Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12.
I saw a very great number of angels bring from the city glorious crowns—a crown for every saint, with his name written thereon. As Jesus called for the crowns, angels presented them to Him, and with His own right hand the lovely Jesus placed the crowns on the heads of the saints. In the same manner the angels brought the harps, and Jesus presented them also to the saints. The commanding angels first struck the note, and then every voice was raised in grateful, happy praise, and every hand skillfully swept over the strings of the harp, sending forth melodious music in rich and perfect strains….
Within the city there was everything to feast the eye. Rich glory they beheld everywhere. Then Jesus looked upon His redeemed saints; their countenances were radiant with glory; and as He fixed His loving eyes upon them, He said, with His rich, musical voice, “I behold the travail of My soul, and am satisfied. This rich glory is yours to enjoy eternally. Your sorrows are ended. There shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” …
I then saw Jesus leading His people to the tree of life…. Upon the tree of life was most beautiful fruit, of which the saints could partake freely, in the city was a most glorious throne, from which proceeded a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal. On each side of this river was the tree of life, and on the banks of the river were other beautiful trees bearing fruit….
Language is altogether too feeble to attempt a description of heaven. As the scene rises before me, I am lost in amazement. Carried away with the surpassing splendor and excellent glory, I lay down the pen, and exclaim, “Oh, what love! what wondrous love!” The most exalted language fails to describe the glory of heaven or the matchless depths of a Saviour’s love.
The Faith I Live By p. 352
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my Granddaughter who is having much adversity in her work life. Sandi
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Dear Friends,
Shortly after WWI, my grandfather, Edwin Harmon, moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Like many men in those far off days, he rented a room and the YMCA, where he became acquainted with a salesman about his age by the name of Gus Van Camp. Before long, they became very good friends and spent most of their time together.
One day, the bindery where my grandfather worked closed unexpectedly for the day. Being single and knowing very few people, my grandfather was lamenting to his friend about having to spend a boring day at the “Y.” Mr. Van Camp invited him to spend the day with him while he visited his customers.
As they went from business to business, they talked of their future plans, hopes, and dreams. Gus had one more stop for the day—the Upjohn Company. The two men walked toward Mr. Upjohn’s office where they were greeted by Ida Phillips, Mr. Upjohn’s secretary. Edwin’s heart beat faster. This young lady looked so much like his dear, sweet mother! He knew right then that she was the girl for him.
Over the next few years, Edwin and Ida courted and on November 19, 1919, they were married.
Shortly thereafter, Mr. Van Camp married a young lady by the name of Rena. The two couples became friends and in a few years Rena’s sister Annabelle and her husband moved to Kalamazoo and completed the group of friends. They all had such good times together.
Even though Gus and Rena and Annabelle and her husband eventually moved to Florida in the 1940’s, they kept in touch by mail and they came to visit occasionally.
Those three couples’ friendships lasted for a lifetime and even on through the next generation. Annabelle’s daughter, Mary Esther, and Geneva, my mother, were friends throughout their entire lives. There were times when they didn’t see each other for several years, but they always kept in touch by letter.
When my mother got laid off from work in the 1970’s, Mary Esther invited her to move to Florida. Over the years they had wonderful times together.
Just as friendships can last for years or even generations, so we have the opportunity of having a life-long friendship with the Friend Who “sticketh closer than a brother.” Prov 18:24 Just as God called Abraham His friend, so He longs to be able to say the same of us. (Isa 41:8) “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:23 What a privilege!
Our Dear Saviour tells us, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:9-15 Wonderful promise! We can have a life-long friendship with the Creator of the Universe, the Saviour of the world!
How our Dear Saviour longs to be our Best Friend. How He yearns for that fellowship, that comfortableness, that closeness that best friends have. Moreover, He desires this friendship to continue for future generations. Just as He was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, so He longs to be the God and close friend of our children and grandchildren.
Think of it! We have the privilege of bringing our little ones to Him. He will not turn them away. When He was upon this earth, mothers often brought young children to him, that he should take them upon His lap and bless them. His disciples rebuked those mothers and wanted to send them away. They felt that those little ones were not important, “but when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14
May we put His friendship, His approbation, His love before any earthly friendship. May we be diligent to lead our little ones to their Loving Friend Who desires to place His Great Arms of Love around them. May we place our hand in the nail-scarred hand of our Dearest Friend trusting Him to lead us gently to the Place that He has gone to prepare for us. (John 14:1-3)
Rose