MEDITATION

The hurried, stressful pace of modern times has, for many people, all but destroyed the practice of meditation. Yet is one of the most necessary of all spiritual exercises. Prayer, Bible reading and public worship are all essential, but let us not forget the necessity of a quiet time of reflection and listening for the "still small voice" to speak to us.


From an anonymous writer we read: "By meditation I can converse with God, solace myself on the bosom of the Savior, bathe myself in the rivers of divine pleasure, tread the paths of my rest, and view the mansions of eternity."


Jeremy Taylor adds: "... according as we neglect meditation, so are our prayers imperfect, - meditation being the soul of prayer and the intention of our spirit."


In Hebrews 4:2 we read: "... the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." In that passage, the loss to the hearers was caused by unbelief. So often, in the case of modern hearers, the distracted mind, the hurried pace and a lack of serious attention to spiritual concerns all combine to cause us to fail to profit from what we have heard. Let us remember the words of Jesus, "Let these sayings sink down into your ears ..." (Luke 9:44).


Meditation may be primarily an analyzing or rethinking of a truth one has read or heard preached, or a continuous and concentrated thinking upon a passage of Scripture, or a deliberate dwelling upon the majesty, goodness, or grace of God. It may be a fixing of the mind in solemn reflection upon the price of our redemption, the love that brought it, and the blessings that flow from it. It is the spiritual digestion of mighty truths. It ponders the path of duty and the obligations of service.


This contemplation turns to communion, a blending of spirits, as the Spirit speaks to us, and the stream of devotion is filled with loving thoughts of God. In this relationship the spirit of confidence grows strong, and determination and courage are renewed.


Sometimes the chapters we had planned to read for the day are turned into a single verse, as the mind is arrested by some compelling thought. The Book may be temporarily closed, but the windows of the soul are opened and the soul is lifted heavenward, possibly in a wordless prayer of desire for more of God and His unsearchable riches in Christ.


Some solitude is essential for soul culture - not the reclusive attitude that withdraws completely from society and from service, but the "coming apart" for a time to be alone with our Lord. In some cultures and in some lives, it is difficult to find a quiet place of solitude. What then? If we cannot find the ideal, let us not forsake the whole idea of maintaining vital contact with God.

All comments are welcome and appreciated. If you have any suggestions or requests, please let me know.


pastoricholland@gmail.com

UNDERTAKER, TEMPORARILY

I was not yet out of my teens and in my second year as a one-room rural school teacher, when there was a death in the community. The deceased was father of one of my pupils. So, the school was closed on the afternoon of the funeral. Upon arriving at the house of Mr. Kresl, I discovered that there was no undertaker to be in charge. Highly irregular! The body had been prepared at a funeral home in Fulton and then returned to the home. I had never known, before or since, of such an arrangement. There lay the dead man in an open casket.


I had never met the widow of the departed, and I was a bit taken back when she approached me and asked, "You can take charge, can't you?" It seemed to me that there was only one course open to me. It was time right then to leave for the little river town of Portland where the service was to be held. I might have stammered a little, but gave consent to this unusual request. I think that up to date, I had attended only two funerals.


Now, in addition to this being an unusual situation, there were other matters not yet mentioned. The road to the church and burial place was not a paved road. The time was mid January of a very hard winter. A few days earlier, the mud had been almost axle deep to an automobile, then after a few days of extreme cold had frozen the deep ruts almost rock hard. The means of transportation was a livestock truck which had been hauling cattle to the St. Louis stockyards. It was abundantly clear that many cattle had been there, for the truck had not been readied for any funeral purposes. But as I have said, it was the dead of winter.


There were other considerations. Although the distance to travel was not great, just a few yards over deeply cut frozen ruts would be enough to shake the man from his temporary bed. To provide some level of safety, we rolled up some bed sheets to place on the side of the head of the corpse, and headed off on our journey. Of course, there must be attendants to ride in the truck to make sure that the casket would not escape or be upset. Fortunately, I had volunteer help from a Mr. Charlie Masek, a neighbor of the deceased.


Upon arrival at Portland, a village on the very banks of the Missouri River, it was necessary to remove the padding before the remains were presented in the church. This we did in our truck bed mortuary in the most discreet manner possible.


This strange story has another strange twist to it. Bro. C.E. Cowen was preaching a revival in Fulton at that time. A son in law of the deceased who lived in Fulton engaged him to preach this funeral of a man he had never before heard of. To complicate the matter, in the reading of the obituary, Bro. Cowen read the name of a son in law named Masek. In those days, everyone pronounced this name "Mar-shack." Several times during the service, the minister spoke of Mr. Marshack, never once remembering the proper name Kresl.


Finally, the ordeal was over, or nearly over, and the casket was closed, by the young undertaker, and reloaded on the truck and headed up the steep river hill to the burial ground.


My helper, Mr. Charlie Masek (or Marshack), and I were guarding our charge. I said to him, "When you pass on, your wife won't have to have a funeral for you."


"What?" He exclaimed.


"No, the preacher just preached Mr. Marsek's funeral. You heard him."


Those people of Bohemian extraction, or at least the ones I knew, were not given to joking. I don't know whether he ever got that figured out.


At the cemetery, I was handed the certificate to sign as the officiating undertaker and to be returned to Dr. W.O. Payne. I hope it got back to the Bereau of Vital Statistics. In years later, I was upbraided by a real undertaker, who with great fervor said, " I guess you know you did something very unlawful!"


"No," I calmly replied, "I was not aware of that."


Anyway, that was my first and only time of being an undertaker.


Footnote: In the years immediately following this episode, Bro Cowen and I were in close association in a varied ministry. He was extremely busy in helping to found or establish new churches. He ministered in Columbia, Fulton, Hallsville, Boonville, and to a lesser extent, Moberly and Mexico. Often I filled in the gaps in some places. Those were pleasant and fruitful years. Bro Cowen was a great hand to tease. Even Mrs. Cowen was not exempt. But I always had a come-back up my sleeve, that is a quench-all when he pressed an advantage on me. I could just say, "Do you remember when we had Mr. Marshack's funeral?" That was the clincher!


There aren't any more Marshacks in our part of the country. Now they are all properly Masek.

