Sacrificial Love
After the U.S.S. Pueblo was captured in 1968 by the North Koreans, the 82 surviving crew members were thrown into brutal captivity. In one particular instance 13 of the men were required to sit in a rigid manner around a table for hours at a time.
After several hours, the door violently was flung open and a North Korean guard brutally beat the man in the first chair with the butt of his rifle. The next day, as each man sat at his assigned place, again the door was thrown open and the man in the first chair was brutally beaten again. On the third day the same thing happened again to the same man.
Knowing the man could not survive another beating, a young sailor took his place. When the door was flung open the guard automatically beat the new man senseless. For weeks, each day a new man stepped forward to sit in that horrible chair, knowing full well what would happen. At last, the guards gave up in exasperation. They were unable to beat that kind of sacrificial love.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Love is Love's Food
Love is Love's Food
There is a power in Christ's love which conquers, captivates, and
overpowers the man, so that he cannot but love Christ in return.
God’s love has a GENERATIVE power-
our love to him is brought forth by his love to us.
The best way for begetting love to Christ is a sense of the love
of Christ to us. His love is a loadstone to attract our love.
As fire grows by the addition of fuel, so does our love to Christ
increase by renewed and enlarged discoveries of his love to us.
Where much of divine love is perceived by the soul, there will be
a return of affection in some degree proportionate to the measure
of the manifestation. As we pour water into a dry pump when we
desire to obtain more ? so must we have the love of Christ imparted
to the heart before we shall feel any uprisings of delight in Him.
We have all too much cause to mourn the poverty of our love.
Beloved fellow Christian, pray for more open discoveries of the
love and loveliness of Christ, and thus shall your languid passions
move more readily in the paths of obedience.
There is a power in Christ's love which conquers, captivates, and
overpowers the man, so that he cannot but love Christ in return.
God’s love has a GENERATIVE power-
our love to him is brought forth by his love to us.
The best way for begetting love to Christ is a sense of the love
of Christ to us. His love is a loadstone to attract our love.
As fire grows by the addition of fuel, so does our love to Christ
increase by renewed and enlarged discoveries of his love to us.
Where much of divine love is perceived by the soul, there will be
a return of affection in some degree proportionate to the measure
of the manifestation. As we pour water into a dry pump when we
desire to obtain more ? so must we have the love of Christ imparted
to the heart before we shall feel any uprisings of delight in Him.
We have all too much cause to mourn the poverty of our love.
Beloved fellow Christian, pray for more open discoveries of the
love and loveliness of Christ, and thus shall your languid passions
move more readily in the paths of obedience.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
In the Clouds
In The Clouds
"If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth" (Eccles. 11:3).
Why, then, do we dread the clouds which now darken our sky? True, for a while they hide the sun, but the sun is not quenched; he will be out again before long. Meanwhile those black clouds are filled with rain; and the blacker they are, the more likely they will yield plentiful showers.
How can we have rain without clouds? Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will. They are the dark chariots of bright grace. These clouds will empty themselves before long, and every tender herb will be gladder for the shower. Our God may drench us with grief, but He will refresh us with mercy. Our Lord's love-letters often come to us in black-edged envelopes. His wagons rumble, but they are loaded with benefits. His rod blossoms with sweet flowers and nourishing fruits. Let us not worry about the clouds, but sing because May flowers are brought to us through the April clouds and showers.
O Lord, the clouds are the dust of Thy feet! How near Thou art in the cloudy and dark day! Love beholds Thee, and is glad. Faith sees the clouds emptying themselves and making the little hills rejoice on every side.--C H. Spurgeon
"What seems so dark to thy dim sight
May be a shadow, seen aright
Making some brightness doubly bright.
"The flash that struck thy tree--no more
To shelter thee--lets heaven's blue floor
Shine where it never shone before.
"The cry wrung from thy spirit's pain
May echo on some far-off plain,
And guide a wanderer home again."
"The blue of heaven is larger than the clouds."
"If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth" (Eccles. 11:3).
Why, then, do we dread the clouds which now darken our sky? True, for a while they hide the sun, but the sun is not quenched; he will be out again before long. Meanwhile those black clouds are filled with rain; and the blacker they are, the more likely they will yield plentiful showers.
How can we have rain without clouds? Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will. They are the dark chariots of bright grace. These clouds will empty themselves before long, and every tender herb will be gladder for the shower. Our God may drench us with grief, but He will refresh us with mercy. Our Lord's love-letters often come to us in black-edged envelopes. His wagons rumble, but they are loaded with benefits. His rod blossoms with sweet flowers and nourishing fruits. Let us not worry about the clouds, but sing because May flowers are brought to us through the April clouds and showers.
