Fretting and Grumbling

Many very excellent persons whose lives are honorable and whose characters are noble, pass numberless hours of sadness and weariness of heart. The fault's not with their circumstances, as they suppose, nor yet with their general character. Their misery's due to their failure to adopt the true philosophy of life. They wait for happiness to come instead of going to work and making it; and while they wait, they torment themselves with borrowed troubles, with fears, forebodings, morbid fancies, and moody spirits, until they're all unfitted for happiness under any circumstances.

Sometimes they cherish improper ambition, covet some fancied or real good they don't deserve or couldn't enjoy if it were theirs, wealth they haven't earned, honors they haven't won, attentions they haven't merited. Sometimes they shade the present with clouds of the past, and although surrounded by a thousand inviting duties and pleasures, revel in sad memories with a kind of morbid relish for the stimulus of their miseries. Sometimes forgetting the past and the present, they live in the future, not in its probable realities, but in its most improbable visions and unreal creations, now of good and then of evil, wholly unfitting their minds for real life and enjoyments.

These morbid and improper states of mind are too prevalent among some persons. They excite that nervous irritability that's so productive of pining regrets and fretful complaints. They make that large class of fretters who enjoy no peace themselves nor permit others to enjoy it.

In the domestic circle they fret their life away. Everything goes wrong with them because they make it so. The smallest annoyance chaftes them as though it were an unbearable vexation. Their business and duties trouble them as though such things weren't good. Pleasure they never seem to know, because they never get ready to enjoy it. Their home is the worst of all homes. Their streets and their neighborhood are the most unpleasant to be found. Nobody else has so many annoyances as they.

Their lot is harder than falls to common mortals; they have to work harder and always have had to; they have less and always expect to. They've seen more trouble than other folks know anything about. They're never so well as their neighbors. And they always charge all their unhappiness upon those nearest connected with them, never dreaming that they are themselves the authors of it all. Such people are to be pitied!

This defect in character is more generally the result of the indulgence of gloomy thoughts, morbid fancies, inordinate ambition, a complaining, fault- finding disposition. He who frets is never the one who mends, eals, or repairs evils; more, he discourages, enfeebles, and too often disables those around him who, but for the gloom and depression of his company, would do good work and keep up brave cheer. There's no vice except drunkenness that can so utterly destroy the peace and happiness of a home.

Why do people scold? Because they can't govern themselves. How can they hope to govern others? Those who govern well are generally calm. They're prompt and resolute, but steady.

It's not work that kills a man; it's worry. Work is healthy.

How unpleasant to be in company with one who frets, scolds, and grumbles, always seeing the faults of others, but never his own! Wouldn't it be much pleasanter to have a sunny disposition, over- looking the faults of those around us? Let's examine ourselves to see if we might be guilty of any of these ugly habits, and begin at once, if need be, to cultivate good habits, good thoughts about others. Let's be pleasant, kind, loving, gentle, and humble, and we'll be happy and make others happy too.
Wud-da-ya say?...let's try it!

Christian Work

As we consider the way of life, its blessings and possibilities, we come to the subject, which means work for Christ. From the time the soul is awakened to things eternal, there's a degree of zeal manifest to do what will be for the good of others, in encouraging them toward God and in relieving the needy. As the love of God increases in the soul, it's moved to greater effort for the perishing, as the way opens for service. This means more than to choose some pleasant religious exercise in hopes of benefiting others; for it includes self-denial, probably hours of sorrow, hopefully much prayer/fasting, and perhaps persecution from the world. But through it all, the sweet comfort of the Spirit is more than can be expressed by human language.

