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April 1943
tion; we reply with everything we possess. No sacrifice is too great, if thereby we can preserve our freedom. May this same spirit characterize our work for Christ. “Christianity without sacrifice is the laughing stock of hell.” MAY 9, 1943 F A M IL Y AD V E N T U R E S IN CH R IST IAN L IV IN G E p h e s ia n s 6:1-4 By Ruth Charlton Uhlinger Introduction The family is ordained of God. It is God Himself who “setteth the soli tary in families” (Psa. 68:6). “It is not good that man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18). God’s ideal unit of hu manity is the family, and from it spring those virtues and vices that bless or curse humanity as was seen outstandingly in the lives of the Ed wards and Jukes families. * The family of Jonathan Edwards, Puritan preacher and educator, proves the value of the Christian home. From the records of five generations with 1,400 descendants, all were honorable citizens. There were 455 who became prominent as judges, lawyers, college professors, artd officers in the Army and Navy. Thirteen became college presidents and one hundred were min isters and missionaries. In awful contrast to the Edwards family is the record of the godless Jukes'family of Central New » York State. Through sin and crime, the 1,200 descendants cost the state an average of $1,000.00 per person. This is a dark picture. It can be made light only by such t r u t h s as Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the w a y he shoRld go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” . I. THE FAMILY ALTAR. Every home should have a family altar—a time when the family gathers together as a unit to sing the Lord’s praises, read His Word, and to pray. “ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). There is nothing that irons out pos sible discords, and draws a family closer together and nearer to God than does the family altar. Satan w ill do everything in his power to hinder, but God will enable us if we are deter mined to do His will, and set our faces like a flint. II. THE FAMILY’S PRAYER LIFE AS INDIVIDUALS. We do need united prayer and wor ship as a family, but we need far more than that. Each member of the family' must realize his own* privilege of prayer, and learn that prayer is not only “the key of the morning and For Those Who Have Topics
Phone VAndike 9483 ER ICK PETERSON FIRST CLASS SHOE REPAIRING Los Angeles, Calif. 730 W. Sixth St.
Miriam J. Davis
the teaching of Romans 12:2. The tendency of men is to shape them selves according to tjjie pressure of public opinion. The Christian does not do this; he does not lie, cheat, steal, •loiter on the job, or complain. He is different from the worldling because he is being conformed to the image of the Son of God. .In his work, he asks himself b e f o r e every decision, “What would Christ do if He were in my place?” It must be kept in mind, however, that this attitude is the result of transformation. It is Christ in us, and working through us -that enables us to be like Him in our daily lives. II. BY R E A L I Z I N G ASSOCIATION WITH GOD. To be Christian in our work, we must realize our association with God. Paul perceived that he was a co-la borer with ¿he Lord (2 Cor. 6:1), and that every child of God was the same. Even the servants of Paul’s time were exhorted to serve their masters as un to the Lord, and not for men. Côlos- sians 3:23-25 reveals the scope in volved, “Whatsoever ye do” ; the man ner, “heartily” or, from the soul (R. V. margin) ; and the master, “Ye serve the Lord Christ.” What a privilege to be linked with the Son of Man, and what encouragement to know that He is by our side, thus making, the suc cess of our work assured! TIT. BY THE RIGHT PERCEPTION OF VALUES. To be Christian in our work, we must have the right perception of val ues (Prov. 13:7). This is a day of big wages and financial prosperity. As Christians, we must constantly guard against sacrifice of eternal blessings for present gain. Money may take L the place of the Lord to the careless Christian (Matt. 6:19-21; 1 Cor. 3:10- 15). Let us take this opportunity to give generously to the work of the Lord, and to the carrying on of His program in the world. We are being called upon to sacrifice for our na
CHURCH EPISTLES (Course No. 16) Especially suited to this age of grace, these portions of Scripture offer to you practical study. A suitable outline of each book is given in the first lessons, fol lowed by an exposition of each verse, and questions at the close of each division. The entire course presents the three important subjects of Justi fication, Sanctification, and G lori fication, by faith in Christ, giving knowledge so essential to t h e Christian today. The Christian sees himself in various aspects of his nature and need. In Romans, he is lost and in sin; in Ephesians, he is dwelling in the heavenlies; and in Thessalonians he is glorified. This is a very thorough, comprehensive, and in tensely interesting study. ALL-INCLUSIVE FEE Romans, $2.50; Ephesians....$2.0G Thessalonians......... ..............$2.00 One enrollment in all......_....$5.00 M A IL to— The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Inc.
Correspondence School 558 South Hope Street Los Afigeles, California
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