Thoughts on What Sanctification Looks Like
(By: John Smith)
October 26th was Mahalia Jackson's 101st birthday! I keep her birthday in a book I have that contains special dates that I want to make sure I don't forget. One of the reasons why I like to remember her is that she would only sing "spiritual music." She became so popular, that at some point in her singing career, she was offered a
contract to sing "popular music," for what was then a lot of money. She flatly refused because she said, "I am a sanctified woman."
I think she had a much better understanding of what "sanctified" means than most current Christians. To her it meant that her gift was from God and she would not use it for any other purpose than to glorify Him.
Yes, You Can!
(B: Clayton A Pepper)
As we drove up the steep, winding road to the Cave of the Winds near Colorado Springs, we came suddenly to a narrow pass way between high rock walls through which it looked as if the car could not possibly go. But facing us was a sign which said: "Yes, you can! Millions of others have!" And so, driving carefully through, we soon came to a wider roadway.
So many times we face seemingly insoluble problems and impossible situations. But we can know that God is able to open ways before us which are now hidden from our view. We may hear God's message to us: "Yes, you can! Millions of others have gone this way. Be of good cheer. Trust in the Lord, and go ahead!"
Heavenly Father, when we face difficult times, help us to trust in you to show us the way through. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Don't Tie Me Down
(By Wyatt Kirk, Bossier City, LA)
The story is told of a preacher who sought to persuade a capable man to take a Bible class. The man responded: "I just don't want to be tied down at this time!" With kind firmness the preacher looked at him in the eyes and said, "You know, we serve a
Master who was willing to be tied down; in fact, He was willing to be nailed down!" Isn't it interesting how we can freely accept salvation from the nail-pierced hands of Jesus, yet fill our own hands with things and personal affairs to the end that we have no time for the affairs of God?
KEEP THE FAITH! JOE