There's certainly something for each of God's children to do, that will horor God and help in the rescue of others from the broad way of destruction. The Spirit must lead and teach each one what is their labor of love and duty. True humility recognizes the fact that all power belongs to God, and He is able to prepare each one for the service required of them. After they've earnestly inquired of the Lord, and left the matter entirely to His disposal, they may trust Him to make clear the path of duty, remembering to be faithful to every present opportunity of doing good. God doesn't wish us to dream of some great life-work, that may come to us in the future, but to do with our might what our hands find to do, as unto God. The enemy of our soul's good will try to defeat every effort for what is right, but the promise is that some seed shall fall on good ground and bring forth a hundredfold.

Unification Presently In Progress

he sheep are gathering up the mountainsides to stand together as one flock, beneath the care of the one Shepherd.

Those who were afar off are being made nigh. Those who were at enmity are being reconciled, because the middle wall has been broken down.

Those who were strangers and foreigners are recognising each other as fellow-members, fellow- partakers of the promise, and fellow-heirs. Amid the many "churches", the one Church, which Jesus purchased with his blood, is being formed.

From the ruins of "many structures" the one Temple is being built.

A Sure Foundation

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 3: 1- 11)

Notice first that Paul was not talking about a foundation, but rather the foundation The apostle was not talking about laying just any foundation to build on, but he was speaking specifically of laying the one and only foundation that will last.

This may cross many ideologies and popular notions of our time but this is an irrefutable fact as revealed in the word of God. One must exercise care in builidng upon this foundation. Even when we have the right foundation we must use care in building. Just any and every kind of material cannot be used.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (v. 13-14)

Many today are spending precious time and sincerely building in their own understanding and in their own might; They are building works 'for God' that in the last day will be proven to be stubble and hay. Only those works built under God's divine unction of the precious truths of the Word will endure. Paul said he had laid the foundation---Christ the chief cornerstone had been presented to these men. Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (I Peter 2:6 ) Our work is built on the foundation of Christ and the apostles. How we build from there is our choice.

Paul then admonished the Corinthians to use grace and continue to build on the foundation according to God's plumb line. We love to speak of the love and the grace of God but we must also know that Isaiah spoke of that day when God said, Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place (Isaiah 28:17) He spoke of the day when His Son would have been offered and men given the opportunity to step into the very presence of God holy righteous and undefiled. Anyone who doesn't measure to that standard of righteousness ordained in Christ, will find himself standing in judgement regardless of the work he might have thought he was building.

Let us take care in the work we build!

Living Too Close To The Edge

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (I Corinthians 3:1 - 3)

The Church at Corinth had been in place for quite a while when Paul wrote this letter to the congre- gation, but he could not write to them as mature brethern. In essence he was saying, " I can't treat you like adults because your understanding is still that of children. You haven't made any effort to grow up; You like the milk and goodies but you can't take the straight meat of the word." In other words they were still living too close to the borderline of the world. They had not yet stepped forward on faith to possess the promised fullness that God had for them . They were like the Israelites who lingered instead of entering right in to Canaan where the figs grew and the milk and honey flowed.

Paul let them know they were still walking as unre- generate men while claiming the grace of Christ. They were looking to the World rather than looking to Christ. They were looking to the carnal for instructions and direction. They were clinging to the things of sin with one hand while clutching at the promises of God with the other.

Today, as then, many are emphasizing everything but the need to grow spiritually. We must grow in the grace of God and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. This is not a head knowledge that Paul speaks of. Many then as today had a head knowledge of the Word. Paul wanted them to have a "heart knowledge" that they might grow up as men of strength for God.

We see many people more concerned about the philosophy of Salvation and grace than they are ith achieving the personal deep experience of it We must go on to experience the reality, to hunger and thirst after righteousness: that is the food that will strengthen the spiritual man and cause us to grow in Him until we reach the stature of the fulness of Christ: Instead we find Christians lingering close to the boundaries of Sin longing after the cucumbers and leeks they enjoyed there.

Many times we work hard to "get our heads around" the understanding of Salvation and right- eousness when what we must work more diligently at is "getting our hearts around it." We must hide God's word in our hearts, not in our minds. Hiding it in our minds will only produce hypocrites---those who know the words but cannot live them out. If it is hidden in our hearts it will cause us to grow into strong witnesses to the Power of God!