All comments are welcome and appreciated. If you have any suggestions or requests, please let me know.

pastoricholland@gmail.com

I BELIEVE GOD (Acts 27:25)

Sermon or study outline



I    Background: Paul - A Prisoner Preacher


· with an unusual pulpit
· a captive audience
· a message of hope


Paul, Missionary and Defender of the Faith


For years, desired to go to Rome. Now as a prisoner is on the way and the Empire provides the transportation.


The letter to Rome: (Book of Romans)

· "I must see Rome ..." Acts 19:21
· "I purpose to come ..." Rom. 1:13
· "I will come to you" Rom. 15:21, 28-29, 32
· "I am ready to preach" Rom. 1:15
· "I shall come in the fullness of the blessing" Rom. 15:29


Now, on a storm tossed ship, Paul the prisoner, is the only person out of 276 who has any message from God. (As Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon).

 II    The Believer


Always has a the advantage - He has special connections


· Acts 27:23 "There stood by me the angel of God ..."
· Has faith and Hope when "All hope that we should be saved was taken away" Acts 27:20
· Believers when in the minority; one in 276.
· Believers before relief is in sight
· Believers when surrounded by unbelievers


The Believer has: The brightest Outlook, the clearest conscience, and the surest hope.



III    The Basis of Belief


1. The Reason - Conscience, Experience


2. The Record - History of Christianity and Church


3. Revelation - The Word of God


· Doctrine: I believe in God - Apostles Creed
· Personal Relationship: Paul; "I believe God" Acts 27:25, "I know (Him) whom I believed" II Tim. 1:12
· "The Spirit himself beareth witness ... Rom. 8:16



 IV    The Boundaries of Belief - The Word of God: No More; No Less.


No additions, no subtractions, no evasions, no substitutions.


· I believe what God said about Himself and His Son.
· I believe what God said about sin.
· I believe what God said about salvation: Initial, Full, Final (Glorification)
· I believe what God said about eternity: Heaven and Hell.




V    The Blessings of Belief


Faith is the Divine Ability


· Able to save to the uttermost - Heb. 7:25
· Able to keep us from falling - Jude 24
· Able to preserve us blameless - I Thess. 5:23
· Able to present us faultless - Jude 24


Faith to be saved


Faith to overcome


Strength to Persevere


Comfort in all life's situations


Power to overcome Satan's attacks


Certain hope of eternal life


As usual, all comments are welcome and appreciated. If you have any suggestions or requests, please let me know.



pastoricholland@gmail.com

WISCONSIN LAKE DRAMA

(or the D and D episode)


I am responding to a great deal of urgency to relate an account of two not too-distant mariners whose fishing expedition turned out to be a comedy of errors. It is not a made up story. All of the details were related to me by one of the participants, though some descriptive elements may be added. It is a story too good to keep.


Two of my colleagues, Dale Yocum and David Mauck, and their wives were on vacation in Wisconsin. David's wife had sisters there and one of these and her husband owned a camp on a large lake. Since these two ministerial brethren had plenty of time on their hands, it was determined to go fishing. Since their host had a boat at their disposal, they sallied forth upon the waters fully intent upon bringing home not the bacon, but a stringer of fish. As far as I know, no fish were involved in this enterprise. What they did bring back was frustrated hopes and dampened garments as well as spirits.


These modern mariners motored out to the middle of the lake and began their conquest among the finny tribe, but found no takers for their offering. Still confident Dale continued his efforts, but David determined that a swim in the placid waters of the lake would be a better investment of his time. Now I know from observation and experience that his favorite pastime was floating rather than swimming. I have been with him at the sea off Negril Point at the west end of the Island of Jamaica. For long periods he could float like a piece of driftwood with no effort involved.


So before leaving their small craft, he divested himself of his garments, or at least most of them, to be as the colored preacher brother said of Peter, "he was in a state of undressed disrobement." See John 21:7. (We do not want to be indelicate or offensive here.) Now the ever scientific and mathematical mind of Dr. Yocum went into high gear; for mind you, he got his Masters degree at MIT and was well versed in things physical and mathematical. His estimated weight being about 140 pounds was approximately one half of that of his companion. So, he calculated that in order to partly counter balance the greater weight going over the other side, he should lean way out over the opposite side of the boat. The brother bent on bathing did not go out from the bow or from the stern of the boat, but over the side. Consequently, the craft tipped and shipped a great lot of water, soaking both his discarded garments and the clothing and the person of his friend.


The scientific fisherman was greatly surprised at the failure of his calculations, but not to worry! The day was balmy and he began other figures. He managed with strong cord to fix the boat oars in an upright position and then from one to the other a clothes line. So, ridding himself of the appropriate amount of his wet clothes, he placed these and those of his companion on the clothes line. He then resumed his piscatorial conquest, casting here and there for the elusive quarry. Time went on - the fishing of one, the floating of the other, and the clothes drying process.


On a sudden, the fisherman was alarmed at the sound of a motor boat rapidly approaching! Certain other persons on the lake had seen what they perceived to be distress signals flying from another craft and were hastening to the rescue. These two brothers didn't want to be rescued, not even observed. The erstwhile swimmer had merely enough time to find shelter under the other side of the boat and his partner to become more decently clad. Haste was important, for the approaching boat was full of women!


The brother in the boat made vigorous signs that they needed no help. "We're OK! Everything is all right!" It was evident that the visitors were neither wanted or welcome. The brother in the water gave full assent in his heart to the gesticulations and protestations of his companion and silently said, "Go away and leave us alone."


By and by, peace was regained and both of the seamen were fully clothed and we trust, in their right minds. Again, Dale was in the bow of the boat and casting here and there when David , without bothering to announce his decision, cranked up the motor to head for shore. The man in the bow was having great difficulty maintaining his balance while hastily reeling in his line when the boat gave a lurch. The motorman had failed to bring up the anchor. The fisherman went into the lake.


Eventually, things were righted and two unsuccessful fishermen made a safe landfall back at camp. Formerly, these two preachers had "a story to tell to the nations." Now they had an account to give to their wives, and I have the story to pass on to you.


Both of my friends are long gone to their reward and cannot rebut my account of their great day at sea, though if they could be present, could add many details lost in my telling.

