Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.
This is the first great object–the kingdom of heaven, the righteousness of Christ. Other objects to be attained should be secondary to these.
Satan will present the path of holiness as difficult while the paths of worldly pleasure are strewed with flowers. In false and flattering colors will the tempter array the world with its pleasures before you. Vanity is one of the strongest traits of our depraved natures, and he knows that he can appeal to it successfully. He will flatter you through his agents. You may receive praise which will gratify your vanity and foster in you pride and self-esteem, and you may think that with such advantages and attractions it really is a great pity for you to come out from the world and be separate, and become a Christian. . . . But consider that the pleasures of earth will have an end, and that which you sow you must also reap. Are personal attractions, ability, or talents too valuable to devote to God, the Author of your being, He who watches over you every moment? Are your qualifications too precious to devote to God?
The young urge that they need something to enliven and divert the mind. I saw that there is pleasure in industry, a satisfaction in pursuing a life of usefulness. Some still urge that they must have something . . . to which the mind can turn for relief and refreshment amid cares and wearing labor. The Christian’s hope is just what is needed. Religion will prove to the believer a comforter, a sure guide to the Fountain of true happiness. The young should study the word of God and give themselves to meditation and prayer, and they will find that their spare moments cannot be better employed.
Young friends, you should take time to prove your own selves, whether you are in the love of God. Be diligent to make your calling and election sure.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Make this first and last. Seek most earnestly to know Him whom to know aright is life eternal. Christ and His righteousness is the salvation of the soul.
Maranatha p. 71
““““““““““““““““““““`
Prayer Requests
—–I’ve been having the worst asthma lately.. 3 attacks in the last couple days.. .. Prayers would be appreciated! Dannielle
““““““““““““““““““““““““““`
Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, I spent many hours listening to my grandfather, Edwin Harmon, tell the stories of his life in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Certain stories were favorites and I would ask to hear them nearly every evening. Patiently, he would tell them over and over again. Sometimes, however, my grandfather would tire of the same old stories and tell me of his heroes such as John Paul Jones and Teddy Roosevelt or of some movie he had seen called King Solomon’s Mines. I didn’t enjoy those stories at all. They were not stories of his experience, so I lost interest very quickly.
Even today, I enjoy hearing people tell of their life’s experiences. Whenever someone feels in a nostalgic mood and shares something of their memories, I am always ready to listen.
We each have interesting life stories to tell. There is one experience above all others, however, that we should love to dwell upon—–the story of our spiritual experiences. Indeed, our Dear Saviour longs for our walk with Him to be an ever flowing fountain touching all with whom we meet. He declares, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 He commissions us as He did Jeremiah of old, “thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” Jer 1:7,8
Our Loving Redeemer proclaimed, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 So it is that “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.” 1 John 5:10 The Great Light of the World bids us also to become lights to those about us. Just as there were stories that I didn’t want to listen to, so we will find many who do not want to listen to our witness. We must not become discouraged. We are to continue to shine. “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.” ” 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
Think of it! We “are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that [we] should show forth the praises of him who hath called [us] out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 We ” are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. ” 1 Thes 5:5-24
May we speak often of our experience in the Lord showing ” forth the praises of him who hath called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) May we “sing unto the LORD, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day.” Ps 96:2 May we “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us] with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15
Rose