Tracing Character To It's Source

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments."
Psalm 119:9,10

A giant oak tree came crashing down during a severe thunder storm with extremely high winds. This huge oak was thought to be in perfect health, due to its outward appearance with beautiful green leaves during blooming season. However, the massive tree could not withstand the stress of the high wind because of its deterioration on the inside. What started as a tiny corruption from perhaps a nail in the center of the trunk, had spread until that tremendous tree was so weakened that it toppled by the strong winds.

Like the big oak, Christians may also reach a point where they forsake God. It is also because they have decayed on the inside. Perhaps the deterioration started with a little lie, a drink of beer, or forsaking the assembly of God to go to a ballgame, race, or fishing.

Long before our feet carry us where we ought not to go, and our hands do what they ought not do, the desire is in our hearts. But with pure hearts, we will be able to stand the stress of temptation and the stress of every day living.

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Psalm 119:11

Our Friend, Jesus

"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
(John 15:14)

Real loyal friends are few ~ while keeping friends is difficult. How truly blessed is the one who has true friends! We should value God's gift of "good friends." Good friends reduce our sorrows and multiply the joy we share.

"And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."
(Exodus 33:11)

God Himself was the best friend Moses ever had. God spake with him "face to face." He chose Moses to represent Him before Israel; He sup- plied him with courage to work a monumental task! Above all, God loved and forgave Moses' sins! ~ Joshua must have been a great comfort to Moses too. He was a kindred soul with whom Moses could share the privileged moments of communion with God.

Everyone ready now? I'm going to let YOU do a little Bible Search ~ (please note, I'm not slacking off here, it's just toooo much to type)! Turn in your Bible to 1Samuel. Read chapters 18 through 23 (this can be your scripture reading for today!).

Now, consider Jonathan and David: The world celebrates theirs as the ultimate friendship. They show that a friend is committed in words and actions (18:4). A best friend is loyal, putting everything on the line to speak on his friend's behalf (19:1-5). Jonathan was a faithful friend (23:17), and he loved David as himself (18:3). Touching, don't you agree?

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
(John 15:13)

Now, this is the most loving passage in the Bible! What greater love for friends could possibly top this? God revealed His GREAT love to us in giving HIS SON, JESUS, who in love for us, endured utter friendlessness on the cross at Calvary, so that we might enjoy God's peace and friendship ETERNALLY!

Now, let's look at the type of friendship the Lord wants us to avoid:

"Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go." Proverbs 22:24; "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man abundeth in transgression." Pro- verbs 29:22; "As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife." Proverbs 26:21; "A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife." Proverbs 15:18; "Ye adulterers and adult- eresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
(James 4:4)

Faithful, loyal, committed, loving ~ this is the kind of friend Jesus desires and deserves: Friends who are faithful and true; He delights in friends who are loyal to Him and speak up for Him; He wants friends who are committed in more than words; He wants friends who love Him even as they love themselves. What kind of friend are you to Jesus?

"WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS!"

Beautiful Feet

In Old Testament times, there was no instant way of getting news. No television programs could be interrupted to announce that a coup had overthrown a government somewhere. No e-mails conveyed information instantly from the Chief of Staff to his Field Marshal. There was no CNN or Associated Press. So, if an army was fighting a battle, the news of the outcome was sent to the homeland by a runner. The people of the city knew a battle was being fought, so they lined the city walls, eagerly awaiting the news of their army's defeat or victory.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have the marvelous news of a victory to share. We can report that the battle for our souls was won by Christ on Calvary when He gave His life for us (Matthew 27:45-50; Romans 6:23). We have the proof: God raised Him from the dead in triumph (Matthew 28:1-10). Now we can proclaim the good news of the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life in heaven with the Father. This is assured for those who trust in Jesus, His Son (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7).