As usual, all comments are welcome and appreciated. If you have any suggestions or requests, please let me know.
pastoricholland@gmail.com

IT'S ABOUT TURKEYS

(I mean birds; not us.)


There has been some delay in the blogging business because of some other important business. When the spring wild turkey season opens, some other things shut down. There is a standing tradition in my family that must be perpetuated, at least as long as I am on foot. It is just a matter of fact that certain matters take precedence over others.


Ordinarily, our hunting party consists of myself, one son, two grandsons and one great grandson. This year my older son went along as chef. A great addition. Not every hunting camp has this luxury. A few years ago, four of us scored on opening morning, and the great-grandson exclaimed: "Four generations, four shots, and four gobblers! It don't get any better than that!" That's pretty close to right, but I have four great, great, grandsons coming on, but either I am too old or they are too young to expect a five-some to happen. A fellow in his ninety third year has some limitations, you know.


There are certain calculated risks an old man takes when he goes stumbling out in the dark of early morning, but so far, it's worth the risks. One might claim the promise, "He is able to keep you from falling," but this is not a matter of the divine ability. It is a matter of my conforming to reality.


I suppose that there may be some of you who have not been exposed to this sort of pleasure, or do not have any desire to be subject to its discipline. I will give a few notes on the matter - not instructions, for I am not an expert on turkey taking.


Having obtained the proper license, one goes out in the dark of early morning, hopefully in the area frequented by the wild turkeys. They don't call them wild for nothing. One famous turkey calling authority stated , "The turkey has got good eye vision!" It is a fact that the wild turkey has superior vision, many times sharper than that of people.


The reason one needs to go out before full light is to get in his area before fly-down. Often, before good light, the bird will gobble from the roost. Now, if one can talk his language, he may be persuaded to come in for a conference. In reality, it is the language of Mrs. Hen that one needs to imitate or approximate.


Well, enough of this! You didn't request a lecture on turkey hunting. But just in case there are any who wonder how this venture turned out, this is what happened last Monday morning. Son Phil and I got situated in what was hoped to be a favored spot, and he called for the bird. Two came, and we persuaded them to go home with us. You see I refrain from saying that we each shot one, for the PETA people might hunt us down.

GRATITUDE

I will relate as nearly as I can the account that I read years ago of a meeting of ministers. These friends were recounting happy experiences of years past and of memories of persons who had influenced their lives. In the course of their reminiscing, one of the party spoke of a dear schoolteacher of his early days, a lady who had been so helpful and so influential in his life. "And to think of it! I never once told her how much I appreciated her," he said with obvious regret.


Perhaps the thought came to him, as it so often does to many of us, that this is just the way it is with us when we are young, but another accusing thought haunted him and kept reminding him of his negligence. It bothered him so much that he made diligent search and discovered that his old schoolteacher was still living in a distant city.


Her one-time pupil, now a well -known minister, lost no time in sending off a letter, saying all those things that a boy had failed to say and all that a grown man had neglected to say. He told her how good and helpful she had been and how appreciative he was. He couldn't help wondering if she should still be alert and capable of response. Would she remember him, even his name?


He did not have to wait long for the answer that came in the mail. "Of course I remember you, Willie," she wrote. He, Reverend William, well-known and famous, hadn't been Willie for a long time. The letter was such a glad and happy one. She was so overjoyed to hear from a little boy who had once been in her classroom, and on and on. Then came the shocker! "And, Willie it's so good of you to write, for it's the first letter of this kind I ever received from any of my students."


There is an old saying that we are never sorry for the things that we don't say. That saying is not true! We understand the intent of the expression - that is, if we don't say something, we won't have to take it back or apologize for it. However, as in the case of the above account, there is so much that we ought to say that we forget or neglect to say!


We need to express love and appreciation. It has been said that gratitude is the memory of the heart and the mother of virtues. The expression of gratitude is a sort of acknowledgement of indebtedness and an attempt to repay the debt. It is plain that gratitude is a duty and a debt that ought to be repaid with interest. It has a double benefit, like a line from Shakespeare concerning mercy, "It blesses him that gives and him that takes." It is a part of the cement that bonds relationships.


And if such is due to our benefactors here, how much greater is our obligation to our Heavenly Father for His countless mercies, and to our Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life for our redemption!


Does this ring a bell with anyone?






Previously published in the Gems of Truth by Herald and Banner Press, Overland Park, Kansas http://www.heraldandbanner.com/

THREE APPEARINGS OF CHRIST

Sermon or Study outline:



In chapter nine of Hebrews, the writer give us a synopsis of our known ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ:


His Past appearance on earth.


His Present appearance in the presence of God.


His Future appearance - on His second coming.


I      He has appeared Heb. 9:26.


           He Redeemed us as Savior


"Now once in the end of the world (NKJ; at the end of this age) hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself."


The term "the last days" represents a long time, but ONE LAST DAY will come.


     · Many prophets foretold His coming.


     · Angels announced His appearing.


     · John the Baptist introduced Him.


     · God the Father proclaimed Him and approved Him as Son.


There are three striking expressions we note:


     1. The Eternal Redemption. Heb. 9:12


     2. The Eternal Spirit. Heb. 9:14


     3. The Eternal Inheritance Heb. 9:15


He died as our Substitute -Sacrifice


He became our Savior


He instituted the New Covenant



II      He Now appears Heb. 9:24

         He Represents us as Intercessor and High Priest


Rom 8:34. "Christ ... is at the right hand of God making intercession for us."


Heb. 7:22. Christ is our surety of a better covenant.


Heb. 7:25. He ever liveth to make intercession, His is an on-going ministry.


I John 2:1-2 We have an Advocate.


Heb. 8:1 Our High Priest is "set on the right hand of the majesty on high."


III     He Shall Appear Heb. 9:28.


                    As our Bridegroom - King


He will Receive us.


John 14:3. "I will come again and receive you unto myself."


Matt. 24:30. ".... They shall see the Son of man coming.. "


Eph. 1:10.


I Thess. 4:13-17.


II Thess. 1:7.

THE POTTER AND THE CLAY

It was more than half a century ago that I visited the shop of the potter in the old city of Hebron. It is likely that pottery making has been going on at Hebron from the time that Abraham lived in that vicinity.


