Now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16.
When Lot entered Sodom he fully intended to keep himself free from iniquity and to command his household after him. But he signally failed….
Many are still making a similar mistake…. Their children are surrounded by temptation, and too often they form associations that are unfavorable to the development of piety and the formation of a right character. The atmosphere of lax morality, of unbelief, of indifference to religious things, has a tendency to counteract the influence of the parents. Examples of rebellion against parental and divine authority are ever before the youth; many form attachments for infidels and unbelievers, and cast in their lot with the enemies of God.
In choosing a home, God would have us consider, first of all, the moral and religious influences that will surround us and our families. We may be placed in trying positions, for many cannot have their surroundings what they would; and whenever duty calls us, God will enable us to stand uncorrupted, if we watch and pray, trusting in the grace of Christ. But we should not needlessly expose ourselves to influences that are unfavorable to the formation of Christian character….
Those who secure for their children worldly wealth and honor at the expense of their eternal interests, will find in the end that these advantages are a terrible loss. Like Lot, many see their children ruined, and barely save their own souls. Their lifework is lost; their life is a sad failure. Had they exercised true wisdom, their children might have had less of worldly prosperity, but they would have made sure of a title to the immortal inheritance.
The heritage that God has promised to His people is not in this world….
We must dwell as pilgrims and strangers here if we would gain “a better country, that is, an heavenly.” 38Ibid., 168-170
Courage and Conflict p. 55
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Prayer Requests
—-A dear friend of mine is asking for prayer for for direction as to if she should move from where she is living now. She needs strong clarity! She asked me to not mention her name, or mine. anon
—-Please pray for my 91 year old friend, Joyce and her grandson, Daryk. They both have covid. Pam
—-Please pray for guidance for S. Also for my daughter. Buck
—-Please pray for a friend’s great-grandbaby who was born at 29 weeks and is in the NICU. Rose
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Dear Friends,
The other day I was telling my grandchildren about a time before I was married. Specifically I was reminiscing about the youth socials at the Kalamazoo church I had attended. Those socials were nearly always fun. Sometimes we would play games and have relay races. Sometimes we’d watch a well-censored movie. One youth social we had was very different. We played a game called “treasure hunt.” (Sometimes it was called more appropriately a scavenger hunt. It was such a hit with us youth that it became a favorite game.) We were divided into teams and given a territory and a list of items the team was to find by going up to houses and asking for an item. (This was in the day when the streets of the USA were safe and a knock on the door did not bring fear.) The items were not valuable. We might ask for a safety pin, a feather, a piece of paper with a face someone had drawn, etc. People would laugh when we would tell them what we were doing and willingly give one of the items. The winner was the first team to find all of the “treasures” on the list. It was so much fun!
There is a real “treasure hunt” we all should go on every day. Unlike the game I played in my youth, this treasure is valuable. Indeed, finding this treasure is vital to our future. This treasure is found in God’s Holy Word. By comparing Scripture with Scripture we can find this treasure. Isaiah speaks of this, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isa 28:10 A good concordance is a great help in finding all that the Bible says on any subject.
Jesus gave two parables that illustrate what it takes to become spiritually rich. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matt 13:44-46 Although it takes our all, it is well worth surrendering our will, our way, our life to Him Who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” John 14:6
Once we find the treasure, we are not to keep it to ourselves. Jesus tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 A candle shines
wherever it is placed. It does not selfishly keep its light to itself, but blesses all with its ability to illuminate.
Paul admonishes, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim 4:2 Jesus commands, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt 28:19-10 We may never be called to preach a sermon or go to a foreign land as a missionary, but we can let our light shine where we are. We can fulfill His command as we daily give our lives, our plans, our all to the Master.
Jesus is coming soon. May we daily open the Bible and “study to show ourselves approved unto God” then share the treasures we have found therein with those who are perishing is my prayer. 2 Tim 2:15
Rose
A Better Country