LIFE'S GUIDE One of the extreme dangers of this opiated society is to feel overly secure in our salvation. Thereby we run ahead of the Lord, rather than waiting upon Him for guidance. A young sea captain had proudly refused to wait for an experi enced pilot to come on board his ship to steer it through a narrow section of wa terways toward a safe dockside mooring. The first mate suggested he should wait for the experienced man in view of the treacherous waters ahead. Not listening the captain proudly exulted, “I am my own pilot. I have all the experience nec essary to guide this ship to its destina tion. You’ll see us alongside the dock by sunrise.” Less than 24 hours later, how ever, his dead body was cast ashore amid the fragments of his wrecked vessel. He was only a fool, bringing destruction upon himself, his men and his ship. Such has been the fate of many who have at tempted to be their own pilot. Amid the rocks and shoals of life, he meets cer tain defeat. God sees tomorrow more clearly than we saw yesterday. As we let Him juide and direct us, we have the confidence, “No good thing will He with hold from them that walk uprightly.” A WINDOW OR A MIRROR? A minister had been asked to visit the home of a very wealthy professing Christian. In his pursuit of more money, he only had thoughts for himself. The pastor used a unique illustration to get his point across. Taking him to the win dow he asked, “What do you see out there?” The millionaire replied, “Just a crowd of people on the street; men and women going back and forth. There s nothing u n u su a l about that.” The preacher then led him to his dresser mir ror and again asked, “Now tell me what you see.” The rich man laughed, “What are you getting at? Naturally, all I can see is myself.” Then, in kindly tones, the minister explained, “A t one time, there wasn’t anything you wouldn’t do for oth ers. Today, however, all you are inter ested in, all you can see, is yourself. The window represents your old self, but the mirror, also made of glass, represents you today. The difference is in the sil ver that has covered the glass mirror, as well as your life. Don’t allow money to blot out others so that you can only see yourself.” In the hollowness of the
Thomas Beever who attends the Arizona Bible College. With him are fellow student Roy Whiteman of Kansas (left), and Mr. Merv Fishback, executive administrator of Biota's Phoenix affiliate. grave comes the mute testimony, “What I kept I lost; what I gave I kept; and what I had I left behind.” It is true, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose!” PRAYER No man is greater than his own prayer life. The pastor who is not praying may be merely playing, while the people who are not praying are probably straying. The ministry of preaching may be only open to a few, yet the ministry of prayer, the highest and holiest privilege in the entire world, is open to all. Evangelist Leonard Ravenhill writes, “This world is hitting the trail for hell with a speed that makes our fastest airplanes look like a snail or at best a turtle. Yet how many of us can remember the last time we missed bed because of a night of waiting upon God, praying for revival in our own hearts as well as for the world. The secret of praying is praying in secret. A sinning man stops praying while a praying man will stop sinning. Prayer is to the believer what capital is to the business man.” In the modern church setup of this era, the main cause of anxiety is money. God seems to be an after-thought or a last resort. Today our accent is on praying, while the early church was on praying. In the words of the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, toithout wrath and doubting.” 28
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