I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14, R.S.V.
There are many lines in which the youth can find opportunity for helpful effort. . . . In this closing work of the gospel there is a vast field to be occupied; and, more than ever before, the work is to enlist helpers from the common people. Both the youth and those older in years will be called from the field, from the vineyard, and from the workshop, and sent forth by the Master to give His message. Many of these may have had little opportunity for education, but Christ sees in them qualifications that will enable them to fulfill His purpose. If they put their hearts into the work and continue to be learners, He will fit them to labor for Him. . . .
However large, however small, your talents, remember that what you have is yours only in trust. Thus God is testing you, giving you an opportunity to prove yourself true. To Him you are indebted for all your capabilities. To Him belong your powers of body, mind, and soul, and for Him these powers are to be used. Your time, your influence, your capabilities, your skill–all must be accounted for to Him who gives all.
The youth who finds joy and happiness in reading the word of God and in the hour of prayer is constantly refreshed by drafts from the Fountain of life. He will attain a height of moral excellence and a breadth of thought of which others cannot conceive. . . . Those who thus connect their souls with God are acknowledged by Him as His sons and daughters. They are constantly reaching higher and still higher, obtaining clearer views of God and of eternity, until the Lord makes them channels of light and wisdom to the world.
With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come–the end of suffering and sorrow and sin!
Maranatha p. 122
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Ron. He has had a bone spur which has caused plantar fasciitis for the past year. He is greatly discouraged as the doctors have not been able to help him and he’s in a lot of pain. Rose
—–Please continue to pray for my dad. He is not doing well & they are trying to figure out which hospital to take him to THIS time! Marion
—–Please pray for me I have lots of stress going on right now. Connie
——Dorothy fell last week at the care home and has fluid on the brain. She has gotten to the point not knowing if she has family or where she lives( she doesn’t realize she living in a care home) She barely remembers me and she has reverted to remembering things 60 years ago. Larry
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Dear Friends,
Once as we drove the long way home from South Dakota to Kansas, a trip of over 12 hours only stopping for gas we learned a lesson that I hope we will never forget. On previous trips we had tried different ways to go and have settled on the shortest as the best way to go. This time, however, we decided to try a new way home. Now that would not have been a problem if we had had a map! (This was before we had cell phones.) We had accidently left it home, but we were positive that we knew the way. We had seen the road on the map many times, so we were confident that we would be able to find our way.
In fact, we went on highway 385 for part of our normal route, so all we would have to do was stay on it instead of turning off. When we stopped for gas, we asked the clerk about the road. He advised us to go our normal way. A lady, paying for her gas, told us she was also from Wichita and that our normal way was best. We were determined to try the new way despite their advice. Big mistake!
Off we drove, feeling rather carefree. Eileen and Ronnie Jay thought this was a little strange but didn’t say anything. We followed 385 for about 20 miles, and began to realize that it was running parallel to the Interstate where we could go much faster. We decided to get off 385 and onto the Interstate and then when 385 intersected I-80 we would take it down through Colorado and to I-70. It seemed like such a good plan, but we never did find the turn-off. What had seemed like a good plan made our trip much longer.
So it is on the road to Heaven. We feel we know where we are going, but we find that “there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov 16:25 We feel we do not need the Guidebook, God’s Holy Word, but we become confused and lost. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps 119:105
May we follow His Word just as it reads, laying aside our preconceived ideas and self-confidence. May we look always to Jesus “the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2 May we hide His Words in our heart that we may live the victorious Christian life His longs for us to have.
Rose