Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11.
The angels who lingered upon Olivet after Christ’s ascension, repeated to the disciples the promise of His return: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Precious, indeed, was this promise to those sorrowing disciples, that they should again see Jesus, who was greatly beloved by them all. Precious also is this promise to every true follower of Christ. None who truly love Jesus will be sorry that He is coming again….
Jesus is coming! But not to listen to the woes of mankind, and to hear the guilty sinner confess his sins, and to speak pardon to him; for every one’s case will then be decided for life or death. Those who have lived in sin will remain sinners forever. Those who have confessed their sins to Jesus in the sanctuary, have made Him their friend and have loved His appearing, will have pardon written for all their sins….
Jesus is coming as He ascended into heaven, only with additional splendor. He is coming with the glory of His Father, and all the holy angels with Him, to escort Him on His way. Instead of the cruel crown of thorns to pierce His holy temples, a crown of dazzling glory will deck His sacred brow…. He will not wear a plain seamless coat, but a garment whiter than snow—of dazzling brightness. Jesus is coming! But not to reign as a temporal prince. He will raise the righteous dead, change the living saints to a glorious immortality, and, with the saints, take the kingdom under the whole heaven….
Dear young reader, seek a thorough preparation to meet Jesus, that when He appears you may exclaim with joy, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us.” Isaiah 25:9. Eternal life will then be yours, and you will be a partaker with Christ of His glory, ever to hear His glorious approving voice and behold His lovely person.
The Faith I Live By p. 351
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Scott who has bowel cancer. He needs to fully surrender to God and if God wills to be healed. Nancy
—-Please pray that Ron will have wisdom from the only One Who knows the future. Rose
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Dear Friends,
When Eileen was two years old, we lived in Pennsylvania where Ron had a job selling books door to door. We were having a very difficult time financially. Every day he would go out and work from morning till late at night. Every day he did not make enough money for our needs.
But God did not forsake us. During this difficult time He put it in the hearts of two church members to help us. One of these men was a goat farmer. He supplied us daily with goat’s milk. I did not like the taste, but I learned to drink it. It was very good for Eileen, who needed good nutrition. This man also sold Mason shoes and gave Ron a pair of these expensive shoes. Ron was very thankful for them. They were very comfortable and he wore them for many years.
The other member brought us coal for heat. Before that I had been going daily out into the woods to gather firewood for heating and cooking. It did not keep the house warm and Eileen and I would have to get very close to the heating stove to get a little heat. The coal burned hotter and kept the house comfortable. I was very thankful for his kindness.
Everyone has difficulties in this life. It is how we react to those difficulties that is important. Do we fight against the trial and blame our troubles on the only One Who can help us? Do we trust our Loving Heavenly Father through both the hard times and the good? Our very future depends on how we react to what we are going through.
When Joseph was sold by his own brothers, he had not only the fear of the future to deal with, but he also had the heartbreak of knowing that he was in this situation because those he loved hated him. What a difficult trial that knowledge was. Yet, through all this, he determined to be true to God. “God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.” Acts 7:9-17
God was leading in even who bought Joseph. If it had not been Potiphar, he might have been sold as a common laborer and perished quickly. The rule of Joseph’s life was brought out in the words he spoke when urged to do evil, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Gen 39:9 Although he suffered for his steadfastness, God did not allow the suffering to last. He lead in other lives to bring about his purpose for His faithful servant. Joseph got a great reward for his faithfulness. He became second ruler in the kingdom of Egypt. Even dearer to him was the eventual reuniting with his family for, even though those he loved had hated him, he had love and forgiveness toward them. What an example he is to us.
May we determine, as did Joseph, to love God and keep His commandments no matter what trials we are going through. May we put away our feelings of bitterness toward those who do us harm. May we follow our Loving Shepherd all the way to the Heavenly Kingdom is my prayer.
Rose