For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Matthew 25:14, 15.
To every man is given his work. One man may not be able to do the work for which another man has been trained and educated. But the work of every man must begin at the heart, not resting in a theory of the truth. The work of him who surrenders the soul to God and cooperates with divine agencies will reveal an able, wise workman, who discerns how to adapt himself to the situation. The root must be holy, or there will be no holy fruit. All are to be workers together with God. Self must not become prominent. The Lord has entrusted talents and capabilities to every individual, and those who are most highly favored with opportunities and privileges to hear the Spirit’s voice are under the heaviest responsibility to God.
Those who are represented as having but one talent have also their work to do. By trading, not with pounds, but with pence, they are diligently to employ their ability, determined not to fail nor be discouraged. They are to ask in faith, and depend upon the Holy Spirit to work upon unbelieving hearts. If they depend upon their own capabilities, they will fail. Those who faithfully trade upon the one talent will hear the gracious commendations spoken to them with as much heartiness as to those who have been gifted with many talents, and who have wisely improved them, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things” (Matthew 25:21).
It is the spirit of humility in which the work is done which God regards. He who had but one talent had an influence to exert, and his work was needed. In perfecting his own character, in learning in the school of Christ, he was exerting an influence that helped to perfect the character of those who had larger responsibilities, who were in danger of building themselves up, and of neglecting some important little things, which that faithful man with his one talent was regarding with diligent care.—Notebook Leaflets, vol. 1, 129, 130.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 211
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for E as she needs God’s guidance in an important decision. R
—-Please pray for Svetlana’s son who is very sick. Michael
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Dear Friends,
When we were younger, we used to go up in the mountains and camp. One time, when we lived in Utah, we found a nice spot up in the mountains. It was one of those “pack it in, pack it out” places. We set up our tent under the trees by the river. The next morning we were delighted to see an almost grown female moose very close to our camp. (My children learned at an early age to hold very still and be quiet when an animal was around, so it was a good experience for us.) She had been eating water plants and became curious to see what we were. She came within about 35 feet of our camp and watched us. We all stood very still and watched her. Her curiosity satisfied, she walked on and started eating water plants again. We followed at a distance and watched her until the children grew restless.
Moose have a bad temper and are very unpredictable, and that encounter could have turned out far differently. More than once when we lived in the Northwest, we have had to wait for a bull moose to get out of the road so we could keep driving to wherever we were going. Once we were able to get off the road and slowly drive in the grass to a side road in order to get around him. (We knew better than to honk at him.) I look forward to the time when we will not only be able to see the animals up close, but they will not be dangerous.
God has promised a time when “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. ” Isa 11:6-9 Not only will we be able to interact with wild beasts, but we will live a life filled with nothing but happiness and joy. God has promised, “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isa 65:21-24
What a wonderful time that will be! The animals will be gentle and friendly. We will have no fear of them and they will have no fear of us. We will be safe wherever we go without worry, without fear. But the best thing of all is our Great and Glorious Creator and Savior will be there. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” Rev 21:1-5 May we all be there is my prayer.
Rose