us His standard and God will prevail once again!
The Lord never promised us an easy road, but He did promise us that He would never leave us nor forsake us! And John reminds us in his First Epistle -- "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."
Monday, June 18, 2018
By His Grace!
In I Corinthians 15:10, we read the Apostle Paul saying: "By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
I think we could safely say that the Apostle Paul was one of the most dedicated and fruitful Christians who ever lived. I suppose we could also say that if any man had a right to be proud of his writings, his works, or his life, it would be this great Apostle. He could have boasted that he had laboured more abundantly than any of the other apostles, but he said--"Yet not I"! He was quick to say that all of his work and success he owed completely to the grace of God!
In II Corinthians he talked about his "thorn in the flesh". Whatever that "thorn" was, it must have been very troubling to him, for the Scripture says he sought the Lord three times that it might depart from him. But God's ways are higher than our ways, and He answered Paul by saying:
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Paul was probably shouting the victory by this time, for he said -- "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
Paul also said in Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Praise the Lord for His marvelous grace -- grace that is greater than all our sin! And the best part is: "It is for us all today"!
I think we could safely say that the Apostle Paul was one of the most dedicated and fruitful Christians who ever lived. I suppose we could also say that if any man had a right to be proud of his writings, his works, or his life, it would be this great Apostle. He could have boasted that he had laboured more abundantly than any of the other apostles, but he said--"Yet not I"! He was quick to say that all of his work and success he owed completely to the grace of God!
In II Corinthians he talked about his "thorn in the flesh". Whatever that "thorn" was, it must have been very troubling to him, for the Scripture says he sought the Lord three times that it might depart from him. But God's ways are higher than our ways, and He answered Paul by saying:
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Paul was probably shouting the victory by this time, for he said -- "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
Paul also said in Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Praise the Lord for His marvelous grace -- grace that is greater than all our sin! And the best part is: "It is for us all today"!
Friday, June 15, 2018
Father's Day!
This coming Sunday, June 17, is Father's Day! I love this special day on the calendar when we honor our fathers--the heads of our homes and families.
Wednesday night at church we sang, "Dare to be a Daniel." What a great song to sing leading up to Father's Day! May God help our fathers to:
"Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!"
This week has been filled with many sweet memories as I have walked back down memory's lane -- wonderful memories of growing up on the farm with a father who taught me by his example to love God's Holy Word and His Holy Day.
And, of course, my heart has been full of sweet memories shared with Dad through over 50 years of living "Each for the Other, and Both for the Lord".
And I'm sure Dad would want to join me today in wishing our three sons -- Randy, Jonathan and Joel; our grandson, Adrian and our son-in-law, Tommie a very Happy Father's Day! May God bless each of you on this special day and draw you ever closer to Him, for "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Wednesday night at church we sang, "Dare to be a Daniel." What a great song to sing leading up to Father's Day! May God help our fathers to:
"Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!"
This week has been filled with many sweet memories as I have walked back down memory's lane -- wonderful memories of growing up on the farm with a father who taught me by his example to love God's Holy Word and His Holy Day.
And, of course, my heart has been full of sweet memories shared with Dad through over 50 years of living "Each for the Other, and Both for the Lord".
And I'm sure Dad would want to join me today in wishing our three sons -- Randy, Jonathan and Joel; our grandson, Adrian and our son-in-law, Tommie a very Happy Father's Day! May God bless each of you on this special day and draw you ever closer to Him, for "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
"When Father Prayed"
I read this story from the life of Bishop Frank Warner a few years ago and it touched my heart. How blessed are the homes where there is a praying father, and how blessed are the children who are the recipients of those prayers!
"One evening at the setting of the sun, when I was a boy of about 13, my father said to me, 'Water the stock.' Soon some boys arrived, and I forgot my work and played. A little later my father asked, 'Have you done what I told you?'
'Yes, Father,' I replied.
Father knew that I had not, and even now I recall how he said not a word, but walked away so burdened and bowed because of hearing a lie from his own boy that it suddenly gave him the appearance of an old man. The boys left, and I watered the stock. Then I forgot it, went to bed and slept. The next day Mother said to me, 'Do you know that your father neither went to bed nor slept last night?'
'No, Mother, I didn't know,' I replied. 'Why didn't he sleep?'
'Your father spent the night praying for you.'
My mother's words and tears went through my heart like an arrow and rang a bell in my heart. I became powerfully convicted of sin. Just following that, a series of revival meetings was held in our church. I became a seeker and had no rest until I found it in repentance and a consciousness of pardoned sin. The revival services continued several weeks, and I was the only convert. The critics said, 'He will backslide. The revival is a failure.'
How can I be sufficiently grateful for such a father and such a home? How could I ever reward my father for that night of prevailing prayer? I never could, but God rewarded him by letting him live to see his boy become a minister, a missionary, and a missionary bishop.
I believe that my father prayed until God sent conviction through the Holy Spirit, and sin became such an unbearable burden that I gladly yielded my will to the will of God and prayed until my sins were pardoned, the burden was removed, and I was genuinely converted.
