A Better Country

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.”
Conflict and Courage p. 55
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Prayer Requests
—–sad update—Noah passed away last night. Please pray earnestly for his parents and family in this time of grief. Rose
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Dear Friends,
My mother often commented that the older she got the faster time passed. When I was young, I used to laugh at that saying. I don’t laugh any more. Now I understand what she meant. Time seems to pass so quickly. The years seem to fly by.
As we reflect upon life’s happenings, what sort of record do we see? How have we spent our leisure time? How have we reacted to the trials that have come our way? Have we led family, friends, or acquaintances to the foot of the cross, or are they no closer to Jesus because of us? Has the general trend of our life been upward or are we farther away from our Loving Saviour?
How important is each day of life! How vital to our future, that we live each day as if it were our last. What changes there would be! We would not be dreaming along as we are now in a “do-nothing” state allowing opportunities to slip beyond our grasp. No! With what intensity we would gather family and friends about us making sure all was right between us, and more importantly, make sure all was right between them and God.
We have no guarantee that each day to us will belong. Only our Great Creator knows what lies in our future. Speaking of this, James exclaims, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” James 4:13-15 In view of this, David advises, “Trust in the LORD, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the ! LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Ps 37:3-11
May we walk circumspectly redeeming the time we have wasted in the past, understanding what the will of the Lord is, being filled with the Spirit, praising with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that when He comes we and those we love may greet Him with joy is my prayer.
Rose