The craftsman I saw working at his trade was using a simple and ancient-looking piece of equipment with a rounded flat top which was rotated on a horizontal plane by working the treadles with the feet. This left both hands of the potter free to work the clay. This top was the "wheel" on which a large lump of clay was cast for molding into the desired shape. The clay must be wet and pliable. By frequent dipping of his hands in water, the potter could smooth and shape the clay as it turned on the wheel.


So quickly, as if by magic, the drab mass of inert material assumed shape and symmetry and became a useful vessel. Yet it was not really magic, but simply the result of skillful management of yielding material under a practiced hand.


This brings to mind Jeremiah 18:3,4, "Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it."


There are spiritual lessons to be learned here. In this case, something went wrong with the original plan. Doubtless, there was some imperfection in the clay and not a lack of skill in the potter's work. Perhaps a bit of stone or other foreign material caused a defect, but the clay was not discarded. The offending substance was removed, and a new plan was devised. Moistening and reshaping the clay, the potter has made another vessel, a new one, "as seemed good to the potter."


This story gives an apt illustration of the work of the Heavenly Craftsman in his work with us mortals. But there is this significant difference: While the clay has no mind or choice, we mortals do have mind and choice and will. In the Song of Moses it is written, "His work is perfect" (Deut. 32:4), and in II Samuel 22:31, "As for God, his way is perfect." Despite God's perfect plan and unlimited power, many vessels are marred, broken and useless. It is because there is an inherent weakness in the human clay, a something that is "enmity against God" and not subject to the law of God." Thus the original intent of the Great Potter is frustrated, but if our will becomes compliant and we surrender to His will, the clay is not discarded, but reworked into a vessel - another vessel that is "unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (II Tim. 2:21). Praise God! A vessel fit for God to use! His power can make you what you ought to be!






Previously published in the Gems of Truth by Herald and Banner Press, Overland Park, Kansas http://www.heraldandbanner.com/

THE CURE THAT WORKS

When Johnson Begay died a few months ago, it left a big gap in the Indian Ministry of the Southwestern Indian Missions. For years he and his family have carried on the work on the Salt River reservation. Johnson and I have met only a few times. Our longest conversation was when by a strange coincidence we met at the Kansas City airport and were seat mates from Kansas City to Phoenix. I was going there to preach the funeral of "Chief" Kenneth Mendenhall.


I first met Johnson at an Indian Camp meeting in Arizona where I ministered in 1991. It was there that I heard him tell his story. For a long time he had been a slave to alcohol. It is a known scientifically established fact that the Indian people have an extremely low tolerance for alcohol, yet a great fondness for it. For a long time, Johnson had been a total drunk, and finally to overcome that he could do no work, then later, could not even feed himself. No pleas from his wife or friends had any influence to turn him to a life of sobriety.


One day when he was more sober than usual, his wife asked him to attend church with her.


"What! Me go to church? No. I not go to church!"


"Johnson, you go to church with me, I get you a bottle of Thunderbird." (Publishers note: Thunderbird, was the cheapest "rot-gut" fortified wine of its day and only consumed by the most desperate of drunks.)


Now we all agree that this was an unusual approach to evangelism; but that word "Thunderbird" got his attention when nothing else would. This was his main love - his drink, his food, his life. He surely misunderstood what he had heard. Surely, he was mistaken!


He responded, "I go to church, you get me a bottle of Thunderbird?"


"Yes, Johnson, I get you a bottle of Thunderbird."


All attention now, he replied, "I go to church."


He said that "That preacher preach so long, I thought he never would quit. All I could think about was when he quits, I go get that Thunderbird."


When the service was at last over, the two went to the store, and here Johnson again picks up the story. "I look at that Thunderbird on the shelf, and I reach up to take him, and something says to me, 'You been to church,' and I say, 'Yes, I been to church, and I turned around to the shelf behind me, and I take this bottle of orange juice."


That day, at that moment, Thunderbird died, and Johnson Begay was born again to a new life in more ways than one - life in Christ, and life for Christ! Not just father and mother, but sons and daughters, now grown, formed a powerful unit in serving Jesus Christ.


Of course, there are questions to which we would like answers. Who's prayer was answered? Wife, child, or some unknown person? We cannot know, nor do we need to know. God had been searching for a dependable worker and preacher for the Indian people. At one magic moment, God found the opportunity to work a miracle - not in church, not at an altar of prayer, but when Johnson Begay was reaching for the coveted bottle, quick as a flash of lightning, God performed that total transforming miracle. And it lasted!

REMINISCENCE

Yesterday I attended the funeral of a friend who died at the ripe old age of 88. I was her teacher when she graduated from the eighth grade in the spring of 1936. That was a one-room school in south Callaway County near Portland, MO. Also, I performed her marriage to Vincent Boone in June 1941. There's something about all of that which makes me feel old. Or maybe it's something else.


Now here is something for which I am profoundly grateful. I have prayed that the Lord would keep my mind working as long as I needed it, and my memory sharp enough to recall all the good things I have stored up. I urge all of my readers to focus on the things that really matter, and as St. Paul advised Timothy: "Meditate on these things." If you don't remember the passage, check it out. I Tim. 4:15. Note that in verse 13, he says, "Give attention to doctrine;" and in verse 16, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto doctrine." Doctrine in its simplest meaning is something taught, and the specific meaning in the context here is the principles and requirements laid down in biblical instructions. We fix these things in character by careful and constant practice, not just by knowing, but by doing! I like the words of Amos R. Wells: "Strict adhesion to the rugged best."


Speaking of memory, much of our former teaching was by rote. I would have defined this as by repetition, but the New World Dictionary defines "by rote" as "by memory alone, without understanding or thought." I like my definition better because our teachers intended for us to both think and understand.


I entered high school at 13, and in my first English class was required to memorize a passage from Daniel Webster: "Mind is the great lever of all things. Human thought is the process by which human  ends are ultimately answered, and the diffusion of knowledge, so astonishing in the last half century, has rendered innumerable minds variously gifted by nature, competent to be competitors on the great theater of intellectual operations." So there! Teaching by rote sometimes fixes things in the mind for a long time.