It is my hope and prayer that the story of my father's night of prevailing prayer may encourage other fathers to pray as he did. I believe the same Heavenly Father will hear their cry!"
"I'm thankful, dear Heavenly Father, that You see every father today who is praying for his children. I pray that you would bless them, encourage them, help them to be strong and courageous -- men of God who fear none but Thee, and fathers who can say with the Apostle Paul---"Follow me, as I follow Christ! In Jesus' name I humbly pray, Amen."
"One evening at the setting of the sun, when I was a boy of about 13, my father said to me, 'Water the stock.' Soon some boys arrived, and I forgot my work and played. A little later my father asked, 'Have you done what I told you?'
'Yes, Father,' I replied.
Father knew that I had not, and even now I recall how he said not a word, but walked away so burdened and bowed because of hearing a lie from his own boy that it suddenly gave him the appearance of an old man. The boys left, and I watered the stock. Then I forgot it, went to bed and slept. The next day Mother said to me, 'Do you know that your father neither went to bed nor slept last night?'
'No, Mother, I didn't know,' I replied. 'Why didn't he sleep?'
'Your father spent the night praying for you.'
My mother's words and tears went through my heart like an arrow and rang a bell in my heart. I became powerfully convicted of sin. Just following that, a series of revival meetings was held in our church. I became a seeker and had no rest until I found it in repentance and a consciousness of pardoned sin. The revival services continued several weeks, and I was the only convert. The critics said, 'He will backslide. The revival is a failure.'
How can I be sufficiently grateful for such a father and such a home? How could I ever reward my father for that night of prevailing prayer? I never could, but God rewarded him by letting him live to see his boy become a minister, a missionary, and a missionary bishop.
I believe that my father prayed until God sent conviction through the Holy Spirit, and sin became such an unbearable burden that I gladly yielded my will to the will of God and prayed until my sins were pardoned, the burden was removed, and I was genuinely converted.
It is my hope and prayer that the story of my father's night of prevailing prayer may encourage other fathers to pray as he did. I believe the same Heavenly Father will hear their cry!"
"I'm thankful, dear Heavenly Father, that You see every father today who is praying for his children. I pray that you would bless them, encourage them, help them to be strong and courageous -- men of God who fear none but Thee, and fathers who can say with the Apostle Paul---"Follow me, as I follow Christ! In Jesus' name I humbly pray, Amen."
Monday, June 11, 2018
Fathers Who Are Men!
As we look forward to celebrating Father's Day this coming Sunday, the Lord willing, I think of how sweet are the homes that are led by a father who knows God and trains his children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord".
In the words of an unknown author, may God give us fathers who are men -- men owned by God -- men who will stand for truth and holiness, whatever the cost!
"The world today is looking for:
Men who are not for sale;
Men who are honest and true to the heart's core;
Men with consciences as steady as the needle to the pole;
Men who will stand for the right if the heavens totter and the earth reels;
Men who can tell the truth and look the world right in the eye;
Men who neither brag nor run;
Men who neither flag nor flinch;
Men who can have courage without shouting it;
Men in whom the courage of everlasting life runs still, deep, and strong;
Men who know their message and tell it;
Men who know their place and fill it;
Men who know their business and attend to it;
Men who will not lie, shirk, or dodge;
Men who are not too lazy to work nor too proud to be poor;
Men who are willing to eat what they have earned and wear what they have paid for;
Men who are not ashamed to say 'No' with emphasis and who are not ashamed to say, 'I can't afford it.
God is looking for men! He wants those who can unite together around a common faith -- who can join in a common task -- and who have come to the kingdom for such a time as this!
"God, give us men!!!"
In the words of an unknown author, may God give us fathers who are men -- men owned by God -- men who will stand for truth and holiness, whatever the cost!
"The world today is looking for:
Men who are not for sale;
Men who are honest and true to the heart's core;
Men with consciences as steady as the needle to the pole;
Men who will stand for the right if the heavens totter and the earth reels;
Men who can tell the truth and look the world right in the eye;
Men who neither brag nor run;
Men who neither flag nor flinch;
Men who can have courage without shouting it;
Men in whom the courage of everlasting life runs still, deep, and strong;
Men who know their message and tell it;
Men who know their place and fill it;
Men who know their business and attend to it;
Men who will not lie, shirk, or dodge;
Men who are not too lazy to work nor too proud to be poor;
Men who are willing to eat what they have earned and wear what they have paid for;
Men who are not ashamed to say 'No' with emphasis and who are not ashamed to say, 'I can't afford it.
God is looking for men! He wants those who can unite together around a common faith -- who can join in a common task -- and who have come to the kingdom for such a time as this!
"God, give us men!!!"
Friday, June 8, 2018
"Lines From Lincoln"
As we continue our thoughts about Father's Day, let us look at these challenging thoughts from one of our greatest Presidents -- a humble man who loved God and country.
"It is difficult to make a man miserable when he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.
In regard to this great Book (the Bible), I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to men. All the good Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it, we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.
