Cast Thy Bread upon the Waters

No one can live the law of God without ministering to others. But there are many who do not live out Christ’s merciful, unselfish life…. They plan and study to please themselves. They act only in reference to self. Time is of value to them only as they can gather for themselves. In all the affairs of life this is their object. Not for others but for themselves do they minister. God created them to live in a world where unselfish service must be performed. He designed them to help their fellow-men in every possible way. But self is so large that they cannot see anything else. They are not in touch with humanity. Those who thus live for self are like the fig-tree, which made every pretension, but was fruitless…. In the sentence pronounced on the fig-tree Christ demonstrates how fateful in His eyes is this vain pretense. He declares that the open sinner is less guilty than is he who professes to serve God, but who bears no fruit to His glory.—The Desire of Ages, 584.

“I am debtor,” Paul declares, “both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise.” So also are we. By all that has blessed our life above others, we are placed under obligation to every human being whom we might benefit.

These truths are not for the closet more than for the counting-room. The goods that we handle are not our own, and never can this fact safely be lost sight of. We are but stewards, and on the discharge of our obligation to God and man depend both the welfare of our fellow-beings and our own destiny for this life and for the life to come.—Education, 139.
With God at Dawn p. 281
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Prayer Requests
—-My daughter has a raw throat and chest tightness and we’re going to the doctor. Please pray for her, her name’s Ariana. David
—-Requesting Prayer for my cousin Jimmy in the hospital, on oxygen. BL
—-Sharon passed away of covid. Please keep her daughter, Samantha, in prayer as she is grieving the loss of her mom. Amanda
—-Please pray for stomach pain I’ve been having. Evelyn
—-Please pray for my son. They are having difficulty regulating his meds. Lots of anxiety and stress until dosage is correct. Ann
—-Please pray for Wanangwa. She is having a problem in her eye. RJ
—-Please pray for me. I’m having a lot of anxiety. Buck
—-Please pray for Doug. He was transferred to the intensive care unit at another hospital. He has several broken ribs and a punctured lung from our horse kicking him. We would appreciate your prayers. Donna
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Dear Friends,

As I was going through some old emails, I came across something that Esther had written when she was a teenager. I remembered feeling the same way when I was a teenager and first starting to go to church as did the young people who had asked the same question that caused Esther to write an answer to their questioning. I thought I would share it with you today.

Esther writes: “Several people have asked me a question that bothered me: Don’t you think we will get bored in heaven? If there is no pain or trouble in heaven will the happiness be as sweet?
“I was deeply troubled about this because I know we aren’t going to get bored and I know we are going to be happy in heaven. Why? because of what Jesus said.

“Well, I didn’t have specific verses in my mind to share with those that asked, but I read something this morning that encompasses these questions perfectly!

First read the story…it is found in John 2:1-10 ‘And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.’

“It is a great story…one we have all heard many times… The following paragraph pulls everything together into perspective.

“He addressed the bridegroom, saying, ‘Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good wine until now.” In this miracle, Jesus illustrates the truth that while the world presents its best gifts first, to fascinate the senses and please the eye, he gives good gifts, ever fresh and new unto the end. They never pall upon the taste, the heart never sickens and tires of them. The pleasures of the world are unsatisfying, its wine turns to bitterness, its gayety to gloom. That which was begun with songs and mirth ends in weariness and disgust. But Jesus provides a feast of the soul that never fails to give satisfaction and joy. Each new gift increases the capacity of the receiver to appreciate and enjoy the blessings of his Lord. He gives, not with stinted measure, but above what is asked or expected.’ {3Red 8.1}

“I can tell you from experience that what the world offers is sweet in the beginning but bitter in the end! I know because I have been in the world. Friends, Jesus is so kind to us! He calls to us even when we don’t listen! And when the world does go bitter, He welcomes us with open arms!

“Jesus is so much greater than we are, my words cannot even express it! He said that He will give us happiness, why do we ever doubt Him!! Has He ever lied to us? No!!!!!!!!!!

“It is time to stand up for Jesus! And believe what He has said!

“Joh 14:1-3 ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’

“Eph 3:20-21 ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.’

“The best way to represent this difference in happiness and enjoyment can be summed up in the illustration of the surroundings. The world’s happiness is temporary, terminal, the life of the world’s happiness is not eternal. The world is marred with sinful pleasure. The book of John chapter 15 sets the difference. Satan torments us in this world, not allowing total peace.

“NOW look unto the future with faith the time of Heaven. ETERNAL LIFE. ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Romans 6:23. Christ is the Lifegiver.

“See the compassion Jesus has in Mark 8:2, 3 ‘I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me for three days and now have nothing to eat. If I send them home without feeding them, they will faint as they go, because some of them have come a long way.’

“Jesus is the compassionate, Satan is the oppressor. Jesus is the True Joy (John 17:13) Satan is the cause of boredom for his pleasures leave you empty inside. My advice is read your Bible…see the happiness of the Biblical characters such as rejoicing Paul in Philippians and others. Read the prophesies in Isaiah and Revelation [and elsewhere] about what awaits us in Heaven. May God be with you, grace abounds.”