Here's a story for you. When I was just a boy my Uncle Hallie, really my father's uncle, born 1861, I believe came back to the old home where he was born to spend his last days. It was our house where all of our family of 9 were born also. He was a jovial old fellow. I remember his chuckle as he recited a piece that Jackson Maddox had spoken at a school gathering:


"Some folks are troubled much with fleas;


They nip so hard, they do so tease.


Do kill them! I just found out the trick;


First get the candle, And then the candle stick,


Place the head close to the wick


Jam their eyes out with a brick.


Then get a pan of boiling fat,


and when the fat has cooked the head


Puff! Blow out the light, and go to bed!"


So I remembered that to this day; but the surprise was when recently I was going through some microfilm at our local library, searching out some of the history of the old country grade school where I and my dad and his uncle Hallie all attended, I ran across a program on Feb. 25, 1875 at the close of Mr. Finley's school. The first item on a very long program was a declamation by Hallie Stucker. About half way through the list was a recitation by Jackson Maddox entitled "Fleas."


So now you are advised! If ever you are troubled by fleas, there is a guaranteed remedy from the distant past. Fleas are not good company. It is reported that someone said concerning fleas. "I don't mind his board bill so much; it's his traveling expenses."

TWO ROADS TO RICHES

I attended Fulton High School, and another young fellow I will call Sam attended Hickman High School in nearby Columbia, Missouri. Sam was three months my junior. Later, we were in school together at Missouri University. In due time both of us graduated, and Sam became involved in business. By diligent effort and a keen business sense he climbed rapidly out of the trough of the Great Depression and became famous and wealthy.


I should tell you at this point that prior to my college days I also had become wealthy in another way. There are at least two kinds of riches and two roads to riches. The two are poles apart. Some are wealthy in terms of material things. but are not "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). While we have no accurate knowledge of Sam's spiritual standing, we do know that he got rich by toil and skill in the market place. I became rich by inheritance. Let me explain.


Prior to my college days, I attended an old-fashioned revival in an old-fashioned holiness church. At an altar of prayer, I met Jesus on His terms of "repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). Repenting and believing were in one package and brought the assurance of salvation from sin. By following on the know the Lord, by consecration and faith, I received an "inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith" (Acts 26:18). All true believers are children of God, "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8:17)


Salvation is a free gift of God, and while salvation can't be paid for, every true believer feels a great obligation to give something in return for such an immense gift. So, early in life, before I was old enough to vote, I entered the ministry. In full-time gospel ministry, I found plenty of work to do and a place to preach every Sunday. Those were the days of "freewill offerings" for many preachers, and there was a whole lot more of free will than offering. But that was all right. We didn't develop expensive tastes, but stayed within our income and never went into debt. And more than that, we never felt that ours was a hard road or that we were unjustly treated. Didn't our Lord say in the parable of the workers in the vineyard, "Whatsoever is right I will give you"? Also in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." As David Livingstone said, "It is the word of a gentleman," and that is enough.


To all who have good spiritual insight, the vast difference between the world's false concept of riches and the Christian's knowledge of true riches is known to be as wide as the sea. So many of the so-called "higher class" are content with vast material wealth, popularity, property, and prestige. Yet many are unhappy, lonely, and morally bankrupt. At the same time, many of the world's poor are rich in moral character, in contentment, and in spiritual experience, the "true riches" of which Jesus spoke. Let us be clear in this; it is possible to have riches of both kinds, both finical success and Christian experience.


And I must tell you that the fellow I called Sam was really named Sam - Sam Walton, as in Wal-Mart.

CHRISTS MESSAGES TO SEVEN CHURCHES

Sermon or Study Outline:

Today our letter to you is a sketchy outline of Revelation Chapter 2 and 3. Although the book titled The Revelation is difficult to understand in some places because of its figurative language, it is still an important book for our times. It is a certain thing that Jesus Christ is coming back to set up His Kingdom.


The writer is known to us. He is John the Apostle who was a prisoner on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea just off the west coast of what we call Asia Minor or modern day Turkey. The seven churches were all in operation at the time of John's writing, but have all vanished from the scene long ago.


Chapter one will give us the background of our text material. The Lord Jesus appeared to John and instructed him to write down the things revealed to him. The seven stars that Jesus carried in his hands represented the angels of the churches. This word angel is simply translated as messenger, or bearer of tidings, or the pastor of the church. The candlesticks are the churches. (See 1:20) To those who refuse His counsel, He will "come and remove the candlestick out of his place" 2:5.


There are certain things Christ says to every Church.


To everyone he says, "I know thy works."


To everyone He says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."


To every church, He promised a reward to the overcomer.


To five of the seven, He commanded to repent.



Here are two suggested outlines:

I Comprehension - I know thy works
An omniscient God knows all actions and attitudes.
"By his actions are weighed, I Sam. 2:3

II Commendation - In every case, If God sees obedience, integrity and faithfulness He offers praise -    especially Smyrna and Philadelphia.


III Condemnation - God is specific in identifying the wrong.


IV Counsel - In every case God - or Christ - offers advice and points the way back.


V Comfort - Hope and consolation are promised to those who hear and obey.






Or this outline:


1. Remember - 2:5


2. Retain - Keep what you have - 2:25; 3:11.


3. Repent - 2:5, 16, 22; 3:3, 19


4. Resist - All forms of evil.


5. Regain - Return to your former state and "first love" 2:4.


6. Rejoice - That God still calls, warns, welcomes, rewards.


7. Rewards - for return or steadfastness.

GRACE ENOUGH

The Southern Missouri Ozarks is a big, rough piece of real estate. There are great forests, quaint little towns, clear, swift flowing streams and a number of springs. In Carter County, almost on the edge of the Current River is Big Spring. At the place it breaks forth from its rocky fastness is a sign stating that it sends out an average of 300 million gallons of water every day. Imagine! Clear, cold spring water in such abundance! No one had to blast a hole in the hill from which it flows. No one brought in heavy equipment to drill for it. It was just there!


It reminds me of a story I read of an old lady in England who had never seen the ocean. She had never been many miles away from her home. She had scrimped and saved and lived on the bleak edge of poverty. Then one day some friends went on holiday to the seaside and took her along. She was totally amazed at such an expanse of water, and kicking off her shoes and lifting her skirts, she waded out into the shallows crying, "Thank God for something there is plenty of!"