I should be the most presumptuous blockhead upon this God's footstool if for one day I thought I could discharge the duties which have come upon me since I came to this place (the Presidency), without the aid and enlightenment of the One who is stronger and wiser than all others.
Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who know me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower when and where I thought a flower would grow.
I have said nothing but what I am willing to live by, and, if it be the pleasure of Almighty God, to die by. Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children's liberty."
"It is difficult to make a man miserable when he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.
In regard to this great Book (the Bible), I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to men. All the good Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it, we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.
I should be the most presumptuous blockhead upon this God's footstool if for one day I thought I could discharge the duties which have come upon me since I came to this place (the Presidency), without the aid and enlightenment of the One who is stronger and wiser than all others.
Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who know me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower when and where I thought a flower would grow.
I have said nothing but what I am willing to live by, and, if it be the pleasure of Almighty God, to die by. Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children's liberty."
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
A Prayer for Father's Day!
As we think, especially, about our fathers this month, I want to share this prayer of General Douglas MacArthur. You may have read it many times, but I trust it will speak to fathers again today.
The General wrote this for his son when he was four years of age. The prayer was used many times in morning devotions.
"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee -- and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men, one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, 'I have not lived in vain.'"
The General wrote this for his son when he was four years of age. The prayer was used many times in morning devotions.
"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee -- and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men, one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, 'I have not lived in vain.'"
Monday, June 4, 2018
Joys of June!
June is a delightful month!! There are graduations---weddings---vacations---family reunions! There are Boys & Girls Camps---Youth Camps---Family Camps---Camp-meetings! There are Bible Schools---family birthdays---family picnics---and one of the best days of the month is Father's Day!!
As I think of all the special events of this month that we may be involved in, I think of my visit to a friend's home a few weeks ago. I had never been there before, so while she was showing me around and telling me about the house, I noticed these beautiful words above the picture window.
"Live in such a way that those who know you -- but don't know God -- will come to know God because they know you!"
What a challenge for us as we engage in all of our summer activities! I wonder -- will the world see Jesus in you -- in me?
As I think of all the special events of this month that we may be involved in, I think of my visit to a friend's home a few weeks ago. I had never been there before, so while she was showing me around and telling me about the house, I noticed these beautiful words above the picture window.
"Live in such a way that those who know you -- but don't know God -- will come to know God because they know you!"
What a challenge for us as we engage in all of our summer activities! I wonder -- will the world see Jesus in you -- in me?
Friday, June 1, 2018
"All In All"
The 32nd chapter of Deuteronomy is called "The Song of Moses". It begins with these wonderful words: "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He." (verses 1, 3-4)
It is thrilling to note all the wonderful attributes attached to the name of God in the Scriptures. The Apostle John proclaimed in Revelation 15:3 -- "Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty: just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints." It doesn't take long to see and understand that our God is the God who is "all in all" to His people!
He is the God of truth and righteousness --
He is the God of peace and love --
He is the God of patience and comfort --
He is the God of hope and grace --
He is the God of glory and salvation --
He is "Lord of all" in us who belong to Him!!
Perhaps Edgar Lewis was thinking of His wonderful Lord being His everything -- His all in all -- when he wrote this lovely hymn and titled it, "All in All"!
"Of Jesus' love I'm singing; I praise Him every day.
He is my all in all, all in all.
He frees my soul from bondage, He takes my guilt away.
Jesus is my all in all.
He's patient and so tender, so loving and so kind.
He is my all in all, all in all.
Another Friend so faithful my soul will never find.
Jesus is my all in all.
In time of need--no other to me can prove so dear.
He is my all in all, all in all.
He hears me though I whisper; to help me He is near.
Jesus is my all in all.
All in all, all in all,
A Strength in time of weariness, a Light where shadows fall;
All in all, all in all,
Jesus is my All in All."
It is thrilling to note all the wonderful attributes attached to the name of God in the Scriptures. The Apostle John proclaimed in Revelation 15:3 -- "Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty: just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints." It doesn't take long to see and understand that our God is the God who is "all in all" to His people!
He is the God of truth and righteousness --
He is the God of peace and love --
He is the God of patience and comfort --
He is the God of hope and grace --
He is the God of glory and salvation --
He is "Lord of all" in us who belong to Him!!
Perhaps Edgar Lewis was thinking of His wonderful Lord being His everything -- His all in all -- when he wrote this lovely hymn and titled it, "All in All"!
"Of Jesus' love I'm singing; I praise Him every day.
He is my all in all, all in all.
He frees my soul from bondage, He takes my guilt away.
Jesus is my all in all.
He's patient and so tender, so loving and so kind.
He is my all in all, all in all.
Another Friend so faithful my soul will never find.
Jesus is my all in all.
In time of need--no other to me can prove so dear.
He is my all in all, all in all.
He hears me though I whisper; to help me He is near.
Jesus is my all in all.
All in all, all in all,
A Strength in time of weariness, a Light where shadows fall;
All in all, all in all,
Jesus is my All in All."
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