As we tell the good news to others, let it be with the joy of victory in our hearts, and with feet that are "beautiful" because of the glorious message we bear.

Are All The Children In?

I think oftimes, as the night draws nigh,
Of an old house on the hill;
Of a yard, all wide and blossom-starred,
Where the children played at will.
And when the night at last came down,
Hushing the merry din,
Mother would look around and ask,
"Are all the children in?"

'Tis many and many a year since then,
And the old house on the hill
No longer echoes to childish feet,
And the yard is still, so still.
But I see it all as the shadows creep,
And, though many years have been,
Even now I can hear my Mother ask,
"Are all the children in?"

I wonder if, when the shadows fall
On the last short earthly day;
When we say goodbye to the world outside---
All tired with our childish play;
When we step out into that Other Land
Where Mother so long has been;
Will we hear her ask, as we did of old,
"Are all the children in?"

And I wonder, too, what the Lord will say
To us older children of His?
Have we cared for the lambs?
Have we showed them the fold?
A privilege joyful it is.
And I wonder, too, what our answer will be,
When His loving questions begin:
"Have you heeded My voice?"
"Have you told of my love?"
"Have you brought the children in?"

---Author unknown to me...

Entirely His!

"Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me."
(John 17:6)

The missionary's one in whom the Holy Ghost has wrought this realization - "Ye are not your own." To say, "I'm not my own" is to have reached a great point in spiritual nobility. The true nature of the life in the actual whirl is: the deliberate giving up of ourselves to another in sovereign preference, and that other is Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit expounds the nature of Jesus to us in order to make us one with our Lord, not that we might go off as a showroom exhibit. Our Lord never sent any of the disciples out on the ground of what He'd done for them. It wasn't until after the Resurrection, when the disciples had perceived by the power of the Holy Spirit Whom He was, that Jesus said "Go."

"If any man come to me and hate not . . . , he cannot be My disciple," not, he cannot be good and upright, but, he cannot be one over whom Jesus writes the word "Mine." Any one of the relationships Our Lord mentions may be a competitive relationship. We may prefer to belong to our mother, or to our spouse, or to ourselves; then, says Jesus, you can't be My disciple.

Our Lord makes a disciple His own possession, He becomes responsible for him. "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me." The spirit that comes in is not that of doing, but of being a perfect delight to Him. The secret of the missionary is---I am His, and He's carrying out His enterprises through me. Let's be entirely His.

Three Little Words!

Yesterday's gone,
Tomorrow's always a day away, but,
Today's a gift.
That's why it's called the Present"

There's many things we can do to perk up and strengthen our interpersonal relationships. Yet the most effective involves the saying of just three words. When spoken or conveyed, these statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled. The following three-word phrases can enrich every relationship.

I'll Be There:

If you've ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to the hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you'll know how good it feels to hear the phrase "I'll be there." Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we're truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us. We're renewed in love and friendship. We're restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

I Miss You:

Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they're wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how ecstatic you'd feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say "I miss you."

I Respect You:

Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they're adults you'll strengthen the bonds and become close friends. This applies to all inter-personal relationships.

Maybe You're Right:

This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side to "maybe your right" is the humility of admitting, "Maybe I'm wrong". Let's face it. When you have a heated argument with someone, all you do is cement the other person's point of view. They, or you, won't change their stance and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to further explore the subject, in which you may then have the opportunity to get your view across in a more rational manner.

Please Forgive Me:

Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he's been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

I Thank You:

Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends, are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They're quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often don't have the attitude of gratitude.

Count On Me:

A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it's the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating you can "count on me."

Let Me Help:

The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

I Understand You:

People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know in so many little ways that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. This applies to any relationship.

I Love You:

Perhaps the most important three words that you can say. Telling someone that you truly love them satisfies a person's deepest emotional needs; the need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your family, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words. "I love you."

And how about "God Bless You?"

Have A Blessed Day!

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