fellow in New Jersey who has be come known as “Mr. First” having won 5 10 first trophies in his life. His latest achievement was to be the first driver to pay a toll on the new lower level of the George Washington bridge connecting New York with New Jersey. Isn't that something! Of course, we have all read of those who wait in line all night in order to be first for tickets for some national sporting event. Would to God that the people of our nation had that much interest in being first when it comes to things pertaining to everlasting life. The majority, however, are far more interested in accumulating things, in going places and in satisfying their own fleshly desires no matter what the expense. There are many firsts to be won for Christ. Think of the untold multitudes who wait to hear the Gospel for the first time. We need to do as Paul exhorted, “Awake to righteousness.” For as our Lord has said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his right eousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” * * * A good minister should not only be able to comfort the afflicted but also to afflict the comfortable! * * * Have you heard of the woman who had twins bom in different, years? Sound strange? Actually, one was bom about 11:30 P.M. on De cember 31, 1962. The other a few minutes past midnight January 1, 1963. Twins, yet bom in two dif ferent years! W hat is true in the physical realm is also true on the spiritual plane. There are people who in the same city, neighborhood, even in the same home; children of the same parents, living in two dif ferent worlds. One lives in the light; the other is in darkness. The Bible tells us that the natural man re- ceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, because they are foolishness TW INS BORN IN DIFFERENT YEARS
unto him, neither can he know them because they are spiritually dis cerned. Is this true of you? You may know what the Bible means to a friend or relative, but as far as you are concerned, these truths are not real or practical. It may be that you know not the truth of Scripture because you have never met face to face the Lord Jesus Christ as Sav iour. “But to as many as received him, to them gave he power to be come the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). Here is Gods simple prescrip tion for eternal life, “That if thou shalt confess with, thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved’ (Romans 10:9). >' * * When right, you can afford to keep your temper; when wrong, you can't afford to lose it. * * * VAN ISH ING HOSPITALITY New, modern computers and other electronic devices give us informa tion concerning almost any subject imaginable. For instance, a recent survey was taken which brought to the fore the interesting report that for every one “Welcome” mat which is sold to a householder, 87 “No tres passing” signs are purchased. One enterprising poll taker surveyed houses right here in Los Angeles and discovered that there were two hous es which had welcome mats, while there were some 48 which had signs declaring, “Beware! Vicious dog!” And of the two houses with the “Welcome” mats, one had another sign which bore the dubious legend, “This house is quarantined. Keep out!” Hospitality seems to be less popular these days, as few are really interested in the welfare and well being of1others. To be sure, there are many of the unscrupulous who have preyed on their fellow men, and de prived themselves of a right to en ter a home. But we've said all of this to illustrate the Scriptural injunc-
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