Again, I am reminded of a personal experience. I was traveling from the British Virgin Island of Tortola to Virgin Gorda by the little sail boat, the Iva C., named after the missionary Sister Whistler. I noticed some buoys or floating markers to define the location of the fisherman's traps below. Being always full of questions about such things, I inquired, "About how deep is the water here?" The master of our little craft was missionary Halstead Dixon, a native Caymanian who had spent many years as a seaman. Back came the answer, "More than you can drink if you fall over, you know." Yes, I knew that, but still had no answer to my query.


We may, with mechanical and scientific devices arrive at a fair calculation of the gallons of water from Big Spring, but we can never fix a measurement on God's unlimited grace. We might make a stab at versification:


       How much water? More that you can drink.


       How much grace? More than you can think.


That is St. Paul's statement in Eph. 3:20; "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think ..."


In II Cor. 12, is Paul's account of a remarkable experience, and at the end of it, God's assurance to him, "My grace is sufficient for thee." St. Paul was sorely troubled by what he called a thorn in the flesh. There are times he asked the Lord for deliverance. All the answer he could get was that God's grace was enough for his trial. The statement is: "My grace is sufficient for thee." We translate grace as "enough."


How much is enough? All you need!

A BEGINNING

It was way back there in my younger days, before I had a wife to instruct me, that I preached my first revival. It was a tent meeting in the town of Mexico, MO. I had no time to prepare for it, as another preacher had plans all made and announced for some time. A few persons were wanting a holiness Church there and the time had come.


One day this older preacher brother approached me with a question. "Bro. Isham, don't you feel that you should hold this meeting?"


"No," I replied, "I don't. I haven't ever preached a revival."


"Well, I think you should hold it." He never did tell me why he wanted out of the deal.


The two weeks meeting covered the last week of June and the first week of July. The year was 1939. It was a time of hot weather. I had not been informed as to my accommodations, the reason being, none had been made. As it turned out, I was shown a shed out in the weed patch. Its one door was like you would find on a wood shed. The one small window was not a frame one with glass, but a wooden one that swung back on hinges. When open, it did admit a little air. The owner of this estate was said to do some upholstering, and to verify this assumption there was a sort of couch that was to be my resting place, if any rest could be found.


I put down my suitcase and surveyed my situation. Although it was not a mansion, it was my domicile, and it would have to do. There was no desk, table or chair. There was no electricity, nor lamp to light. As far as I know, no one envied me of my quarters or wanted to trade places with me. I never at any time felt alone, for there were a number of creepy, crawling, buzzing critters that seemed to have an affinity for that bit of real estate I called home for that two weeks.


The meeting went along pretty well. Not many people knew we were out there, and we were never crowded. I don't know how well I did, for I had no one to critique my sermons. I do still have the record of them, and of the thousands following for seventy years. No one ever came near my abode until one day late in the meeting, and then it was without announcement or invitation.


Somewhere in that hot sweaty weather, I became aware of the fact that a full bath would be a welcome event. A man has to remember not only his own comfort, but also that of his associates. The minimal facilities that I had access to were just not enough. I secured a large wash tub, a No. 10, I think and partly filled it with water and placed it in the sun to heat. Now it's a two man job to carry a wash tub with water in it, but I didn't have any help available. So as the old-timers would say, by main strength and awkwardness, I got it into my domicile.


When I was well into my ablutions and feeling pretty good about things, I had a visitor. It was my host, the owner of the establishment. He didn't knock or come by way of the door. Perched in that small window, he presented me with an offering. With a supply of gravel, he was pelting my bare hide and having a grand time. I neglected to tell you that he never came to the meeting, nor ever went to church. Perhaps this was his only offering to a minister, and it was not very well received. It wouldn't have been so bad, but like the colored brother said, "He found me in an undressed state of disrobement."


I did my best to dodge his missiles, but at close range he had an advantage. I had never seen him smile before, but obviously he was savoring the good times. At length, he left my window. I guessed, and guessed correctly - that gent has gone for more ammunition. I quickly got into a pair of bib overalls, and when he appeared at my window for a repeat performance, I literally leaped out upon him, bore him down in the weeds and taught him the way more perfectly. I've always thought those were smartweeds, or maybe it was just because I hoped it was. Do you know smartweeds? If you get any of the juice in your eyes you won't think or worry about anything else for a long time.


Do you ask, "Were you angry?" My, NO! Far from it! It was the most pleasant exercise I had all week. I fact, it was about the only pleasant or fun thing in my whole tenancy in that shed! I didn't strike or punch or choke. Not a word was spoken by either of us. Conversation was not a necessary part of the engagement. As the saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words," and we had plenty of action.


When I resumed my bath procedure, it was without fear of interruption. My critics, if any, may pass judgment on my reactions to this neighborly visit. Maybe I should have prayed for him while he was in a recumbent position. Sorry! I never thought of it. After all, I was not properly dressed for a ministerial service.


It was in that tent service that a young man named Russell Dothage was converted. He attended Bible College at Overland Park, Kansas, became a preacher and missionary. I have been with him and his wife in ministry in the Virgin Islands. Both have gone on to the Better Country.


And one other thing. There is now in Mexico, MO. a lovely church, parsonage and fellowship hall. Ministry there has been going on since the incident in 1939.


Everybody has to start someplace!

I JUST LISTENED

There is an interesting story of a factory owner who lost a valuable watch in his place of business. Although a reward was offered and a diligent search was made, the timepiece remained undiscovered. Then an employee went into the building at night when the wheels of industry were still and found the watch. The quite natural question was asked, "How did you find it?"


The answer was simply this, "I just listened."


That was long ago when our world was not so noisy. Several factors were necessary to this success story. Of this we will mention two: intense concentration and the removal of other sounds. Our task today is not easy. Ours is a busy, crowded, clamorous world; and yet the need for listening and hearing, and heeding was never greater. Those seamen and passengers on that doomed ship must have often remembered Paul's unheeded statement, "Sirs, ye should have harkened (listened) unto me" ( Acts 27:21). Many a son or daughter, now older grown, weeps and laments, "Oh! Why didn't I listen to my parents and my pastor?"


