I know a great and successful man who teaches a Bible class in the church where he is a member. His favorite text is this one sentence: They went forth to go into the land of Canaan;and into the land of Canaan they came. Genesis 12:5 One of the essentials in making the most of life is to have some aims to which we start - "They went forth to go into the land of Canaan" Another is to keep on going after we start --- "Into the land of Canaan they came." This verse has meant much to this man of Aims, Belief, Courage, Determination and Endurance, Shakespeare said, "Our life . . . finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." Lumbermen and scientists who examined a big tree in California after it had been cut down found that it began growing 271 years before the birth of Christ. When it was 516 years old it was partly burned, the charted portions of the bark and trunk being visible far inside the giant. Other fires left their marks upon it in 1441, 1580 and 1797. The latter made an enormous scar eighteen feet wide. That tree is a lesson in patient endurance in overcoming obstacles! Burned, disfigured and partly destroyed, each time it covered up its wounds, broadened out and continued its reach toward the sky. The good persevering man is "like a tree planted by the rivers of water. . ." (Psalms 1:3). | Two little brooks start their journey to the ocean, hoping to supply fresh sparkling water to the people along the way and desiring to furnish the life-sustaining power to trees and grass and flowers beside its banks. One endures and the other dries up. The diamond is just a piece of coal that stuck to its job. Even the little spider has been used in the Bible to teach man an illustrative lesson: "The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in king's palaces" (Proverbs 30:28). A man who was forced to take shelter in a barn fixed his eyes upon a spider climbing a beam of the room. It fell to the ground twelve consecutive times, but succeeded the thirteenth time and gained the top. Nature tells us that the best in life never comes easily, but rather is so protected as to be denied us unless challenged by perseverance. The rose is guarded by its thorns and honey is defended by the bees; so no person can have either who is annoyed by briers or discouraged by the fear of being stung. Taken from Leroy Brownlow's book "Making the Most of Life" . Next week we will look at examples of Endurance found in the Bible. I feel that we can profit from these examples in the upcoming year, which I feel there will be many challenges to overcome, especially in our Government. We need to pray for our leaders that they can work together and make compromises to move forward in a positive direction for the good of our nation. |
Endurance Click on this link to listen to Charles Laughton read from the bible: "Firey Furnace"
5 Comments
Did the sun rise today? Are the days still getting shorter? Did the moon rise last night? Does water still run downhill? Do you have all that you need to sub stain life? Who do you think has provided all this for us? Last week Jim Garrett wrote an article "Time to Think" which asks the question "Do we appreciate all we have been given?" (click on link below)
Time to Think Just below it is another by Homer Hailey "Thanksgiving Day" (1970) This brings to mind our recent study in Periods of Bible History the passage in Deuteronomy. 6:10-12. The truth it contains is so relevant to us today even though it's found in the Old Testament. In the passage God warns the Israelites against forgetting God in the midst of prosperity. Remember Israel had been in the desert for 40 years, totally dependent upon God for every provision. There was no doubt in their mind who was providing for their every need. They are about to enter the promised land where they will live in great cities which they did not build; occupy houses filled with good things which they did not fill; drink from wells which they did not dig; and eat from vineyards which they did not plant. God says when you are full, be careful! That's when you forget God. We must recognize this tendency in ourselves. When things are going great and all the bills are paid there's a tendency to forget about God or at least take Him for granted. Christians living in the USA are living in the most affluent country in the history of civilization. Be careful! Don't forget God. He is the one that delivered you. He is the one who has provided for your every need. He is the one who has blessed you abundantly. Don't be guilty of taking God for granted. Patience by Floyd Thompson Some people have no idea of the Bible definition of patience. They think of a patient soul as one who never gets riled, cannot be stirred to action, does not have enough spunk to correct any error, but just passively submits to whatever injustice comes his way.
They think of it as some woman sitting in a rocking chair, reading a magazine (should have been the Bible). One child comes through the room on a dead run, knocks over the floor lamp, and on out through another door. The woman just keeps on rocking and reading. The second child runs in, grabs the tablecloth, pulls it off, and with it dishes and silverware come tumbling to the floor. She just sits and rocks and reads. Then someone says, "Isn't she a patient soul?" NO!! She's not patient. She's too everlasting lazy to care. Patience is steadfastness, a resolve to stay with the Lord regardless of trials. Job was an example of patience. His declaration affirms it when he said, "I'll trust him though He slay me." That's patience! |
Click on below:
What is RSS? Mike MinearI live in Orlando, Fl with my wife Dolores. We have 3 children, 10 grand-children and 5 great-grandchildren. Every Wednesday I publish articles concerning Christian Living and spreading the Good News. Archives
February 2018
Categories
All
Links to other Resources
3940 South Bumby,
Orlando, Fl Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:30am 5:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study 7:30p Josh Creel's Podcast and Blog
The Bible SpeaksBible Study Aids by Robert Harkrider
Study workbooks for teenagers, by David Banning
by Mark Copeland
|