FAITH

When I was young and in seminary, friends told me about running out of money when it was still a week until payday. But they realized they would be all right, because they had enough food to get them by, except for one thing: they needed bread to help their small store of food last until payday.

They said they prayed for an answer. Later one of them found two dollars lying on the floorboard of their car. This was enough to purchase the bread they needed to tide them over until payday. My friend said, "I didn't know whether God would really hear our prayers, but He did!" This was small faith. But God honored their prayers.

And Jesus said unto them . . . if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:20 (KJV)

REFUGE

I remember how secure I felt when I was in the care of my parents. I had no worries, no needs, and no fears.

So it was somewhat of a shock as I grew older, and realized for the first time that Mother and Daddy were human, and therefore vulnerable to life and death, as were all others around us. I can remember lying in bed at night, worrying about what fate would be mine should anything happen to my parents. Such are the frailties of human existence.

But our relationship with God is different. God is not subject to our human frailties. He never ceases to exist. He is always there to offer shelter, to sustain us in our weakness, and to help us in times of need by His very presence.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (KJV)

JOY

I stood with Mother, my sisters and my brother beside the casket. We shared a deep sadness, for we loved my father deeply. However, as we stood together, there was something much more deeply felt than our tears.

In spite of our sorrows, we knew God’s peace, and we knew a profound joy. Joy is totally different than happiness. We weren’t happy, but we felt the assurance of God's loving presence with us that day. And that brought joy.

Some who read these words may be finding life hard to live. Sorrow, illness, depression may be taking their toll. But there is hope! Stop to think about all God has done for you. As you do, you’ll feel His joy, His peace.

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. Psalm 35:9 (KJV)

A YEAR ENDS

When I was growing up my family lived far out in the country where my father was a ranch foreman. He always had to get up early, as is typical of farmers and ranchers, so it had never been the practice of our family to stay up late, even to see in a new year.

But when I was thirteen our family moved into town. I was thrilled when a friend invited me to a New Year’s Eve party, but I didn’t think my dad would approve. But my friend lived only a few houses away, and my parents knew his parents. Mother and Daddy talked it over and gave their approval.

I was excited. This was my first experience with seeing an old year out and a new one in. It was a great feeling when the moment finally came when one year ended and another began. I felt I had seen history in the making.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (KJV)

THE BREAD WINNER

Stanley looked at his watch, remembering his promise to take his teen-age son, Joey, to the rally at church. He looked at the stack of reports on his desk. With a sigh, he picked up the telephone to call Joey at home.

Late that night, when the reports were finished he thought again about the missed rally. His conscience pricked him. A Christian athlete was scheduled to speak, and would have been a great influence on the boy. But business came first.

Suddenly the telephone rang. “Sir,” a deep voice said, “this is Sergeant Brown at the police station.”

“What can I do for you, Sergeant.”

“It’s your boy,” the sergeant said. “We have him here at the station. Can you come right down?”

The Bible clearly teaches the responsibility of a man to his family. This responsibility includes the area of a relationship with God. And time is short.
Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1 (KJV)

A NEWBORN BABY

When our son was eight, he became excited because he was going to become an uncle. Then one day when he came home from school he was met with the casual greeting, “Hi, Uncle David.” Talk about excited!

Later when we all had our first look at the new arrival, no one thought to tell David it is normal for a new baby to look red and wrinkled, and tiny babies cry often. After David had watched the baby for a while and had listened to his howls, he turned to us with a mischievous grin and asked, “You mean I’m an uncle to that?”

Everyone loves a baby, but no one would want a baby to fail to grow and mature. The Bible compares new Christians to newborn babies, but it also says that the new Christians are to grow and develop through Bible study.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. I Peter 2:2 (KJV)

A TIME TO SHARE LOVE

I remember as a child, gathering at the table on Thanksgiving day, feasting on the food Mother had cooked and hearing Daddy lead a prayer thanking God for His blessings. But try as I might, I don’t remember what food we had at those meals. What I do remember is being together with my parents and my brother and sisters. We were a family—and we loved each other.

Today, Marion and I look forward to the times we can be with our children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving or Christmas. The food is always good; but best of all is the love we share as a family. It’s good being together.

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. I John 3:11 (KJV)