And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3.
In our life here, earthly, sin-restricted though it is, the greatest joy and the highest education are in service. And in the future state, untrammeled by the limitations of sinful humanity, it is in service that our greatest joy and our highest education will be found.
“If any man’s work abide …, he shall receive a reward.” 1 Corinthians 3:14. Glorious will be the reward bestowed when the faithful workers gather about the throne of God and of the Lamb…. They have been partakers with Christ in His sufferings, they have been workers together with Him in the plan of redemption, and they are partakers with Him in the joy of seeing souls saved in the kingdom of God, there to praise God through all eternity.
A Christian once said that when he reached heaven he expected to meet with three causes of wonder. He would wonder to find some that he did not expect to see there. He would wonder not to see some that he expected to meet, and, lastly, he would wonder most to find so unworthy a sinner as himself in the Paradise of God. Many who have stood in high places as Christians upon earth will not be found with the happy throng that shall surround the throne. Those who have had knowledge and talent, and yet have delighted in controversy and unholy strife, will not have a place with the redeemed…. They desired to do some great work, that they might be admired and flattered by men, but their names were not written in the Lamb’s book of life. “I know you not,” are the sad words that Christ addresses to such. But those whose lives were made beautiful by little acts of kindness, by tender words of affection and sympathy, whose hearts recoiled from strife and contention, who never did any great work in order to be lauded of men, these are found recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. Though the world counted them as insignificant, they are approved of God before the assembled universe.
The Faith I Live By p. 370
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Prayer Requests
—-Pray for Travis he needs a job and the Lord. Rosemary
—- Remember us in prayer as we travel early in the morning. I think there are thunderstorms along our path. Keffie
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Dear Friends
Last week, I had to renew my car license. I chose the wrong time and had to wait over an hour to get waited on. Some years ago, I had a wait, but it was not as long a wait and I had a very sweet incident to watch as I waited. I happened to notice a grandpa and his granddaughter (probably age four) in line a ways ahead of me. He was tall and thin, had his long yellow-gray hair tied back in a ponytail, and was covered with tattoes. Despite his hard-looking exterior, he was smiling at the little girl. Their relationship was obviously deep and happy. She showed that she had perfect love, perfect trust and confidence in him. He was squatted down and she was whispering “secrets” in his ear. When it was his turn to renew his vehicle, the little girl tried and tried to see over the counter. Again smiling tenderly at the girl, he lifted her up and sat her on the counter. When the lady behind the counter asked the little one what was her favorite animal, the girl asked her grandpa for advice. Rather than telling her outright, he helped her decide for herself by making several suggestions. She then answered the woman. When it was time to go, grandpa and child left hand in hand.
How our Heavenly Father longs to have us have perfect love, perfect trust and confidence in Him even more than that little girl had in her grandfather. We can tell Him anything and everything. We cannot weary Him. Indeed, He is even now bending over His throne listening for our prayers. He bids us, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Matt 7:7-11; 18:19 There is a qualification that must be met in the asking, however. We must abide in Christ for He says, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7
Jesus used the example of an unspoiled child to illustrate the perfect love and trust we should have in Him. “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 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. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:13-16
May we “pray without ceasing” to our Heavenly Father for He loves us with an “everlasting love.” 1 Thes 5:17; Jer 31:3 May we have strong confidence that He will do what is best for us in all circumstances. May we continually keep our hand in His Strong and Mighty Hand is prayer.
Rose
Reward for Soul Winners