How often we read in the Old Testament of the Heavenly Father's cry, "O that thou hadst harkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river" ( Isa. 48:18). Other prophets, especially the weeping prophet Jeremiah, sounded this sad lament, "But ye harkened not."


We need to read and reread Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." There is value in the quiet time, and the psalmist guides us here, "I will hear what God the Lord will speak" (85:8). Those old Quakers were "on to something" in their prolonged times of quiet when no one spoke. Prayers should not always be a monologue; there should be time for listening and meditation. Someone has given us this statement: "Attention is the art of Memory." A friend of mine is a silent man. When asked why he seldom spoke, he replied, "I learn more when I listen."


There is a fanciful story told of heavenly beings who were looking down on our hectic, hurrying world when one asked, "What are they doing?"


The reply was, "They are going."


This prompted another question, "And where are they going?"


"Oh, they are not going anywhere; they are just going."


But we are going somewhere! And we need to stop, look and listen!



Previously published in the Gems of Truth by Herald and Banner Press, Overland Park, Kansas http://www.heraldandbanner.com/

JESUS WALKS OUR ROAD

On that first Easter day all Jerusalem was astir over the dramatic accounts over the empty tomb. Two disciples, one named Cleopas, were traveling westward to the village of Emmaus, a distance of about seven and one half miles. All day, since very early morning, reports and rumors were flying about the resurrection of Jesus. As they walked Cleopas and his companion were talking, trying to solve out the real truth of all this.


A stranger joined their company, but they did not recognize him as Jesus. He asked them what they were discussing. Cleopas answered, "You must be a stranger and the only one in all Jerusalem who hasn't heard about these things."


"What things?" He asked.


"Why about Jesus of Nazareth, a mighty prophet ... who was delivered by our rulers to be condemned to death by crucifixion! We hoped He would deliver Israel. This is the third day since it happened. Early this morning certain women went to the grave. They said they saw angels. They said Jesus was alive!"


Jesus, when He had a chance to speak said, "Oh, foolish and slow to believe people!" And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, Jesus expounded all the holy scriptures that spoke of Him. Wouldn't you like to have a transcript or a tape recording of that Old Testament summary! There wouldn't be any commentary ever written that could match it for accuracy, authority or completeness!


When they reached Emmaus and stopped for the night, Jesus, still unknown to them, seemed to be going on. They begged Him to stay overnight with them. He consented. As they sat down for what we suppose was a simple meal, He assumed the role of host, took bread, blessed, broke and gave to them. At once, they knew Him, but in a flash, He was gone! Was it when He offered the blessing that they knew Him? We will never know.


In shocked surprise they asked each other, "Didn't our heart burn within us when He opened up the scriptures?" This must be what one would call a holy heartburn. Now their questions were settled; and more than that had heard a commentary on prophecy like none other! So they hotfooted it back to Jerusalem faster that they had came. They had barely reached their destination and met the eleven when Jesus appeared in their midst.


We cannot know why Jesus went out on the Emmaus road to reassure and instruct two unknown disciples when hundreds of others were just as perplexed. It is not for us to know. What we do need to know and remember is that Jesus also walks our road. It is possible for us to contact Him and have fellowship with Him. Do you remember His promise to send another Comforter? Jesus was a Comforter and the Holy Spirit was and is a Comforter. The Greek word for Comforter is the manuscript text is Paraclete. Incidentally, in I John 2:1, Jesus is referred to as Advocate, and the Greek is Paraclete. Now we refer to John 17:17, where in His High Priestly prayer Jesus prays for the sanctification of the justified believers that they may be one even as He and the Father are one, verse 22. So Jesus and the Father are one; and Jesus the Paraclete and the Holy Spirit the Paraclete operate as one. These are three persons, but one in essence. A mystery? Yes, but true! If you can't understand the Three -in - One Trinity, don't let it bother you. All of us deal with stuff every day that we don't understand - electronics, space travel, and, yes, computers also.


When I stated this blogging business, the first two responses I had were from Jere Gowin in Ghana and Chris Sumpter in Mongolia. That's half way around the world in that vast forgotten piece of real estate somewhere north of China.


Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would teach us, would "take the things of mine: and show them unto us," that he would guide us and show us things to come. He's a Master Teacher. If we live close to Him, walk in the light, sincerely pray and listen for that "still small voice," there will be times of that heartburn that doesn't need Rolaids nor any other antacid medication.


If you don't have clear connections, check out your reception facilities. His program is operational 24 hours, nonstop. With your Bible reading and prayer, allow some quiet time for meditation and reflection. Take time for devotions. It's a good investment.


Jesus walks the same road you travel, and if you travel by car or plane, He will not have trouble catching up! Go with God, and He will go with you.


Happy Traveling!

EASTER! VICTORY!

Of all the special days and holidays of the church there is no day like Easter Day. It has in it the breath of springtime, the light of eternity and the hope of immortality! It is the culmination of all that went before it and the vindication of all that Jesus said and did. For all the doubting it offers proof. For all the sorrowing it offers hope and comfort. For all in darkness it is a great light.


It is a perpetual reminder that death is not the end of existence or personality. It is the risen Savior's message," Because I live, ye shall live also. It is a mandate for missions, "Go tell that He is risen from the dead."


Contrast this with the emptiness of heathen hopelessness, the darkness of heathen minds, the questioning of ancient philosophers, the doubts of modern materialists and the gropings of confused theologians.


We have the writings of Plato and Socrates, those credited as great philosophers and their conclusions reach the point of speculation that there might be a future life, but they have no proof.


I have memorized much of Tomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard and have visited his grave at Stokes Poges in the English countryside. There on his mother's tomb is his dreary testimony: "The only one of her seven children who had the misfortune to survive her." It was he who wrote:


"The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power


And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave;


Awaits alike the inevitable hour,


The paths of glory lead but to the grave."


Sir William Bourne-Jones, commenting on the funeral of Robert Browning in Westminster Abbey said: "It was somber, impressive, but it lacked the note of victory ... It just needed ... A trumpet blast of victory." Well, Easter has that mighty trumpet note of victory! Now is Christ risen from the dead!


