II Corinthians 4:5-7
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
February 26th
"...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever." II Peter 3:18
If you are a parent, then you know that you look to your child not only to grow in body, but also in mind and understanding. Would the Creator expect less of His Own Spirit-begotten children? Your youngster at school is expected to progress from grade to grade. But what about yourself in the sight of God? How many grades have you mastered? Have you truly endeavored to take stock of where you stand in His sight? Have you realized that the road which leads to home is quite long? It could be that already you have realized that the said road back home is not entirely a scented lover's lane, but that it has its brambles and pitfalls. And its occasional ill-stench from fallen comrades gone before you cause the hyenas to streak as they sniff a welcome odor. And how do you manage on a moonless night when you gingerly probe the road?
Yet from every one of these contingencies our wondrous, loving Lord provided an effective help that you might be enabled to overcome. Therefore do we read in the last verse of chapter 16 in John's gospel: "These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." Deep in Him the serenity of His peace is absolute.
Chat 8/1995 (continued tomorrow...)