O Lord, the clouds are the dust of Thy feet! How near Thou art in the cloudy and dark day! Love beholds Thee, and is glad. Faith sees the clouds emptying themselves and making the little hills rejoice on every side.--C H. Spurgeon
"What seems so dark to thy dim sight
May be a shadow, seen aright
Making some brightness doubly bright.
"The flash that struck thy tree--no more
To shelter thee--lets heaven's blue floor
Shine where it never shone before.
"The cry wrung from thy spirit's pain
May echo on some far-off plain,
And guide a wanderer home again."
"The blue of heaven is larger than the clouds."
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Trees Praise God
Trees Praise God
FATHER, how beautiful are your CREATIONS! ! !
We see YOU in YOUR HANDIWORKS.
We traveled to a place so lovely, so divine
that my heart was lifted to a place sublime,
Hills and dales, glens and mountains
strewn with dancing trees
swaying in the breeze;
Lifting their branches
high in the sky
Waving praises to God.
Cruising the highways enjoying nature's beauty
Trees atop the mountain were level except one cutey,
which seemed to shout out loud, 'Here I am!
Look at me. See?
I am up here and taller than the rest.'
The sight of this tree brought us joy-filled glee
As we drank in the view
with sky so blue
And marsh-mellow clouds floating by.
The trees in shades of green spectacular
seemed to have their own personality and venacular
Sage, Spruce, Silver, Blue, Kelly, and Forest ~
God painted an extraordinary view
in
Greens of every color and hue.
We saw their age and their youth,
strong and sturdy,
tired and worn or young and thriving
while we were driving
A sight to behold,
like gold.
FATHER, how beautiful are your CREATIONS! ! !
We see YOU in YOUR HANDIWORKS.
FATHER, how beautiful are your CREATIONS! ! !
We see YOU in YOUR HANDIWORKS.
We traveled to a place so lovely, so divine
that my heart was lifted to a place sublime,
Hills and dales, glens and mountains
strewn with dancing trees
swaying in the breeze;
Lifting their branches
high in the sky
Waving praises to God.
Cruising the highways enjoying nature's beauty
Trees atop the mountain were level except one cutey,
which seemed to shout out loud, 'Here I am!
Look at me. See?
I am up here and taller than the rest.'
The sight of this tree brought us joy-filled glee
As we drank in the view
with sky so blue
And marsh-mellow clouds floating by.
The trees in shades of green spectacular
seemed to have their own personality and venacular
Sage, Spruce, Silver, Blue, Kelly, and Forest ~
God painted an extraordinary view
in
Greens of every color and hue.
We saw their age and their youth,
strong and sturdy,
tired and worn or young and thriving
while we were driving
A sight to behold,
like gold.
FATHER, how beautiful are your CREATIONS! ! !
We see YOU in YOUR HANDIWORKS.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Woman and a Fork
Woman and a Fork
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she
would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young
woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not
knowing quite what to say. That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman
asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and
I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them:
"Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman
good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before
her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with
the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and
about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop
thinking about the fork and told them that the y probably would not be able to
stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you,
ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel,
indeed they make you smile and encourage you to succeed.
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with
someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
And keep your fork.
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she
would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young
woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not
knowing quite what to say. That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman
asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and
I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them:
"Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman
good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before
her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with
the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and
about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop
thinking about the fork and told them that the y probably would not be able to
stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you,
ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel,
indeed they make you smile and encourage you to succeed.
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with
someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
And keep your fork.
Dropping a Bomb on Satan
Dropping a Bomb on Satan
In 1945, there was a conference in Potsdam. The rulers of the West were there, and they wrote out an ultimatum and sent it to Japan. They said to the Japanese, “You must surrender totally and unconditionally. And if you do not surrender, we will destroy your cities, and we will not spare if you do not surrender.” The Japanese responded, “We will not surrender. We’ll fight on.” Then the Americans dropped the bomb, and Japan surrendered totally and unconditionally.
At Calvary, God dropped an A-bomb on Satan. Jesus died and paid the debt of sin, and He ruined Satan. Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
Now, that victory is not your victory until you can say, “I am His and He is mine.” Romans 8:38-39 promises, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I am in Him, and He is in me!
In 1945, there was a conference in Potsdam. The rulers of the West were there, and they wrote out an ultimatum and sent it to Japan. They said to the Japanese, “You must surrender totally and unconditionally. And if you do not surrender, we will destroy your cities, and we will not spare if you do not surrender.” The Japanese responded, “We will not surrender. We’ll fight on.” Then the Americans dropped the bomb, and Japan surrendered totally and unconditionally.
At Calvary, God dropped an A-bomb on Satan. Jesus died and paid the debt of sin, and He ruined Satan. Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
Now, that victory is not your victory until you can say, “I am His and He is mine.” Romans 8:38-39 promises, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I am in Him, and He is in me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
