OTHERS’ SINS

During a revival a young man said frankly that he did not wish to be a Christian.

When asked for his reason, he replied, "Several years ago I was in a man's kitchen. He finding me there swore at me & kicked me out. He was a professing Christian & from that time I decided never to have anything to do with religion. And I never have to this day."

The young man was asked to write down his reason in full & sign it. Then it was handed back to him with the words, "Take this & when you are asked for your excuse on the Day of Judgment, hand this up."

The young man saw his folly & came to Christ that night.

Are you letting the sins of others keep you from giving your heart to Jesus? It will not stand the test of the judgment day.

- The Dawn. (moreillustrations.com)      

“How many prodigals are kept out of the Kingdom of God by the unlovely character of those who profess to be inside!” -  Henry Drummond.

Lord Jesus said: “How terrible for you teachers of the Law! You have kept the key that opens the door to the house of knowledge; you yourselves will not go in, and you stop those who are trying to go in!” (Luke 11:52 GNT).

KNOWING AND DOING GOD’S WILL

Why do we want to know God's will?

Most Christians would feel that this was a strange question, for those whose lives are yielded to God have a real desire to know His plan for them in order that they may follow it in their lives.

But is there not sometimes too great a lapse of time between knowledge & obedience?

Dr. William L. Pettingill, the well-known Bible teacher made a penetrating remark on this subject:

"Most people," he said, "don't want to know the will of God in order to do it; they want to know it in order to consider it."

It often takes time to learn just what God wants us to do in any particular matter, but once we know His purpose we ought not to delay in at least beginning to carry it out by His grace.

- Sunday School Times.(moreillustrations.com)

John 4:34 (NKJV): Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work.”

“In all things seek to know God's will and when known obey at any cost.” - Jonathan Goforth.

A GOOD EXAMPLE

"Who is the best girl in your school?"

I asked a group of schoolgirls.

"Lucy Jones," was the quick reply.

"What makes her the best?" I asked.

"She recites the best," answered one.

"She never gets excused," said another.

"She's never late," said a third.

"She keeps all the rules," said a fourth.

"And something else," said one who had not spoken before.

"Ah, what is that?" I asked.

"Mother says she loves & willingly obeys God & parents," she answered.

Yes, that's it. Lucy was working for Jesus by setting a good example.

- Story World. (moreillustrations.com)

1 Tim 4:12 (ISV): “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.”

“He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.” -  Francis Bacon.

OUR WILL Vs GOD’S WILL

When I was a boy on the farm, my father once told me to do a certain thing one day that I really did not like to do. He went to town & I noticed that our barn door needed paint.

I knew where there was a can of red paint & a new brush. I tried my hand at painting that door. I did a good job, but when my father came home, well - I do not need to tell you about it! It was not a precious memory!

I performed a service, but I did not do the thing that my father left for me to do.

So with the Christian: he will be rewarded, not for doing the thing that he wants to do, but for doing the thing that Christ left him here to do - to fulfill the great commission.

- The King's Business. (moreillustrations.com)

“The greatest mistake any Christian can make is to substitute his own will for the will of God.” - Harry Ironside.

Rom 12:2 (ICB): “Do not be shaped by this world. Instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you. And you will be able to know what is good and pleasing to God and what is perfect.”

PRAISE THE LORD!

A friend of mine was recently summoned to the bedside of his aged mother. More than 80 yrs of age, she was stricken with what they feared would prove her fatal illness.

While her children were gathered in the room her pastor came; and as he was about to lead them in prayer, he turned to the aged saint & asked her what selection of Scripture he should read. She said: "Make your own selection, but let it be of praise."

The weakness of old age was on her & the pain of sickness, but there was no gloom. It was light at eventide. "Let it be of praise."

- James I. Vance, in Earnest Worker. (moreillustrations.com)

Ps 42:5 (CEV): “Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me.”

“We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.” -  Harry Ironside.

GRUMBLING & COMPLAINING

Bishop William Burt when asked how he acquired the habit of good cheer is said to have stated that the remark of a child he once overheard taught him to grumble & complain as little as possible.

"While I was studying at Wilbraham Academy, I spent a few days with this child's father, a good man but a chronic growler. We were all sitting in the front room when the question of food arose.

The little girl told cleverly what each member of the family liked best. Finally it came to the father's turn to be described 'What do I like, Nancy?' he asked laughingly.

'You?' said the little one slowly. `Well, you like mostly everything we haven't got."'

Grumbling is one of the hardest things for the wife to bear & causes great unhappiness.

- (moreillustrations.com)

Num 11:1 (GNT): “The people began to complain to the Lord about their troubles. When the Lord heard them, he became angry and sent fire on the people. It burned among them and destroyed one end of the camp.”

“What then are we to do about our problems? We must learn to live with them until such time as God delivers us from them. We must pray for grace to endure them without murmuring. Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting. They harm us only when we resist them or endure them unwillingly” - A.W. Tozer.

PREPARATION

A famous football coach, Yost, of the University of Michigan, once rebuked a confident player who said their team would win because it had "the will to win."

"Don't fool yourself," said Mr. Yost. "The will to win is not worth a nickel unless you have the will to prepare."

- Halford E. Luccock, Christian Herald (moreillustrations.com)

2 Tim 2:21(ERV): “The Lord wants to use you for special purposes, so make yourself clean from all evil. Then you will be holy, and the Master can use you. You will be ready for any good work.”

“A prepared person will always have his opportunity.” -  Jack Hyles.