Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2.
When God’s people take their eyes off the things of this world and place them on heaven and heavenly things they will be a peculiar people, because they will see the mercy and goodness and compassion that God has shown to the children of men. His love will call forth a response from them, and their lives will show to those around them that the Spirit of God is controlling them, that they are setting their affections on things above, not on the things of the earth.
In thinking of heaven, we may put our imagination to the utmost stretch and think the loftiest thoughts that we are capable of thinking, and our minds will grow weary in the effort to comprehend the breadth and depth and height of the subject. It is impossible for our minds to take in the great themes of eternity. It is impossible for us even to make an effort to understand these things without the effort affecting our whole character for good and having an uplifting influence on our minds. As we think of how Christ came to our world to die for fallen man, we understand something of the price that was paid for our redemption, and we realize that there is no true goodness or greatness apart from God.
Only by the light shining from the cross of Calvary can we know to what depths of sin and degradation the human race has fallen through sin. Only by the length of the chain let down from heaven to draw us up can we know the depths to which we had sunk. And it is only by keeping the unseen realities in view that we can understand anything of the wonderful theme of redemption.
We are almost home; we shall soon hear the voice of the Saviour richer than any music, saying, Your warfare is accomplished. Enter into the joy of thy Lord. Blessed, blessed benediction; I want to hear it from His immortal lips. I want to praise Him; I want to honor Him that sitteth on the throne. I want my voice to echo and re-echo through the courts of heaven. Will you be there? … God help us, and fill us with all fullness and power, and then we can taste of the joys of the world to come.
Maranatha p. 322
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Prayer Requests
—–Have to get things checked out at the hospital. Prayers please. Ian
—–Please pray that God will guide my children in the way they should go. L
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in southern Alabama, we found that things were very different. In our yard was a colony of ants. Since ants are everywhere, I didn’t think too much about it. The ants’ mound was much larger than any I had seen, but I thought that perhaps it was just a different variety of ant. It was.
One day Eileen, who was about five, got too close to the anthill. Instantly they began pouring out of their home. That anthill looked like it was boiling with ants. Quickly, I got Eileen away from their nest, but still a few ants bit her.
At that instant, a car that had been driving by stopped and a woman called to me. She explained to me about fire ants and gave me some medicine that takes away pain fairly well. Then the people drove away.
How thankful I was that God had sent someone to help us. If people in that car had come by a little earlier or a little later, they would not have seen the problem we were having. But God worked out all the details. He put it in that woman’s heart to help us.
When we see others hurting spiritually are we willing to help? Do we take time to explain the Way the Truth and the Life to them? Jesus says, “Go ye therefore, …Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt 28:19,20
We do not have to go far away to work for Jesus. There are opportunities all around us. Someone I know talks to the barber about spiritual things as she is cutting his hair. Another person works on his Scripture memory cards as he is standing in line. This often will start a conversation that leads to the sharing of God’s Word. There are many ways that God will show us if we ask Him.
Jesus says, “And I say unto you, 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. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:9-13
Just as that lady took the time to help us understand something important that we had not known before, so it takes time and effort to help someone else on the path to Heaven. But it is worth it. We have the promise, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps 126:5,6
Let us focus on the task before us. Let us ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Let us bring those around us to the foot of the cross that they may stand with us on that sea of glass and receive our crown from Jesus’ own nail-scarred hand.
Rose