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."
July 14th
"I came not to send peace, but a sword,"
said the Christ. The sword stands for division, strife, and bloodshed. IT becomes stress, pain, and sorrow. These are the great schoolmasters!Far too many people are mentally lazy, while a great many others physically, too. A problem arises: a measure of stress develops (why, oh why doesn't God help me out? Surely He knows my predicament: why should I weary myself crying unto Him?)
The little toddler in clean clothes romps carefree among the mud puddles; suddenly he's wet and covered with mud. A foolish mother rushes to his aid to get him washed off and into fresh clothes. HE thinks it was a great experience! Not too long thereafter, the experience repeats. Why shouldn't it? But the wise parent lets the discomfort of wet mud remain awhile. Should the experience repeat, a little persuasion is added.
Invariably, our distressing experiences arise through the same form of thoughtlessness. The Heavenly Father, like unto a wise one on earth, plans for the offspring's greatest and quickest development and achievement. That is never realized through pampering. This earth life (as you and I know it today), is not to continue forever; God's universe is too great for that, while the requirements of His kingdom are high and exacting. WE must be tutored and trained for the next and higher post.
...It is right and proper that we should pray and pray much; it is also right and proper that we should pray for one another; and it is in place for those like myself to pray much for those we serve. But never forget; faith without works is dead! How much have you done, or are you doing to help yourself? The earthly parent who rushes to do for the child, what that child can do for himself, is foolish beyond words. God the Father is no fool! Faith without works is dead!
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