I would like to call you attention to three notes of that trumpet blast:


I The Undeniable Proof


I have meditated under that vaulted ceiling of Westminster Abbey where lie entombed in silent sleep the remains of the noble and the great. It is a sobering place. Also at the tomb of Napoleon in Paris, and in the shadow of the ancient pyramids. Buddha is in his grave, as is Mohammed.


But the tomb of Jesus is empty! A mighty angel rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it! He announced, "He is not here: for He is risen AS HE SAID. Come, see the place where the Lord lay!" St. Luke writes, " He showed Himself alive ... by many infallible proofs." And this was over a period of 40 days - sometimes to one or two, to the eleven, and once to over 500. These were reliable, believable witnesses, but after His resurrection, He was never seen by any but believers. True, Thomas was for a time a doubter.


The resurrection of Jesus is God's proof that all that Jesus said, did, claimed or promised is true!


II The Unlimited Power


Hebrews 13:20 speaks of "The God of peace, that brought from the dead the Lord Jesus ..." And Jesus Himself stated regarding His life "I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again," John 10:18. God raised Him; Jesus raised Himself - there is no contradiction here, for He and the Father are one. Still more, Jesus stated, " I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25. He not only has resurrection power, but said, "I am resurrection. I am Life."


III The Unfailing Promise


The promise of Jesus, "I will rise again the third day" was on schedule; and Peter on the day of Pentecost stated with confidence regarding the grave, "Because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." Not possible! He was Lord over death. He is Lord over death! And His promise is, "Because I live, ye shall live also."


Over centuries of time, various prophets and psalmists gave voice to prophecies concerning Messiah. Scores of these were fulfilled with amazing accuracy in the last few days of Jesus on earth. It was after His resurrection that Jesus gave the promise, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Not only that, He said, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."


As David Livingstone once said, "It is the word of a Gentleman." We can depend on it!

IT IS FINISHED

It was Passover time on the Jewish calendar, and the day of atonement was at hand. From the sixth hour to the ninth a deep pall of darkness hung over all the earth. It was time for the evening sacrifice. It was perfect timing. The Lamb of God that had come to take away the sin of the world was on the cross.


Out of the dense darkness came a cry from the cross, "It is finished!" Luke adds, "Jesus cried with a loud voice, Father, unto thy hands I commend my spirit." It was the cry of a victor! We can imagine that the cry reverberated around the world and struck terror to the devil and his dark minions wherever they were. And we are sure that all heaven rejoiced as angels were crying, "The King is coming home." The promise made in Eden's garden that the seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent had been fulfilled.


It is finished is our English translation; Tetelestai is the Greek. The commentators agree that the book of Matthew was written for the Jews. I would argue against all comers that the cry was His native tongue, Note the fact that in Matt. 27:46, the cry, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani," is recorded in the Hebrew - Aramaic.


We mortals are so pain conscious that our first thought might be that Jesus was saying that the pain was ended. Crucifixion would seem to be about the most painful thing that man or devil could devise. We can be sure that Jesus had something else in mind. You will remember that Jesus was very time conscious. At the wedding feast in Cana when His first miracle was performed, Jesus told His mother, "Mine hour is not yet come;" and again and again, He repeated this. But in John 17:1, as He neared the cross, in His high priestly prayer, He said, "Father, the hour is come ..." and in verse 4, "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."


The first recorded words of Jesus were, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" This was when he was 12 years old, about the time a Jewish boy takes his bar-mitzvah and becomes a son of the law. We know that Jesus grew in stature and in wisdom, and one wonders if this was not the first time that He had a full realization of His "business." From that time onward the cross cast its shadow across His path. Those were silent years from that time until he was about 30 years of age. Lk. 3:23. It was then that He came to be baptized of John in Jordan. This is the age that priests were recognized and anointed as priests. The anointing of Jesus was a baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus overcame the remonstrance of John saying, "For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." All of the Holy Trinity were present. Jesus is fulfilling all the law. The Holy Spirit descends upon Him; God the father speaks approval from heaven, and Jesus begins His preaching ministry in the synagogue of His home town Nazareth. Our High Priest is on His way to the cross.


At the death of our Substitute on Calvary's hill, there was finished the night of fasting and prayer on lonely hillsides; finished too, the questioning and criticism of self-righteous Pharisees and the taunting of angry mobs. But there were more important things. He had come to finish the old covenant and the sacrificial system, and to establish the new covenant, a better covenant ... established upon better promises, Heb. 8:6. With His blood Christ entered the holy place of "heaven itself," and placed His blood of heaven's altar in the tabernacle not made with hands. He now appears "in the presence of God for us" Heb. 9"24.


At His death, the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom. All who are true believers, saved by faith in the blood of Jesus, can come, not by a substitute high priest under the law, but through our Lord Jesus Christ, into the presence of God. We offer our prayers "in Jesus' name."


His work is finished. Ours is not. Millions have never heard the message of salvation.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?

I think it fitting during passion week to bring to our attention that scene from Pilate's judgment hall. The angry Jewish mob had brought Jesus to the Roman Governor for trial. Having questioned both the Jewish elders and Jesus, Pilate declared Jesus innocent and offered to release him. The angry crowd raised such a clamor that Pilate offered them a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Barabbas was a "notable prisoner" who had raised an insurrection and had committed murder. Surely, surely, they could not choose Barabbas! But they did!


It was then that Pilate asked this fateful question that comes ringing down through the centuries: "What shall I do then with Jesus?" It is a question for every person because its answer determines destiny. It is a question I must answer. It is a question for you!


Peter stated in acts 4:12, " Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven ... whereby we must be saved." As we have always known, this narrows down the field. What will you do with Jesus? We can imagine God saying, "What have you done with my Son?" The question is inescapable. There is no place to hide. The answer may be delayed, but that only reduces the hope of a right answer.


A writer I like to read after states, "Choices are the hinges of destiny." Viewed in the best light, choices are precious property. I am free to choose! And I choose Jesus! Of course, there are obligations to walk in the light of His teachings to maintain victory, but it's like the poet wrote, " Oh, I love to walk with Jesus."


To all who are waiting, to all who are straying, Jesus calls, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."


And He is still calling!