ture puts it this way, “The Lord seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’’ * * * The man who bows humbly before God is sure to walk upright before men. * * * NOT OVERLOOKED Several years ago people who lived in Kansas City, Kansas, a large area of 125,000, were quite disturbed because a map publishing firm had printed a new atlas but had forgotten to put the city on the map. You can imagine how that their disappointment and frustration was even more pronounced when a map printed right in their own state left the name of the metropolis out. No one, not even large cities, likes to be ignored. None of us likes to be left out of conver sations or miss some important item of news. When here on earth, our Saviour used unique means to show to every one that no one was too sinful or too unimportant for Him. He came to seek and to save the lost. When going through Jericho He had compassion on one of the most hated men in town, Zaccheus, so small in stature that he had to climb a tree in order to get a glimpse of the Lord. Even as is true in our own lives, the Lord loved Zac cheus, not because of what he was, but because of what Christ could do in and through him by the divine power of His eternal salvation. No matter your age, social standing, educational background, political affiliation, Christ can trans form your life anew. He paid the penalty for our sins and desires for us to have His perfect peace and joy through for giveness. Heed His gracious invitation, “Come unto me all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” * * * The longest leap in the world is to jump to conclusions. * * * THE SOLID ROCK It has been wonderful to get to know many new friends in Kansas. From one we were recently told about the Flint Hills which stretch out about 200 miles from north to south covering more than five million acres. It is our understand ing that these hills have the richest nat ural grassland in the world. Cattlemen bring thousands of animals from many miles away to feed on the pastures. The 22
drilled painful holes in the stick. Despite objections the artisan continued the cut ting with the simple explanation, “What I ’m doing may seem as though I were destroying you, but soon you’ll come to see that my efforts are really the mak ing of you. You’ll find that because of me you’ll no longer be a worthless black stick of ebony but rather transformed into a lovely flute. Through you will come music to charm the souls of men.” Can you see the practical picture? The Lord would have us entrust our lives to Him so that he can make of us an object, an individual, to His praise, honor, and glory. How can we produce tones of testimony to bless the hearts of others unless we ourselves have known God’s comfort in the trials of life? The Lord’s plan is to make us like His own dear son who also was made perfect through sufferings. Remember this wonderful and assured promise of Scripture, “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, even as a father the son in whom He delighteth.” * * * T hou who think it is all right to tell white lies will soon become colorblind. * * * GRUM BLING In a certain neighborhood there was a woman who could always be counted on to gripe about her neighbors. No one could please her. No matter what some one else did, it was always wrong. She had long since lost most of her friends, however, one dear saint continued to visit her in order to give a Christian witness. On this particular day the guest had no sooner gotten inside the apartment when the woman started run ning down the person next door. “You see her clothes line out there?” she be rated. “Why did she even bother to wash? Talk about things being ‘tattle tale gray,’ why, her clothes are nearly black.” Without saying another word, the Christian guest walked to the win dow, opening it to the full sunlight. She beckoned the dour person to look out and tell her what she saw. You should have seen the amazed look on the wo man’s face. “Why her laundry isn’t dirty at all,” she gasped. “It must be my win dow." What a tragedy, and so is much criticism we hear all about us. The best attitude is for us to ask the Lord to cleanse our lives first of all so that our outlook won’t reflect the sinfulness of our own hearts. You see, it is what is inside that is really important. Scrip
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