fective. Dry prayers come from dry hearts. Dry hearts do not produce the flowers that bloom with heaven’s grace. Hannah prayed with tears (I Samuel 1:10). She saw the great need of Israel and prayed for a son who might bring the people back to God. Although bar ren of children her heart was rich in its desires toward God. She craved to be an instrument through whom the deliverer might come. God granted the desire of her soul. How we need to weep over the needs of the church and lost men everywhere. There was a mighty preacher who had tears. In Acts 20:19 Paul was mighty in word and deed and had a HE MAKETH NO MISTAKE M y Father's way may twist and turn, M y heart may throb and ache, But in my soul I'm glad I know, He maketh no mistake. M y cherished plans may go astray. M y hopes may fade away. But still I'll trust my Lord to lead, For He doth know the way. Tho night be dark and it may seem That day will never break. I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, He maketh no mistake. There's so much now I cannot see, M y eyesight's far too dim. But come what may, I'll, simply trust And leave it all to Him. For by and by the mist will lift, And plain it all He'll make, Through all the way, tho dark to me, He made not one mistake. tender heart. He wept over the people of God night and day. His sermons were moistened with tears. Paul wept because he cared. May God give every preacher and every one of us, as soul- winners, a tender heart, moistening the eye and the spirit with tears of love and compassion. * ft ft Those who hide their treasure on earth cannot expect to find it later in heaven. * A ft By doing wrong you become God's debtor; by suffering wrong you be come His creditor.
PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER
Have you ever considered what would be involved in making a vio lin. What delicate precision it would take. A distinguished musician or dered a new violin. He wanted the best possible instrument card so went to a real artisan. He told him to use only the finest materials, to take all the time he needed, utilizing his utmost skill. When completed the musician tried it out. Drawing the bow across the strings, his face clouded. L ifting the instrument above his head, he brought it down on the counter smashing it into pieces. Reaching for his wallet, he gave the price to the violin maker, turned sharply and promptly left the shop. The violin maker wasn't satisfied with the pay; his entire reputation was at stake. Gathering up the fragments he skillfully and patiently put them together. Again he sent for the musician. This time, as the artist drew the bow across the strings, the frown of disapproved didn’t come. The instrument was superb. “What’s your price for this one,” he happily asked? “Nothing at all,” he heard unbelievably. “It’s the same violin you smashed to pieces. I put the fragments togeth er.” In this same way, God alone can take the fragments of a shat tered life and put them together by His omnipotent grace. Completely under the touch of the Holy Spirit, the soul bursts forth in beautiful tones, exemplary of a life in tune with Christ. The Lard Jesus wants your heart, my friend, and He’ll take it broken. He has said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I w ill give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). * ft ft To fear pain ii natural but to fear pleasure is supernatural. . . . Lightening it the brightest when the clouds are the darknest. * . * 5
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs